Icons Of The American Style And Their Revolutionary Impact On The World

The USA may not have the long and rich history that some other countries have but it definitely made its presence noticed in all the domains, including architecture and interior design. We’re talking about iconic names like Charles and Ray Eames or Frank Gehry, famous and admired throughout the world. Their impact on the way we define style today is truly memorable.

1. Frank Lloyd Wright.

KitchenAid Model K
Fallingwater or Kaufmann Residence

Born Frank Lincoln Wright, he was an American architect and interior designer who died in 1959 after designing more than 1,000 structures and completing a total of 532. Some of his most famous creations include Fallingwater, a house he designed by 1935, built over a waterfall and the Beth Sholom Congregation, a modern interpretation of an ancient temple and the only synagogue the architect ever designed.

2. Frank Gehry.

KitchenAid Model K
Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health

A famed, award-winning architect and the designer of numerous buildings which have quickly become world renowned tourist attractions, Frank Gehry was born in 1929 and managed to impress the globe with his unusual creations such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Weisman Art Museum or his latest creation, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health completed in 2010. But it was actually his private residence in Santa Monica that jump-started his career. Known for his ability to go beyond the current perception on style and design, Ghery is considered a deconstructivist.

3. Philip Johnson.

KitchenAid Model K
The Glass House
KitchenAid Model K
Plaza de Castilla (Madrid)

Famous for his postmodern work since the 1980s, Philip Cortelyou Johnson was an influential architect who founded the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He was best known for his use of glass. In fact, his own residence in Connecticut is was called the Glass House, a beautiful building with views as its real walls. Other notable works include the Seagram Building or the Four Seasons Restaurant in New York City.

4. Charles and Ray Eames.

KitchenAid Model K
Eames Lounge Chair and ottoman

The famous couple is responsible for reinventing classical design and coming up with new techniques and technologies which were used for creating iconic pieces such as the Eames Lounge Chair which is still considered exquisite and modern. The lounge and its matching ottoman are a set that proves style is timeless and elegance knows no trend. The design was released in the mid 1950s and by then the couple was already known for their innovative work with new materials and techniques.

5. Eero Saarinen.

KitchenAid Model K
Tulip Chair

He was a Finnish American architect and industrial designer famous for his neofuturistic style and the elegance of his projects which features simple, arching curves. One of the best examples to illustrate that is the Tulip Chair. Designed in 1955 for the Knoll company, the chair was experimental at its time and is now considered a classic of industrial design.

6. Florence Knoll.

KitchenAid Model K
Barcelona Chair

She is one of the most famous names in the furniture industry and, with her architectural background and design flair, managed to transform the company her husband initially founded in 1938. They later became partners and later created Knoll Associates, a new furniture factory which impressed the world. Lots of iconic pieces of furniture have Florence to thank for. They stand out with their minimalist designs and high quality. The Barcelona Chair is one of the many examples.

7. George Nelson.

KitchenAid Model K
Marshmallow Sofa

He was an industrial designer and one of the founders of American Modernism and, together with his design studio, he is responsible for much of the 20th century’s iconic furniture. He became the Director of Design for the Herman Miller company in 1945 and completely transformed the ideology going from conventional to innovative. One of the key designs which stand out even in today’s interior design is the Marshmallow Sofa.

8.Warren Platner.

KitchenAid Model K
Platner Chairs

Responsible for designing a series of prominent interiors in New York City such as the Ford Foundation headquarters offices or the Windows on the World restaurant which was built atop the World Trade Center, the architect and interior designer is also famous for his unique and innovative furniture creations, including the Platner Chairs. They’re part of a collection he designed in 1966 and feature sculptural bases made of nickel-plated steel rods.

9.Harry Bertoia.

KitchenAid Model K
The Bertoia Diamond Chair

The Italian-born artist, sound art sculptor and modern furniture designer started his career in 1939 when we opened his own metal workshop. He later focused on jewelry design and was the one who created the wedding rings for Charles and Ray Eames. In 1950 he started working with Florence Knoll and designed the Bertoia Collection which includes the famous Diamond Chair, a fluid and sculptural piece made from welded steel.

10.Isamu Noguchi.

KitchenAid Model K
The Noguchi Coffee Table

Famous for iconic pieces such as the Noguchi table, the artist and landscape architect began his collaboration with the Herman Miller company in 1947 and it was then that he joined with George Nelson and Charles Eames to produce a catalog containing some of the most influential pieces of modern furniture ever produced, including the famous table which remained in production to this day.

11. KitchenAid.

KitchenAid Model K
KitchenAid Model K mixer

An American home appliance brand owned by Whirlpool Corporation which started off by producing stand mixers. The product range first expanded in 1949 when dishwashers were also introduced. As years passed, the designs got more modern but retained their classical characteristics which made them popular in the first place. Mixers remain the most popular KitchenAid product to this day.