8 Retro Décor Pieces That Are Making a Comeback, According to Interior Designers

Atollo Lamp

The Atollo Lamp, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977, became a defining icon of Italian design, earning the prestigious Compasso d’Oro just two years later. With its striking cylinder, cone, and hemisphere elements, it radically simplified the traditional bedside silhouette into something sculptural and enduringly modern.

Today, the Atollo is experiencing another wave of popularity, according to Olga Gonzalez, a former auction appraiser with an academic background in art connoisseurship from Christie’s.

“People are gravitating toward softer, mood-driven interiors and lighting that doubles as sculpture,” she says. “Its geometric silhouette manages to feel futuristic, architectural, and timeless all at once.”

She recommends styling the lamp as a sculptural accent within a layered, contemporary space. “It works beautifully with warm woods, stone, linen, and matte finishes.”

Le Bambole Sofa

Originally designed by Mario Bellini in 1972, the Le Bambole sofa became an icon of Italian design for its soft silhouette and radical approach to comfort.

Gonzalez has noticed its resurgence, saying it reflects a broader shift toward interiors that feel emotional, tactile, and livable. “Its organic shape and enveloping comfort resonate strongly today as people seek homes that feel more relaxed, sensual, and personality-driven," she says.

Le Bambole works best as a sculptural centerpiece within a clean contemporary space. Pair it with natural stone, warm woods, or soft boucle textures.

CH27 Lounge Chair

Interest in '60s and '70s design has surged in recent years, says interior designer David Hinson. Hans Wegner's CH27 Lounge Chair is squarely at the center of this movement.

Designed in 1951, it features subtly carved horn accents on the backrest, which have since become a signature motif. Contemporary interpretations are proliferating, Hinson notes: "They keep Wegner's language … but often use sharper angles and a more architectural profile."

The chair works best in pared-back interiors where natural materials like linen, wood, stone, and neutral tones lead, he says.

The Heart Chair

Helena and Jerzy Kurmanowicz’s A5828 chair, also called the heart chair for its heart-shaped silhouette, was designed in the late 1950s and produced in Poland throughout the 1960s. It possesses the organic warmth of Scandinavian modernism through its bent wood and compact scale, but with playful proportions that read almost as graphic—without dipping into kitsch. 

Interior designer Madelaine Mayer of ADROIT says she’s ready for its comeback. “The heart-shaped back is recognizable yet subtle, allowing it to adapt to a wide variety of décor styles,” she says.

She recommends upholstering these chairs in a bold fabric complemented by a rich wood stain. “They pair well with clean-lined, modern dining tables that help highlight the chair's sculptural silhouette,” she adds. 

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman hardly need an introduction. Designed in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames, the set has been a fixture of the design canon for nearly seven decades.

Interior designer Cathy Hobbs of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes says its renewed moment goes beyond the obvious. "The form of the chair molds to the body," she notes.

When it comes to styling, less is more, she says. The bent-wood back should remain fully exposed—pair it with a simple lumbar pillow or a wool throw at most.

Aldo Londi for Bitossi

As Bitossi's creative director for decades, Aldo Londi defined the company's midcentury identity via an adventurous approach to form that has kept collectors coming back for half a century. His pieces have a quality that's hard to manufacture. Mayer, an avid collector, says she's watching a revival unfold in real time.

"Their enduring appeal is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of these master artisans," she says. "The wide variety of forms, styles, and glazes ensures that there's genuinely something for everyone."

The approach opens up unexpected pairings. Think ashtrays repurposed as key dishes on a console, or animal sculptures tucked inside a fireplace. "Ceramics are meant to be used and touched," she adds. "They should be styled accordingly."

CH24 Wishbone Chair

Hans Wegner designed the Wishbone Chair exclusively for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1949, and it's been in continuous production ever since. For Hobbs, its staying power isn't hard to explain. "The look and feel is minimal, and its cutouts allow for transparency and lightness," she says.

It also has a versatility that few chairs can claim—it can be dressed up or down, and placed in a dining room or a studio.

Tulip Dining Table

Few tables are more instantly recognizable than Eero Saarinen's Tulip Table for Knoll. Designed in 1956, this table hit its cultural peak in the 60s and 70s; according to Hobbs, it's peaking again in 2026. "It has the rare ability to read as both Space Age and timeless," she says. 

Styling-wise, the table asks for very little. A single organic bowl filled with succulents, a long wood vase, or a simple arrangement is all you need.