Woven Rush Dining Armchair by Mel Smilow
About the Item
- Creator:Mel Smilow (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2022
- Production Type:New & Custom(Current Production)
- Estimated Production Time:10-11 weeks
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4994116339082
Mel Smilow
“Enduring, modern and classic” is how mid-century modern furniture designer Mel Smilow used to describe his chairs, benches, coffee tables and other pieces, which were not only functional and durable but were designed to become timeless heirlooms for American families.
Smilow was born in the Bronx, New York, and, in 1939, attended Pratt Institute, where he studied to become a commercial artist. However, his father’s death forced him to discontinue his schooling and, at the age of 17, he took over his father’s role as a wholesale furniture salesman.
Following his stint in the army during World War II, Smilow partnered with colleague Morton Thielle in 1949 to form the furniture manufacturer and retailer Smilow-Thielle. Although they had planned to sell quality furniture made by American manufacturers, Smilow was unsatisfied with their designs and became Smilow-Thielle’s chief designer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Smilow used a variety of American hardwoods such as walnut, beech and oak for his benches, lounge chairs, sofas, table lamps, coffee tables, and other furnishings. One of his more popular designs was the Floating Platform bed — John Lennon and Yoko Ono owned one.
Although Smilow intended his designs to be comfortable and affordable for the “average American family,” his work was defined by the clean lines, delicate construction and symmetry often seen in Scandinavian modernist or Japanese furniture, and it drew attention and acclaim from designers and critics.
For instance, Buckminster Fuller placed Smilow’s rocking chairs in the geodesic dome he designed as the U.S. pavilion for Expo 1967, in Montreal, and Pratt Institute featured his ottoman as part of an exhibition of “well-designed furniture for under $25.” The New York Times, the New Yorker magazine and William Hennessey’s book Modern Furnishings for the Home also featured Smilow’s furniture.
Smilow-Thielle operated retail locations in the New York metro area as well as in Washington, D.C., with the firm’s flagship store occupying prime real estate on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan for several decades. Smilow’s designs have been likened to those of Jens Risom and Børge Mogensen and certainly wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Herman Miller showroom in the postwar era, but they have distinctive joinery details and a quiet strength that make them unique.
In 1969, Smilow and Thielle ended their partnership, with Smilow retaining sole company ownership. In 1981, Smilow retired and closed the business, turning his attention toward sculpting, painting and printmaking.
Although he died in 2002, Smilow’s legacy of furniture-making has lived on. His daughter, Judy, formed Smilow Design in 2013, which carries on her father’s tradition of creating “enduring, modern and classic” designs. Following Judy’s death of ALS in 2018, the company has been run by her husband, Steven Schoenfelder and her two children, who are still managing the brand today.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Mel Smilow seating, tables and lighting.
Smilow Design
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Holland, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Woven Rush-Backed Dining Armchair by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2018, the woven rush-backed dining armchair is classically midcentury. This colle...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRush, Walnut
- Woven Rush Dining Side Chair by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2013, the woven rush dining side chair is classically midcentury. This collection...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Rush
- Woven Rush-Backed Dining Side Chair by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2018, the woven rush dining side chair is classically midcentury. This collection...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Rush
- Woven Rush Lounge Chair by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2013, the Woven Rush Lounge Chair is class...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRush, Walnut
- Upholstered Dining Armchair by Mel Smilow in Dark Brown BoucleBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2017, the upholstered dining armchair with a boucle and leather upholstery is a sister chair...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Bouclé, Walnut
- Woven Leather Dining Armchair with Brown Leather by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the woven leather dining armchair is classically midcentury. The simplistic beauty, fine craftsmanship, and exceptional detail is present from every angle. Made in America since 1949 and made to last a lifetime, Smilow Furniture defines: Enduring Modern Classics. Measures: 20.0" W 17.25" D 32" back H 17.5"seat H Smilow Design...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Mel Smilow ArmchairBy Mel SmilowLocated in Highland, INThe subtle, almost austere design of Mel Smilow's lounge chair positions it somewhere between a Scandinavian and French aesthetic. The walnut frame supports a seat and back of woven ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut, Rush
- Set of 4 Vico Magistretti Style Pine Dining Chairs with Woven Rush SeatsBy Vico MagistrettiLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of 4 Vico Magistretti style pine dining chairs with woven rush seats and a curved backrest. A lovely cross between unassuming and smart design. I...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRush, Pine
- Ewa Dining Chair, Walnut with Natural Fiber Rush Woven Seat and BackrestBy Jake WhillansLocated in Hamilton, ONThis updated nod to a classic adds bucolic spirit and rich texture to any dining setting. Exploring time-honored craft traditions, the Ewa dining chair...Category
2010s Canadian Chairs
MaterialsPapercord, Rush, Rope, Wood, Oak
- Mel Smilow Daybed CouchBy Mel SmilowLocated in Middlesex, NJMel Smilow daybed couch.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Vintage Oak and Rush Chairs by Mel Smilow, USA, 1960By Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYAn American take on the modern country styles pioneered by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Gauthier-Delaye, those chairs are very elegant yet rustic and would work in a country home as...Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRush, Elm
- Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Mel Smilow for Smilow-ThielleBy Smilow-Thielle, Mel SmilowLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonLounge chair and ottoman by Mel Smilow made in the 1950s, natural finish walnut wood, it was a delight to work them. The measure of the stool is: Measures: D 58 W 58 H 39.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal