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Milo Baughman Desks

American, 1923-2003

Milo Baughman was one of the most agile and adept modern American furniture designers of the late 20th century. A prolific lecturer and writer on the benefits of good design — he taught for years at Brigham Young University — Baughman (whose often-scrambled surname is pronounced BAWF-man) focused almost exclusively on residential furnishings, such as chairs, sofas and benches. He had a particular talent for lounge chairs, perhaps the most sociable piece of furniture.

Like his fellow adoptive Californians Charles and Ray Eames, Baughman’s furniture has a relaxed and breezy air. He was famously opposed to ostentatious and idiosyncratic designs that were made to excite attention. While many of his chair designs are enlivened by such effects as tufted upholstery, Baughman tended to let his materials carry the aesthetic weight, most often relying on seating and table frames made of sturdy and sleek flat-bar chromed metal, and chairs, tables and cabinets finished with highly-figured wood veneers.

Like his colleagues Karl Springer and the multifarious Pierre Cardin, Baughman’s designs are emblematic of the 1970s: sleek, sure and scintillating.

As you will see from the furniture presented on 1stDibs, Milo Baughman’s designs for the likes of Drexel Furniture, Glenn of California and — for five decades — Thayer Coggin are ably employed as either the heart of a décor or its focal point.

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Creator: Milo Baughman
Mid Century Floating Top Walnut Desk by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California
Mid Century Floating Top Walnut Desk by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California

Mid Century Floating Top Walnut Desk by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California

By Glenn of California, Milo Baughman

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Walnut floating top desk supported by cylindrical feet, model 1625 designed by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California (ca. 1955, USA). Thoughtfully designed to optimize space and stor...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Milo Baughman Desks

Materials

Walnut

Milo Baughman for Murray Mid Century Maple and Brass Desk
Milo Baughman for Murray Mid Century Maple and Brass Desk

Milo Baughman for Murray Mid Century Maple and Brass Desk

By Murray Furniture, Milo Baughman

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Milo Baughman for Murray Mid Century Maple and Brass Desk This desk measures: 48 wide x 24.75 deep x 29.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches All pieces of furniture can b...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Milo Baughman Desks

Materials

Brass

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Early midcentury desk designed by Milo Baughman for Glenn of California. This exceptional crafted desk features two pull-out drawers and a file drawer. On the opposite side of the de...

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Milo Baughman Writing Desk for Murray Furniture
Milo Baughman Writing Desk for Murray Furniture

Milo Baughman Writing Desk for Murray Furniture

Sold

H 28.75 in W 47.75 in D 24.75 in

Milo Baughman Writing Desk for Murray Furniture

By Murray Furniture, Milo Baughman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Gorgeous writing desk designed by Milo Baughman for Murray Furniture in the United States circa 1950’s. This lovely compact desk features a birch wood construction with brass hardwar...

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Milo Baughman “Perspective” Vanity / Desk for Drexel
Milo Baughman “Perspective” Vanity / Desk for Drexel

Milo Baughman “Perspective” Vanity / Desk for Drexel

By Drexel, Milo Baughman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Designer: Milo Baughman Manufacturer: Drexel “Perspective” Period/style: Mid-Century Modern Country: United States Date: 1950s Dimensions: 30?H x 48?W x 19?D Materials: Mahog...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Milo Baughman Desks

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Milo Baughman desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Milo Baughman desks 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 Milo Baughman desks, although orange editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Milo Baughman were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by John Stuart, Thomasville, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Milo Baughman desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,700 and can go as high as $6,495, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,800.
Questions About Milo Baughman Desks
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Milo Baughman was an American furniture designer whose pieces helped define the trends of the 1970s. His style features sleek, simple lines with little ornamentation. In addition to creating furniture, Baughman taught design at Brigham Young University. Find a collection of Milo Baughman on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To pronounce Milo Baughman, say "MY-low BA-mun." The "GH" in his surname is silent. Baughman was born in 1923 in Goodland, Kansas, but he soon moved to California, the state that served as his home throughout much of his life. Shop a large selection of Milo Baughman furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Milo Baughman designed furniture for Thayer Coggin from 1953 to 2003. The brand produced most pieces from their joint collection in High Point, North Carolina, and the range includes a variety of chairs, sofas and tables. You'll find a collection of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    How best to identify Milo Baughman furniture depends on the piece. Lounge chairs and sofas often feature a flat metal bar frame, and his tables tend to show off clean, simple lines. The backs of Baughman's pieces make the same visual impression as the fronts because he believed that furniture should be pleasing to the eye when viewed from any angle. Find a large selection of expertly vetted Milo Baughman furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Milo Baughman took special care to make sure his chairs looked just as good from the back as they do from the front. You can spot a real Milo Baughman chair by checking out the trademark flat bar metal frames on the chairs and sofas. Shop a collection of Milo Baughman pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
    How to tell if a Milo Baughman is real will differ depending on the type of piece. If you're trying to authenticate a chair, look for the flat metal bar frame that is indicative of the designer’s work. For casegoods and tables, every inch of the surface should be finished. Baughman believed that even the backs of bookcases and cabinets should be as visually appealing as their fronts. Studying images of genuine pieces published at trusted online resources can also be helpful when authenticating any type of Milo Baughman furniture. If you need assistance verifying authenticity, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Milo Baughman furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Milo Baughman designed for many companies over the course of his life. Some of the companies the American designer worked for include Arch Gordon, Directional Furniture, Drexel, George Kovacs, Glenn of California, The Inco Company, Mode Furniture, Murray Furniture of Winchendon and Pacific Iron. You'll find a collection of Milo Baughman furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether Milo Baughman recliners are comfortable or not is largely a matter of personal perception. However, creating furniture that was as functional as it was fashionable was his main goal. You can see this reflected in the ample padding, supportive lines and carefully selected upholstery of his recliners. Shop a range of Milo Baughman recliners on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Milo Baughman made chairs out of a variety of materials. Many of his pieces feature metal bar frames fashioned out of chrome, brass or stainless steel. Milo Baughman chairs often have leather upholstery. However, you may also find reupholstered pieces clad in various fabrics. Shop a large selection of Milo Baughman chairs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    One way to know if a piece of furniture is a Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin is to consult the visual catalog of his pieces on the Thayer Coggin official website. Many of the chairs he produced for the brand feature metal bar or pedestal bases. In addition, he created many drum tables for Thayer Coggin. You'll find a large collection of expertly vetted Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin pieces on 1stDibs.