This post is a curated selection of what we believe are the most famous chairs by Mid-Century Modern designers. If you wish to dive deeper into each designer’s bio and style description, please click the links below to reach their individual profiles 1 – The ball chair by Eero Aarnio The BALL CHAIR (1965) was One …
Poul Kjaerholm designed versatile furniture pieces that were a perfect mix of new methodologies, technology, and craftsmanship: a distinctive Mid-Century Modern feature displayed in his PK chair series. Kjaerholm also considered steel to be a natural material, which in his own opinion had the same artistic quality of wood. Bio Poul Kjaerholm was one of …
Poul Kjaerholm: new methodologies, technology, and craftsmanship Read More »
Nakashima’s work was guided by principles of Japanese woodworking, which he combined with Mid-Century Modern and American Shaker design styles. His appreciation for nature led him to emphasize the beauty of every wood burls, knot, and grain like in his series of Conoid tables and chairs. Bio George Katsutoshi Nakashima trained as an architect, receiving …
Gio Ponti is considered one of the masters of Italian architecture as well as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. In addition to creating important works of architecture, Gio Ponti designed numerous pieces of furniture using artisanal and contemporary production methods: like the 699 SUPERLEGGERA chair Bio Giovanni Ponti, known as …
Gio Ponti: is there any kind of object that he didn’t design? Read More »
It’s hard to think of anyone who influenced Mid-Century Modern design as much as Charles and Ray Eames. Their work displayed new wood molding techniques as well as new materials like fibreglass developed by the US military . Their Lounge Chair & Ottoman is possibly the most iconic MCM design piece. Bio Charles was born in …
Charles & Ray Eames: the most iconic Mid-Century Modern designers Read More »
Robin Day was one of the most acclaimed British Mid-Century Modern designers. His innovative furniture designs introduced materials such as steel, plywood, and plastic into the modern design world. His commitment to furniture durability and comfort led to mass-market successes like the ubiquitous Polyside and Polyprop chairs. Bio Born in 1915 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, …
Robin Day: durable, cost conscious, and comfortable MCM design Read More »
Hans Wegner learnt the art of crafting wood since the age of 13. Wegner’s prolific design embraces functionality and affordability exploiting his deep understanding of this material. His iconic MCM pieces include re-inventions of classics: like the Wishbone chair or the Peacock chair and innovations like the 3-legged Shell chair Bio Hans Wegner, son of …
Hans Wegner: the Danish craftsman who stayed in Denmark Read More »
Joe Colombo‘s futuristic designs ranged from interiors, to a wide range of products and furniture. His innovative ideas were ergonomic and minimalistic and his home-living solutions integrated furniture, lighting, storage and domotics. His Elda chair – one of the most iconic Mid-Century Modern pieces – offers an unprecedented ergonomic flexibility. Bio Joe Colombo (original name …
Joe Colombo: the pioneer of integrated solutions Read More »
Pierre Paulin: uncompromising, modern, individualistic, organic, uncertain, minimalist, classical, surprising, disappointed, unpredictable, sensual, enigmatic, free: the adjectives used are numerous and often paradoxical to describe the brilliant, taciturn yet visionary Pierre Paulin. His Orange Slice chair remains one the most iconic mid-century modern pieces of design. Bio Born on July 9, 1927, in Paris, this …
Jens Risom uniquely combined Danish tradition with American modernism yet maintaining a simple, rational design. The “600 series” chairs add an American sense of taste to the Skandi style by using rustic, solid materials. With its gentle lines, his furniture present a concern for functionality complemented by a distinctive, organic element like in the walnut …
Jens Risom: Skandi sensibility softens American rustic Read More »
Jean Prouvé was a French architect, industrial engineer and furniture designer but thought about himself more of an engineer and a constructor rather than a mere designer. Prouvé’s exceptional knowledge of metal remained the foundation of his work and career. His Standard chair assembled with light modular pieces evolved later into the lighter, voluptuous Anthony …
Mid-century modern designer Ernest Race was a prominent British textile and furniture designer. Race produced some of the most iconic furniture designs of his generation in a relatively short career like the BA3 Aluminum Chair, the Antelope Chair, DA1 Chair, Springbok Chair. He pioneered many ingenious furniture making techniques in the immediate post-war period and …
Ernest Race: the designer of British Utility Furniture Read More »
Eero Aarnio: master of Finnish interior design and pioneer of the mid-century modern movement. His distinctive design principles mix pop-art with space-age modernism. His masterpieces are still iconic today: the revolutionary ball chair, the bubble chair, the fiberglass tomato chair, the screw table, and the pastille chair Bio Eero Aarnio was born on July 21, 1932 …