Modern Design

Italian Design Icon

Icon of Italian Modern Design: Olaf Von Bohr's Medusa Lamp.

Valenti Luce Olaf Von Bohr Medusa table lamp. This stunning modernist table/floor lamp was designed in 1968 by Austrian born Olaf von Bohr for Valenti in Italy. The Medusa Lamp is probably the most beautiful lamp that was ever designed. This attractive modern lamp is made by assembling around a steel circle a number of bent and painted steel foils to form a particularly soft light diffuser. The Medusa lamp easily transforms any interior into a work of art, especially at night. Sinuous and appealing, the Medusa Lamp combines the principles of a clear and minimal design with the timeless force of dreams and poetry. This modern light can be seen in the Permanent Exhibition of Italian Design at the Milan Triennial. This incredible Italian modern lamp will be a real center piece in any room. A true icon of Italian modern design of the 1960s.

Medusa Lamp available from nova68

Modernist Italian Glass Table Lamp

Sphere by Marco Agnoli Modern Italian Design Table Lamp

The Sphere Table Lamp is a beautiful modern light fixture designed by Italian designer Marco Agnoli. This must be one of the most beautiful table lamps we have ever seen. This beautiful light fixture features a distinct glass sphere influenced by the design of the Dandelion flower. Its design also reminds us of the shape of Harry Bertoia's Sounding Sculptures. A beautiful modernist table lamp with an attractive design. This beautiful modern table lamp was featured at the Euroluce Italian modern lighting fair in Milan Italy. Sphere is one of the most attractive modern table lamps ever made. This distinctively modern glass table lamp is the centerpiece of any room. Twelve handblown Italian glass spheres surround an additional seven clear light bulbs in the center. The glass spheres create an attractive lightness to the design. The Sphere table lamp is an extremely elegant and sculptural lamp in both on or off position. Sphere is available with either a round or square chrome plated base. Light bulbs are included. This lamp comes with dimmer switch.

Sphere Table Lamp

Lighting Italian Style

Ingo Maurer Campari Light available from Stardust.com

Ingo Maurer Campari Lamps Chandelier

Nothing is more Italian than having a Campari Soda over lunch. Ingo Maurer's Campari Lamp goes a step further. The Campari pendant light from Ingo Maurer is made of ten original Campari Soda bottles, individually detachable, surrounding a PAR lamp. True to Ingo Maurer's tongue-in-cheek form the height of the Campari pendant is freely adjustable via Campari crown cork.

when life gives you rain...

Max Huber for Borsalino 1950s. Remember when Graphic Design blew your hat off.

...wear a hat

Wooden Animal Puzzle

The classic 1975 "Animal Puzzle" available from nova68.com

This Swiss take design seriously but Animal Puzzle proofs that this seriousness is not a prerequisite when it comes to designing fun toys with timeless play value. Take for example this wooden toy puzzle which was designed in 1975 by Japanese designer Aoi Huber Kono. Have you ever seen a an elephant with rabbit ears, or a lion with an elephant's trunk? If you can imagine it, you can create it with this Swiss made Animal Puzzle. Naef's Animal Puzzle is one of the most popular wooden puzzles ever made! The Animal Puzzle was designed by Japanese designer Aoi Huber Kono in 1975 and continues to be one of the top selling wooden toys. Play, create and smile with the fantastic Animal Puzzle! Whether an elephant, monkey, lion, owl, hare or bear - all of these animal's faces can be made with the 25 maple wood cubes. Amusing, imaginary animals such as a "lion- owl" or an "elephant-bear" are also waiting to be disovered on safari. Three cards depicting the six basic motifs are enclosed as a guide. A fantastic way to help kids develop imagination while exposing them to good design. Create childhood memories that will last a life time. Naef's Animal Puzzle is a real design classic which is bound to amaze both parents and children with lots of funny smiling faces. It will encourage imagination and creativity for many years to come. The Animal Puzzle is beautifully crafted by Naef in Switzerland with non-toxic colors and environmentally friendly wood. A seriously good toy for young and old(er).

