Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
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.
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
1950s American Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany, Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Fir, Fabric
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Oak, Lacquer
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut, Birch
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Cherry
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Composition
1940s Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul Frankl Beds and Bed Frames
Maple