Paul Frankl Furniture
Born in Vienna, Paul Frankl came to the United States in 1914 as part of a wave of Central European design luminaries — among them Kem Weber, Rudolph Schindler, and Richard Neutra — who were drawn by the energy and optimism of the American scene. Prolific and protean, Frankl would go on to design furnishings that are emblematic of nearly every key stylistic chord in American modernism, from the streamlined Art Deco to free-form organic shapes.
Frankl's Skyscraper cabinets, bookcases and more — introduced in 1924 — are his earliest and best-known designs (and the work by which he is most often represented in institutions, such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art). Tall and narrow, the pieces have staggered shelves meant to mimic the setbacks of Manhattan office towers. A later visually expressive line — the Speed chairs and sofas, which have a raked profile suggesting motion — links Frankl to Donald Deskey, Raymond Loewy and other creators of Streamline Moderne design.
Frankl moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and luxuriated in the climate and lifestyle. His designs became lighter and simpler and found an audience among the Hollywood élite. (Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Fred Astaire were clients.) Fascinated by Asian arts, Frankl produced numerous pieces — tabletops with edges that curve upward; sofas, chairs and other seating with rattan frames — inspired by Chinese and Japanese forms and materials. In the 1940s, Frankl became one of the first designers to incorporate free-form, biomorphic shapes in his work, as well as novel upholstery fabrics such as denim and nubby wool.
Frankl biographer Christopher Long argues that the designer’s easy, elegant aesthetic had an enormous influence on movie set design. As the furniture below attests, Paul Frankl’s work is ready for its close-up.
Find vintage Paul Frankl tables, dining chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Furniture
Wood, Oak, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Furniture
Wool, Upholstery, Wood, Tulipwood
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Bouclé, Upholstery, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Mahogany, Bouclé, Upholstery
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Furniture
Fir, Fabric
1940s American Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Upholstery, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Maple
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Furniture
Brass
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- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024The difference between a table and a desk is its function. The purpose of a table is to provide a surface for eating, in the case of dining tables, or resting objects, in the case of coffee, console and side and end tables. On the other hand, most people use desks as a surface for writing, reading or working. Some console tables and smaller dining tables can also function well as desks. Explore a large collection of desks and tables on 1stDibs.
- Is rattan furniture worth it?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024Many furniture lovers believe that rattan furniture is worth it. Rattan adds textural appeal to living spaces and is usually quite durable. At the same time, rattan furniture tends to be lightweight, making it easy to maneuver when cleaning or rearranging your room. You can find rattan furniture in a wide range of styles, including mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern, Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts and neoclassical. When shopping for rattan furniture, remember that the quality of the craftsmanship will also determine how long your pieces last. Find a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.