Question 1

What is a 1940s style dress?

Accepted Answer

The most popular 1940s-style dress was the shirtwaist dress. It had a front opening like a men’s shirt, but with large buttons in the front of the dress, which was practical and easy to wear. The sleeves were short and necklines varied from shirt style to sweetheart and other necklines. Antique and vintage dresses from well-known designers are available on 1stDibs.

Question 2

What dresses were popular in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

A number of dresses were popular during the 1940s. Many women wore short-waist dresses with button necks, collars, fitted waists and full skirts. The classic A-lines with knee-length hems in red, white and blue colors were also a trend. Shop a collection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What did Ladies Wear in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1940s, ladies wore clothes defined by clean and slim silhouettes. The jackets, blouses and sweaters often featured shoulderpads and had somewhat of a military feel. Most dresses were quite casual and pants and playsuits became part of a woman's everyday style.

Question 4

What is Danish modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Danish modern furniture is the term for a style of furniture that emerged during the 1930s through the innovation of designers from Denmark. It is a subset of Scandinavian modern furniture, the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life. Some notable Danish modern designers include Hans J. Wegner, Kaare Klint, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Arne Vodder and Verner Panton. Shop a range of Danish modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What is modern furniture made of?

Accepted Answer

Modern furniture is made of many different types of materials. Some modern furniture makers used natural materials like wood for frames and leather and linen for upholstery. Metals, such as aluminum, stainless steel and nickel, were also common, as were some plastics. Explore a diverse assortment of modern furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 6

What is modern furniture design?

Accepted Answer

Modern furniture design is an overarching term for the new approach that designers began taking in the early 20th century. Many experts cite the Bauhaus movement as the start of the modern era. Its style was defined by the instructors and students at a progressive German art and design school founded by the architect Walter Gropius that operated from 1919 to 1933. In Bauhaus-style furniture, the school’s followers married industrial and natural materials in simple, geometric forms. The goal of the Bauhaus was to erase the distinction between art and craft while embracing the use of new technologies and materials. As the Bauhaus movement was emerging, so too was Art Deco. This iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture makers respected the dark woods and modern metals with which they worked; they frequently incorporated decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides as well as veneers in their seating, case pieces, living room sets and bedroom furniture. After World War II, modern design continued with the mid-century modern movement. The style is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Historians typically say that the modern approach to furniture design ended in the mid-1960s or early 1970s. Pieces made after that time may be called postmodern or contemporary. Shop a large collection of modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What is modern style furniture?

Accepted Answer

Modern style furniture has smooth shiny surfaces, straight lines, simple shapes. The general objective is a simple uncluttered look.

Question 8

What is the difference between modern furniture and old furniture?

Accepted Answer

The difference between modern furniture and old furniture is in the specificity of the term. Generally, pieces considered modern date from between the end of World War II in 1945 and the end of the 1970s. During this period, more furniture makers mass produced pieces, and designers increasingly used new materials, such as plywood and plastic. Old furniture is not a specific term. People frequently use the term old for anything that subjectively appears aged. Explore a large selection of modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is mid century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modernism first appeared in 1945 and merged a minimalist aesthetic with practicality. Mid-century modern furniture is distinguishable by its lack of decoration or extravagance and its use of clean lines, organic curves and variety of natural materials.

Question 10

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 11

What do you call furniture from the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 12

What is 1950s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.

Question 13

What is 1970s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1970s furniture is called varies. Generally, you may see pieces produced during the decade classified as "vintage" or "retro" furniture. During the 1970s, some makers continued to produce furniture that boasted the characteristics of mid-century modern works. The disco era yielded furnishings with organic, often rounded shapes, unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and a mix of materials. The showy leather furniture of the 1970s, which was both sexy and comfortable, is seeing a resurgence in today’s homes. Shop a wide variety of vintage 1970s furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 14

What is ’70s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.

Question 15

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 16

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 17

Which designer was called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s?

Accepted Answer

Claire McCardell was the designer often called the Mother of American Fashion in the 1940s. An American designer, she helped introduce women's sportswear to the United States and was particularly well-known for her bias-cut, loose-fitting Monastic dress. When World War II broke out in the 1940s, she designed pieces out of readily available materials like denim, calico and wool jersey, introducing new fabrics for women's clothing that would remain popular well after the close of the war. Many people point to McCardell as one of the first successful American fashion designers. Shop a collection of Claire McCardell apparel on 1stDibs.

