Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud' Sofa in Walnut
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall, 'Cloud' sofa, walnut, fabric, United States, 1950s Adrian Pearsall's "Cloud" sofa, crafted in the 1950s in the United States, is a stunning example of mid-century m...
Fabric, Walnut
$23,160Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa, Faux Snow Leopard, Walnut Base
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Chattanooga, TN
The Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa, reimagined as an expansive sectional, embodies ultimate comfort and sculptural boldness.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud' Sofa in Illustrative Fabric
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Crafts Associations, cloud sofa, fabric, walnut, United States, 1960s The Cloud sofa by Adrian Pearsall features a long, asymmetrical seat defined by sinuous, sc...
Fabric, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
An iconic long-frame sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall, featuring his signature gently arcing silhouette and tapered walnut legs.
Fabric, Walnut
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa in Excellent Original Condition, ca. 1960’s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional example of the work of Adrian Pearsall, this sofa is in excellent original condition showing only light cosmetic wear normal and consistent with age.
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid Century Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa in Walnut for Craft Associates 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Troy, MI
Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates USA circa 1960s Special order model 3600 with left side chaise configuration Flowing silhouette with curved backrest and ...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall mid century cloud sofa Sofa measures: 124 wide x 72 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition.
Upholstery, Wood
MCM Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shape Cloud Sofa Newly Reupholstered
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shape Cloud Sofa Newly Reupholstered in “Silver Mist” Patterned Italian Mohair A stunning example of iconic Mid-Century Modern design, this...
Mohair
Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s.
Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$24,000Sale Price|20% Off
Outstanding Adrian Pearsall Boom-a-range Cloud Sofa Craft Associates Mid-Century
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Model 3600-8 Craft Associates "Cloud" sofa, circa 1970, designed by Adrian Pearsall.
Faux Leather, Wood
"Cloud" Sofa in Velvet & Walnut, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, 1970's
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and iconic "Cloud" sofa designed by the influential Adrian Pearsall.
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, 1970s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare and iconic "Cloud" sofa designed by the influential Adrian Pearsall.
Fabric, Walnut
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern "Cloud" Walnut Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your living space with this extraordinary vintage Cloud sofa, an iconic creation by celebrated architect and designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Fabric, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Indulge in luxurious comfort with the Low-Profile Cloud Sofa, a timeless piece designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid-20th century.
Bouclé, Maple
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa This sofa measures: 123 wide x 70 deep x 30.75 inches high, with a seat height of 13.5 and arm height of 21 inches Great...
Upholstery, Wood
$14,812Sale Price|25% Off
Serpentine Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Fraser, MI
Serpentine Cloud Two Piece Sectional Sofa. Designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Fabric, Walnut
Monumental 91" Mid Century Ebonized Walnut and Glass Arcade Coffee Table
Located in Culver City, CA
It would look just as jaw-dropping flanked by two Vladimir Kagan Cloud sofas, Adrian Pearsall boomerangs, or a pair of curved De Sede DS-600s.
Glass, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa, America, circa 1960
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Culver City, CA
Adrian Pearsall cloud sofa, America, circa 1960.
Mohair, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
condition This Adrian Pearsall cloud sofa is in excellent restored condition.
Mohair, Walnut
Sold
H 25.5 in W 111 in D 29 in
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa Craft Associates style Milo Baughman Dunbar
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceptional Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates. This is in original fabric.
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Specifications: Walnut, high grade foam, velvet. Condition: This Adrian Pearsall cloud sofa for Craft Associates is completely restored to its original integrity.
Velvet, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Comfort Designs
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very stylized Cloud shaped sofa with sculptural layered look in a very retro kidney shape with great back rolls manufactured by the Comfort Designs Furniture company founded in the...
Upholstery
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa in New Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Dallas, TX
Fully restored and stunning cloud sofa by Adrian Pearsall. In two pieces. New upholstery in a beautiful fabric by Ligne Roset.
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa after Milo Baughman
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Southampton, NJ
Biomorphic curved Postmodern sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall. Very comfortable and attractive design. Original upholstery has a large stain on one side of the cushion. Reupholstery...
Cotton, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Comfort Designs, 1970
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Adrian Pearsall cloud sectional/sofa for Comfort Designs, 1970.
Upholstery
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa in Bouclé, Model 2834-S, C. 1950s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Cloud floating sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950s.
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 84 in D 41 in
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Comfort Designs Newly Upholstered in Slate Gray
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Hartford, CT
Newly upholstered this week in a luxurious slate gray cotton blend fabric, this Pearsall seven foot sofa has the lines, scale and comfort that make it so coveted. It is one of two id...
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 84 in D 41 in
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Comfort Designs Newly Upholstered in Slate Gray
Located in West Hartford, CT
Newly upholstered in a luxurious slate gray cotton blend fabric, this Pearsall seven-foot sofa has the curved silhouette, scale and comfort that make it so coveted.
