The suave architect and interior designer Paul Laszlo made his reputation in Hollywood, where his clients included Barbara Stanwyck, Cary Grant and Elizabeth Taylor. He was aligned to no artistic or design movements, relying on his own carefully honed instincts to create his celebrated lounge chairs, tables, dressers and other furnishings. From the late 1930s to the 1960s, Laszlo’s name was a byword for sumptuous modernity among members of the smart set.
Born in Hungary in 1900, Laszlo learned about quality from his father, a prosperous furniture manufacturer. He studied design in Vienna and had his technical training in Stuttgart, Germany, where, at age 27, he established an upscale design business that gained an international reputation. Nine years later, with the Nazis in power, Laszlo, a Jew, left Germany for the United States and made his way to Los Angeles. There, he established an interior design office in Beverly Hills and was pleased to find that his Stuttgart credentials carried weight.
While he took many commercial assignments for American department stores, custom residential work was Laszlo’s stock in trade. He turned his hand to every element in a room, “down to the last ashtray,” Time magazine once wrote. Like his clients, Laszlo appreciated luxury — not the luxury of rare and precious materials, but the luxury of rich colors and textures, and deep comforts. He had a contemporary élan, exemplified by spaces that were bright, airy, uncluttered and up-to-date.
The classic earmarks of Laszlo’s furnishings are generous proportions and, in the case of his Paddle and Plank armchairs, namesake armrests that are flat and wide, the perfect spot to rest a cocktail. His case goods, tables and dining chairs have clean, elegant lines; they are simply formed yet warm, with interesting details such as woven veneer door fronts.
In recent years, Laszlo’s designs have found a new audience among fans of his easygoing modernism. Prices are in the neighborhood of $5,000 for his vintage cabinets, and from $8,000 to upwards of $20,000 for seating pieces, which are generally found in pairs or groups of six or more.
There was a reason that Laszlo’s work was so admired in the mid-20th century: every design contributes to an environment that is comfortable and elegant — at once robust and relaxed.
Find vintage Paul Laszlo furniture on 1stDibs.
Paul Laszlo, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
An wood and beige fabric lounge chair designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Touch-ups carried out to wood. Dimens...
Fabric, Wood
Paul Laszlo, Lounge Chair, Oak, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and green velvet lounge chair designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1950s. Dimensions: 30” H x 30” W x 34.5” D Seat Height (inches): 15" Arm Height...
Velvet, Oak
Paul Laszlo, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
An wood and beige fabric lounge chair designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Touch-ups carried out to wood. Dimens...
Fabric, Wood
Paul Laszlo Attribution, Lounge Chair, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1940s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and white bouclé fabric lounge chair attributed to Paul Laszlo, USA, 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 13.75" Arm Height (inches): 21.25" All items ship from High Point, North C...
Fabric, Wood
$44,550 / set
Pair of Scrolled-Arm Chairs by Paul László, 1940s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of extremely dramatic slipper chairs designed by Paul Laszlo, undoubtedly breathes the late Art Deco Period of the 1940's. Generously proportioned each chair embodies the sheer ...
Upholstery, Wood
Paul Laszlo Scroll Lounge Chair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Slipper chair by Paul Laszlo c.1940s, USA. The chair, piping and buttons are all finished in cotton-linen blend fabrics from Rogers and Goffigon. The textured oatmeal fabric alongsid...
Cotton, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Lounge and Chair and Ottoman
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman Lounge and Chair and Ottoman. The Max comfort Chair has a channeled back with large padded armrests, The Ottoman is customized to match the chair. We re...
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Boucle and Leather Armchairs by Paul Laszlo
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A rare opportunity to acquire a pair of 1950s armchairs by the architect Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman, a testament to mid-century American design at its finest. These exceptional c...
Leather, Bouclé, Mahogany, Walnut
Paul Laszlo Mid Century Scroll Lounge Chairs - Pair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul Laszlo Mid Century Scroll Lounge Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 31 wide x 32 deep x 29 high, with a seat height of 16 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Chairs will Need to b...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,948Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 28.35 in D 28.35 in
1950s Fritz Hansen Style Lounge Chair In Green Velvet With Oak Armrests. Denmark
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant mid-century Danish lounge chair from the 1950s, executed in rich green velour upholstery. The design reflects the refined and organic aesthetic associated with the Fritz Hans...
Velvet, Oak, Pine
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
Paul McCobb, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Manhasset, NY
Paul McCobb, American Mid-Century Modern, Ebonized Wood, Fabric, Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s A pair of model 1322 lounge chairs designed by Paul MCobb for Directional Furniture in the...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Curvaceous 1940s Slipper Chairs
By William Billy Haines
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Curvaceous Slipper Chairs, in the manner of William "Billy" Haines, American, circa 1940's. They are currently being refinished and r...
Upholstery, Wood
Lounge Chair by Florence Knoll for Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A lounge chair formed by an armless button-tufted upholstered seat resting on a matte steel, rectilinear architectural frame.
Steel
Scoop Chrome Lounge Chair New Upholstery
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very comfortable Mid-Century Modern lounge scoop chair on stainless steel base in the style of Milo Baughman.
