From arranging window displays as a teenager to securing a preeminent position in the decorating and design sphere, Jay Spectre had an extraordinary career. He drew on a range of influences for his lounge chairs, chests of drawers and coffee tables of the 1970s and ‘80s, and is best known for these furnishings as well as his interiors of the era.
For his eponymous Manhattan firm, Spectre created modern, delectable interiors for luxury homes, private aircraft, yachts and offices — his clientele included corporations and affluent figures all over the world — and for his sophisticated furnishings and decor, he found inspiration in Art Deco as well as in Asian and African art..
Spectre’s career in design began modestly — he worked as a window dresser in his Kentucky hometown. He had big plans, however, and moved to New York City, where he would establish the Jay Spectre Inc. design firm. During interviews in the years that followed, Spectre spoke highly of Hollywood glamour and its impact on his work. He was interested in the forces of modernism and technology, and was greatly inspired by the Art Deco era, which was brought to global attention at a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. The movement’s textile designers integrated floral motifs and vivid colors into their works, while Art Deco furniture makers were fond of dark woods, modern metals and decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides.
In 1985, in order to grant large manufacturers the rights to produce Spectre’s furniture designs, he formed a licensing firm called J.S.P.S. Inc. with South African-born interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield. This was the era that brought Spectre recognition, awards, and numerous high-profile clients that the designer called “silent celebrities” (they deeply valued their privacy).
Spectre also created furniture that was aimed at younger consumers and intended to be affordable. He introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at North Carolina’s Century Furniture — a brand that is known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors — where he created oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Spectre was named one of the top eight designers in America by the Smithsonian Institution for their "Giants of Design 1979" exhibition. He earned a pair of awards from the Chicago Merchandise Mart in 1982 and 1983, and was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1986.
Find vintage Jay Spectre seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Jay Spectre for Century Cerused Oak Two Piece Armoire.
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Tall cabinet by Jay Spectre for Century. Two doors open to reveal a six-compartment section that can be removed and used as a large open space for a flat screen T.V. Also features f...
Stainless Steel
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Postmodern Waterfall Dresser, Bleached Oak
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A signed and labeled Jay Spectre for Century Furniture dresser in bleached/limed oak, featuring the designer’s signature bold waterfall edge. Deep bullnose rails wrap continuously ar...
Oak
Custom Cerused Oak Armoire by Jay Spectre, Modern Design, USA, 1980s
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Custom Finished, Cerused Oak wardrobe by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture. Wardrobe features 2 large bottom drawers and doors open to reveal a series of cubicles and smaller drawers...
Nickel
$550Sale Price|35% Off
Jay Spectre for Century Oak and Chrome Media Cabinet
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Astoria, NY
Jay Spectre for Century Oak and Chrome Media Cabinet, with power strip, three drawers, and metal plaque label to drawer interior. 82.5" H x 33.25" W x 22" D. Provenance: From an U...
Metal, Chrome
Jay Spectre Nightstands in Black Lacquer and Brushed Chrome Plinth
By Jay Spectre
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of nightstands designed by Jay Spectre in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The nightstands are freshly refinished in a high gloss black lacquered finish, the plinth base...
Chrome
Jay Spectre 7 Drawer Oak Dresser by Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Highland, IN
Designed by Jay Spectre for Century, this dramatic 7-drawer dresser from his "Eclipse" collection is a post-modern take on Deco / Moderne design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer ...
Chrome
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Drop-Front Desk 1980c
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Drop-Front Desk 1980c Perceptive Drop-Front Desk Century Furniture, circa 1980 A rare and architecturally striking drop-front desk designed by Jay S...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Jay Spectre Cerused White Oak, Two-Drawer Commode
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, two-drawer commode in cerused white oak with brushed steel base and top banding. Could also be used as a flat scre...
Steel
Modernist Commode Night Table by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Voguish dresser, commode, night stand designed by Jay Spectre for the Century Furniture Company. This chic chest features two deep drawers, a brushed steel plinth base, and cerused...
Steel
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Jay Spectre "Perceptive" Drop Front Desk
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Primavera and brushed stainless steel drop front secretary has four drawers with brushed steel Art Deco inspired pulls, plus additional shelf storage. Origami angularity turns this e...