Naef Animal Puzzle by Aoi Huber Kono available from nova68

Modernist Ceiling Mobile

Mid Century Modern Styled Ceiling Mobile.

Modernist ceiling mobile in various shades of green. We love this beautiful elegant modernist ceiling mobile with its calming natural colors. A great addition to any mid century modern interior in the style of Alexander Calder's iconic Calder Mobiles.

Modernist Ceiling Mobile available from nova68

space to which we are drawn

Tadao Ando Architecture on Naoshima island in Japan (image credit nova68.com)

Lee Ufan Art Museum designed by Tadao Ando on Naoshima island in Japan (image credit nova68.com)

Minimal Architecture by Tadao Ando

Tadao Ando's ultra minimalist concrete architecture in Naoshima Japa

Classic Black Wrap Dress

Timeless classic black wrap dress "Jeanne" by Diane von Furstenberg.

Minimal Modern House in Poland

Modern Architecture in Poland

Robert Konieczny, Aatrial House

A beautiful example of restrained minimalist modern architecture that would get Mies van der Rohe's nod of approval. We like the free-flowing driveway as well, very Oscar Niemeyer. The Aatrial House is an ultra modern house designed by Polish architect Robert Konieczny and constructed by KWKPROMES in Poland.

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool

Is there any design object more beautiful than Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool? The elegant Yanagi Butterfly stool is truly one of the most perfect side stools ever created. Created by the grand master of Japanese mid century modern design, Sori Yanagi, in 1956. The graceful Yanagi Butterfly Stool blends ancient Japanese forms with modern Western materials. Enduring icon of modern design: elegant, timeless, durable, sustainable and you will still love it in 25 years. The graceful Yanagi Butterfly Stool takes up a minimum of space and is perfect as a side stool in the entrance or lobby, bedroom or living room. This very hard to find, original Sori Yanagi Butterfly stool was made by the original Japanese manufacturer Tendo. This is not the Vitra production from Europe! Only 5 (five) pieces available through modern design retailer nova68.com from a "new old stock". In original Tendo Japan cardboard box, never used and in mint condition. Very rare original Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool in Rosewood made by the authorized Japanese manufacturer Tendo. Purchased in Japan by the previous owners but they were never used. A rare opportunity to acquire the original Japanese edition of the Butterfly Stool. Marked with Tendo label and number (which could be different from the photo). Original Tendo cardboard box with Tendo logo. Authenticity is guaranteed.

Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stool available from nova68.com

Wooden Chess Set by the Bauhaus

Bauhaus Wooden Chess Set designed by Josef Hartwig in 1924.

Detail of chessboard.

Presented in wooden box with Bauhaus logo.

Complete Bauhaus Chess Set.

Josef Hartwig Bauhaus Wooden Chess Set
Complete Chess Set with Chessmen and Chessboard

Looking for an exceptionally well-crafted and historically significant chess set?
The Josef Hartwig designed Bauhaus Chess Set is one of the most perfect chess sets ever created. The Bauhaus Chess Set is one of the most historically significant objects from the Bauhaus. The beautiful chess pieces have clean modernist shapes in the typical constrained minimalist manner of the Bauhaus. The shape of each character corresponds to its movement: The queen, which can travel anywhere, is a sphere. The King, which moves on the axes, is a cube. Cubes, cylinders and balls lead you move by move to checkmate. The Bauhaus Chess Set is made with hardwood maple, each piece is cut to carry a specific grain pattern to ensure that the wood does not warp or chip, creating a durable heirloom quality chess set. This beautiful chess set makes a great gift for young and old. Ages 14 years and up.

