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.
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Adrian Pearsall, Walnut, Circa 1950
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A round, vintage Mid-Century modern American coffee, sofa table made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates in good condition. ...
Glass, Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Adrian Pearsall "Jacks" Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Mid Century Adrian Pearsall "Jacks" coffee table. Overall excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear. Slight scuffs on feet of table. Measures approximately 59 3...
Glass, Wood
$12,000
H 19 in W 42 in D 16 in
Original Carl Aubock Large Mid-Century Walnut Tree Trunk Coffee Table, 1950s
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
A organic and sculptural original vintage tree trunk sofa table from the 1950s, designed and executed by Carl Auböck. This impressive and unusual modernist table is made of a walnut wood slab with a polished tabletop, which shows lovely grain. Its has a black-finished bottom and stands on three naturally patinated brass legs and black rubber shoes. In original unrestored but very good condition. Please notice, that one of the brass leg shows...
Brass
$2,595 / set
H 17 in W 42 in D 42 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Round Coffee Table
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associatesmid century walnut round coffee table This table measures: 42 wide x 42 deep x 17 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...
Glass, Walnut
$3,250
H 15.75 in W 60 in D 31 in
Mid Century Walnut Jacks Coffee Table by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This sculptural walnut and glass coffee table, designed by iconic Mid-Century Modern designer Adrian Pearsall in the 1960s, is a striking example of his bold, architectural approach ...
Glass, Walnut
$3,895
H 16 in W 50 in D 34 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut and Glass Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut and Glass Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 50 wide x 34 deep x 16 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Very Fine Sc...
Glass, Walnut
$3,650
H 16 in W 36.5 in D 36.5 in
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Walnut Square Fin Base Glass Top Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut Square Fin Base Glass Top Coffee Table This coffee table showcases a unique sculptural design that captures the essenc...
Glass, Walnut
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Jacks Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relating to condition. Please read all the way down through this entire description box to view the entire description of the item. Please keep in mind that these are 40-75 year old items and will have some expected normal wear. We strive to represent our items well, and most of these items are in above average vintage condition. Noticeable flaws will be represented in the listing pictures and the text but we cannot describe or picture every small scratch, ding, or area of slight wear. Once delivered, furniture CANNOT be refused, returned, or refunded unless damage has occurred in the shipping process. Our shipper takes care to wrap each item and pack it safely therefore we have rarely had any issues with damage in transit. All items must be picked up within 3 weeks of order if buyer secures his own shipper. Shipping usually requires 3-6 weeks delivery through our shipping contacts and is only available in the continental US for large furniture items. Some smaller items are available to be shipped internationally through USPS/UPS. * * * Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Jacks Coffee Table...
Glass, Walnut
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Jacks Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Jacks Coffee Table Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Has some expected slight fin...
Walnut
$3,600
H 16 in W 60 in D 20 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates sculptural walnut and glass coffee table
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates “Jacks” or “Jax” sculptural walnut and glass coffee or table, 893-TGO oval coffee or cocktail table 1960s, PA, USA. The original glass top is in ...
Glass, Walnut
$2,400
H 14 in W 54 in D 22 in
Vintage Adrian Pearsall "Strictly Spanish" Coffee Table by Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by mid-century American modern master Adrian Pearsall for his Craft Associates Furniture brand of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, this "Strictly Spanish" coffee table is simply ...
Stone
"Jacks" Coffee Table By Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates Inc.
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern, glass and walnut, model 893-TGO, coffee table known as the "Jacks" coffee table because of its distinctive shape was designed by the always popular American ...
Glass, Walnut
$3,850
H 15.5 in W 50.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid Century Adrian Pearsall Style Bowtie Walnut and Glass Top Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Style Bowtie Walnut and Glass Top Coffee Table This is a very striking mid century modern coffee table. With its unique “Bowtie” design, this Adri...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 16 in W 49 in D 32 in
Mid Century Modern Solid Walnut and Glass Jacks Coffee Table by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage 'Jacks' coffee table model no. 1465-T designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Features a sculptural solid walnut supporting base and includes the original biomorphi...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 15.75 in W 54.25 in D 28.25 in
20th Century American Craft Associates Walnut Coffee Table by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century Modern American coffee, sofa table made of hand crafted Walnut. Designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates in good condition. The...
Glass, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Midcentury Sculptural Walnut Console Table
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-Century Modern console or sofa table designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s. Gorgeous sculptural walnut base and glass top.
Glass, Walnut
Mid Century Adrian Pearsall Walnut Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern coffee table designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This piece is made of sculpted solid walnut with an oval surfboard shaped glass top.
Glass, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Biomorphic Walnut Coffee Table
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century biomorphic coffee table designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This piece is made of sculpted solid walnut with a unique shaped glass top.
Glass, Walnut