Skip to main content

Mel Smilow Furniture

American, 1922-2002

“Enduring, modern and classic” is how mid-century modern furniture designer Mel Smilow used to describe his chairs, benches, coffee tables and other pieces, which were not only functional and durable but were designed to become timeless heirlooms for American families.

Smilow was born in the Bronx, New York, and, in 1939, attended Pratt Institute, where he studied to become a commercial artist. However, his father’s death forced him to discontinue his schooling and, at the age of 17, he took over his father’s role as a wholesale furniture salesman.

Following his stint in the army during World War II, Smilow partnered with colleague Morton Thielle in 1949 to form the furniture manufacturer and retailer Smilow-Thielle. Although they had planned to sell quality furniture made by American manufacturers, Smilow was unsatisfied with their designs and became Smilow-Thielle’s chief designer. 

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Smilow used a variety of American hardwoods such as walnut, beech and oak for his benches, lounge chairs, sofas, table lamps, coffee tables, and other furnishings. One of his more popular designs was the Floating Platform bed — John Lennon and Yoko Ono owned one. 

Although Smilow intended his designs to be comfortable and affordable for the “average American family,” his work was defined by the clean lines, delicate construction and symmetry often seen in Scandinavian modernist or Japanese furniture, and it drew attention and acclaim from designers and critics. 

For instance, Buckminster Fuller placed Smilow’s rocking chairs in the geodesic dome he designed as the U.S. pavilion for Expo 1967, in Montreal, and Pratt Institute featured his ottoman as part of an exhibition of “well-designed furniture for under $25.” The New York Times, the New Yorker magazine and William Hennessey’s book Modern Furnishings for the Home also featured Smilow’s furniture.

Smilow-Thielle operated retail locations in the New York metro area as well as in Washington, D.C., with the firm’s flagship store occupying prime real estate on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan for several decades. Smilow’s designs have been likened to those of Jens Risom and Børge Mogensen and certainly wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Herman Miller showroom in the postwar era, but they have distinctive joinery details and a quiet strength that make them unique.

In 1969, Smilow and Thielle ended their partnership, with Smilow retaining sole company ownership. In 1981, Smilow retired and closed the business, turning his attention toward sculpting, painting and printmaking. 

Although he died in 2002, Smilow’s legacy of furniture-making has lived on. His daughter, Judy, formed Smilow Design in 2013, which carries on her father’s tradition of creating “enduring, modern and classic” designs. Following Judy’s death of ALS in 2018, the company has been run by her husband, Steven Schoenfelder and her two children, who are still managing the brand today.

On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Mel Smilow seating, tables and lighting.

30
to
2
29
30
30
30
29
1
47
23
3
11
3
3
28
25
7
7
2
26
26
1
1
58
1,354
1,232
1,160
1,160
Period: 20th Century
Creator: Mel Smilow
Mel Smilow, Chests of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Mel Smilow
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut chests of drawers designed by Mel Smilow and produced by Smilow-Thielle, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Mid Century Walnut Case Sofa
By Mel Smilow
Located in Countryside, IL
Mel Smilow Mid Century Walnut Case Sofa This sofa frame measures: 84.5 wide x 31 deep x 22.75 inches high, with a seat height of 12 and arm height of 22.75 inches All pieces of fur...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow, Chest of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Mel Smilow
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut chest of drawers designed by Mel Smilow and produced by Smilow-Thielle, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow, Chests of Drawers, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut chests of drawers designed by Mel Smilow and produced by Smilow-Thielle, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Stacking End Tables in Solid Walnut
By Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic modernist simplicity and elegance in this pair of solid wooden side tables. Designed by Mel Smilow and executed in American Walnut. Butcher blocks style tops without chunky s...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Frame Sofa or Daybed
By Mel Smilow
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Stunning midcentury American Modern Mel Smilow Walnut frame long low sofa or daybed. Beautiful armless sofa with solid walnut sculpted frame and steel spring support insert. Has Orig...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Steel

