“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.
$5,770 / item
Woven Rush Lounge Chair by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2013, the Woven Rush Lounge Chair is class...
Rush, Walnut
$3,840 / item
Woven Rush-Backed Dining Armchair by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2018, the woven rush-backed dining armchair is classically midcentury. This colle...
Rush, Walnut
$3,110 / item
Woven Rush Dining Armchair by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2013, the woven rush dining armchairis classically midcentury. This collection’s ...
Rush, Walnut
Upholstered Dining Armchair by Mel Smilow in Dark Brown Boucle
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2017, the upholstered dining armchair with a boucle and leather upholstery is a sister chair...
Leather, Bouclé, Walnut
Woven Leather Backed Bar Stool in Oak and Caramel Leather by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the Woven Leather Backed Counter stool...
Leather, Oak
Woven Leather Backed Counter Stool in Walnut and Tan Leather by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the woven leather backed counter stool...
Leather, Walnut
Woven Leather Backed Counter Stool in Oak and Caramel Leather by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the Woven Leather Backed Counter stool...
Leather, Oak
Woven Leather Backed Bar Stool in Walnut and Tan Leather by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in New York, NY
Originally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the Woven Leather Backed Counter stool...
Leather, Walnut
$2,500
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 ...
Rush, Walnut
$2,098 / item
H 29.14 in W 22.45 in D 22.45 in
Accent Dining Chair Gropius CS1 by NOOM in Boucle, White
By NOOM, Kateryna Sokolova
Located in Paris, FR
AWARD-WINNING CONTEMPORARY DESIGN The Gropius Dining Chair CS1 by NOOM, designed by Kateryna Sokolova, is an award-winning contemporary dining chair recognized at Interior Design’s ...
Velvet, Ash, Faux Fur, Wool, Cotton, Bouclé
Six Painted Oak and Rush Dining Chairs, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Set of six unusual oak dining chairs, with a geometric patterned design carved on the wood, and a criss-cross motif on the backs, flanked on either side by rush detailing. The front ...
Rush, Oak
$1,400 / set
H 31.89 in W 19.69 in D 19.3 in
Set of 2 Vico Magistretti / Charlotte Perriand Style Rush Dining Room Chairs
By Vico Magistretti, Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Beautiful design dining room chairs dating from the ‘70s. These chairs are often attributed to Vico Magistretti, produced by Cassina, made in Italy. Made of solid black coated woo...
Wood, Rush
$1,350 / item
H 37 in W 18 in D 18 in
SHAKER Counter Stool by AMBROZIA, Brown Brindle Cowhide, Vinyl & Walnut
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, QC
The shaker modern counter stool chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame and a premium vinyl upholst...
Steel
Lloyd Modern Barrel Back Solid Wood Bar or Counter Stool
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Lloyd bar stool Solid wood frame / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass rungs / leather wrapped back support / recessed leather seat cushion Measure...
Brass, Steel
$3,000 / item
H 38.5 in W 18.75 in D 21 in
Craftassociates Counter Stools, Cane Counter Height Stools, Walnut and Leather
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Craftassociates counter stools, cane counter height stools, walnut and leather, Craftassociates counter stools, cane counter height stools, walnut and l...
Walnut, Cane
$325
H 38.75 in W 18 in D 18.25 in
Single Quaker Style Ladder Back Dining Chair with Rush Seat and Bible Shelf
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Quaker style ladder back dining chair with rush seat and Bible shelf. One left from group of many. In original condition, with visible patina and heavy wear, including some br...
Rush, Wood
$700 / item
H 32.29 in W 17.72 in D 15.75 in
Butterfly Dining Chair, Gray Boucle, Dark Wood, by Vintola Studio, Poland, Europe
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Dining chair called "Butterfly" with dark wenge stained beech legs and fully upholstered seat and back in beautiful boucle italian fabric (color number 07). This chair can be customized to your specifications or COM. Wood, stain, finish, fabric and custom dimensions options are available. Please ask for more informations and check the last picture with boucle color samples. Hand made in small fabric in West Poland, which is caring about details. Designed by polish brand - Vintola Studio.
Fabric, Beech, Bouclé
$5,400 / set
H 37 in W 18 in D 18 in
4x SHAKER Counter Stools by AMBROZIA, Cowhide, Premium Vinyl & Walnut
By AMBROZIA
Located in Drummondville, QC
The shaker modern counter stool chair is handmade to order from our unique Ambrozia black textured steel tubing frame and a premium vinyl upholst...
Steel
$2,637 / item
H 30.71 in W 21.66 in D 24.02 in
Flock CS2 Accent Chair by NOOM, Upholstered in Dark Blue Boucle with Ash Legs
By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
AWARD-WINNING CONTEMPORARY DESIGN The designer Chair Flock by NOOM is an award-winning contemporary dining chair designed by Kateryna Sokolova. Recognized with the NYCxDESIGN Awards 2024 in the Contract Seating category, the chair stands out for its refined silhouette, soft geometry, and balanced proportions. Its minimalist design and sculptural upholstered form create a distinctive yet versatile piece that integrates effortlessly into modern residential interiors as well as restaurants, hotels, and design-driven hospitality spaces. ERGONOMIC COMFORT The chair features a wide, softly curved backrest and a generously padded seat, providing ergonomic support and comfort for everyday dining. Carefully developed proportions and high-quality materials ensure both comfort and durability. MATERIALS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP Each Flock chair...
Wool, Bouclé, Ash, Foam
$2,287Sale Price / set|43% Off
H 37.8 in W 16.54 in D 15.75 in
Six French Dining Chairs Walnut Chairs Rush Seats Provincial Style, circa 1970
Located in Labrit, Landes
Straw and walnut chairs made in Dordogne. Artisanal work with local walnut, the production of walnuts being one of the local specialties of the region. A charming set of six French provincial chairs made in the 1970s. The rush seats and backs are in excellent condition. A set of dining chairs that would make a fabulous addition to a breakfast or dining room or conservatory. Shipping: L 140 P 60...
Rush, Walnut
$350
H 45 in W 19 in D 15 in
Brown Arts and Crafts Ladder Back Wooden Dining Chair with Natural Woven Seat
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall wood arts and crafts style ladder back dining chair. With a square natural fiber woven seat, and a tall racked back, this chair will be a fabulous addition to a dining room, o...
Wood, Straw
Mel Smilow for Smilow Thielle Mid Century Walnut Case Lounge Chair
By Smilow-Thielle, Mel Smilow
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mel Smilow for Smilow Thielle mid century walnut case lounge chair The lounge chair measures: 33 wide x 31 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 17 inches and arm height of 23 inc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Leather Strap Chairs by Mel Smilow
By Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic set of dining chairs with woven leather seat, designed by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thiele. Sculpted walnut wood frames are gleaming and crafted with an eye to detail as seen in ...
Leather, Walnut
Midcentury Embroidered Walnut Side Chair by Mel Smilow
By Smilow-Thielle, Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We offer free curbside viewing of this item to the five boroughs or by appointment in our studio in Industry City, Brooklyn. Handsome solid walnut frame with clean, classic Mid-Cent...
Walnut
Single Midcentury Chair with Rush Seating by Mel Smilo
By Mel Smilow
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage-modern low chair with rush seating, unique design by Mel Smilo. Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer.