Mid-Century Modern Textiles
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, 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.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Vintage Embroidery Maroon Fabric
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Embroidery Maroon Fabric.Bright Colorful Stitching Abstract Pattern.
Dimensions. 17 L ; 10 1/2 W
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric
$103 Sale Price
20% Off
GP
J Baker “Birds
Cherries” in Green/Red 22” Down-Filled Pillows - a Pair
Located in Winder, GA
This offering is for a pair (2) 22” pillows. They will feature Birds and Cherries in red and green on the front and a coordinating off white linen back. They will feature plush down ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
Posh Faux Fur Pillow Striped Detailing by Hermhaus
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
Posh Faux Fur Pillow with Striped Detailing by Hermhaus
The Posh Faux Fur Pillow by Hermhaus is a refined decorative piece designed to bring warmth, texture, and understated eleganc...
Category
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Faux Fur
Posh Faux Fur Pillow Velvet Detailed by Hermhaus
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
Posh Faux Fur Pillow Velvet Detailed by Hermhaus
The Posh Faux Fur Pillow Velvet Detailed by Hermhaus is a refined decorative object designed to add softness, texture, and subtle co...
Category
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Faux Fur
Joy Pillow Striped Velvet by Hermhaus
By hermhaus
Located in istanbul, TR
Joy Pillow Striped Velvet by Hermhaus
The Joy Pillow Striped Velvet by Hermhaus is a refined decorative accent designed to bring softness, rhythm, and material depth to contemporary...
Category
2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Velvet
$170 / item
Pair of Linen Throw Pillows with Blue Birds, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of linen throw pillows printed with blue birds and sunflowers.
Priced Individually
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen
Brunschwig and Fils Pillows in Green Pave II Print- A 22 Inch Pair
Located in Winder, GA
New HOT and fun fabric from Brunschwig and Fils! This fabulous cotton print, Pave II in Green has been fashioned into gorgeous pillow covers! Reminiscent of seashells, this on trend ...
Category
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
Josef Frank Cushion in the Hawaii Pattern
By Josef Frank
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular cushion with a "Hawaii" pattern fabric by Josef Frank.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric
Green Buffalo Check 22” Down Filled Pillows - A Pair
Located in Winder, GA
GORGEOUS rustic linen weave in chic buffalo check. Color is on trend in soft green and ivory white. This pair of 22” pillows will feature Buffalo Check on the rong front and soft lin...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Costal Blue Floral Down Throw Pillow
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A gorgeous vintage Coastal throw pillow. A beautiful printed blue and white floral on a linen cotton upholstery fabric. Down filled insert. Two pillows available on my Chairish page....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Upholstery
Schumacher Coquina 22" Pillow in Blue
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Coquina Performance with a self welt finish. A small-scale geometric with a soft side. Coquina’s woven hexagons have an appealing tonal irregularity thanks to ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Linen, Polyester
$309 / item
Schumacher Queen of Spain Mid-Century Black
White 20" Lumbar Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Queen of Spain Fabric (Item# 175200) with a Knife Edge finish. Introduced in 1963 and still fresh today, this pattern has a lively, painterly quality- and is a w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Schumacher Chevron Velvet 18" Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Chevron Velvet (item# 72842, CHEVRON VELVET FABRIC) with a knife edge finish. A fabulous combination of plush ombré and delicate accent stripes, this luxe chevr...
Category
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
$306 / item
Schumacher Chevron Velvet 20" Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Chevron Velvet (item# 72842, CHEVRON VELVET FABRIC) with a knife edge finish. A fabulous combination of plush ombré and delicate accent stripes, this luxe chev...
Category
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
$342 / item
Schumacher Queen of Spain Mid-Century Black White Two-Sided 22" Cotton Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century design is one of our best-sellers. Introduced in 1963 and still fresh today, this Queen of Spain pattern has a lively, painterly quality featured. Featured as an exq...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Schumacher Cordoba Embroidery 22" Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Cordoba Embroidery with a knife edge finish. This sumptuous embroidery was inspired by Moorish tiles. Subtle variations are part of i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen, Polyester
Schumacher Vanderbilt Velvet 18” Pillow
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Vanderbilt Velvet by Mary McDonald for Schumacher with a knife edge finish. A large-scale, linear design gives this Italian cut ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Schumacher Ziz Embroidery 18" Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This pillow features Ziz Embroidery with a knife edge finish. With an intentionally irregular strie ground and a fanciful updated trellis pattern, Ziz Embroidery is truly unique, per...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Polyester
Mid-Century Modern Italian Vintage Souvenir Silk Scarf Throw Pillow, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian vintage souvenir silk scarf throw pillow with cashmere reverse.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Silk
GP
J Baker “Birds
Cherries” in Coral 22” Down-Filled Pillows - a Pair
Located in Winder, GA
This offering will feature Birds and Cherries by inimitable GP and J Baker in coral on the front with coordinating off white stone back. They will a...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Schumacher Queen of Spain Natural Cotton Two-Sided Pillow
By Schumacher
Located in New York, NY
This midcentury design is one of Schumacher's best-sellers. Introduced in 1963 and still fresh today, this Queen of Spain pattern has a lively, painterl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Mid-Century Modern Italian Vintage Silk Scarf Throw Pillow, 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern Italian vintage silk scarf throw pillow, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Silk Cushion Eucalypto by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Nut Brown by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It
crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Rustic x Indigo by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Off White by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Pine by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Off White by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Eucalypto by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Pine by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
