Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Mid Century Rosewood and Brass Armoire
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Mid Century Rosewood and Brass Armoire This armoire measures: 36 wide x 18 deep x 66.5 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Wood is in Great Shape w...
Brass
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Rosewood Wardrobe
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pasadena, TX
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin rosewood wardrobe armoire 1970 design Rosewood composition with gold brass trim (Two) regular drawers, (two) shelves, (six) pull out ebonized sh...
Rosewood
Milo Baughman for Directional Campaign Wardrobe
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This tall two piece wardrobe has all the right names attached! Designed by Milo Baughman for Directional's Custom Collection, and sold by Baker Furniture. Rich cocoa brown wood grain...
Walnut
$2,100 / item
PAir Milo Baughman Burl Olive Armoire's
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Pair Cabinets attributed to Milo Baughman,, Dramatic, tall Burl Olive wood ,, book match veneer,, Two doors with shelves interior,, 3 drawers, ****NOTE***Priced per unit Han...
Walnut, Burl
Vintage Modern Rosewood & Brass Plate Wardrobe Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Topeka, KS
Phenomenal vintage modern rosewood & brass plate wardrobe or chifforobe by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Comprised of gorgeous rosewood veneer and brass plated steel bands. Beauti...
Steel, Brass
Milo Baughman for Lane Mid Century White Lacquer and Burlwood Armories - Pair
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Lane Mid Century White Lacquer and Burlwood Armories - Pair Each armoire measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 68 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting ...
Burl, Lacquer
Milo Baughman for Directional Gentleman's Chest / Classic Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist Chest designed by Milo Baughman for Directional, A mid century modern walnut tall chest on chest dresser armoire with black accents designed by Milo Baughman for Di...
Metal
$5,400Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Burl Chrome Armoire Wardrobe Mid-Century
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin burl and chrome armoire/wardrobe.
Chrome
Unavailable
H 56.5 in W 46 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Burl and Dark Walnut High Chest by Centur
By Milo Baughman, Century Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Milo Baughman style 1970s high chest with dark walnut stained sides, beautiful burl wood veneer on front, and brass pulls. Stylish storage piece with 6 pull out drawers on the left s...
Brass
Pair of Milo Baughman Armoire Display Cabinets
By Milo Baughman
Located in North York, ON
Original Pair of Milo Baughman Armoire Display Cabinets. Featuring mirror backings and glass shelves.
Milo Baughman Walnut Armoire for Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut and burl wood armoire by Milo Baughman for Directional, c.1960s, USA, features eight drawers down the middle of the interior of the cabinet, three upper shelves, two with divi...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Burled Wood Armoire
By Milo Baughman
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Burled Wood Armoire. Featuring a straight line design, two large doors at the top that open up to interior storage space ...
Brass
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid Century Walnut Armoire Wardrobe
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid Century Walnut Armoire Wardrobe This armoire measures: 40 wide x 18 deep x 66.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Metal
Sold
H 70 in W 38.75 in D 20 in
Milo Baughman Style Custom Quality Hi Chest - Armoire Chest Wood & Chrome Canada
By Milo Baughman
Located in Stamford, CT
Stunning Mid-Century Modern two-piece custom quality Hi chest or armoire deigned after Milo Baughman. This fine wood and chrome chest is marked Made In Canada having rosewood and oak...
Wood
Sold
H 58.25 in W 42 in L 58.25 in
1970's Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Burl Wood Highboy Cabinet Armoire
By Milo Baughman
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Milo Baughman Burl wood highboy cabinet This cabinet is positively stunning!. Book matched olive burl wood throughout, with an ebonized base make this Minimalist statement piece a...
Burl
Sold
H 74.25 in W 40 in D 20 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid-Century Modern Armoire Dresser, 1960s
By Milo Baughman, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern armoire dresser By Milo Baughman for Directional, "Country Villa" Collection USA, 1960s Gorgeous cherry wood, with burled walnut and myrt...
Brass
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Armoire Dresser by Lane, 1970s
By Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern burl wood armoire dresser or gentleman's chest By Lane Furniture USA, 1970s Measures: 38.25" W x 19" D x 71.25" H.
Burl
Milo Baughman Burl Wood Highboy Cabinet
By Milo Baughman
Located in Culver City, CA
This cabinet is positively stunning! Bookmatched olive burl wood throughout, with an ebonized base make this Minimalist statement piece always fashionable.
Burl
Sold
H 66.5 in W 40 in L 66.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Baughman for Directional Armoire Wardrobe Dresser Walnut Wood
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic walnut wood armoire wardrobe unit, by Milo Baughman for Directional, circa 1970s.
