Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Two-Piece Curved Sectional
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Maker),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 136 in (345.44 cm)Depth: 69 in (175.26 cm)Seat Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Reupholstered. Replacements made: New straps and foam. Brand new upholstery, straps, and foam make this vintage sofa feel fresh off the showroom floor.
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6538231461282
Cloud Sofa
The early days of Craft Associates— the furniture company founded in 1952 by Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011) — took shape in his mother-in-law’s duplex. There, the American architect and designer would build pieces while his wife, Dorie, would manage purchase orders and invoices. Even if the Pennsylvania-based operation was at first limited to the confines of an apartment, the company afforded Pearsall the opportunity to bring to life his residential furniture designs, such as his revered low-profile Cloud sofa, one of the contributions to mid-century modern furniture design for which Pearsall is recognized today and among the initial concepts for the now-legendary furniture company he founded.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1950. With the founding of his Craft Associates two years later, he helped usher in the Atomic Age of design, and his work, making use of natural materials and conceived with comfort in mind, was widely appealing to a postwar American consumer base. Pearsall frequently used geometric and often flamboyant shapes in his furniture, and the bold concepts were greatly influenced by prominent furniture makers of the era, such as Vladimir Kagan, George Nakashima and Florence Knoll.
Innovative, revolutionary ideas aside — Pearsall also invented the bean bag chair — the maker’s great success lay in his ability to move his flashy designs directly into the mass market, and it wasn’t long before Craft began selling its pieces to department stores in Philadelphia and New York, including Wanamaker’s and Macy’s.
Circa early 1950s, the Cloud sofa’s walnut legs and sinuous shape blended subtle flair with comfort, and its original gently swerving back became a Pearsall signature. These attributes, the permanent back of his sofa and its solid walnut base, are widely known components of his designs from the era as well as through the 1960s. Later, Pearsall integrated the Cloud sofa’s swerving back into his lounge chairs — which featured a similarly long and low gondola silhouette — and used modern fabrics in rich color combinations that boldly embraced the Atomic Age. Today, Pearsall’s designs are licensed to Restoration Hardware.
Adrian Pearsall
Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American chairs, sofas and other furniture of the 1950s and ’60s. For verve and vivacity of form, he surpasses even Vladimir Kagan — whose work is the emblem of swinging, sexy mid-20th century modernism. Pearsall gave his imagination free rein, and his flamboyant, eye-catching styles are icons of what has become known as “Atomic Age” design.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois before opening his Pennsylvania furniture company, Craft Associates, in 1952, and that training shows in many designs.
A Pearsall trademark, for example, is a lounge chair with an exceptionally tall, trapezoidal back, which give the pieces a skyscraper-like silhouette. Pearsall also had a talent for so-called Gondola sofas — long, low-slung pieces with upswept ends. Many of Pearsall’s sofas and chairs are supported not by legs, but on gently arced walnut skids.
Pearsall had a gift for tables, too, in particular glass-topped side tables and coffee tables with frames that have the look of an Alexander Calder stabile. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
Find vintage Adrian Pearsall sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Houston, TX
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- 1974 Charles Pollock Executive Chair for KnollBy Charles Pollock, KnollLocated in Houston, TXTwo incredible Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chairs in a rare cranberry-red mohair, labeled and dated 1974. These are midcentury modern classics, super comfortable and in stell...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- 1990s Vladimir Kagan for Directional 'Wave' Lounge ChairBy Directional, Vladimir KaganLocated in Houston, TXRare "Wave" lounge chair designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, c.1990s. Known to draw inspiration from nature and his surroundings, Kagan styled this beautiful piece after the ...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- 1990s Vladimir Kagan for Directional 'Wave' 3 Seat SofaBy Vladimir Kagan, DirectionalLocated in Houston, TXRare "Wave" three-seat sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, c.1990s. Known to draw inspiration from nature and his surroundings, Kagan styled these beautiful pieces after...Category
1990s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé
- 1980s 'Miami' Chair and Ottoman by Michael Wolk for PreviewBy Michael Wolk, Preview, Vladimir KaganLocated in Houston, TXHighly sought after 'Miami' chair and ottoman designed by Michael Wolk for Preview c.1980s. These pieces have been reupholstered in a luxurious olive bouclé. This iconic duo is soft,...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsBouclé
- 1970s Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 'Thin Line' Dining Chairs - Set of 6By Thayer Coggin, Milo BaughmanLocated in Houston, TXSet of six Classic and elegant 'Thin Line' dining chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, circa 1979. Polished stainless steel frames are as sleek and minimalistic as their name evokes, making the seats look as if they are floating. Seats and backs are upholstered in new, 100% cotton velvet in a vibrant French Blue. Also known as the model 1187...Category
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- 1950s 'San Miguelito' Arm Chairs by Michael Van Beuren for Domus - a pairBy Domus, Michael van BeurenLocated in Houston, TXHandsome pair of restored Mexican mahogany 'San Miguelito' lounge chairs designed by Michael Van Beuren for Domus, c.1950s. A Bauhaus-trained designer, Beuren studied under Ludwig Mi...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates Sectional SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pasadena, TXA mid-century modern sectional sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates. Two 6ft sections that can be positioned end to end for a long sofa or used as two separ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Signed Craft Associates 2-PC Sectional Sofa 2069-LRBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Hartford, CTAdrian Pearsall two-piece sectional sofa by Craft Associates, circa 1960s, features a walnut wood frame which could use some conditioning. The sofa comes in two pieces with sea green...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Wonderful Curved Serpentine Two-Piece Adrian Pearsall Style Sectional SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pemberton, NJWonderful curved serpentine two-piece Adrian Pearsall style sofa sectional. There are no words to describe how fabulous this sofa sectional is with its unusual biscuit tufting and cu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Original Adrian Pearsall Platform Boomerang Sofa 2300-S for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNThis listing is for the sofa alone. The coffee table is sold separately, inquire if interested. What's better than vintage original? Upholstery that actually works for today's deco...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Walnut "Boomerang" Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in North Hollywood, CAStunning vintage walnut “Boomerang” sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the United States, circa 1960s. This sofa has a structurally detailed design where the polygonal...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass