The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
Find International Style furniture on 1stDibs.
Custom Round Dining/Center Pedestal Table in Walnut Wood by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning natural walnut pedestal table. Wood is absolutely gorgeous! Can be made in any size and finish. As shown here in natural walnut. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gallos Studio CUS...
Walnut
Custom Mahogany Wood Round Beehive Pedestal Table by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom pedestal table in dark mahogany with beehive base. Measure: Top is 2 1/2" thick. Great dining or centre table. Can be made in any size and...
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Antique Italian Pietra Dura Octagonal Center Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine Italian, 19th century octagonal Pietra dura inlaid table raised on an ebonized base with four drawers. The pietra dura inlaid top depicting a stylized design with colorfu...
Marble
Center table in Murano glass circa 1970.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Center table in Murano glass circa 1970.
Murano Glass
Dos Gallos Custom Corkscrew Round Pedestal Dining or Centre Table in Oak Wood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom oak corkscrew pedestal table in beautiful white ceruse finish. Can be made in custom sizes and finishes. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gallos Studio. CUSTOM PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO...
Oak
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Rounded Coffee Table Italian Walnut Marble Top Green
Located in San Polo, Parma
Tanghero is a coffe table, designed by Studio Sagaría. TANGHERO’s design narrative blend the craftsman’s painstaking attention to detail with the artist’s unerring instinct, creat...
Marble, Metal
Custom Oak Wood Beehive Pedestal Table with Leaves by Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oak beehive pedestal table with two 12" leaves. Driftwood patina. 60" diameter without leaves and opens up to 84" with leaves. Can be made in an...
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Thick Marble-Top Round 70s Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Thick marble-top round 70s dining table.
Marble, Aluminum
STONE VALLEY Center Table – NUNOCA – Crema Marble - Organic
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare and mysterious, respecting harmonious and feminine shapes, the Nunoca table will easily fit into modern or more cozy interiors. Inspired by the contrasts revealed by pearly clou...
Marble
Italian White Sculptural Fan Coffee Table 1970's
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional Italian designer coffee table from the late 1970’s. This extremely rare table is made from individual steel slats, each painted in an off white palette, and arranged t...
Steel
Gorgeous Thick Carrara Marble Top and Chrome Base 70's Round Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous thick Carrara marble top and chrome base 70's round dining table. Extremely heavy due to its rare thick marble top. The top comes apart from the base for easier transport...
Marble, Aluminum
STONE VALLEY Contemporary Center Table – Stonissime – Classic Travertine
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
The iconic design of STONE VALLEY. Natural stone as a manifesto. Simplicity, elegance and authenticity echoing with functionality for this coffee table/side table/pedestal table or b...
Travertine
Old Murano glass hand painted center table circa 1900.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Big center table in Murano glass hand painted circa 1900.
Murano Glass
Archimede Seguso center table in Murano glass circa 1952
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Archimede Seguso center table in wonderful color with gold circa 1952.
Murano Glass
Venini center table in black Murano glass circa 1950
By Venini
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful center table in black Murano glass attributed to Venini in perfect conditions circa 1950.
Murano Glass
ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO ashtray in Murano glass "zanfirico" circa 1950.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful center table in Murano glass by ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO circa 1950.
Murano Glass
ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO center table "sfumato oro" circa 1955.
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful ARCHIMEDE SEGUSO center table in Murano glass "sfumato oro" circa 1955.
Murano Glass
Contemporary Matias Sagaría Round Coffee Table Italian Walnut Marble Top Grey
Located in San Polo, Parma
Tanghero #1 is a coffee table, designed by Studio Sagaría TANGHERO is a series of tables in different sizes, distinguished by the pronounced presence of his round base. Shaped by fo...
Marble, Metal
$3,600 / item
H 13.78 in Dm 35.44 in
Kanyon Coffee Table, Contemporary Sculptural Minimalist Round Wooden Walnut
By Studio Kali, Fulden Topaloglu
Located in Istanbul, TR
Kanyon is an authentic coffee table which combines functionality and sculptural posture with simplicity, beautiful materials and exquisite craftsmanship. Inspired by the topographic beauty of canyon structures, the design translates the basic topological features of canyons to a minimal and unique design language. Functionality is integral to its sculptural posture, where the U profiled gap between different table surfaces serves as a convenient and aesthetic space to store books, newspapers and magazines and the 2 level table top allows the user to arrange objects based on use, ease of access or aesthetic appeal. Produced by skilled craftsmen, Kanyon coffee table...
