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Mel Smilow Stools

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.

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Creator: Mel Smilow
Woven Rush Walnut Counter Stool 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 Counter Stool is cl...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

Rush, Walnut

Woven Leather Counter Stool in Ebonized Ash and Cream 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 2017, the woven leather counter stool ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

Leather, Ash

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

Leather, Oak

Woven Leather Bar Stool in Ebonized Ash and Cream 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 2017, the woven leather bar stool is class...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

Leather, Ash

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Woven Rush Walnut Bar Stool 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 Bar Stool is classically midcentury. This collection’s handw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Mel Smilow Stools

Materials

Rush, Walnut

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Previously Available Items
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Mel Smilow stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Mel Smilow stools 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 stools, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original stools 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 stools by Norman Cherner, The Cherner Chair Company , and Semigood Design. Prices for Mel Smilow stools can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,910 and can go as high as $2,970, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,703.

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