As the longtime director of design for the Dunbar furniture company, Edward Wormley was, along with such peers as George Nelson at Herman Miller Inc., and Florence Knoll of Knoll Inc., one of the leading forces in bringing modern design into American homes in the mid-20th century. Not an axiomatic modernist, Wormley deeply appreciated traditional design, and consequently his vintage seating, storage cabinets, bar carts and other work has an understated warmth and a timeless quality that sets it apart from other furnishings of the era.
Wormley was born in rural Illinois and as a teenager took correspondence courses from the New York School of Interior Design. He later attended the Art Institute of Chicago but ran out of money for tuition before he could graduate. Marshall Field hired Wormley in 1930 to design a line of reproduction 18th-century English furniture; the following year he was hired by the Indiana-based Dunbar, where he quickly distinguished himself. It was a good match.
Dunbar was an unusual firm: it did not use automated production systems; its pieces were mostly hand-constructed. For his part, Wormley did not use metal as a major component of furniture; he liked craft elements such as caned seatbacks, tambour drawers, or the woven-wood cabinet fronts seen on his Model 5666 sideboard of 1956. He designed two lines for Dunbar each year — one traditional, one modern — until 1944, by which time the contemporary pieces had become the clear best sellers.
Many of Wormley’s signature pieces — chairs, sofas, tables and more — are modern interpretations of traditional forms. His 1946 Riemerschmid Chair — an example is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art — recapitulates a late 19th-century German design. The long, slender finials of his Model 5580 dining chairs are based on those of Louis XVI chairs; his Listen-to-Me Chaise (1948) has a gentle Rococo curve; the “Precedent” line that Wormley designed for Drexel Furniture in 1947 is a simplified, pared-down take on muscular Georgian furniture. But he could invent new forms, as his Magazine table of 1953, with its bent wood pockets, and his tiered Magazine Tree (1947), both show. And Wormley kept his eye on design currents, creating a series of tables with tops that incorporate tiles and roundels by the great modern ceramicists Otto and Gertrud Natzler.
As the vintage items on 1stDibs demonstrate, Edward Wormley conceived of a subdued sort of modernism, designing furniture that fits into any decorating scheme and does not shout for attention.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Longue Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise longue sofa.
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tet-a-Tete
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Iconic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tet-a-Tete. Ready for fabric of your choice. Mahogany legs with brass caps, Dunbar decking.
Brass
Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with rosewood feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Pebble Beach / Natural fabric.
Ash
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Swivel Chair, C. 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
A swivel lounge chair designed by the iconic Edward Wormely for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored, fitted with new high-grade hand cut foam with all insides full...
Velvet, Mahogany
12 Foot Dunbar Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Twelve feet long! Custom made Dunbar sofa designed by Edward Wormley. This was reupholstered 10 years ago and has seen very little use since. We have refinished the base since these ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dining Armchair for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut dining armchair with splayed back legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushion has been newly reupholstered in a Pierre Frey textured fabric - a perfect t...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
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...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 97 wide x 33 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 28 inches Fair Vintage Conditio...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Norwalk, CT
An elegant Mid-Century Modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, embodying the designer's signature balance of refined sophistication and exceptional comfort. With its clean...
Upholstery, Beech
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Bracket Back Sofa #5497 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Edward Wormley always saw furniture as expressions of personality and as a paired-down concept for detail of architect...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar “Party Sofa” Model 5407, 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar ‘Party Sofa” Model 5407, 1950’s. Original upholstery in great condition. Measures 26.5” tall 100” wide 36.5” deep seat height 17.5” arm height 26.5”
Upholstery
Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Club Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar club chair with older re-upholstery on thick tapered legs. Unrestored, ready for new upholstery, legs show age, should be refinished. Email for up...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa in Light Blue Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, sofa, model 5150, fabric, metal, United States, 1950s. The sofa exudes a simple and elegant style, reminiscent of the classic design elements typically a...
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover one of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece, The Captain Chair. We have fully restored this iconic piece to its original splendor, highlighting the beautiful polished brass, cane back, and curved wood frame. The seat has been meticulously reupholstered in Holland & Sherry performance fabric, ensuring both durability and sophistication. Elevate your space with a piece that embodies the essence of mid-century modern luxury. Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain...
Brass
Edward Wormley Tête-à-tête, Dunbar-1950s, model 5944
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Raleigh, NC
This classic mid-century tête-à-tête by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture allows two people to sit facing each other in comfortable conversation. The piece rests on a rich stained...
Brass
Chaise Lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with rosewood feet. Fully restored and upholstered in a soft chenille fabric with down pillow.
Ash
Dunbar Tete-a-Tete Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Tete-a-Tete sofa / daybed with walnut base and brass feet. Reupholstered in Holly hunt / Teton / Cliffside fabric. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Fabric
Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A left arm chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with Ebony feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy / Winter White.
Ash
Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with rosewood feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Pebble Beach / Natural fabric.
Ash
Sold
H 28.25 in W 26.25 in D 57 in
1950s Ultra Rare Cane and Mahogany Chaise designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Ultra rare chaise lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in cane and mahogany on bent wood hairpin legs. As much art, as it is form, this chaise will be the centerpiece of your design. ...
Brass
Mirrored Pair of Chaise Lounges by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A mirrored pair of chaise lounges designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with Ebony feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy...
Bouclé
Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A right arm chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with Ebony feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy...
Ash
Chaise by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A left arm chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with Ebony feet. Fully restored and upholstered in Holly Hunt / Teddy /...
Bouclé
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rare Chaise Lounge in Bouclé and Ash
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar chaise model 6750L. A beautiful and elegant chaise with a bleached/ natural colored ash frame complete with dark feet. Reupholstered in Robert Allen Camel/ Sand bouclé. Chaise is unmarked but is a documented design. Includes two pillows as shown in various pictures. Wormley was known for his blending of modern and traditional elements, and this chaise is no exception. Please note there is a slight taper to the chaise with the back portion being the widest at 33.5" which tapers down to about 28.5" at the footing. The color shifts based on lighting- in heavy direct natural light it presents more ivory or gray, and in an absence of natural light the sand undertone being more present. There are hues of sand/ ivory/ and grey. The first few pictures are in limited natural light (and the most true to color) and the detail pictures are with a large amount of direct sunlight. There are also two closeups of the fabric, again one being in direct sunlight, and the other being in the absence of sunlight/ only fluorescent overhead lighting...
Bouclé, Ash
Sold
H 28.25 in W 26.25 in D 57 in
Cane and Mahogany Chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Ultra rare chaise lounge by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in cane and mahogany on bent wood hairpin legs. As much art, as it is form, this chaise will be the centerpiece of your design....
Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Tete-a-Tete Sofa for Dunbar in Blue Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tete-a-Tete sofa in its original baby blue leather upholstery. Mahogany legs, brass caps. Stunning design. Outragious color and patina. Just enough ...
Leather, Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 33.5 in D 70 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chaise Lounge; Ash, Rosewood, and Knoll Bouclé
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare chaise lounge designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Ash base with highly figured grain. Seating portion has been completely restored to include springs being retied, new foam, ...
Bouclé, Ash