Walnut
Sold
H 71.63 in W 44 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Custom Collection Campaign Style Gentleman's Chest
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style gentleman's chest by Milo Baughman for the exclusive Custom collection for Directional. The chest features rich woo...
Brass
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Gentleman's Chest by Lane
By Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern burl wood gentleman's chest by Lane Furniture. The dresser features stunning burl wood grain and sleek midcentury design. It off...
Burl
Sold
H 68 in W 30 in D 29 in
Mid Century Brutalist Oak and Rosewood Brutalist Armoire With Chrome Details
By Milo Baughman
Located in Elkton, MD
Mid-Century Brutalist Oak Armoire with Rosewood and Chrome Details. Comes apart in 2 pieces.
Chrome
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Armoire Dresser or Cabinet by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern armoire dresser, gentleman's chest, or media cabinet By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection USA, 1980s Burled olive wood, with ash c...
Ash, Burl, Ebony
Sold
H 59 in W 42 in D 18 in
Vintage Lane Midcentury Burlwood Gentleman's Chest Highboy Dresser / Armoire
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Just in, a outstanding burlwood armoire that can double as a dresser by Lane, attributed to Milo Baughman.
Burl
Sold
H 58 in W 42 in D 20 in
Stunning Burl Wood Armoire Wardrobe by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham, 1970s
By Arthur Umanoff, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We currently have this burl armoire in our gallery paired with Warren Bacon bar stools, a pair of Dillingham end tables and a pair of Milo Baughman Chrome Chairs.
Burl
Sold
H 54 in W 39 in D 19 in
Mid Century Chest Dresser Chifferobe by Dillingham att. to Baughman c 1960/1970s
By Milo Baughman, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Great two door over two drawer chifforobe dresser, made by Dillingham, design possibly Milo Baughman, or Merton Gershun, circa 1960/1970's. The chest features an upper section, with...
Walnut
Burl and Stainless Steel Tall Dresser, USA, 1970s
By Milo Baughman
Located in Miami, FL
Burl and stainless steel tall dresser. Two doors and two drawers. Behind the doors are two shelves and three drawers.
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 82 in W 40 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Armoire Dresser or Gentleman's Chest by Henredon
By Milo Baughman, Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern armoire dresser, gentleman's chest, or linen press By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection USA, 1980s Burled olive wood, with ash cas...
Ash, Ebony, Burl
Midcentury Burl Wood Armoire Dresser Milo Baughman Style
Located in Baltimore, MD
A unique burled olive ash armoire in the style of Milo Baughman. Bold and impressive this beautiful wardrobe features a spectacular bookmatched burled olive ash veneer framed in a co...
Burl
Sold
H 82 in W 40.25 in D 19.75 in
Milo Baughman Style Modern Armoire Dresser or Gentleman's Chest by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Milo Baughman style Modern Art Deco armoire dresser, gentleman's chest, or linen press By Henredon, "Scene Three" Collection USA, 1980s Gorgeous book-matched burl wood ...
Burl, Lacquer
Sold
H 58 in W 42 in D 18 in
Midcentury Milo Baughman Style Roland Carter for Lane Burl Wood Highboy Armoire
By Roland Carter
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1970s Mid-Century Modern Roland Carter for Lane Burl Wood Armoire. Absolutely gorgeous1970s burl-wood dresser. Originally designed by Roland Carter for Lane Furniture, this "Alpha" ...
Burl
Sold
H 58 in W 42 in D 18 in
Midcentury Burl Wood Gentleman's Dresser Armoire - Roland Carter - Lane - 1970s
By Arthur Umanoff, Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman, Roland Carter
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage burled olive wood gentleman's chest or armoire by Roland Carter for Lane, circa 1970s. Repetitive book matched grain on the drawer and cabinet door facades. Clean organic mod...
Ash, Olive, Burl
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid Century Walnut Highboy Armoire
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Directional mid century walnut highboy armoire The bottom of the highboy measures: 40 wide x 18 deep x 24.25 inches high The top of the highboy measures: 37 wid...
Metal
Sold
H 74.25 in W 40 in D 20 in
Milo Baughman for Directional Mid-Century Modern Armoire Dresser, Newly Restored
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern armoire dresser By Milo Baughman for Directional "Country Villa" collection USA, 1960s cherrywood, with walnut and myrtle burl wood...
Brass
Milo Baughman for Directional Walnut Gentleman's Chest
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Mid-Century Modern walnut gentleman's chest designed by Milo Baughman for Directional. The two-piece cabinet features stunning walnut wood grain and sleek Mid-Century ...
