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.
Vintage Sculptural Solid Walnut Tufted Slipper Lounge Chair by Adrian Pearsall
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century modern tufted slipper lounge chair designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1960's. This unique piece features a cozy armless look and has been newly reupho...
Fabric, Velvet, Walnut
$2,200
H 27 in W 28 in D 29 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Lounge Arm Chair in Walnut by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sexy sculptural lounge chair designed by Adrian Pearsall in the 1960's. It features the original floral fabric on the back rest but the seat cushion was redone at some point. Solid...
Wood, Fabric, Walnut
Rare Swivel Lounge Chair by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare swivel tub chair by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Its monumental scale (44” wide) and tufted interior make it a statement piece for any room. The chair sits on a cylin...
Upholstery, Walnut
$7,500 / set
H 36.5 in W 31 in D 32.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Oversized Slipper Chairs - Set of 2
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold Mid-Century Modern statement with this rare pair of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates oversized slipper chairs, circa 1960s. Featuring Pearsall’s unmistakable sculptur...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
$1,282Sale Price|32% Off
H 41 in W 30 in D 35.5 in
Adrian Pearsall Styled Vintage Sculptural Wood Lounge Armchair, 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1960s vintage highback lounge chair features sculptural wood and groovy original 1960s fabric. The style is in the manner of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates and Kipp Stewar...
Fabric, Wood
$5,559 / 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 Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
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
Adrian Pearsall, Lounge Chairs, Walnut, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut and green bouclé fabric lounge chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates, USA, c. 1950s. Minimal signs of wear. Reupholstered in brand new...
Fabric, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Lounge Chair
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates lounge chair This chair measures: 24.25 wide x 23.5 deep x 25.75 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height of 21.5 inches All ...
Upholstery, Wood
$16,400 / set
H 31 in W 41 in D 36 in
Adrian Pearsall Channeled Post Modern Slipper Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé
By Comfort Design Furniture, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of channeled Post Modern slipper chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs, Inc. If you're seeking chairs to wind down and relax in - the sort you can sit in for ho...
Upholstery, Bouclé
$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
Materials: Walnut Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
$12,700 / set
H 33.5 in W 40 in D 30 in
Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola' Button-Tufted Chairs for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Dallas, TX
Distinctive 'Gondola' chairs exceptionally well designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the United States circa 1960s. Known for his daring designs which brought high sty...
Upholstery, Wood
$18,800 / set
H 49 in W 35 in D 32 in
Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Mom & Pop Lounge Chairs in Ivory Bouclé, c. 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural pair of Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Mom & Pop lounge chairs newly reupholstered in highly durable soft ivory white bouclé fabric circa 1960. High art design that's welcoming and beckons you to come closer for a better look, followed by the urge to run your hands over the enticing super soft curly bouclé fabric. Yum. Let's cozy up in style. The fabric is textured and breathable. Works great in both warm and cool climates. Sculptural designer furniture that immediately elevates a space's decor with a high art look. Pop Chair features a tall seat back and suspended head cushion. The head cushion cleverly hangs over the top of the seat back and is kept in place by two weighted upholstered tassels that drape. The design makes it simple to adjust the head cushion to your desired just right position. Tufted chubby lumbar cushion. Comfortable seat and curved lower chair front for tucking your feet. Mom chair...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$8,200
H 31 in W 45 in D 36 in
Adrian Pearsall Channeled Post Modern Slipper Chair in Ivory White Bouclé
By Comfort Designs, Inc., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Channeled and plush post modern chair designed by Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs, Inc. If you're seeking a chair to wind down and relax in - the sort you can sit in for hours and enjoy - this is it. Every inch of this slipper chair is soft, upholstered and well cushioned. A modern space odyssey look with a channeled seat...
Upholstery, Bouclé
Mid Century Modern Round Slipper Chair in the Manner of Adrian Pearsall
By Karpen of California, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Southampton, NJ
1960's round slipper chair in custom tiger upholstery with sculpted reverse tapered form back & brass capped tapered legs. Generous proportions ...
Brass
$4,800
H 38.5 in W 33 in D 32 in
Adrian Pearsall Walnut Lounge Chair Model 2161-C For Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern lounge chair was designed by American design legend Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1960s. This armchair is documented in the Craft Associates cata...
Velvet, Walnut
$4,300
H 30 in W 35 in D 30 in
Amazing Adrian Pearsall Angular Sculptural Walnut Lounge Chair Mid-Century
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Simply scrumptious Adrian Pearsall angular and sculptural lounge chair. This chair is newly upholstered in a high-end citrus orange velvet with all-new straps and foam. The solid w...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid Century Lounge Chair
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Sculpted Lounge Chair in the style of Adrian Pearsall. Very confortable Frame in very good condition, new upholstrey recomended.
Pair Of Slipper Chairs For Craft Associates
By Craft Associates
Located in Amarillo, TX
Pair of modern slipper chairs in leather with chrome feet by mid-century design house CRAFT Associates.
Steel