Modern Textiles

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

Style: Modern

Schumacher Caldwell Patchwork 20" Pillow

Modern Textiles

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Caldwell Patchwork 20" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Brigitte Stripe 16" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Wyatt Corduroy 20" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Wyatt Corduroy 22" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Wyatt Corduroy 20" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Wyatt Corduroy 22" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Wyatt Corduroy 20" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Overlapping Triangles 22" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Brigitte Stripe 18" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Mirabelle 22" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Sunrise Embroidery 18" x 12" Pillow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Acanthus Stripe 22" Pillow in Sky

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Riley 22" Pillow in Navy on Ivory

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Cosima 24" x 12" Embroidery Pillow in Blue Multi

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Marigold 30" x 14" Pillow in Yellow

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schuamcher Colorado 18" Pillow in Charcoal/Nickel

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Chevron Strie Velvet 20" Pillow in Lapis

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Riley 18" Pillow in Navy on Ivory

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumcher Riley 20" Pillow in Navy on Ivory

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Corfu 20" Pillow in Black Neutral

2010s German Modern Textiles

Chumbes Layer Pillow by Mae Engelgeer

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Rubia Embroidery 18" Pillow in Blue

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Deconstructed Stripe 22" x 14" Pillow in Black

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Rubia Embroidery 16" Pillow in Blue

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Parvin Velvet 24" x 12" Pillow in Black Ivory

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Berkeley 20" x 14" Pillow in Sky

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Corail Velvet 18" Pillow in Mediterranean

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Isolde Stripe 18" Pillow in Sky

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Fauna 16" Pillow in Slate Blue

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Ashoka 16" x 11" Pillow in Magenta Leaf

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Isolde Stripe 16" Pillow in Sky

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Fauna 16" x 12" Pillow in Dusty Pink

21st Century and Contemporary Scottish Modern Textiles

Bedspread Herringbone Woven of Extra Fine Merino in Grey by Catharina Mende

2010s Italian Modern Textiles

Saddle Cushion, Orange for Tria Chair by Colé Italia

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Ming Fret Velvet 20" Pillow in Navy

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Ming Fret Velvet 22" Pillow in Navy

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Textiles

Schumacher Fremont Indoor/Outdoor 22" Lumbar Pillow in Blue

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Iconic Leopard 22" Pillow Two-Sided Pillow in Graphite

2010s North American Modern Textiles

Schumacher Hearts + Coffee Bean 18" Pillow

2010s North American Modern Textiles