10 Classic Midcentury Pieces That Will Never Go Out of Style
These timeless, iconic midcentury furnishings will elevate the look of any space—and they’ll earn you brownie points from anyone with a keen eye for design.
Text by
Midcentury modern furnishings are worth the investment—not only because they’re stylish, but also because they’ll last for generations to come. Classics by brands such as Herman Miller and Knoll have withstood the test of time in the fast-paced design world, and they’re flexible enough to fit in a wide range of interiors today. These are our definitive midcentury design staples.
Following his apprenticeship with the legendary Constantin Brancusi, sculptor Isamu Noguchi began to experiment in environmental design, theatrical sets – he was the only designer that choreographer Martha Graham would work with – and, eventually, product design.
Charles and Ray Eames had ideas about making a better world, one in which things were designed to bring greater pleasure to our lives.
The PH 5 Mini Pendant by Louis Poulsen was designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958 to create glare-free light. With multiple finishes to choose from, hanging the pendant anywhere is easy. The pendant uses three shades.
Stool 60 shows off a bit more leg. The stool was originally designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 with three legs. But the next year, Aalto added another. The result was the Artek Stool E60, which has four bent birch legs supporting the round birch slab seat. Available in an array of colors.
Some designs never age, and the Wassily Chair by Knoll is the perfect case study in this brand of timelessness. Framed in tubular steel, it's a characteristic creation of designer Marcel Breuer, who became intrigued with this material after purchasing his first bicycle.
Inspired by a streetlight, brothers Achille and Pier Castiglioni created the Arco Floor Lamp (1962), which provides overhead lighting without requiring ceiling suspension. It features a polished shade on a swiveling arm for precise lighting control.
Architect Eero Saarinen was a genius at creating expressive sculptural forms. From his TWA Terminal (now the TWA Hotel) at New York’s JFK Airport to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to his Pedestal Table (1956), there’s a magic in everything he created.
When Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was chosen to create the furnishings for the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona, he designed an iconic chair that many may not realize was born with royal roots.
While outfitting his office, architect and Herman Miller design director George Nelson discovered a silk-covered Swedish hanging lamp that he coveted but found too expensive.
Using the best natural materials and refined steam-bent methods, Wishbone is made to last for generations. In 1944, Hans Wegner began a series of chairs that were inspired by portraits of Danish merchants sitting in Ming Chairs.
Related Reading:
45 Modern Pots and Planters to Instantly Upgrade Your Greenery
Samantha Ramirez
Editorial Support at Dwell Magazine sramirez@dwell.com
Published
Last Updated
Topics
Shopping GuidesGet the Shop Newsletter
Smart shopping for the design obsessed. Find what you love in our expertly curated selection of finely crafted home, office, travel, and lifestyle products.