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.
$550Sale Price|35% Off
Jay Spectre for Century Oak Media Cabinet
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
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
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
$1,674Sale 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
White Lacquer, Walnut and Brass Mid-Century Cabinet
By Davis Cabinet Company
Located in Miami, FL
A solid walnut off-white lacquered Mid-Century Modern small credenza or oversized night stand made by the Davis Cabinet Co. of Nashville, Tennessee. The light ivory or cameo white commode...
Brass
Mid Century Nightstand in the Manner of Paul Frankl (2 available)
By Paul Frankl
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a mid century nightstand featuring cork fronts Pair of walnut vintage nightstands or side tables with metal hairpin legs in the style of Paul Frankl. Featuring circular recessed bakelite pulls and cork facings. One with three drawers and the other features one top drawer and a pull down cabinet...
Steel
$2,775 / set
H 25.01 in W 19.3 in D 14.57 in
Pair of Walnut Carved Spanish Nightstands with Solomonic Legs and drawer
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of solid carved Spanish nightstands with Solomonic columns and carved drawers. The pieces have a stretcher to make stability .
Walnut
$3,275 / set
H 25.79 in W 18.9 in D 14.18 in
Pair of Carved Spanish Nightstands with Solomonic Legs and Crest
Located in Miami, FL
20th century pair of solid carved Spanish nightstands with Solomonic columns and carved crest under the drawers in oak wood. It has one carved drawer and Solomonic T.form stretcher.
Walnut
$3,700Sale Price|22% 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 Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
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
$2,871Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 28.75 in W 26.38 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Small Black Lacquer Cabinets Nightstands by J.C. Mahey, 1970s
By Romeo Paris, Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Paris, IDF
Glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass accents, feels crisp and luxe on this pair of small cabinets. Their boxy, simple style is typical of both the 1970s and designer Jean C...
Brass
Oak Parquetry Media Cabinet - Dark
Located in Westwood, NJ
An oak parquetry four-door entertainment media cabinet, perfect to use as a cabinet for additional storage space or an entertainment console. It has oak parquetry doors accented with...
Wood
Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Media Cabinet
By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Mission or Arts & Crafts media cabinet or armoire By L. & J.G. Stickley USA, Late 20th Century Solid quarter sawn oak, with original hammered copper hardware. Measure...
Copper
$3,295
H 30.5 in W 72 in D 19.25 in
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Modern Art Deco White Oak & Chrome Dresser
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
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
Connect Floating Nightstand or Bed Table Customizable in Steel
By Henry Norris, New Format Studio
Located in Vancouver, BC
Wall hanging variant of the connect nightstand. This collection is designed to express the process by which each piece is created, with visible construction and fastening details that are integral to the final piece. Traditional joinery techniques are used in conjunction with mass manufacturing technology to create this unique metal cabinetry...
Bronze, 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
Cerused Ebony Oak Credenza by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Dallas, TX
Cerused oak credenza by Jay Spectre.
Oak
Chest of Drawers in Bleached Oak by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Long chest of drawers in bleached oak with steel trim by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, American 1980's (label in drawer reads "...