Jack Lenor Larsen was a celebrated American mid-century modern textile designer born in Seattle. He fostered connections throughout the design and architecture industries beginning in 1950, and today, his influential eponymous design company is widely recognized for its muted hand-spun textured textiles. Larsen manufactured fabrics all over the world for more than six decades, using both traditional and modern weaving techniques.
Larsen initially studied in the architecture program at the University of Washington before he quickly realized he was instead interested in furniture design and interiors. He earned his MFA in 1949 from the Cranbrook Academy of Art — the go-to art school for design stars of the mid-20th century. The following year he moved and opened a studio in New York City where he launched his career.
For one of his first commissions, which was to design curtains for the Lever House — a New York City icon designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Natalie de Blois — Larsen created a linen and gold metal-themed weave to complement the building’s famed glass walls. He designed similarly magnificent textiles for the Phoenix Opera House, the Wolf Trap Theater and more.
Nowhere is Larsen’s profound impact on textile design more evident than at LongHouse Reserve, his house in East Hampton, New York. Modeled after a seventh-century Shinto Shrine, the home and its surrounding sculpture gardens opened to the public in 1992.
Larsen built LongHouse Reserve in collaboration with Charles Forberg. The property features sliding panels that showcase the revered artisan’s fabrics as well as works by Lucie Rie, Wharton Esherick, and Edward Wormley. The gardens feature sculptures by Willem de Kooning, Sol LeWitt and Yoko Ono.
Larsen had a solo exhibit at the Louvre in 1981. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Find vintage Jack Lenor Larsen lounge chairs, sofas, and dining room chairs on 1stDibs.
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Scandinavian Folke Ohlsson Teak Settee in Jack Lenor Larsen "Caravan" Velvet
By Folke Ohlsson, Fritz Hansen, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Modern settee by Swedish designer, Folke Ohlsson for Fritz Hansen upholstered in Jack Lenor Larsen "Caravan" cotton velvet fabric (ca. 1960s, Denmark). Delightful, dimi...
Upholstery, Teak
Scandinavian Modern Upholstered "Scania" Armchair By Folke Ohlsson
By Ljungs Industrier Sweden, Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This exceptional Scandinavian Modern high-back upholstered armchair was designed by the Swedish designer Folke Ohlsson. The lounge chair is part of the "Scania" collection Ohlsson de...
Brass
$4,500 / set
H 45 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Fabulous Asian Modern Widdicomb Dining Chairs Jack Lenor Larsen Blue Velvet
By John Widdicomb, Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Asian modern set of six dining chairs by Widdicomb, two armchairs and four side chairs. We love the original Jack Lenor Larsen fabric but it does show wear-one has a small p...
Upholstery, Mahogany
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
$5,950 / set
H 28 in W 158 in D 37 in
1970s Milo Baughman in Jack Lenor Larsen Blue Brown Lattice Velvet Sectional
By Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Extremely rare two pieces sectional by Milo Baughman upholstered in Jack Lenor Larsen fabric.. This beautiful cotton velvet cut lattice sectional is statement piece which is also com...
Velvet, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 90 wide x 32 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 22.5 inches Great Vintage Condition ...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley Sofa Model 4906, Dunbar, USA, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Edward Wormley Model 4906 sofa, made by Dunbar in the USA, 1950s. Fast shipping worldwide.
Brass
Folke Ohlsson "Stanford" Teak Armchair for DUX
By Folke Ohlsson, Dux of Sweden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Rare "Stanford" High Back Teak Lounge Chair was designed by Folke Ohlsson for Dux in the 1960s. The "Stanford" model was one of Ohlsson's less common designs. This armchair has a...
Linen, Teak
Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric Bench by Brower Grand Rapids
By Brower Furniture Co., Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote your zip. Lovely Mid Century Bench made by Brower Furniture of Grand Rapids. Appears to be...
Steel
$1,680Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 21 in D 22 in
Jack Lenor Larsen Black Lacquer Cage Armchairs, a pair
By Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Wichita, KS
Black Lacquer Jack Lenor Larsen Cage Chairs upholstered in new animal print Scalamandre fabric. The chairs are from the 1970’s in the mid-century Hollywood Regency style and have an ...
Fabric, Wood
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
1960s Vintage Lounge Chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Turners Falls, MA
1960s Vintage Wing Back Lounge Chair upholstered in a stunning vintage Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery. Stained walnut base.
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Boho Drexel Wingback in Jack Lenor Larsen Velvet
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Drexel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a commanding statement in your library or living room with this spectacular vintage wingback chair by Drexel, upholstered in a highly collectible plush velvet by the legendary t...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Jack Lenor Larsen ‘Primavera’ Velvet Wingback Settee or Loveseat
By Jack Lenor Larsen
Located in Southampton, NJ
Queen Anne style love-seat in stunning vintage Jack Lenor Larsen “Primavera” velvet having overstuffed down pillows and seat cushion. The f...
Velvet, Walnut