Question 18

Why is mid-century modern furniture so popular?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern furniture is so popular largely because its characteristics align well with the trends and tastes that are dominant today. Many people love its simple look defined by clean lines, and the use of natural materials also adds to its popularity. In addition, designers created mid-century modern furniture to be as functional as it is visually appealing, making pieces executed in the style simple, convenient and comfortable to use. Find a wide range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 19

What year is mid-century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

There is not a single year that is mid-century modern. The style emerged during the 1940s and 1950s and remained dominant through the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Some notable designers who contributed to the development of the mid-century modern style include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. Shop a wide range of mid-century modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 20

What defines mid-century modern furniture?

Accepted Answer

Mid-century modern furniture combines sleek lines with organic shapes.

1940s Modern Furniture

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

1940 s stunning polychrome glass tablelamp attributed to Luigi Brusotti

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Heywood Wakefield Stick Wicker Lounge Chair Ottoman 1940 s Early Mid Century

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Modern Swedish Brass and Glass Globe Chandelier, Sweden 1940s

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Exceptional Swedish Modern Cloud-Form Mahogany Coffee / Side Table, 1940s

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps

1940 s Floor Lamp Model 541 by Hans Bergström for Ateljé Lyktan

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sofa Tables

Swedish Modern Coffee Table in Mahogany and Glass, 1940s

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vases

Gertrud Lonegren Textured Color Glazed Ceramic Vase, Rorstrand, 1940 s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Stools

Scandinavian modern stool by Tor Wolfenstein for Ditzinger, Sweden, 1940s

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Italian Mid-Century Modern Floral 1940s-1950s Chandelier

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps

Floor Lamp in Brass and Double Glass Shades by Bo Notini, 1940’s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets

Scandinavian Modern cabinet 2661 by Mjölby Intarsia, Sweden, 1940s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Mirrors

Scandinavian modern wall mirror with floral etching, anonymous, Sweden, 1940s

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Floor Lamps

Floor Lamp in Double Glass Shades and Brass by Bo Notini, 1940’s

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Sofa in Ash Legs with Original Velvet Mohair Fabric by Flemming Lassen, 1940 s

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Floor Lamp in Brass, Leather and Original Lamp Shades by Hans Bergström, 1940 s

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Very Rare Side / Cocktail Tables in Brass and Circular Mirror Glass Top, 1940 s

Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Danish Easy Wingback Chair with Open Armrests by Alfred Christensen, 1940 s

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Bed Frames in Mahogany and Woven Cane by Josef Frank, 1940 s

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

1940s Mid-Century Modern Italian Side Table in Wood and Glass

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Pair of Easy Chairs in Oak Legs w/ Reupholstered in Gabriel Savak Plain, 1940 s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

1940s Swedish Modern Armchair – Sculptural Wooden Arms and Upholstered Seat

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Floor Lamp in Bronze Patinated Brass and Glass Shades by Poul Henningsen, 1940 s

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Ta...

Set of 3 Swedish Modern Nesting Tables in Birch, 1940s

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Floor Lamp in Bronze Patinated Brass and Glass Shades by Poul Henningsen, 1940 s

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

1940 s elegant parchment-covered wooden coffee table

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Restored 1940 s Transition Rattan Recliner Lounge Chair

Vintage 1940s French Modern Armchairs

Fauteuil moderniste en acajou et skaï 1940-1950 s

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants

Murano 1940 s Chandelier opaline seeded white with Cobalt Blue accent

Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Pair of Swedish Modern Beech Armchairs, Sweden circa 1940s

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Mid-Century Modern Easy Chairs Attributed to René Gabriel, France, 1940s

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs

Swedish Modern Armchairs Attributed to Gösta Jonsson in Floweral Fabric, 1940s

Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

1940 s Murano Blue Glass Table Lamps - Pair

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

1940´s Set of Pinewood Saddle Girth Lounge Chairs by a Swedish Cabinetmaker

Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Mid Century Modern Vintage Floor Lamp Brass White Italy 1940s

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps

Scandinavian Modern LYFA Table Lamp Patinated Brass Opal Glass 1940s

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Vintage Massive Coffee Table, Thonet, 1940 s

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Solid Pine by Göran Malmvall, 1940 s

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

1940 s Style Coffee Table or End Table.

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sofas

Swedish Modern Two-Seater Sofa in Oak and Light Fabric, 1940s

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs