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George Mulhauser

Reflecting on George Mulhauser’s decades-long career conjures up images of him sitting in his well-known Mr. Chair — a luxurious reclining mid-century modern lounge chair for Plycraft made from a single sheet of plywood — and thinking to himself what mark he would leave on the world of furniture design.

Mulhauser studied industrial design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated in 1953. His early designs were quite venturesome and landed him his first design job in the Manhattan studio of architect, journalist and designer George Nelson, who was the director of design for legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.

In 1955, Mulhauser designed his now-immediately recognizable Coconut chair. Angular and visually striking, this alluring lounge chair, with its sloping molded plastic shell, was something of a prelude. Soon, Mulhauser would make the acquaintance of American furniture designer Paul McCobb. Mulhauser collaborated with McCobb on concepts for molded fiberglass chairs, and McCobb’s Origami chair for Directional would become a big hit on the mid-20th century market.

Mulhauser kept busy. In his home studio, he sketched out each furniture design on paper and then translated them to handmade scale models. Mulhauser engaged his neighbors and family in trying out his sophisticated seating and gathered feedback for improvements. He designed his Mr. Chair for Plycraft — an adjustable armchair with a seat of tufted leather that yielded a series — and collaborated with many other companies throughout his career, including Directional, Singer, Overman and the Design Institute of America. He also taught furniture design at Pratt Institute, while the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts brought him on as an instructor of 3-D design.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage George Mulhauser chairs, lounge chairs and other furniture.

'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic Mid-Century Modern 'Mr. Chair' and ottoman, designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft in the 1960s. A timeless example of American Modernist design, this sculptural lounge ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Mulhauser

Materials

Plywood, Faux Leather

'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
'Mr Chair' and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
$2,240 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 32 in W 36 in D 35 in
George Mulhauser Tufted Leather & Walnut Lounge Chairs for Plycraft
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Mulhauser

Materials

Leather, Wood, Walnut

George Mulhauser, Sultana Chaise Longue, Moulded Plywood, Velvet, USA, 1960s
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in High Point, NC
A black-painted moulded plywood and brown velvet chaise longue designed by George Mulhauser and produced by Plycraft, USA, 1960s. seat height 17”.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Mulhauser

Materials

Velvet, Plywood

Iconic George Mulhauser "Mr. Chair" Recliner for Plycraft
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in San Diego, CA
Iconic George Mulhauser "Mr. Chair" Recliner for Plycraft – Fully Restored, Maharam Upholstery A true icon of Mid-Century Modern design, this Mr. Chair by George Mulhauser for Plycr...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Mulhauser

Materials

Leather, Wood

Midcentury Modern Leather Recliner Lounge Chair By George Mulhauser For Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare Mid-Century Modern recliner lounge chair was designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. The recliner features all of Mulhauser's design elements - a bent plywood shell with...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Mulhauser

Materials

Metal

Bentwood Lounge Chair & Ottoman Set by George Mulhauser for Plycraft USA, 1960s
By George Mulhauser
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare piece of American Mid-Century Modern history: the George Mulhauser "Mr. Chair" bentwood lounge chair and ottoman ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Mulhauser

Materials

Walnut

Mid 20th MCM Mr. Chair Lounge Chair & Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Mid Century Modern “The Mr. Chair” lounge chair & ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft comprised of walnut bentwood frames or shells, tan vinyl or faux leather, black pa...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Mulhauser

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Modern Plycraft Mulhauser Mr Chair and Ottoman
By George Mulhauser
Located in Tulsa, OK
Iconic Plycraft George Mulhauser Mr chair and ottoman. Above average condition and structurally sound. Walnut veneer has some small chips and sligh...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Mulhauser

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Browse all Furniture from George Mulhauser
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George Mulhauser Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$3,660Lounge ChairsLeather, Woodunknown
2025$2,280ChairsNaugahyde, Walnut1960s
2024$3,895ArmchairsLeather, Walnut, Scrap Wood1950s
2024$2,700Lounge ChairsMetal, WoodMid 20th Century
$3,134
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$2,280-$3,895
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to George Mulhauser

George Mulhauser furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

George Mulhauser furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Mulhauser furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by George Mulhauser were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Charles Pfister, Erwine & Estelle Laverne, and Kroehler Mfg. Co.. Prices for George Mulhauser furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,200 and can go as high as $32,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,896.
Questions About George Mulhauser
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
    George Mulhauser was a furniture designer. He is best known for designing a chair called Mr. Chair, a luxurious reclining mid-century modern lounge chair for Plycraft made from a single sheet of plywood. Other famous designs by Mulhauser include the Coconut chair and the Origami chair. Shop a range of George Mulhauser furniture on 1stDibs.

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