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.
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sectional Sofa w/ Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Add a touch of mid-century charm to your living space with this inviting sectional sofa, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in the 1950s. This piece is all about both style and fl...
Fabric, Walnut
$12,000
Edward Wormley Dunbar Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Dunbar sofa can be paired as a sectional with matching chaise longue 5525 we have offered in another listing.
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Sectional Velvet Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c.1960s, USA, two-piece sectional sofa. The sofa features split arm rests and an exposed sculpted ebonized wood frame. This sofa has been fully reupholster...
Velvet, Walnut, Upholstery
$5,599 / set
H 28.25 in W 108 in D 33 in
1960's Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Velvet 2-Piece Sectional Sofa
By Thayer Coggin, Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1960's Mid Century Modern sectional couch for sale. It's a two-piece sectional that has a solid walnut platform and solid walnut legs, and has walnut trims at the top. The wa...
Velvet, Walnut
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, c. 1940 An early sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, dating to approximately 1940. This substantial example features a generous seating ...
Upholstery
$3,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 120 in D 60 in
Mid Century Modern Modular Sectional sofa with ottoman by Broyhill Lenoir
By Broyhill
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Modular Sectional sofa with ottoman by Broyhill Lenoir Vintage Broyhill Lenoir Modular Sectional Sofa characterized by its distinctive exposed solid wood frame st...
Upholstery, 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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
$2,850
H 32 in W 85 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley 1950s Mid-Century Designed Dunbar for Modern 3 Seat Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Edward Wormley three seat on tapered walnut legs is from his Dunbar for Modern collection, one of his early fully modern furniture collections. This sofa, was reupholstered by the original owners, in the late 90s to fit their new southwest decor...
Upholstery, Walnut
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 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
$15,750Sale Price|30% Off
H 28 in W 90.5 in D 32 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bracket Back Sofa in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully updated and restored. The iconic bracket back sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. This has been reupholstered in a stunning high-quality mohair from "The Sign". This sofa ...
Mohair, Mahogany
Dunbar Single Arm Sofa Designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a wonderful example of a period sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. Circa 1960s, it is a single left arm sofa and sits on two wood runne...
Fabric, Wood
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 Model 4907 sofa and Ottoman for Dunbar Mid Century
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, the Model 4907 sofa exemplifies the designer’s masterful balance of modern restraint and traditional comfort. Introduced in the mid-20th centur...
Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Split Arm Sectional Sofa
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare two piece split arm sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The armless piece can be used on either side of the armed sofa. The walnut legs have been refinished ...
Walnut
Edward Wormley Sectional Sofa for Dunbar, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
A classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960's USA. This two-piece sectional sofa has the stately mahogany bracket back design that sets this Edward Wormley sofa apart. This sofa has vi...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Party Sofas by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in Original Leather
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful pair of party sofas designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in original buttery soft light tan leather.
Leather
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Split Arm Sofas
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pair of Split Arm Sofas with bracket back supports in solid mahogany with exposed brass screws. We reupholstereded with Great ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Early and rare oasis sofa model #5200 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Pair available.
Fabric
Dunbar Oasis Sofa by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Early and rare oasis sofa model #5200 designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored and upholstered in Donghia mohair.
Mohair
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 6329A Large Angled Sofa
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
The larger of the two sizes, this model 6329A angled sofa retains its original fabric in wonderful condition. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Mahogany stretcher base.
Mahogany
Sold
H 28 in W 96 in D 96 in
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3PC Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Unit
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent, newly upholstered Dunbar Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa, three pieces in all, with one of the pieces being the rare Edward Wormley beechwood mahogany corner unit. The...
Fabric, Textile, Beech, Mahogany
Sold
H 28 in W 96 in D 96 in
Mid-Century Modern Dunbar E. Wormley 3 Pc Sectional Sofa with Rare Corner Table
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent, newly upholstered Dunbar Mid-Century Modern sectional sofa, three pieces in all, with one of the pieces being the rare Edward Wormley beechwood corner table. The gold up...
Fabric, Textile, Beech
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofas
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar sofas, model no.488, features slight curved back and angled wing arms. Reupholstered with gre...
Upholstery
Sectional Sofa with Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, L Shape, Reversable
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Four piece sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Curved center / corner section plus two seat section, one seat section and one ottoman. This can be configured...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Sold
H 30 in W 163 in D 42 in
Two-Piece Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley, Armless, Brass Legs, Models 4756 & 4828
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two piece, armless, sectional sofa designed by Edward Wormley, made by Dunbar. A combination of models 4756 and 4828 in the Dunbar Catalog. The backless end on the angled piece (4756...
Brass