Sectional By Adrian Pearsall

Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American 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 also had a gift for tables, 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, Adrian Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.

An antique, new or vintage sectional sofa is a versatile and practical style of seating that makes for a great addition to your living space.

A traditional sofa is typically a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people, whereas a sectional sofa consists of multiple pieces that can be arranged in several different layouts. While a conventional couch or sofa can definitely seat a fixed number of houseguests, sectional sofas allow for customizing. We all know that maximizing your square footage in a small space can prove difficult, so the modular characteristics of sectional sofas are especially appealing when you’re thinking about design ideas for your modest-sized living room. This furnishing can be arranged in a semicircle, an L-shape or other configuration and will seat more people than a standard sofa will.

When it comes to home decor, the trick is to find a balance between functionality and style. Sectional sofas are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and fabric options, so you’re sure to find one that perfectly complements your interiors and needs. But there are several factors to consider when choosing the perfect sectional sofa for your space.

According to Charleston designer Angie Hranowsky, “the most important thing to know when choosing the perfect sofa is its purpose. Is it for conversation or for watching TV and lounging? Then you can determine the right depth and seat height.”

The size of your sectional sofa will depend on how much real estate you’re working with in your living room and exactly how you use the space. If you’re trying to define a common area in your sprawling loft apartment or you’ve got a large family to think about, a large, sleek contemporary sectional or sculptural sectional sofa designed by Milo Baughman, say, could be ideal for comfort as well as a conversation piece, particularly if you intend to entertain with regularity. Think about seat height and depth — high seats, for example, can yield an air of formality that might not be a great fit for your crowd.

For movie nights, holiday parties or the occasional but totally fabulous dinner party, a large sectional sofa means getting multiple uses out of a singular piece of seating. In smaller rooms, it might make sense to position your small sectional sofa against the wall, whereas in a wide-open space, the sofa’s components can occupy the center of the room. Measure accordingly and make sure your doorways can accommodate on delivery day.

Bring comfort and class to your living space with a sectional sofa from the world’s best dealers on 1stDibs. For your mid-century modern-inspired living room, find fun spage-age sectional sofas, chic leather sectional sofas and a range of vintage mid-century sectional sofas designed by the likes of Harvey Probber, Vladimir Kagan and others.