In its inaugural days, iconic mid-century modern furniture brand Craft Associates was largely the work of founder and forward-thinking designer Adrian Pearsall and his wife, Dorie. The pair assembled sexy, stylish furniture in their Pennsylvania basement that they later sold from the back of a truck to the era’s marquee department stores in Philadelphia and New York City.
The New York–born Pearsall (1925–2011) served in the Navy before earning his architectural engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1950. He abandoned architecture after only a couple of years and turned instead to furniture design, opening Craft Associates in 1952 to sell his sophisticated living room seating, dining room furnishings and more. Flush with dynamic angles and clean lines, Pearsall’s sculptural, expressive designs — coffee tables, luxurious lounge chairs and more — helped define the style of the Atomic Age. With the help of Dorie and working in partnership with his brother Richard, Pearsall oversaw the expansion of Craft Associates into a leading employer of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with popular furniture including architecturally striking tables as well as plush beanbag chairs.
From Craft, there was Pearsall’s low-slung Gondola sofa, which embraces the sitter with its enveloping, geometrically rich form, his range of glass-topped tables — most boasting provocatively shaped wood slabs that serve as bases — as well as his skinny, high-backed upholstered walnut armchairs. Pearsall drew on his background in architecture for the organic and eye-catching structures of these pieces in addition to his larger scale work. One of his biggest projects was the complete design of his family’s 10,000-square-foot Pennsylvania home in Forty Fort, which boasted an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and ice cream bar.
After growing his business to 800 employees, Pearsall sold Craft Associates in 1968 to Lane Furniture, which continued producing his pieces into the late 1970s before halting production. With business partner John Graham, Pearsall established a new company, Comfort Designs, in the 1970s, while also devoting time to his lifelong hobbies of sailing and restoring classic yachts.
A company called New Craft Associates revived Pearsall’s brand’s name, referencing mid-century-era furniture design in its current projects while not formally associated with Pearsall or his family. Restoration Hardware has also reissued some of his Craft Associates designs, with Pearsall and his company’s distinctive furniture remaining popular statement pieces adaptable to any home.
Find a range of vintage Craft Associates furniture on 1stDibs.
1960s Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Adrian Pearsall for Craft A
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern walnut rocking lounge chair and ottoman designed by Adrian Pearsall and manufactured by Craft Associates in the United States, circa 1960s. This striking lounge se...
Metal
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 812-CR Walnut Rocking Lounge Chair
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 812-CR Mid Century Walnut Rocking Lounge Chair This rocking chair measures: 26 wide x 32 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height...
Upholstery, Walnut
CraftAssociates Chair, Cawtaba Modern Rocking Chair, Black, Sling, Leather
By Laura Trenchard, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Catawba rocking chair, Modern leather rocking chair, black, for Craft Associates This Catawba Rocking Chair for Craft Associates® Furn...
Leather, Oak
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 36.5 in D 66 in
Wonderful Adrian Pearsall Curved Wave Chaise Lounge Rocker Mid-Century Modern
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful Adrian Pearsall curved wave chaise lounge rocker. This piece was reupholstered in the 80's and will most certainly need to be redone. Th...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,209
H 34.65 in W 22.84 in D 33.08 in
Rare Mid-Century Modern Design rocking chair by Takeshi Nii 1960 Black leather
By Takeshi Nii
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Introducing a stunning and iconic piece of mid-century modern furniture: this black leather rocking chair by Takeshi Nii, designed in 1960 in Japan. Crafted from premium black leather and chrome metal frame, this sleek and elegant rocking chair boasts smooth and clean lines that perfectly blend form and function. The chair's ergonomic and minimalist design provide the ultimate level of comfort, allowing you to sit back, relax and rock the stress away. And its ingenious design allows it to be folded to reduce storage space, simply incredible. The quality of construction and materials are apparent in every detail, from the sturdy chrome frame and the dark wood gliders...
Chrome
$3,250
H 29 in W 27.5 in D 36 in
Expertly Restored -Adrian Pearsall Model 843-C Lounge Chair for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, New Boucle Tweed, New High-Density Foam, New Pirelli Webbing ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$3,200
H 32 in W 38 in D 70 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sculptural Rocking Wave-Form Chaise Lounge
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Adrian Pearsall, this chaise was made by Craft Associates early in Pearsall's career, around the 1950s. Featuring the now-classic wave form seat and a two-stage carved wa...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,200
H 28 in W 29 in D 28 in
Super Rare Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut & Orange X-Base Chair
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Super rare, possibly unique armchair designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates in the 1960s. While other variations of this design reached mass production and still se...