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 84 in D 41 in
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Comfort Designs Newly Upholstered in Slate Gray
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in West Hartford, CT
Newly upholstered this week in a luxurious slate gray cotton blend fabric, this Pearsall seven-foot sofa has the lines, scale and comfort that make it so coveted.
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shaped Cloud Sofa for Comfort Designs
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Adrian Pearsall cloud sofa for Comfort Designs. Stacked kidney shape.
Upholstery
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sectional Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Fulton, CA
Impressive 2 piece sectional "Cloud" sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall. Lower cushions are reversible.
Fabric
Adrian Pearsall Large L-Shape "Cloud" Sofa, 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Coronado, CA
Adrian Pearsall 'Model 3600-8' "Cloud" for Craft Associates, circa 1970.
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair or Single Vintage Adrian Pearsall Kidney Cloud Curved Sofas
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage 1980s Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs curved, Kidney shaped, cloud sofas.
Upholstery
1950s Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Quite possibly our favorite couch designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1950s.
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Walnut
Sold
H 29.93 in W 86.62 in D 35.83 in
Sculptural curved cloud sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs, USA 1980s.
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hastings, GB
Stunning sculptural curved cloud sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs, USA 1980s.
Ultrasuede
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Cloud Kidney Shaped Sofas
By Adrian Pearsall, Comfort Designs, Inc.
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Wonderful pair of kidney shaped sofas designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Comfort Designs. These sofas have a beautiful curvaceous and sculptural design and the original two-tone...
Fabric
Sold
H 32 in W 87 in D 40 in
Adrian Pearsall Mid-Century Modern Cloud Kidney Shaped Sofa, One Available
By Comfort Designs, Inc., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Wonderful pair of kidney shaped sofas designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Comfort Designs. These sofas have a beautiful curvaceous and sculptural design and the original two-tone...
Fabric
Adrian Pearsall Cloud 12 Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Long and Low ultra sleek Adrian Pearsall designed Platform sofa manufactured by Thayer Coggin. The sofa was designed in a way that gives the illusion that it is resting on one long s...
Steel
Sold
H 30 in W 84 in L 30 in
Matching Pearsall Comfort Design Cloud Sofas New Upholstered in Slate Gray, Pair
By Comfort Designs, Inc., Adrian Pearsall
Located in West Hartford, CT
Newly upholstered in a luxurious slate gray cotton blend fabric, this set of two matching Adrian Pearsall Cloud seven foot sofas have the lines, scale and comfort that make them so c...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 84 in D 41 in
Matching Pearsall Comfort Design Cloud Sofas New Upholstered in Slate Gray, Pair
By Comfort Designs, Inc., Adrian Pearsall
Located in West Hartford, CT
Newly upholstered in a luxurious slate gray cotton blend fabric, this set of two matching Adrian Pearsall Cloud seven foot sofas have the lines, scale and comfort that make them so c...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 58 in D 36 in
"Cloud" 2026CL Chaise Lounge Sofa, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare Model 2026CL chaise lounge sofa designed by the incomparable Adrian Pearsall, this iconic "Cloud" sofa is the epitome of functional art.
Bouclé
Iconic Adrian Pearsall 'Cloud" Sofa, c 1950s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Iconic low-profile "Cloud" sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Wool, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Dallas, TX
An impressive and very comfortable low profile "Cloud Sofa" designed by the iconic American architect and furniture designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950s.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 21.26 in W 129.93 in D 51.19 in
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa in fabric and walnut, United States, 1960’s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Crafts Associations, cloud sofa, fabric and wood, United States, 1960s The cloud sofa features a long, asymmetrical seat with sinuous lines by Adrian Pearsall.
Fabric, Wood
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates cloud sofa circa mid 1960's.
Bouclé
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud Sectional Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud Sectional Sofa This sectional sofa measures: 128 wide x 71 deep x 23 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 19 inches All pieces ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 88 in D 45 in
Vintage Postmodern Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shaped Cloud Sofa For Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Postmodern Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shaped Cloud Sofa for Upholstery The Vintage Postmodern Adrian Pearsall Kidney Shaped Cloud Sofa is a striking piece that embodies mid-cent...
Upholstery
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Westport, CT
An impressive and very comfortable low profile sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950s. Walnut legs fully restored. Newly upholstered in stripped velvet.
Walnut, Velvet
Sold
H 31.5 in W 124 in D 72 in
Outstanding Adrian Pearsall Boom-a-range Cloud Sofa Craft Associates Mid-Century
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Model 3600-8 Craft Associates "Cloud" sofa, circa 1970, designed by Adrian Pearsall.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates mid-century cloud sofa.
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2-Piece Sectional Cloud Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Southampton, NJ
A vintage two piece L-shaped cloud sectional by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Elegant curves flow along the back. New cotton velvet upholstery in Atlantic Blue. Condition: ...
Velvet
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa in Taupe Mohair
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Palm Springs, CA
The plush mohair on this sleek refurbished Adrian Pearsall cloud sofa is the color of a Weimaraner.
Mohair, Upholstery, Wood
Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful 1960s Adrian Pearsall cloud sofa for Craft associates.