Steel
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Walnut & Brass Wardrobe
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Denton, TX
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Walnut & Brass Armoire.
Brass
Sold
H 58 in W 42 in D 18 in
Milo Baughman for Lane Mid Century Burlwood Gentlemans Chest Highboy Dresser
By Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Lane Mid Century Burlwood Gentleman's Chest Highboy Dresser This dresser measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 58 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in wh...
Burl
Mid-Century Modern Burl Armoire by Lane Furniture
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Milo Baughman style mid-century wardrobe makes the perfect addition to any modern interior.
Wood, Burl
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Armoire Dressers by Henredon, Pair
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Milo Baughman style Mid-Century Modern armoire dressers or gentleman's chests By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection USA, 1980s Burled olive wood, with ash c...
Ash, Burl
Midcentury Walnut Armoire Cabinet by Directional
By Directional, Milo Baughman
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Beautiful midcentury walnut cabinet by Milo Baughman for Directional. Cabinet is beautiful walnut with black details, it features 2 bi-fold front doors with ample shelving and drawer...
Walnut
Sold
H 55 in W 40 in D 19.25 in
Chifferobe Amoire Wardrobe Chest Rosewood with Aluminum Trim after Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wardrobe with rosewood veneer drawer and doar fronts, chrome pulls, black sides, top and decorative aluminum frame trim. The chifferobe has two upper doors, which open to rev...
Rosewood
Sold
H 82 in W 52 in D 18.125 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Armoire or Storage Burl Cabinet Set by Milo Baughman
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Armoire or Storage Cabinet Set in Olive Burl by Milo Baughman Dimensions. 52 W ; 18 1/8 D ; 82 H
Burl
Mid Century Olive Burlwood Armoire Gentleman’s Chest by Lane
By Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in Lutz, FL
Often incorrectly attributed to Milo Baughman. 5 drawers, below the cabinet storage above.
Ash, Olive, Burl
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Gentlemen's High Chest Chifferobe Armoire
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice c.1970's walnut 2 door high chest of drawers armoire cabinet in style of M. Baughman. Excellent original vintage condition. Oiled walnut finish
Walnut
Milo Baughman for Directional Armoire
By Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cherry and walnut armoire with myrtle burl and brass pulls by Milo Baughman for Directional c.1965.
Brass
Milo Baughman Rosewood & Black Lacquer Wardrobe
By Milo Baughman
Located in Cambridge, MA
A tall black lacquer and rosewood dresser or wardrobe designed by Milo Baughman, possibly for John Stuart. Consists of an upper cabinet that opens to reveal a shelf and two drawers. ...
Chrome
Rosewood Armoire by Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Bleached rosewood armoire with brushed steel accent. This piece is very neat in scale at only 18" deep. Located at Las Venus 212-982-0608.
Steel
A Milo Baughman Designed Burroot Armoire USA 1970s
Located in London, GB
A Milo Baughman Designed Burroot Armoire USA 1970s
Tall Burled Olive Wood Cabinet by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in San Francisco, CA
This is a tall burled olive wood cabinet/armoire by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. It features two drawers below and two hinged doors above that conceal six drawers and several sto...
Walnut Wardrobe by Dillingham Attributed to Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome tall walnut wardrobe by Dillingham. Inside you will find ten drawers of different depths, above them a shelf with enough room to hold just about everything out of site, wi...
Walnut, Beech
$14,950 / item
H 33.08 in W 115.36 in D 61.82 in
1950's Style Curved Velvet Sofa in Custom Velvet Colors
Located in New York, NY
The Sofa inspires itself nature where green is the predominant element and where valleys and hills prevail. The item’s details allow it to be the perfect statement piece for any cont...
Velvet, Walnut
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
"Bold" Pink Marble Bold Side Table
By Kiwano Concept
Located in Eindhoven, NB
The BOLD pink marble Side Table is built from solid stone with clean lines and a simple structure. Its surface highlights the natural tones and patterns of pink marble. This minimal...
Marble
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...
Wood
$1,710 / item
H 15.75 in Dm 43.31 in
Contemporary Art Deco Mint green and Red powder coated Carousel 5 arms pendant
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Carousel suspension lamp has a delicate balance of form and function that produces a quiet, modern light ambiance for all to savour, with its Contemporary Art Deco lines. The struct...
Metal
LU Swing Sconce
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as all mounting hardware. Priced in...