Steel
Jay Spectre Cerused Oak 8 Drawers Dresser Completely Restored
By Jay Spectre
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern Jay Spectre light grey cerused oak long dresser credeza.
Oak
1970's Art Deco Burl Wood Floating Shelf Console by Jay Spectre for Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in North Canton, OH
Extraordinary and Incredibly Rare Art Deco Burled Console by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture. Floating Glass Shelves under Cantilevered upper drawers....
Wood
$2,067 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 11.82 in
Brass Cabinet Modern Floating Brass Side Table Nightstand
By Renats Kotlevs
Located in Riga, LV
Exquisite custom nightstand, a masterpiece crafted from engineered wood and adorned with a polished, slightly brushed, burnished, varnished brass finish. This exceptional piece is de...
Brass
$1,042Sale Price|54% Off
H 30 in W 48 in D 21.5 in
Early 1990s Postmodern Waterfall Marbleized Formica Chest of Drawers / Dresser
Located in Miami, FL
Early 1990s Postmodern waterfall marbleized formica chest of drawers / dresser. Features the perfect sizing to fit in any small room, a six draw...
Brass
Biedermeier Nightstand or Small Cabinet
Located in Belmont, MA
This original 19th century Biedermeier Nightstand has a very pretty walnut veneer. The small cabinet has one door, behind the door is a shelf....
Walnut
Mid Century 9 Drawer Dresser
By Jan Kuypers
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional nine drawer dresser, of solid teak wood construction, in clean original vintage condition. This exceptional dresser was designed by Jan Kuypers for Imperial...
Walnut
1930s French Oak Armoire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant oak armoire from France, 1930's. Beautiful matched chevron oak wood veneer doors. Sliding doors open to a single shelf with hanging pole. Cabinet has charming carved wood det...
Oak
Oak Parquetry Six Drawer Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A light oak parquetry six-drawer dresser in dawn finish. This beautiful hand-carved oak dresser includes six drawers with mirrored herringbone starburst ...
Wood
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 85.5 in D 19.5 in
Danish Mid Century 8 Drawer Double Dresser Att. to Sven Ellekaer Teak
By Sven Ellekaer
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Danish Modern double dresser in exceptional refinished condition. This example features eight drawers, two banks of four drawers each, it is constructed of solid teak, and...
Teak
$4,283
H 71.26 in W 35.63 in D 15.36 in
Carved Oak Two-Door Armoire with Wrought Iron Straps, Spain, 1880s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
J.A.D.A Galerie presents: A two-door cabinet made in northern Spain in the late nineteenth century, in the Castilian tradition of panelled case furniture built by village joiners fo...
Wrought Iron
$3,249Sale Price|29% Off
H 30.25 in W 66 in D 17.5 in
Postmodern Cerused Pink Dresser In the Style of Jay Spectre for Century, 1980s
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking 1980s Postmodern dresser has been fully refinished in a custom cerused pink finish with contrasting white grain, giving the oak an architectural texture that feels both...
Wood, Oak
Art Deco One-Door Armoire, Solid Oak, Dutch Design, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco Amsterdamse School one-door armoire or wardrobe. Striking Dutch design from the 1920s. Solid oak and original oak veneer base with solid decorative maca...
Mirror, Macassar, Oak
Gustavian 19th Century Grey Painted 3 Drawer Dresser
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late Swedish 19th century painted chest of drawers. This 3 drawer dresser has a charming break front style with the original brass hardware.
Bronze
French Armoire in Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Armoire in Oak and Brass, Late 19th Century Rooted in the provincial elegance of the Belle Époque This tall oak armoire, dating from the end of the 19th century, embodies the...
Oak
$1,425
H 31 in W 68 in D 19.25 in
Vintage Century Furniture French Country Serpentine Oak Triple Dresser 68"
By Century Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century French Country Triple Dresser by Century Furniture. Features a rectangular made from oak with serpentine top over nine drawers with brass hardware. Drawer fronts ...
Oak
$1,608Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 24.81 in W 23.63 in D 18.12 in
French Pair of Nightstands Side Cabinets Bedside Depth 18 in
Located in Labrit, Landes
Pair of oak nightstands "Pyrénées" signed by Sébastien Lamarre. This french side cabinets were made by Sébastien Lamarre for Maison Marie Anne. To stay in a brutalist style he has m...