Bauhaus Chess Set, the classic came of chess, in a pure modernist layout. The beautiful Bauhaus Chess Set was designed by Bauhaus sculptor Josef Hartwig in 1924. Bauhaus was the most influential school of avante-garde design, art and architecture of the 20th century. The Bauhaus was a vibrant creative force and produced some of the most renown modern architects of the 20th century including Walter Gropius (Bauhaus founder), Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Naef is the authorized manufacturer and produces this Bauhaus Chess Set according to the original design. The Josef Hartwig Bauhaus Chess Set is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

Josef Hartwig Bauhaus Wooden Chess Set

Bauhaus Bauspiel Wooden Toy

Bauhaus Bauspiel designed by Alma Siedhoff-Buscher in 1923 and available from nova68.com

Bauhaus Bauspiel designed by Alma Siedhoff-Buscher in 1923 (image credit Found by James in Basel).

Naef Bauhaus Bauspiel

Bauhaus Bauspiel available from modern design retailer nova68.com is one of the most legendary art/design toys. Bauhaus Bauspiel was designed by Bauhaus apprentice Alma Siedhoff-Buscher in 1923. Bauhaus was the most influential school of avante-garde design, art and architecture of the 20th century. The Bauhaus was a vibrant creative force and produced some of the most renown modern architects of the 20th century including Walter Gropius (Bauhaus founder), Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Alma Siedhoff-Buscher studied under famous Bauhaus theorist Johannes Itten and created this play set shortly after she finished his preliminary Bauhaus course. She designed it as part of the children's room in the model Bauhaus building block house "Am Horn" in Weimar. Bauhaus Bauspiel (also known as the Bauhaus Bauspiel: Ein Schiff" is an original model designed by the Bauhaus movement! The Bauhaus Bauspiel is perfect for young and old, learn about color, form and texture as the building blocks for artistic creation. Endless possibilities can be made, learn about balance, construction and shapes. Bauhaus Bauspiel represents a century of German educational theory about the role of play as an educational device in early childhood. Naef is the authorized manufacturer and produces this Bauhaus Bauspiel set according to the original design.

This Bauhaus Bauspiel building block set with its clean lines is typical of timeless Bauhaus style. This Bauspiel has characteristically reduced forms. Cubes, cylinders and balls allow you to create your own Bauhaus masterpiece. Will provide adults and children with hours of fun. Barry Bergdoll, chief curator of architecture and design a the Museum of Modern Art in New York called this Bauhaus Bauspiel one of the favorite things from their collection, and one of the key-object in their "Bauhaus Workshops for Modernity" exhibition.

Bauhaus Bauspiel available from nova68

Counter Composition V

Counter Composition V by Theo van Doesburg 1924.

Anatomy of a Classic

Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye

Image Credits: nova68.com, AudreyH, FADB,

Minimal Modernist Architecture Toy

Nothing in life is really perfect but Tectus certainly comes close. Naef Tectus is Swiss minimalism redefined. Looking for the ultimate modernist minimalist architectural toy? This ultra modern Swiss building block toy is a most perfect gift for aspiring architects, both young and old. Create your own architectural masterpiece with Tectus made by Naef in Switzerland. This white wooden cube is divided several times in adherence to the golden ratio and surrounded by black shapes. During play, these become foundations, walls or roofs and a player the architect. Everything fits into each other harmoniously. If you love minimal modern architecture by Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Philip Johnson and Richard Meier, you will appreciate this beautiful wooden toy. You can even configure it to look like a Frank Llloyd Wright Taliesin floor lamp. With endless possibilities, this minimal architectural toy offers abundant construction ideas that are only limited by your own imagination. Build your own icon of modern architecture with Tectus by Naef. A beautiful Swiss wooden toy.

Naaf Tectus is available from nova68

Icon of Modern Design Pipistrello Lamp

Gae Aulenti Pipistrello Table Lamp pictured in an Italian modernist house.

Collection of Pipistrello Lamps viewed from above.

Telescopic feature allows adjustable height.

Pipistrello lamp: designed by the multi-talented Italian designer Gae Aulenti in 1966 for Martinelli Luce, Italy. The Pipistrello lamp has become one of the classic icons of 20th Century Design. The height can be adjusted by it's telescopic stem (height can be set anywhere from 26" to 34". The Pipistrello lamp is available with a white- or black base.

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Pipistrello Lamp available from nova68.com