Brass
$28,575 / item
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 20.48 in
Baron 4 Door Storage Cabinet — Patinated Brass — Made in Britain by NOVOCASTRIAN
By Richy Almond, Novocastrian
Located in Washington, GB
A four-doored sideboard in hand-patinated brass. Each door operates on push-to-open, soft-close hinges. Handcrafted in the North to order, this sideboard can be commissioned in besp...
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Metal, Brass, Bronze, C...
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
$1,300 / item
H 14 in W 9 in D 9 in
Brutalist, Handmade Ceramic Table Lamp, Double Decker Lamp by Streicher Goods
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Double Decker lamp is a tall, brutalist-inspired table lamp, perfect for lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp is composed of a...
Brass
20th century oak Gothic revival wardrobe
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
20th century oak Gothic revival wardrobe circa 1970. Good quality English made piece of furniture ready for everyday use. Single piece, decorated with fielded panels and carving to...
Oak
Pair of Burl Wood Nightstands by Milo Baughman for Lane
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning Vintage Mid-Century Modern pair of burl wood nightstands by Milo Baughman for Lane. The timeless beauty of burl wood, a naturally occurring wood pattern, and clean modernis...
Burl
$3,847 / set
H 20.25 in W 26 in D 17 in
Milo Baughman Style Lane Mid Century Burlwood Nightstands - Pair
By Milo Baughman, Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman Style Lane Mid Century Burlwood Nightstands - Pair Each nightstand measures: 26 wide x 17 deep x 20.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio ...
Burl
$2,518Sale Price|28% Off
H 71.26 in W 47.25 in D 9.06 in
Giò Ponti in the Manner Italian Midcentury Coat Racks 50's
By Gio Ponti
Located in bari, IT
Walnut wood structure coat rack with brass table anchored to the structure, embellished with brass circles creating harmony in the wooden panel. Crystal hood with brass anchors. 1950...
Brass
$5,950
H 27.75 in W 63 in D 35.25 in
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa Settee Two Seat 1960s Knoll
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Forest Grove, PA
Fresh from the home of the original owner, a Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Rosewood Case Sofa, fully marked. Professionally restored, the rosewood was well chosen and has wonderful...
Textile, Rosewood
$16,400
H 78.75 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Divider Wardrobe Walnut
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bedroom divider or wardrobe unit, walnut, glass Italy, 1980s This exceptional piece by Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi is...
Glass, Walnut
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
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
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.
When shopping for antique and vintage wardrobes and armoires for your home, there are several things to keep in mind, not least of which is question number 1:
What is the difference between an armoire and a wardrobe?
The difference between an armoire and a wardrobe is actually simple: An armoire is merely an ornate wardrobe. A wardrobe is a tall, streamlined storage cabinet that usually has some combination of drawers, shelves and hanging rods.
Antique and vintage armoires, on the other hand, are freestanding, heavy wooden structures that typically feature decorative metal hinges and pictorial carvings. Armoires are large cabinets that aren’t outfitted with the varied storage features that wardrobes now commonly have. Armoires often have one or two doors and a hanging bar and allow for quick access. Whether a minimalist mid-century modern wardrobe or grandiose Victorian-era armoire is the right fit for you, both are highly functional furnishings and can be a smart storage solution.
Armoires have been around since medieval times, and initially they may have housed weapons and armor. In their early days, armoires were often adorned with elaborate carvings and lavish paintings, particularly in Renaissance-era France. During the 18th century and later, armoires were widely known as “presses” for hanging clothes, and they were so large that they swallowed up the room where they stood.
In today’s modern homes, an antique armoire can be a striking, architectural work of art amid comparably unadorned furnishings. Whether you’re using your piece in the kitchen for cookware or as a food pantry, in the bedroom for clothes or in the living room as a media console, it will likely become a lovable focal point.
The evolution of the armoire can be seen in today’s corner wardrobes, which may rest on an asymmetrical base to account for corner placement, and even mirrored wardrobes, which feature a mirror affixed to the inside panel of one of the doors for convenience. Contemporary wardrobes commonly feature additional sliding trays and drawers and hanging space for clothing or linens, and the cabinet doors make them ideal for concealing televisions and computer monitors when such devices aren’t in use.
When choosing the right wardrobe or vintage armoire for your home, it’s good to have the following in mind: What are you planning to store in it? How much of what you’re storing will need to be housed in it? It should be big enough to accommodate your needs. What is the size of the room where your wardrobe or armoire will live? A large new piece of furniture in a modest space can easily become a hindrance if you have to navigate your way around it during your daily routine, so be mindful of the area you'll need in order to move freely.
Whether you are looking for an antique walnut armoire or a simple contemporary wardrobe, find the right piece for your home today on 1stDibs.