Upholstery, Hardwood, Walnut
$5,895
H 32 in W 31 in D 55 in
Adrian Pearsall Diamond Button-Tufted Chaise Lounge for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precisi...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$3,295
H 27.5 in W 34.5 in D 34 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair This chair measures: 34.5 wide x 34 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 15.75 and arm height/chair clearance...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,900
H 30 in W 37.5 in D 57 in
1960s Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Wave Rocking Chaise Lounge in Walnut
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a Wave Rocking Chaise Lounge, initially designed by Adrian Pearsall ca. 1960. This example also dates to the 1960s, and retains its original upholstery fabric. The current ...
Metal
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates rotating triangle Lounge Chair
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your zip. Rotating Triangle Lounge Chair on Aluminum Tulip Base. Designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Aluminum
$8,860 / set
H 36.23 in W 22.05 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of armchairs designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The structure of these lounge cocktail armchairs is made of walnut wood with a beautiful curved shape and covered...
Bouclé, Walnut
$5,537
H 35.44 in W 21.66 in D 36.62 in
Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Lounge Chair for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Armchair designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The frame of this cocktail lounge chair is made of walnut wood in a beautiful curved shape and upholstered in white chenil...
Chenille, Walnut
$9,868 / set
H 35.44 in W 21.66 in D 36.62 in
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Walnut Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of armchairs designed by the American designer Adrian Pearsall. The frame of these cocktail lounge chairs is made of walnut wood in a beautiful curved shape and upholstered in w...
Chenille, Walnut
Sold
H 30.5 in W 59.5 in D 37.5 in
Expertly Restored - Adrian Pearsall Chaise Rocking Chair for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Rocking Chair for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Adrian Pearsall Rocking Chair for Craft Associates
Upholstery, Walnut
Midcentury Adrian Pearsall Walnut Rocking Chair, Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury Adrian Pearsall walnut rocking chair, Craft Associates Offered for sale is a midcentury Adrian Pearsall rocking chair for Craf...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 41 in D 64 in
Adrian Pearsall Chaise Lounge Rocker Newly Upholstered in Soft Peruvian Alpaca
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This Adrian Pearsall chaise rocker is a triple crown winner with iconic Mid-Century Modern ergonomic Adrian Pearsall design, cozy comfort dressed in new ...
Hide, Alpaca, Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Wave Chaise Rocker Lounge
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in New Windsor, NY
Waive chaise walnut and boucle rocker. The ultimate lounging chair for reading, a disco nap or watching a movie. Circa 1960. Solid walnut base and reupholstered in a cozy white boucl...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 33.5 in
Adrian Pearsall Model 812-CR Sculpted Rocking Chair for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adrian Pearsall Model 812-CR Sculpted Rocking Chair for Craft Associates
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Boucle Wave Rocking Lounge Chaise
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning Adrian Pearsall rocking wave lounge chaise/chair fully restored and reupholstered in Boucle fabric. This iconic lou...
Fabric, Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 37 in D 60 in
Adrian Pearsall Waive Chaise Rocker Lounge in Ivory Shearling with Walnut Legs
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This Adrian Pearsall Chaise Rocker is a triple crown winner with iconic Mid-Century Modern ergonomic Adrian Pearsall design, cozy comfort dressed in new ...
Hide, Sheepskin, Walnut
Sold
H 37 in W 29.75 in L 37 in
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculptural Rocking Chair Rocker New Upholstery
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hudson, NY
Freshly upholstered rocker designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Sculptural walnut frame with a brand new nubby fabric.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 37 in W 29.75 in L 37 in
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculptural Rocking Chair Rocker New Upholstery
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hudson, NY
Freshly upholstered rocker designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Sculptural walnut frame with a brand new nubby fabric.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Rocking Wave Chaise Lounge for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Miami, FL
Rocking wave chaise lounge on a walnut base with original chocolate brown ultra-suede fabric by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Ultrasuede, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Rocker
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Southampton, NJ
This rocker designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates is beautifully made from hand carved walnut. The upholstery is in ver...
Walnut