Fabric, Walnut
Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Hudson, NY
A beautiful curved 'cloud' sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates.
Mid-Century Danish Modern Adrian Pearsall Sofa
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very nice mid-century Adrian Pearsall cloud curved sofa. Beautiful white upholstery with teak wood legs.
Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hadley, MA
Model 3600-8 craft associates "cloud" sofa, circa 1970, designed by Adrian Pearsall.
Mid-Century Danish Modern Adrian Pearsall Sofa
Located in St. Louis, MO
Very nice mid-century Adrian Pearsall cloud curved sofa. Beautiful white upholstery with teak wood legs.
$1,856 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Italian Mid-Century-Modern Lounge Chairs in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of Vintage Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and p...
Bouclé, Foam, Wood
$26,500 / set
H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 32.49 in
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Pair of Lounge Chairs in Mahogany
By Vittorio Valabrega
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega, pair of armchairs, mahogany, velvet, Turin, Italy, 1930s These chairs, designed by Ernesto Valabrega in the thirties, depart from an organi...
Velvet, Mahogany
$78,400 / set
H 36.62 in W 40.95 in D 26.97 in
Pair of Brasiliana Armchairs by Jorge Zalszupin, 1965, Brazilian Midcentury
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Brasiliana is a series composed of a sofa and armchair designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1965 and produced by his company, L'atelier. These rare pieces have molde...
Rosewood, Fabric
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood Denmark - 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Sculptural Scandinavian Modern Chair in Wood, Denmark - 1960s.
Wood
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
$1,868 / item
H 19.69 in Dm 19.69 in
RESTOCK - 50cm Prismatic Glass Holophane Globe Parisian Street Lamp, C.1960
By Holophane
Located in London, GB
Worldwide shipping available, get in touch for a quote. Beautifully formed spherical Holophane Parisian glass street lights, made in France. c.1960. This version has the 50cm diame...
Glass, Fiberglass
Mah Jong by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois 1st Edition Sofa
By Roche Bobois, Hans Hopfer
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare and iconic 1st edition circa 1971 Mah Jong modular sectional sofa consisting of ten element pillows. The sofa was designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in this avant-garde de...
Fabric, Foam
$33,651 / set
H 26.4 in W 36.2 in D 36.2 in
Mario Bellini Azure Linen Velvet Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, 1972, Set of 6
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Vicenza, IT
Camaleonda sofa, designed by Mario Bellini and manufactured by B&B Italia in 1972. The set features six modules with backrest. High quality Italian azure linen velvet upholstery. ...
Linen, Velvet, Foam
Harvey Probber Sofa
By Harvey Probber
Located in San Francisco, CA
A three-seat sofa by Harvey Probber. Curved front. Loose cushions on the seat, back and sides. Sofa sits on 6 wooden feet.
Wood
Vladimir Kagan, Sofa, Fabric, Wood, USA, 1990s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in High Point, NC
A green velvet and dark-stained wood sofa designed by Vladimir Kagan and produced by Kagan Design Group, USA, c. 1990s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Pre-restoration images ava...
Fabric, Wood
$2,080
H 33.27 in W 24.81 in D 23.63 in
"Kurul" Armchair in Oak & Hessian, Henning Kjærnulf, Mid Century Modern, 1960s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A fine and elegant armchair in solid oak, designed by Henning Kjærnulf for EG Kvalitetsmøbel, Denmark, 1960s. Model “Kurul.” The chair has been reupholstered in a natural hessian fa...
Oak, Burlap
Sculptural Brazilian Modernist Sofa, Brazil, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-century cylindrical sofa, a masterpiece from Brazil circa 1970 by an unknown designer. The sofa features a unique hammock-like structure crafted from connected wooden slats, supp...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$5,802 / set
H 21.66 in W 24.02 in D 36.23 in
Italian Mid-Century Modular Sofa or Seating Set in Ochre Boucle, 1970s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Italian Mid-Century Modern lounge chairs or club chairs. Modules can be used as a modular sofa or modular seating set. Beautiful and unique shape. A 1970 design and production, fully...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Salvatore Dinucci, Sofa, Wood, Velvet, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown velvet and dark-stained wood sofa designed and produced by Salvatore Dinucci, Brazil, c. 1950s. Provenance: Casa Teo, São Paulo. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.5"H x 84.0...
Velvet, Wood
$4,000
H 50.01 in W 61.42 in D 29.93 in
Japanese Antique Large Black Tansu 1860s-1900s / Cabinet Sideboard Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old large Tansu made in Japan. This furniture was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The material used is cedar wood. The iron metal fittings in the center add an...
Iron
$4,734Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 87.41 in D 37.41 in
1960s, Danish design, reupholstered 3 seater "Banana" sofa, vintage velour.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish design. Refurbished-reupholstered 3 seater "Banana" sofa in quality vintage bottle green velor, two extra pillows. Ash wood legs. Brass springs in the seat and back is ...
Fabric, Velvet, Ash
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.
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.