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Emma Bazilian / Casa Gilardi ​© 2023 Barragan Foundation, Switzerland / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Why We’re Captivated by the Playful Side of Bauhaus Design

More than a century after its founding, the Bauhaus School remains an inspiration for designers around the world.

February 3, 2023

Geometric, simple, and strong, Bauhaus is a style often embraced by serious architects, but lately I’ve found myself embracing the movement’s more playful side. Though undoubtedly powerful, the rounded shapes and primary colors associated with this early 20th-century movement somehow feel totally new again.


 

  • A Madrid advertising agency workspace designed by Casa Josephine.

    Belen Imaz
  • Klee Master House, 1925–1926, designed by Walter Gropius, Ernst Neufert, and Carl Fieger

    Daniela Christmann

Eugenia’s Picks

  • I’ve had this for a few years; it bounces around from kids’ rooms to work spaces to the kitchen and looks great everywhere.

    Anglepoise and Paul Smith Type 75 Table Lamp – Edition Three, $430, paulsmith.com

  • Cardigans are part of my uniform, and this one surprisingly seems to go with so many things.

    Striped cashmere cardigan by Alex Mill, $295, netaporter.com

  • An iconic modern chair that somehow feels undiscovered in comparison with its more well-known counterparts. I love it in these bright Bauhaus colors.

    3/4/3 Armchair by Roland Rainer for Plank, from $831, stillfried.com 

  • I love this vibrant take on traditional gaiwan tea set. Each of the three pieces is hand-painted in primary colors for endless color combinations.

    East-Pop-West Teacup, $42, monkey-and-donkey-design.com

  • Danish-made but modern Teutonic in feeling.

    Mirage Mobile by Ole Flensted, $86, flensted-mobiles.com

  • A cool accessory that makes it easy to lean into this bright color palette.

    Primary Recycled Leather Passport Cover, $25, store.moma.org

  • Inspired by the Bauhaus original, Walter Gropius, but topped off with a sexy fringed shade to give it some extra oomph.

    Dolce Vita II Lamp by La Veste, $325, gropiuslamps.com

  • I love the idea of pairing these fun mini-sized planters with something sculptural, like a short-leaf aloe.

    Ribbed Electric Blue Planter by Andrew Molleur, $80, unisonhome.com

  • A little bit Memphis, a little bit Bauhaus, and a totally fun solution for mud room organization.

    Hook 3 Coat Rack by Nathalie Du Pasquier for Raawii, $899, finnishdesignshop.com

  • Though meant for an office, I think this would be so fun as a side table or in a kid’s room for a pop of color.

    5-Drawer Pivot Cabinet, $349, store.moma.org

  • These cool postcards would be even cooler as a little framed set.

    Bauhaus Correspondence Set by Pepin Press, $33, amazon.com

  • Sculptural and graphic, these little design details embody the Bauhaus principles.

    Fenestra Bookends, Set of 4, $60, store.moma.org

  • I’m imagining a desk outfitted with a stack of these red-and-blue notebooks and a clear container filled with these serious-yet-vibrant pencils. So chic!

    100 Years Bauhaus Notebooks, $28 each, leuchtturm1917.us, and Pencils, $10 for 4, leuchtturm1917.us

  • A cool riff on the classic Boat and Tote bag.

    Tool XL White Lego Tote, €250, ruedeverneuil.com