In the research for the best materials, we rediscovered silk, a product of the life cycle of the silk cocoon. Silk spread worldwide and became a staple. It crossed continents, oceans...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Feathers, Silk
Silk Cushion Cupuaçu by Bossa Home Collection, 2023
Located in New York, NY
Taboa is meticulously handwoven using oversized organic silk yarn, jute, and cotton, resulting in an exceptionally soft, textured material of exquisite quality. The fabric boasts a h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Silk
Silk Cushion Nozes by Bossa Home Collection, 2023
Located in New York, NY
Taboa is meticulously handwoven using oversized organiz silk yarn, jute, and cotton, resulting in an exceptionally soft, textured material of exquisite quality. The fabric boasts a h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Silk
Silk Cushion Nozes by Bossa Home Collection, 2023
Located in New York, NY
Taboa is meticulously handwoven using oversized organiz silk yarn, jute, and cotton, resulting in an exceptionally soft, textured material of exquisite quality. The fabric boasts a h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Silk
Silk Cushion Macadâmia by Bossa Home Collection, 2023
Located in New York, NY
Taboa is meticulously handwoven using oversized organiz silk yarn, jute, and cotton, resulting in an exceptionally soft, textured material of exquisite quality. The fabric boasts a h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Silk
Silk Cushion Castanha by Bossa Home Collection, 2023
Located in New York, NY
Taboa is meticulously handwoven using oversized organiz silk yarn, jute, and cotton, resulting in an exceptionally soft, textured material of exquisite quality. The fabric boasts a h...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Upholstery, Silk
Pirarucu Leather Cushion Caramelo by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
Pirarucu leather brings new life to one of the Amazon’s most emblematic fish. Traditionally valued for its meat, the pirarucu’s skin was often discard...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Pirarucu Leather Cushion Black by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
Pirarucu leather brings new life to one of the Amazon’s most emblematic fish. Traditionally valued for its meat, the pirarucu’s skin was often discard...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Pirarucu Leather Cushion Off White by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
Pirarucu leather brings new life to one of the Amazon’s most emblematic fish. Traditionally valued for its meat, the pirarucu’s skin was often discard...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Pirarucu Leather Cushion Nut-Brown by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
Pirarucu leather brings new life to one of the Amazon’s most emblematic fish. Traditionally valued for its meat, the pirarucu’s skin was often discard...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Pirarucu Leather Cushion Nut-Brown by Bossa Home Collection , 2025
Located in New York, NY
Pirarucu leather brings new life to one of the Amazon’s most emblematic fish. Traditionally valued for its meat, the pirarucu’s skin was often discard...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
Pirarucu Leather Cushion Nut Brown by Bossa Home Collection, 2025
Located in New York, NY
Pirarucu leather brings new life to one of the Amazon’s most emblematic fish. Traditionally valued for its meat, the pirarucu’s skin was often discarded. Today, it is transformed int...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Leather
"Lido III" Merino Wool Pillow by Le Lampade
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
"Lido III" is a variation of the popular "Lido" pillow, featuring a white boiled wool background with hand-tufted and hand-channelled black wool as contrast. Comes with a feather/dow...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool
Green Velvet Cushion in Cotton with Double Tinsel Trim and Linen Back
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Green velvet cushion in high quality cotton with double black tinsel trim and linen back.
Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of 1...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Velvet
Abstract Geometric Printed Pillow
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
From the Sibilla Patrizi collection, this simple teal color geometric is silk screened on raw silk, has a poly/dac insert. Design appears on reverse side as well. Total of 2 availabl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen
GP
J Baker “Birds
Cherries” in Soft Blue 22” Down-Filled Pillows - a Pair
Located in Winder, GA
This offering is for a pair (2) of 22” generous down-filled pillows. These beautiful pillows will feature Birds and Cherries by inimitable GP and J Baker in soft blue on the front wi...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
Contemporary Geometric Print Pillow in Linen and Cotton
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Cushion made with 50% linen and 50% cotton fabric, with a geometric print of manual design finished in black velvet cord and invisible zipper on the back.
Every item LA Studio offer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Linen
GP
J Baker “Birds
Cherries” in Aqua 22” Down-Filled Pillows - a Pair
Located in Winder, GA
This offering is for a pair (2) 22” pillows. They will feature Birds and Cherries in aqua on the front and a coordinating off white linen back. Lovely soft white ground with accents ...
Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Textile
Frameworks by Brendan Bass Pillow in Blue Multi Tweed Vintage Fabric
Located in Dallas, TX
Frameworks by Brendan Bass Pillow in Blue Multi Tweed Vintage Fabric. Down Fill.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Fabric, Down
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Souvenir Silk Scarf Throw Pillow from 1970s
Located in Prato, IT
Mid-Century Modern vintage souvenir silk scarf throw pillow with cashmere wool back.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Wool, Silk
Contemporary Modern Pair of Square Pattern Linen Scatter Spanish Cushions
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Contemporary pair of square scatter cushions. Upholstered in pattern linen fabric model "Salvador" from the collection "Garçonnier" designed by Juan Avellaneda and edited by Güell La...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Mid-Century Modern Textiles
Materials
Linen, Velvet
Mid-century Modern textiles for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern textiles for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage textiles created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, wool and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern textiles made in a specific country, there are Asia, Caucasus, and West Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original textiles, popular names associated with this style include Bloomingdale's, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jonathan Adler, and Seref Ozen. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for textiles differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $62 and tops out at $188,000 while the average work can sell for $325.
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