Danish 1940s Large Lounge Chair in Wool Fabric Fritz Hansen Style
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Beautiful 1950s Danish easy chair in the style of Fritz Hansen. Very elegant with distinct shape, precise lines and harmonious proportions. T...
Beech, Wool
Vintage Scoop Lounge Chairs by Carter Brothers
By Carter Brothers Inc.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage scoop lounge chairs manufactured by Carter Brothers, circa the 1950s. This mid-century pair of scoop chairs feature a sleek design covered in tufted green leather upholstery ...
Leather, Walnut
Architectural Modernist Lounge Chair
Located in Denton, TX
Architectural modernist slipper lounge chair by Craftsman's Village.
Fabric, Wood
Pair of 1940s French Slipper Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1940s, France. Featuring tapered birch legs and a gently scalloped backrest edge. Upholstered in the original satin striped fabric with some wear and tear. Priced & sold as...
Birch
$1,785Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 28.35 in
1940s, Danish Slipper Chair Newly Upholstered in Botanical Fabric
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and elegant Danish slipper chair dating from the 1940s, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and organic design language characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian furnitur...
Linen, Beech
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, lounge chair, model '51', teak, fabric, United States, 1955 This slipper chair model 51 is designed by Florence Knoll. The teak frame of the chair is sleek in form. The angled seat is placed upon the squared-off frame. Maximum seating comfort is ensured by the wide seat and tilted backrest. Florence Knoll (1917-) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This meant that although she was barely out of her teens, she was educated by the best of the European modernists. When she arrived in New York Knoll worked on interior projects (being the only female) which is how she came to know Hans Knoll. When Florence joined Knoll, the planning unit started. Florence also made sure that the designs where more 'American Modernist' instead of Scandinavian, When Hans Knoll died she...
Fabric, Teak
Sold
H 31.375 in W 24.625 in D 29 in
Paul Laszlo Attribution, Lounge Chairs, Mahogany, Rattan, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of bleached mahogany and rattan lounge chairs attributed to Paul Laszlo for Glenn of California, USA, c. 1950s. Loss to rattan straw as illustrated. Overall Dimensions (inch...
Rattan, Wood, Mahogany
Paul László, Lounge Chair, Mahogany, Rattan, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and rattan lounge chair designed by Paul László and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s. Seat height 14.5”
Rattan, Mahogany
Paul Laslo Double Arm Chair for Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in Hanover, MA
California modern chair designed by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. Oak frame with distinctive double armrests. Tightened and refinished. Awa...
Upholstery, Oak
Restored Paul Lazslo Rattan Two Strand "Staple Arm" Lounge Chair, Pair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored original 1948 Paul Laszlo two-strand "Staple Arm" lounge chair, featuring two-strand staple-shaped arms and arched base and back. 1948, United States We only purchase and...
Rattan
Restored Paul Lazslo Rattan Two Strand Lounge Chair, Pair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored original 1948 Paul Laszlo two-strand lounge chair, featuring two-strand staple-shaped arms and arched bases. We only purchase and sell only the best and finest ratta...
Rattan
Sold
H 27.75 in W 29.5 in D 30.5 in
Paul Laszlo, Lounge Chair, Oak, Grey Fabric, Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A grey fabric and oak lounge chair designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s. Seat Height (inches): 15.25" Arm Height (inches): 19.38" All items ship from ...
Fabric, Oak
Oak lounge chair by Paul Laszlo
By Paul Laszlo
Located in San Francisco, CA
An oak lounge chair by Paul László for Glenn of California. The rattan has been replaced with white cotton webbing. The frame would benefit from restoration.
Cotton, Oak
Sold
H 31 in W 30 in D 37 in
Restored Vintage Four-Strand Staple Arm Rattan Lounge Chair Pair by Paul Laszlo
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This four-strand Paul Lazlo rattan lounge chair pair designed by Paul Laszlo features square "staple" pretzel arms and a classic U-shaped base. We only purchase and sell only the be...
Rattan
Paul László, Lounge Chair, Mahogany, Rattan, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany and rattan lounge chair designed and produced by Paul László, USA, 1950s.
Rattan, Mahogany
Sold
H 30.98 in W 30 in D 37 in
Restored Vintage Four-Strand Staple Arm Rattan Lounge Chair by Paul Lazslo
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This four-strand Paul Lazlo rattan lounge chair designed by Paul Lazslo features square Staple Arms pretzel arms and a classic U-shaped base. We only purchase and sell only the bes...
Rattan
Sold
H 29.75 in W 28.25 in D 36 in
Paul László, Lounge Chair, Oak, Green Velvet, Brown Saltman United States, 1950s
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and green velvet lounge chair designed by Paul László and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, 1950s.
Oak, Velvet
Sold
H 26.25 in W 23 in D 22 in
Paul László, Lounge Chair, Oak, White Bouclé, Brown Saltman United States, 1950s
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A lounge chair / slipper chair. Designed by Paul László for Brown Saltman, 1950s, America. Paul László is considered among the most important California-based interior designer/ar...
Oak, Bouclé