Do you have that one object you can’t stop thinking about – a piece you’ve coveted for years? Our editors certainly do. We’ve polled the team to gather the design objects with the most staying power – those which, year after year, retain their allure.
These iconic designs – or their most charming archival iterations – are often long out of circulation. That’s where our vintage-sourcing expertise comes in. Today the pre-loved design marketplace is thriving: not only as a way to track down these elusive gems, but because there’s something magical about objects that carry the patina of time. And of course, circularity matters more than ever amid the rise of fast furniture.
Below, we’ve gathered eight modernist and contemporary icons we can’t stop dreaming about. Read on for the objects that remain, perpetually, on our wish lists.
This vase by Gaetano Pesce is a contemporary icon where sculpture, craft and function converge. Often made from soft resin – a material that the Italian architect and designer popularised in the 1990s – the vase features vivid colours and fluid, organic forms. This piece is part of the 'Fish Design' collection, known for its playful shapes and layered textures, with no two pieces exactly alike. The collection reflects Pesce’s belief that design should celebrate individuality, spontaneity and material experimentation.
Designed in 1925 by Austrian architect Oswald Haerdtl for the seminal Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, the 'Ambassador No. 240' drinking set by J & L Lobmeyr represents Viennese glassmaking at its finest. The mouth-blown crystal glasses feature long stems and elegant proportions in the restrained spirit of art deco. Produced by the historic Lobmeyr workshop, founded in 1823, the series includes several stemware forms – these lavender-tinted models are now out of production, making them a rare and charming variation.
Designed in 1967 by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen for the homewares company Stelton, the 'Cylinda Line' collection is a landmark of Scandinavian modernism. Crafted from brushed stainless steel, the collection is defined by its strict cylindrical geometry, creating a cohesive family of tableware. This cruet set for condiments such as oil, vinegar, salt or pepper perfectly embodies Jacobsen’s minimalist philosophy, combining clean lines with everyday functionality.
Designed by Finnish artist Tapio Wirkkala in the late 1960s, the 'Ultima Thule' carafe draws inspiration from Arctic landscapes. Its textured surface resembles melting ice, achieved through experimental mould techniques developed at the Iittala glassworks. Part of the celebrated 'Ultima Thule' collection, the carafe combines everyday functionality with sculptural presence, with light refracting beautifully through the layered glass. An enduring icon of Nordic design.
The 'Carmencita' moka coffee maker, designed in 1979 by Italian architect Marco Zanuso for Lavazza, reimagines the traditional stovetop espresso pot (which we spotlighted fresh from its appearance on the stage at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony) with a bold conical silhouette and angled handle. Made from aluminium, it heats quickly to produce rich moka coffee while also prioritising ergonomic use. Inspired by a character from Italian television culture, 'Carmencita' blends everyday function with playful design, becoming an enduring icon of late twentieth-century Italian coffee culture.
Created in 1997 by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius (whose archives just went on display at the Vitra Design Museum), the 'Red/White Vase' explores the intersection between craft and industrial production. Cast from restored medieval pottery moulds, the porcelain form deliberately retains visible seams and irregularities. Its defining feature is the bold colour contrast: rather than a traditional glaze, Jongerius applied industrial spray paint, including a vivid red. This vase is part of her ‘Misfit’ collection, which challenged the modernist ideal of perfect uniformity, celebrating imperfection and experimentation.
'Celotocaulis' is a textile pattern created around 1930 by Austrian-born designer Josef Frank for the Swedish design house Svenskt Tenn. The motif features flowing botanical forms inspired by plant stems, typically printed using traditional screen-printing techniques on linen. The fabric’s calm, rhythmic pattern balances simplicity with Frank’s organic design language, and it remains sought after by collectors and interior designers for its timeless modernist character.
This bottle holder from Vienna’s Werkstätte Carl Auböck combines patinated brass with woven bamboo or cane wickerwork, culminating in a refined example of mid-century modern craftsmanship. Produced during the 1940s-1950s, the design balances sculptural elegance with practicality: the curved brass frame cradles a wine bottle at an ideal angle, while the woven handle adds warmth and texture. Characteristic of Auböck’s work, it elevates a functional object through carefully chosen materials, simple lines and Bauhaus-influenced design.