Wood, Walnut
$3,394 / item
H 14 in Dm 39 in
Walnut Veneer Coffee Table with 39-Inch White Marble Glass Top - Regia Line
Located in Miami, FL
A Régia walnut veneer occasional table designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis with graphite metallic base and white Carrara marbled glass top. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. The Regia occasional...
Metal
"Teoca" Coffee Table with Marble Top
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Teoca" coffee table is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archetypical modern f...
Hardwood
Classical Italian Pietra Dura Stone Mosaic Round Table Top
Located in Marbella, ES
Classical Italian Pietra Dura compass rose mosaic round white marble tabletop handcrafted with serpentine green, Alicante red, Nero black, travertine and o...
Marble
$5,100 / item
H 14.57 in W 55.12 in D 20.48 in
Kanyon Coffee Table, Oval with Marble Top, Contemporary Sculptural Smoked Oak
By Studio Kali, Fulden Topaloglu
Located in Istanbul, TR
Kanyon is an authentic cocktail table which combines functionality and sculptural posture with simplicity, beautiful materials and exquisite craftsmanship. Inspired by the topographic beauty of canyon structures, the design translates the basic topological features of canyons to a minimal and unique design language. Functionality is integral to its sculptural posture, where the U profiled gap between different table surfaces serves as a convenient and aesthetic space to store books, newspapers and magazines and the 2 level table top allows the user to arrange objects based on use, ease of access or aesthetic appeal. Produced by skilled craftsmen, Kanyon coffee table...
Stone, Marble
$6,956
H 28.94 in Dm 47.25 in
Rare Large circa 1825 South German Biedermeier Walnut Dining or Centre Table
By Biedermeier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning large Biedermeier south German round table circa 1825 A highly collectible and good lookin...
Walnut
Wonderful Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Round Pedestal Table
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller round pedestal table having a white laminate top and trim around the outer edge and supported by a bla...
Laminate, Wood
$1,565Sale Price|59% Off
H 19.69 in W 33.47 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Italian Coffee Table with Marble Top, 'circa 1950s'
By Ico Parisi
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Italian coffee table with marble top in the style of Ico Parisi (1950s). A tan with white highlights, rectangular (with curved ends) marble top sits upon a very stylish b...
Marble
Custom Regency Style 56" Diameter Mahogany Dining Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Swathed in the finest figured mahogany, this 56” diameter table features a bold pedestal comprised of a tapered octagonal column having an ebonized collar and terminating on a platfo...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Ebony
$24,500
H 31.5 in W 71.25 in D 35.5 in
Large Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Pedestal Table Base with a "Pietra Dura" Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine large Italian baroque revival carved walnut pedestal table base with a "Pietra Dura" (Pietre Dure) the inlaid marble figures of flowers and birds. The base is 19th century, the Pietra Dura top is 20th century. This beautiful and rare table may be used as a centre table, a writing table, a console or a wine cellar table...
Marble
$3,600
H 13.78 in Dm 35.44 in
Kanyon Coffee Table, Contemporary Sculptural Round Wooden Walnut, in Stock
By Fulden Topaloglu, Studio Kali
Located in Istanbul, TR
Kanyon is an authentic cocktail table which combines functionality and sculptural posture with simplicity, beautiful materials and exquisite craftsmanship. Inspired by the topograp...
Wood, Walnut
Glass X Cross Base Coffee Table w/ Marble Top
By Charles Hollis Jones, Pace Collection
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern square marble top coffee table.
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 11.42 in Dm 45.28 in
Porto Set Center Table, by Rain, Contemporary Center Table, Laminated Oakwood
By RAIN
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Porto low tables are composed of a circular top that seems to rest on a sturdy oblong base. Lightness and weight overlap creating a harmonic and unconventional monoblock. The unagre...
Wood
Polished Steel and Marble Anello Dining Table by Brueton
By Brueton
Located in New York, NY
Chic and sophisticated round dining table having a cylindrical polished steel base with a polished travertine marble top. The table is in very fine, original condition, clean and rea...
Marble, Steel
Walnut Pedestal Table- Special Order
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful dainty walnut pedestal table in a light wood and white ceruse finish.
Walnut
Mahogany Pedestal Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful mahogany pedestal center or dining table with a 2.25" thick straight top, great distressed patina.
Mahogany