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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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.
Dino Linen Modern Console with Bronze Sabots from Costantini, Customizable
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The clean rectilinear form of the Dino Console plays counterpoint to the fine detailing of the linen finish and is literally and figuratively capped off with burnished bronze sabots ...
Linen
Neto Modern Stool from Costantini in Rosewood Frame and Argentine Leather
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Costantini prides itself in using the hardest and most beautiful hardwoods in the construction of its line of seating. The Neto Stool has a gently curved, relatively low back leg...
Wood
Contemporary Modern Nesting Tables in Argentine Rosewood by Costantini, Dorena
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Dorena Nesting Tables feature a cascading zig-zag outer profile and a smooth inside finish that can be painted in gold. Custom finishes and sizing available. Priced as a set of t...
Wood
Exotic Argentine Rosewood Leather Counter Stool by Costantini, Umberto
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
At only 25 inches high, the Umberto chair offers a sleek and understated style. Since its introduction in the mid-2000s, it has been one of Costantini's most specified chairs, and is...
Wood
Exotic Contemporary Wood Stool in Yellow Leather by Costantini, Pia, In Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Pia Exotic Contemporary Wood Stool in Yellow Leather by Costantini - In Stock Costantini prides itself in using the hardest and most beautiful hardwoods in the construction of its l...
Leather, Wood
Customizable Exotic Wood & Oil Rubbed Bronze Sideboard by Costantini, Bertolucci
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Bertolucci Exotic Wood and Oil Rubbed Bronze Sideboard from Costantini Design features a high gloss Vavona Burl door, dark walnut frame, and oil rubbed bronze inlays. Available ...
Bronze
Exotic Wood & Oil Rubbed Bronze Sideboard (2 Doors) from Costantini, Bertolucci
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Bertolucci Exotic Wood and Oil Rubbed Bronze Sideboard (2 doors) from Costantini Design features high gloss Vavona Burl doors, a dark walnut frame, and oil rubbed bronze inlays. ...
Bronze
Modern Side Table / Stool in Ebonized Wood & Walnut Burl by Costantini, Caliz
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Caliz occasional table, which can also function as seating, takes its name and its form from the Spanish word for chalice. Shown here in an ebonized finish with a Walnut Burl top...
Wood
Carved Live Edge Solid Wood Trunk Table ƒ9 by Costantini, Francisco, in Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Francisco Hand Carved Live Edge Solid Wood Trunk Table ƒ9 by Costantini, in Stock Measurements are 24.4" diameter x 19.7" H. Each table in the Francisco Collection is hand carved f...
Wood
Carved Live Edge Solid Wood Trunk Table ƒ3 by Costantini, Francisco, in Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Francisco hand carved live edge solid wood trunk table ƒ3 by Costantini, in Stock Measurements are 29.5" diameter x 19.3" height. Each table in the ...
Wood
Costantini Diego Modern Crystal Pulegoso Made Murano Glass Vase with Dragonflies
By Costantini
Located in Murano, Venezia
Handmade Crystal Pulegoso Murano glass blown vase with 16 multicolored dragonflies attached with magnet. Modern vase ideal for a modern and rustic classic environment, for everyone...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Carlo Custom Argentine Rosewood Live-Edge Occasional Table from Costantini
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Carlo table is a cantilevered occasional table, designed to slide under a sofa or sitting area as necessary, and fashioned from slabs of sustainable sourced solid Argentine rosew...
Wood
Modern Side Table in Faux Parchment from Costantini, Tamino Hex
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The name of the Tamino Hex comes from its hexagonal shape and can be specified in any of Costantini’s available materials and finishes. Available here in faux parchment, these side t...
Goatskin
Contemporary Modern Nesting Tables in Argentine Rosewood by Costantini, Dorena
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Dorena nesting tables feature a cascading zig-zag outer profile and a smooth inside finish that can be painted in gold. Custom finishes and sizing available. Priced as a set of t...
Wood
Modern Side Table in Steel from Costantini, Tamino Hex, In Stock
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The name of the Tamino Hex comes from its hexagonal shape and can be specified in any of Costantini’s available materials and finishes. Shown here in burnished steel, these side tabl...
Steel
Carlo Custom Live-Edge Occasional Table from Costantini
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Carlo Table is a cantilevered occasional table, designed to slide under a sofa or sitting area as necessary, and fashioned from slabs of Argentine Ros...
Wood
Orianna Stool in Argentine Rosewood and Wrapped Leather from Costantini
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Costantini prides itself in using the hardest and most beautiful hardwoods in the construction of its line of seating. The Orianna stool features a solid Argentine rosewood frame wit...
Leather
Modern Upholstered Lounge Armchair from Costantini, in COM/COL, Lucina
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Lucina Modern Upholstered Lounge Armchair from Costantini, in COM/COL This elegant lounge chair with contrasting Kravet fabric and polishe...
Fabric, Wood
Slung and Wrapped Leather Slatted-Back Chair from Costantini, Piero
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
Costantini prides itself in using the hardest and most beautiful hardwoods in the construction of its line of seating. The Piero Stool features a solid Argentine Rosewood frame with ...
Leather, Wood
Custom Carved Occasional Table in Solid Wood from Costantini, Ysgawyn
By Costantini
Located in New York, NY
The Ysgawyn table’s playful shape belies the process through which it comes to life. It is carved first with a chainsaw and then turned on a lathe to refine its hourglass shape. Natu...
Wood