Mel Smilow Wall Cabinets
By Mel Smilow
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Rare wall hung cabinets designed by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle in the early 1960s. Solid walnut cabinets with walnut and glass doors. Both date stamped 1962. Very good original co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Mel Smilow Slat Bench/End Table in Walnut
By Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Mel Smilow walnut slat bench. Elegant silhouette with simple lines and just the right proportions. Also could be used as a coffee table. Top and sides have been sanded and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Lounge chair and ottoman by Mel Smilow made in the 1950s, natural finish walnut wood, it was a delight to work them. The measure of the stool is: Measures: D 58 W 58 H 39.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair Square Mel Smilow Slatted Solid Walnut Modern Benches Side Tables MINT!
By Mel Smilow, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mel Smilow Solid Walnut Tapered Dowel Legs Square Slatted Solid Walnut Modern Benches Side Tables MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Chairs by Mel Smilow, Set of 4
By Mel Smilow
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Mid-Century Modern dining chairs by Mel Smilow, set of four. Frames feature lovely sculptural backrests and floating seats. Floating seat design adds an air of lightness and elegance...
Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mel Smilow Daybed Couch
By Mel Smilow
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Mel Smilow daybed couch.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Mel Smilow Slat Coffee or Side Table
By Mel Smilow
Located in Westfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern slat coffee or side table by Mel Smilow. Listing is for each table, two available sold separately. Walnut dovetailed slated table design. Tables could be used individually as a single or double coffee table...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Walnut Slat Tables, A Set of Three
By Smilow-Thielle, Mel Smilow
Located in Garnerville, NY
A fine set of three Mel Smilow (1922-2002) designed solid walnut slat tables. Wonderful oiled walnut featuring that signature splined corners, cross cut color contrast sides and remo...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Walnut Slat Table
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in Garnerville, NY
A Mel Smilow (1922-2002) designed solid walnut slat table. Wonderful oiled walnut featuring that signature splined corners, cross cut color contrast sides and removable tapered...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Walnut Slat Table
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in Garnerville, NY
A Mel Smilow (1922-2002) designed solid walnut slat table. Wonderful oiled walnut featuring that signature splined corners, cross cut color contrast sides and removable tapered...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Slatted Solid Walnut Mid-Century Modern Bench on Tapered Dowel Legs
By Mel Smilow
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mel Smilow Slatted solid walnut Mid-Century Modern bench on tapered dowel legs.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Trio of Mid-Century Modern Stacking Tables by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Trio of petite, Mid-Century Modern, walnut block, tapered leg, stacking tables by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle can be stacked together, used as occasional side tables or continuousl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mel Smilow Mid-Century Walnut Rail Back Sofa
By Mel Smilow
Located in Countryside, IL
Mel Smilow mid century walnut rail back sofa. This sofa measures: 83 wide x 31 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 21 i...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Mel Smilow Armchair
By Mel Smilow
Located in Highland, IN
The subtle, almost austere design of Mel Smilow's lounge chair positions it somewhere between a Scandinavian and French aesthetic. The walnut frame supports a seat and back of woven ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Rush

Mel Smilow Mid-Century Wide Walnut Lounge Chair Daybed
By Mel Smilow
Located in Countryside, IL
Mel Smilow mid-century wide walnut lounge chair daybed. The lounge chair measures: 49 wide x 27.5 deep x 25 high, with a seat height of 11 inches. All pieces of furniture can b...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Vintage Oak and Rush Chairs by Mel Smilow, USA, 1960
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
An American take on the modern country styles pioneered by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Gauthier-Delaye, those chairs are very elegant yet rustic and would work in a country home as...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Rush, Elm

4 Pc. Suite Mel Simlow Furniture 2 Sofas 1 Lounge Chair 1 Table
By Smilow-Thielle, Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Incredible suite of Mel Smilow ( Smilow - Thielle ) furniture to include 2 daybed, lovseat sofas, 1 armless lounge chair, and the coffee, side table which can double as an ottoman if...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs by Mel Simlow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Classic low profile midcentury lounge chairs by recognized master of the period Mel Simlow. Both chairs are in original untouched condition, the frames show...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Modern Lounge Chair Designed by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish modern style walnut lounge chair designed by Mel Smilow for his company Smilow-Thielle, American, circa 1950s. Signed under the seat. It has been refinished and reupholstered ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Upholstery

Mel Smilow Slat Walnut Side Tables
By Mel Smilow
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Mel Smilow slat walnut side tables.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Midcentury Walnut and Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Mel Smilow
By Smilow-Thielle, Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scarcely seen wide, armless lounge chair designed by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle in the 1950s. Includes the original, oversized ottoman, which can double as a coffee / wide side ta...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Mel Smilow Rail Back Lounge Chair
By Mel Smilow
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
An original production WAC rail back lounge chair by Mel Smilow in natural finish solid walnut with original fabric upholstery.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Furniture

Mel Smilow Smilow Thielle Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Wood Frame Sofa Couch
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle, Mid-Century Modern Danish Style teakwood sofa. Item features a solid wood frame with exposed sculpted spindle back...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Teak

Rare Smilow Daybed Couch
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Wood frame, loose cushion seat and back. Well-crafted and well designed, the frame is in excellent condition, the cushions show significant wear and will need to be replaced. Rare fo...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mel Smilow Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Mel Smilow furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Mel Smilow 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 Mel Smilow furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 32 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 52 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Mel Smilow were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Lawrence Peabody, Richard Schultz, and Bernhardt. Prices for Mel Smilow furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $799 and can go as high as $17,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,125.

Recently Viewed

View All