Two of the best known manufacturers of 20th-century modern furniture, Cassina and Herman Miller, Inc., have introduced new colors and details to their famous furniture lines. Their mission was to add new interpretations of the great classics without sacrificing their original features or integrity. I am constantly amazed to see the extraordinary level of invention and innovation the designers from this period were able to achieve! Here are the latest color varieties, plus some of my own favorite iconic and colorful classics.

Cassina (cassina.com) has the exclusive rights to produce Le Corbusier furniture. The company is now producing his Grand Confort series in new colors and frames alongside the better known chrome-plated pieces in black leather created by Le Corbusier in 1928. Cassina also produces the Red and Blue Chair, which was designed in 1918 by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld. 

[Images: Cassina.com]

Charles and Ray Eames also proved that 20th-century modern design is timeless. Herman Miller, Inc. (hermanmiller.com) produces the Eames molded plastic chairs and has now added five new colors to the armchair and side chair models, and new bases including a rocker. The 1948 design was the first mass-produced plastic chair. The Eameses also brought a sense of play to their work introducing the Hang-It-All in 1953. 

[Images: Herman Miller]

The Barcelona Chair was designed by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe in 1929. The next year, Mies, as he was known, designed a companion stool, daybed and child-size version. He was inspired by the campaign and folding chairs of ancient times. Knoll, Inc. (knoll.com) has had the exclusive manufacturing and sales rights since 1953. The Italian sculptor Harry Bertoia, another Knoll designer, introduced his patented Diamond chair in 1952. He also introduced a new material: He turned industrial wire rods into a design icon. 

[Images: Knoll.com]

Design Within Reach is a wonderful resource for timeless furniture. The company, which sells authentic modern furniture and accessories, has a number of retail studios and a great website (dwr.com). The Ball Clock was designed by George Nelson in 1948. It features a colored ball for each hour in lieu of numbers, and is a cheerful way to tell time. While you’re watching the clock, you can relax in the Panton Chair. Designed in 1960 by Verner Panton, it’s stackable, can be used outdoors and is made of flexible plastic.

[Images: DWR.com]

[Main image: Le Corbusier chair from Cassina.com]