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 Hollywood Regency Slipper Chair in Off White Bouclé circa 1940s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Paul Laszlo 1940s slipper chair with new super soft off white ivory bouclé upholstery. Hollywood Regency from top to bottom and side to side, this gorgeous one of a kind chair...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$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
$1,895 / set
H 31.5 in W 20 in D 19 in
Hollywood Regency Era French Style Painted Slipper Chairs In Cut Velvet -Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Hollywood Regency Era Italian slipper chairs newly upholstered in a cut velvet. The frame is an ivory paint with gilt accents. The wood has a general wear. They are...
Upholstery, 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
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
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
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
1940s French Tufted Back Slipper Chair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exquisite 1940s French tufted slipper chair. This tufted high back slipper chair is a beautiful piece of French furniture from the 20th century. Upholstered in a light peach satin...
Upholstery
Pair of Hollywood Regency Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Lorin Jackson
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of glamorous Hollywood Regency slipper lounge chairs in the style of Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House. Legs will be refinished prior to shipping, custom color available. Upholst...
Upholstery
$17,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 27.5 in D 26.75 in
Paul László Lounge Chair with Ottoman, Glenn of California, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in New York, NY
Lounge chair by Paul László with matching ottoman and dark-stained wooden frame. Both chair and ottoman are upholstered in white and brown cowhide. Produced by Glenn of California. V...
Cowhide, 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
$1,787Sale 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 Florence Knoll, 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
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
Sold
H 36 in W 24 in D 30 in
Paul Laszlo Mid Century Modern Upholstered Barrel Wing Back Slipper Lounge Chair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul Laszlo Mid Century Modern Upholstered Barrel Wing Back Slipper Lounge Chair. Item features heavy solid wood frame, fully upholstered, curved back, short tapered maple wood legs,...
Fabric, Wood
Paul Laszlo, Slipper Chair, Oak, Fabric, USA, 1940s
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and white fabric slipper chair designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1940s. Seat height 16”.
Fabric, Oak
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
Pair of Paul Laszlo Cane Lounge Chairs
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of rare, museum grade lounge chairs by Paul Laszlo for Glenn of California, circa 1950s. The chairs feature an oiled mahogany frame with newly woven cane seat and back. The wo...
Cane, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Rare 1950s Vintage Pair of Paul Laszlo Iron Chairs
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of Paul Laszlo iron chairs with original leather cushions, and sprung seat in excellent condition.
Iron
Sold
H 31.5 in W 26.5 in D 25 in
Paul László, Lounge / Slipper Chair, Woven Rattan, Mahogany, California, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
Located in High Point, NC
A lounge chair / slipper chair by Paul László for Glenn of California. Dark stained mahogany and original woven rattan / cane seat and back. Paul László is considered among the most...
Rattan, Mahogany
Paul Laszlo Lounge Chairs
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Pair of armless lounge chairs by Paul Laszlo. Olive green leather upholstery with great stitching details. Tappering legs of dark-stained oak. These chairs were custom designed for...
Leather
Paul Laszlo Rare Side or Slipper Chair in Oak
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just an amazing design in this cute and size by Paul Laszlo.
Rare Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Paul Laszlo
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Unusual design by Paul Laszlo with open grain mahogany frame and woven rattan seat and back. A beautiful and unusual set, with great details.
Pair of Low Chairs by Paul Laszlo
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of low chairs by Paul Laszlo
Pair of Paul Laszlo High Back Slipper Chairs
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Pair of sculptural high winged back slipper chair designed by Paul Laszlo. Upholstered in a heavy weight dark indigo linen velvet by Ralph Lauren.
Mahogany