We’ve been asked by another Lushpad user to help them identify a piece of furniture, so we’re putting it out to you to help. Show us your mid-century modern chops!

Our guess so far is that it’s Italian design, mid-80s. Let us know what you think.

Other than being extremely interesting for the design buff, researching furniture patents on the web can be a great way to help you establish the authenticity of a piece or even identify it if you have nothing but a patent mark to go by.

Furniture patents show everything from the overall design to the manufacturing process, to the joints and assembly. These details are very helpful in figuring out if you have the “Real Thing” or if you have a knock-off.

Patents can be searched by Inventor (designer) or Assignee (manufacturer) or directly by Patent number. It can be a little confusing to begin with, but with some digging you can find out a lot about your furniture.
I’ve downloaded a few patent drawings of iconic pieces and linked them here for easy reference, but there are many, many more to be found at freepatentsonline. If you find some good ones, let us know and we’ll add the link here.

Folke Ohlsson Armchair
Florence Knoll Desk
George Nelson Swag Leg Chair
George Nelson Shelving Unit
George Nelson Sofa
Eero Saarinen Tulip Table
Eero Saarinen Womb Chair
George Nelson Coconut Chair
Ray Komai Side Chair
Marcel Breuer Short Chair
REK Jakobsen Chair
Harry Bertoia Diamond Chair
Eames DKR Wire Chair
Eames Leg Splint
Eames Folding Sofa
Eames DCW Chair
Eames Stacking Chair
Frederick Mueller Chair
Lofgren Chair

Mid-century Modern enthusiast and Lushpad regular Stacey, pictured here with her husband Rob, has only been collecting for a year but she is a woman on a decorating mission. Her interest in mid-century modern started with finding pieces in retro blues, oranges and greens – colours she loved.

Her favourite pieces is the multi-coloured Robert John Co. filing credenza below. She found it for only $65! Stacey has a knack for getting a deal.

Some of Stacey’s finds are a mystery to her, so if you can name any of the pieces, let us know in the comments section. We’ll pick a person from the helpful bunch and send them a collector set of Eames commemorative stamps.

Left: Shell chairs shoulder a beautiful Robert John Co. filing credenza. Right: Steelcase tandem sofa chair with a Carter Brothers slipper chair peeking around the corner.

Above: Beautifully decorated room scattered with vintage goodness and fresh modern decor.

Above: 12′ sofa in original fabric with attached end tables.

Top: Stacey’s kitchen and dining spaces are comprised of vintage Sunar Hauerman office furnishings.

Above: Danish chairs, Sunar Hauerman filing credenzas, Curtis Jere-style metal wall art.

Above: Beautiful vintage art carving.

One of our reader’s sent in photos of these chairs to be identified. They’re fantastic looking pieces, so if can identify them let us know in the comments below!

Also, if you’d like to be on our expert panel for future Identify This! furniture pieces, let us know. We’ll be happy to highlight your expertise!

One of our readers sent us photos of this fantasic chair, and we’re hoping you can help us identify it. So far we have narrowed it down to an American made, custom office chair circa early 60s.

Can you do any better than that? Let us know in the comments section!

Also, if you’d like to be on our expert panel for future Identify This! furniture pieces, let us know. We’ll be happy to highlight your expertise!