Oak
$3,826
H 70.87 in W 39.38 in D 13.78 in
French Reconstruction Oak Two-Door Armoire, Paneled Doors, 1940s. This armoire
By Rene Gabriel
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Reconstruction Oak Two-Door Armoire, Paneled Doors, 1940s. This armoire is built in solid oak with framed and paneled doors showing a mirrored grain across the upper, middle ...
Oak
Sold
H 30.63 in W 64.38 in D 19.25 in
1980s Jay Spectre - Century Furniture - Art Deco Inspired Oak 7 Drawer Dresser
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jay Spectre celebrity interior designer of the 1980's designed bleached oak 7 drawer long dresser for Century Furniture. Sprectre was heavily influenced by the Art Deco period, this...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.5 in W 72 in D 19.25 in L 30.5 in
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Modern Art Deco White Oak & Chrome Dresser
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional modern Art Deco long dresser, credenza, or sideboard By Jay Spectre for Century Furniture USA, 1980s White oak, with chrome banding and plinth base. Measures: 72"W...
Chrome
Sold
H 30.25 in W 72 in D 19.25 in
Vintage Oak Jay Spectre 7 Drawer Dresser Postmodern MCM Retro Burlwood 70s 80s
By Karl Springer, Marge Carson, Milo Baughman, Maitland Smith, Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage 1980s Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Dresser. This dresser features smooth-gliding drawers with a clean interior. The trim is crafted from brushed metal, complementing th...
Metal
Sold
H 30.13 in W 48.38 in D 18.25 in
Jay Spectre Vintage 1980s Neo Deco Cerused Console Table with Mirror Back
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Stunning vintage 1980s Neo Deco cerused console table by Jay Spectre. The handsome sofa table could easily be mistaken for a 1930s Art Deco piece. Spectre’s distinctive style was hea...
Mirror, Oak
Contemporary Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Armoire
By Jay Spectre
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous Jay Spectre for century Armoire. Chic wrapped rib design on a tall and impressive frame. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Wood
Contemporary Jay Spectre for Century Stacked Credenza
By Jay Spectre
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fantastic Contemporary Jay Spectre for Century credenza. A super chic design with wrapped ribs around the frame. A pale cerused finish makes th...
Wood
Jay Spectre Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unique desk by Jay Spectre's Perimeter Collection for Century c.1980s, USA will be a standout piece of any room. This drop front mahogany desk features a brushed stainless steel...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 29.25 in W 75 in D 18 in
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Black Lacquer and Chrome Credenza, Refinished
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional modern Art Deco credenza or sideboard By Jay Spectre for Century Furniture USA, 1980s Black lacquered solid oak, with chrome banding and plinth base. Measu...
Chrome
Desk in Cerused Oak by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Wonderful desk in Cerused oak with round drawer pedestal and glass top for Century Furniture. Incredibly versatile piece with great scale. Metal label in drawer reads "Century Jay Sp...
Glass, Oak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 75 in D 18 in
Contemporary Modern Signed Jay Spectre Credenza Cerused Oak and Chrome 1980s
By Jay Spectre
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a magnificent, signed Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, two drawer, two shelf credenza, in cerused white oak, with brushed steel base and top banding, circ...
Oak
Jay Spectre Oak Dresser
By Jay Spectre
Located in Denton, TX
Jay Spectre for century furniture oak and steel chest of drawers.
Steel
Pair of Jay Spectre Armoires
By Jay Spectre
Located in Denton, TX
Pair of Jay Spectre for Century furniture bleached oak with brushed steel trim tall chests. Massive storage space with drawers and cubby spaces and shelves.
Stainless Steel
Jay Spectre Chest for Century Furniture, circa 1980
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jay Spectre chest for Century Furniture, circa 1980. This piece has been professionally restored.
Metal
Cerused Ebony Oak Credenza by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Dallas, TX
Cerused oak credenza by Jay Spectre.
Oak
Jay Spectre Chest/Cabinet in Bleached Oak 1980s (Signed)
By Jay Spectre
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Chest/Cabinet in bleached oak with steel trim by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, American 1980's (label in drawer reads "Century Jay Spectre"). The interior is beautifully outfitt...
Steel