Arthur Elrod Sofas

American, 1924-1974

Although Arthur Elrod’s interiors were well documented in his day by newspapers and design periodicals, after publication, the articles and pictures mostly sat hidden away in archives. Not until the Palm Springs mid-century modernism renaissance began, at the end of the 1990s, did interest in the decorator reignite.

How did this incredibly influential talent fall into obscurity? Elrod’s client roster could hardly have been more impressive. It included just about every Hollywood A-lister of the era: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Mary and Jack Benny, Frank and Lucille Capra, Hoagy Carmichael, Claudette Colbert, and more. He was the interior designer of choice for all of Palm Springs’ founding families — the Bennetts, Hickses, McManuses and Nichols — and the darling of every captain of industry who kept a vacation home in the fabled desert resort, including the cofounders of Capitol Records and Hyatt Hotels and an heir to the Carnation Evaporated Milk Company fortune.

Born in 1924, South Carolina native Elrod studied textiles at Clemson Agricultural College (now Clemson University), then interior design at Chouinard Art Institute, in Los Angeles. He arrived in Palm Springs in 1947 and worked as junior staff decorator in the home furnishings department of the newly opened Bullock’s department store.

Elrod’s early career was fueled by the postwar building boom and by a growing awareness in the desert community of modernism, sparked by the work of Rudolph Schindler, Albert Frey, Richard Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright. Elrod’s interiors of this period display a mostly French Provincial aesthetic with some sleeker modern furnishings mixed in.

Despite abundant commissions and favorable publicity, Elrod decamped to San Francisco in 1952 for a two-year stint at prominent home design and carpet store W. & J. Sloane. During that time, General Electric engaged him to design an exhibition for the San Francisco Museum of Art to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the invention of Edison’s incandescent bulb. Elrod installed a “penthouse apartment” with terrace in the museum’s galleries that garnered him considerable attention and also marked a turn in his style. Almost all the furnishings were contemporary pieces, by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.

At W. & J. Sloane, Elrod met Hal Broderick — who would be his life partner until the 1960s and his business partner until the designer’s death, in 1974 — and Barbara Wills, an assistant manager in the store’s modern furniture department. The three established Arthur Elrod Ltd. and relocated back to Palm Springs in 1954. The firm was instantly successful, and over the years took on more and more designers to meet demand.

Elrod’s was the first firm to bring national lines like Baker and Widdicomb to the desert, and he also pioneered the use of indoor-outdoor fabrics, covered a fireplace wall with green vinyl and made Naugahyde chic. He floated credenzas on wall panels and under-lit sofas and beds with recessed kickbacks so that they appeared to levitate. Elrod literally created the mid-century Palm Springs interiors aesthetic we take for granted today.

Find vintage Arthur Elrod furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Arthur Elrod

Mid-Century Sofa by Arthur Elrod

$13,500

Mid-Century Sofa by Arthur Elrod

By Arthur Elrod

Located in Pasadena, CA

Elegant and glamorous sofa designed by Arthur Elrod for the Cody House in Palm Springs, circa 1960s. Re-imagined in a chic metallic gray linen. A pair o...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Edward Wormley

$5,110

H 27.5 in W 87 in D 31.5 in

Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Edward Wormley

By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A good Mid-Century Modern sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, with flared back and arms and loose back cushions. Square dark walnut legs with round brass foot. The piece was reupholst...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Mid Century Modern 1960s Sofa by Viko Baumritter

$2,100

H 29 in W 82 in D 29 in

Mid Century Modern 1960s Sofa by Viko Baumritter

By Viko Baumritter

Located in New York, NY

This floating 1960s sofa was manufactured by Viko Baumritter , an American furniture Company that later became Ethan Allen. The sofa has a metal frame and metal splay legs with a fau...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Sofa by Carl Straub, Germany, 1960s

$1,948

H 30.71 in W 74.81 in D 31.5 in

Mid-Century Sofa by Carl Straub, Germany, 1960s

By Carl Straub

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Mid-century three seater sofa designed by Carl Straub in black leather and teak. Beautifully shaped metal base. Good overall condition with normal age related wear. No holes or...

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Sofa Bed

$4,689

H 30.71 in W 81.11 in D 31.11 in

Mid-Century Sofa Bed

Located in London, England

Mid-Century sofa bed with solid teak frame newly polished and re-covered in cream boucle fabric. U.K circa 1960.

Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Teak

Mid-Century Curved Sofa

$2,500

H 30.5 in W 93 in D 45 in

Mid-Century Curved Sofa

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Long Mid-Century Modern sofa with rounded back, in a Vladimir Kagan style. Please confirm location.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Mid Century Bamboo Sofa

$2,400Sale Price|36% Off

H 31 in W 72.5 in D 35 in

Mid Century Bamboo Sofa

Located in Pasadena, TX

A Mid-Century Modern "Pretzel" sofa reminiscent of the designs of Paul Frankl. A bent bamboo frame with floral print upholstery.

Category

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo

Mid Century Sofa by Poul Kjærholm

$124,000

H 27.56 in W 90.56 in D 30.32 in

Mid Century Sofa by Poul Kjærholm

By Poul Kjærholm

Located in Allerum, SE

Exceptional and rare 20th century three-part wall mounted sofa in brushed chrome plated steel, canvas and original patinated Niger leather upholstery...

Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall

$12,500

H 24.5 in W 90.5 in D 32 in

Mid-Century Cloud Sofa by Adrian Pearsall

By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century Cloud sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. This design by Pearsall is low profile and features a gently curved silhouette. Long and extreme...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Foam, Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Sofa or Bed by Uluv, 1960's

$1,171

H 29.14 in W 82.68 in D 32.29 in

Mid-Century Sofa or Bed by Uluv, 1960's

By Úľuv

Located in Praha, CZ

- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of wood, leatherette - Leatherette has signs of damage - Fully functional - Good, original condition - When unfolded, 100 cm / 180 cm - Seat hei...

Category

1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Wood

Mid-century modern Boomerang sofa by Olavi Hänninen

$5,618

H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 27.56 in

Mid-century modern Boomerang sofa by Olavi Hänninen

By Olavi Hanninen, Mikko Nupponen

Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi

Add a touch of mid-century modern luxury to your space with the Olavi Hänninen 1960's Boomerang sofa. Crafted from rich mahogany, this iconic piece features the legendary boomerang s...

Category

Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Mahogany

Mid Century Sofa, 1950s

$1,764

H 34.65 in W 63 in D 27.56 in

Mid Century Sofa, 1950s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Striking mid century two seater sofa. It has been reupholstered in white and pink fabric. Typical and elegant 1950s design. 1950s - Belgium Very good condition, like new....

Category

1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Mid Century Modern Metal Sofa by Formanova

$6,496Sale Price|47% Off

H 26.78 in W 63.19 in D 29.93 in

Mid Century Modern Metal Sofa by Formanova

By Formanova

Located in London, GB

Sculptural sofa by Formanova with polished steel base. Label to back. Reupholstered.

Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Elrod Sofas

Materials

Steel

Arthur Elrod sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Elrod sofas are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arthur Elrod sofas, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original sofas by Arthur Elrod were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider sofas by Widdicomb Furniture Co., Edward Wormley, and Dunbar. Prices for Arthur Elrod sofas can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $13,500 and can go as high as $13,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,500.