Mel Smilow Mid-Century Wide Walnut Lounge Chair Daybed
About the Item
- Creator:Mel Smilow (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 49 in (124.46 cm)Depth: 27.5 in (69.85 cm)Seat Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Countryside, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Mel Smilow Mid Century Walnut Case SofaBy Mel SmilowLocated in Countryside, ILMel Smilow Mid Century Walnut Case Sofa This sofa frame measures: 84.5 wide x 31 deep x 22.75 inches high, with a seat height of 12 and arm height of 22.75 inches All pieces of fur...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Mel Smilow Mid-Century Walnut Rail Back SofaBy Mel SmilowLocated in Countryside, ILMel Smilow mid century walnut rail back sofa. This sofa measures: 83 wide x 31 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 21 i...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Mid Century Walnut Occasional Lounge Chairs, a PairLocated in Countryside, ILMid century walnut occasional lounge chairs - A pair Each chair measures: 24.25 wide x 25 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Selig Style Mid Century Walnut Lounge ChairBy SeligLocated in Countryside, ILSelig Style Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair This chair measures: 29.75 wide x 33.5 deep x 38.5 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Lounge ChairBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens Risom midcentury walnut lounge chair. This chair measures: 23.25 wide x 24 deep x 31 high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm h...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Lounge ChairBy Jens RisomLocated in Countryside, ILJens Risom Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair This lounge chair measures: 23.25 wide x 24 deep x 31.75 high, with a seat height of 19 an...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Mel Smilow Daybed CouchBy Mel SmilowLocated in Middlesex, NJMel Smilow daybed couch.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Woven Rush Daybed in Walnut by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYThe Woven Rush Day Bed, designed by Judy Smilow in 2014, is a modern addition to Mel Smilow's Woven Rush Collection. Solid walnut daybed with handwoven rush seat. Measures: 75" W ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsRush, Walnut
- Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or DaybedBy Mel SmilowLocated in BROOKLYN, NYStunning midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Walnut frame long low sofa or daybed. Beautiful armless sofa with solid walnut sculpted frame and steel spring support insert. Has Orig...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Mel Smilow Rail Back Lounge ChairBy Mel SmilowLocated in Asbury Park, NJAn original production WAC rail back lounge chair by Mel Smilow in natural finish solid walnut with original fabric upholstery.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
- Woven Rush Daybed in Walnut with Leather Pillow and Cushion by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYThe Woven Rush Day Bed, designed by Judy Smilow in 2014, is a modern addition to Mel Smilow's Woven Rush Collection. Solid walnut daybed with handwoven rush seat and leather cushio...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsRush, Walnut
- Mel Smilow Smilow Thielle Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Wood Frame Sofa CouchBy Mel Smilow, Smilow-ThielleLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle, Mid-Century Modern Danish Style teakwood sofa. Item features a solid wood frame with exposed sculpted spindle back...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Teak