Mies van der Rohe

Less is more. But what remains is everything.

There are phrases so precise that you stop thinking about them and start living by them. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe didn’t just say "Less is more." He built it. Designed it. Stretched it onto chrome-plated steel frames and covered it with fine leather, so it could stand in a room forever.

In October 1957, the launch of Sputnik 1 catapulted humanity into a new era - the Space Age. This time, marked by a race into space, inspired designers around the world to bold, innovative creations. Furniture that looked like it had come straight out of a science fiction film filled living rooms. The Space Age not only brought futuristic furniture, but also architecture that seemed to come from another world. Dome buildings and organic shapes reflected optimism and belief in technological progress. This era completely redefined "cool" and continues to influence how we imagine life on and beyond the Earth.

From product idea to marketable solution

The path from a product idea to a marketable solution is challenging. Companies need to address a wide variety of requirements. We support you by developing the optimal solution for your challenge – from an initial concept to series production. For us, every customer request is individual, and we always tailor our solutions to your specific needs. Our many years of experience and comprehensive expertise, combined with innovative approaches, guarantee that your project will be successful.

But why this fascination with Space Age now? In a world that constantly strives for uniqueness, these designs offer an irresistible combination of retro charm and futuristic vision. They remind us of a time when anything seemed possible. Space Age design brings a touch of optimism and playfulness to our homes in times of uncertainty. You may be wondering how exactly Space Age lifts our spirits? Think of the bold colors and geometric shapes that appear in furniture or artwork. They act like a visual energy drink that instantly shoots your mood to the moon. With every Space Age piece in your home, you bring a little piece of that unbridled, almost childlike hope into your home that makes us believe the impossible is achievable.

Der Duft des Orients: Marokkanische Minze und Schwarzer TeeBegeben Sie sich auf eine sinnliche Reise in die geheimnisvolle Welt des Orients. Die marokkanische Minze und der Schwarze Tee, meisterhaft kombiniert in dieser erlesenen Mischung, erzählen Geschichten von pulsierenden Märkten, warmen Sommerabenden und gastfreundlichen Menschen. Jeder Schluck entführt Sie in eine Oase der Ruhe und Erholung, umgeben von dem betörenden Aroma frisch geernteter Minze und dem kräftigen, erdigen Geschmack feinsten Schwarztees.

How to use Mies furniture in a room

Mies furniture does not require stylistic companionship. It works equally well in minimalist interiors and eclectic spaces—in the living area, the office, or the impressive reception room.

What it does need is space. Not a lot of space—but the right kind. A Barcelona Chair in front of a blank wall is no longer a blank wall. It fills the room with presence, not with bulk.

It is best combined with other pieces that share the same seriousness: a teak sideboard, a minimalist dining table, a floor lamp with a clear silhouette. Nothing that competes for attention.

Inspiration für Designliebhaber

Für Fans von innovativem Design und Architektur bietet Paris eine Fülle von inspirierenden Orten. Das Centre Pompidou, ein Meisterwerk moderner Architektur, beeindruckt nicht nur mit seiner ungewöhnlichen Fassade, sondern beherbergt auch eine herausragende Sammlung zeitgenössischer Kunst. Die Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine im Palais de Chaillot präsentiert eine umfassende Übersicht über die französische Architekturgeschichte und ist ein Muss für jeden, der sich für Bauwerke begeistert. Ein weiteres Highlight ist das Viertel Le Marais, das mit seinen historischen Gebäuden, trendigen Boutiquen und Kunstgalerien ein einzigartiges Flair bietet. Hier finden sich auch zahlreiche Concept Stores, die Designliebhaber mit ihren innovativen Produkten und kreativen Ausstellungen begeistern.

At 2nd Home, you'll find a curated selection of vintage furniture by Mies van der Rohe and his contemporaries – Barcelona Chairs, Brno Chairs, lounge furniture, and Knoll classics. Each piece inspected. Each piece ready for its next room.

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Space Age interior design and mid-century icons are more than just a trend - they are a tribute to a time when design pushed the boundaries of the imaginable. Used furniture and vintage design classics from this era open up design and decoration ideas. In a world that is constantly changing, these pieces offer us the opportunity to pause for a moment and reach for the stars. To the moon and back - the journey has only just begun.

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Discover more 2nd home Guides and the Bauhaus Collection on 2nd home.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mies van der Rohe

Which furniture did Mies van der Rohe design?
The most famous are the Barcelona Chair with matching ottoman and daybed, the Brno Chair, and the MR Chair – all characterized by cantilevered tubular steel constructions, leather, and precise proportions.

How can I identify an original Mies van der Rohe piece?
Originals from Knoll International bear an engraved Knoll signature on the frame or a plaque on the underside. Older pieces from the 1960s and 70s often have a characteristic leather patina and slightly duller chrome surfaces.

Which styles can Mies furniture be combined with?
With almost anything – as long as the room allows space. Mies furniture works in minimalist interiors as well as in eclectic spaces. They don't need stylistic company, just enough space to be seen.

Are vintage Mies van der Rohe pieces a good investment?
Yes. The demand for authentic Knoll productions and early reproductions is continuously growing. A well-preserved Barcelona Chair from the 1970s or 80s is worth more today than ten years ago.

Are Mies van der Rohe furniture pieces still produced today?
Many of his designs are still produced under license by Knoll International today. Vintage pieces differ in material depth, patina, and the craftsmanship quality of earlier production decades.