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 Láslzó Bench in Mahogany and Cane
By Glenn of California, Paul Laszlo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul László for Glenn of California, bench or sofa, mahogany, cane, United States, 1950 Designed in 1950, this rare bench sofa occupies a significant position within Paul László’s p...
Cane, Mahogany
Paul Laszlo, Sofa, Mahogany, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A burgundy red fabric and bleached mahogany sofa designed by Paul Laszlo, USA, 1950s. Dimensions: 28.75” H x 60.25” W x 30.5” D Seat Height: 17.5”
Fabric, Mahogany
$6,900Sale Price|40% Off
Restored Paul Laszlo Designed Rattan 4-Strand Sectional Settee by by Ficks Reed
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Restored original 1948 Paul Laszlo designed four-strand sectional settee featuring four strand staple-shaped arms and arched bases made by Ficks Reed furniture company. This stunning...
Rattan
Mid Century Curved Oak and Cane Loveseat Sofa
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Mid Century curved solid wood frame with cane sides. Great period feel. Nicely designed with slat back and bowed sides covered in cane. Side rest recess into frame for a finished bui...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
$12,900 / item
H 30.71 in W 78.75 in D 30.71 in
Contemporary Bench in Tropical Hardwood and Cord by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
By Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Located in Nova Friburgo, RJ
Contemporary tropical bench made in freijó or "Brazilian 'walnut" hardwood and natural ramie cord. The rope which draws the arms and the backrest of ...
Upholstery, Cord, Wood, Hardwood
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Sofa, 1950s. Organically shaped Mid-Century Modern sofa made by Danish master carpenter in Denmark in the 1940s or 1950s. Striped ...
Wool, Oak
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 69 in D 32 in
John Wisner Ficks Reed Far Horizons Rattan Sofa in Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950's John Wisner Ficks Reed Far Horizons rattan sofa with new wrapped foam inserts to the original custom cushions in vibrant Jack Lenor Larsen floral upholstery. Beautifully maint...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
$4,800 / set
H 27 in W 66 in D 34 in
Vintage Ficks Reed Bamboo Rattan Tiki Sofa Set with Lounge Chairs - 3 Pc Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Ficks Reed Bamboo Rattan Tiki Sofa Set with Pair of Lounge Chairs, Unmarked - 3 Pc Set. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: Sofa: 27" H x 66" W x ...
Wood
$5,962Sale Price|25% Off
H 35.44 in W 49.22 in D 31.5 in
Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Almelo, NL
Pierre Chapo, S18Y “Love Seat” Bench in Elm and Patinated Leather, France, 1970s A rare and architecturally refined S18Y “Love Seat” bench by Pierre Chapo, crafted in his own worksh...
Leather, Elm
1950's Ficks Reed Rattan Split Settee or Lounge Chairs
By Ficks Reed
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare Ficks Reed rattan split seat settee or pair of open sided one arm lounge chairs. Completely original finish and upholstery. Exceptional quality piece of furniture circa 1950's. ...
Upholstery, Rattan
Danish Modern, Corner Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Denmark, 1950s
Located in Manhasset, NY
Danish Mid Century Modern, Curved Corner Sofa, Fabric, Wood, Denmark, 1950s A large modernist corner sofa designed and produced in Denmark in the middle of the 20th century. This ex...
Fabric, Wood
$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
Vintage Boho Ficks Reed Woven Rattan Sofa
By Ficks Reed
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in the enduring charm of this vintage Boho Ficks Reed Woven Rattan Sofa, a superb example of classic tropical design. Ficks Reed is renowned for its high-quality rattan furni...
Fabric, Cane, Rattan
$7,000Sale Price|30% Off
H 33 in W 90 in D 31 in
Antique 18th C. William & Mary Mahogany Carved Settle Bench Sofa Empress Hotel
Located in Dayton, OH
An Impressive William & Mary mahogany Settle or sofa, circa 18th Century. Featuring heavy scrolled frame with downswept open arms, six legs and Neoclassical floral upholstery. The beautifully "S" scrolled feet are footed with recessed casters allowing for ease of movement. The fabric showcases stunning Grecian urns with elaborate acanthus leaves and bouquets of roses flanked by feathery wings and other lively greenery One of the original lobby furnishing of the Empress Hotel...
Fabric, Mahogany
Huge Sofa Set by Norman Bel Geddes, 1950s, USA
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Extremely rare huge sofa set by Norman Bel Geddes from the 1950s. We have the set from the possession of a US soldier stationed in Germany or Roth after...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Paul Laszlo Custom Curved Aluminum and Velvet Settee Sofa
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Coronado, CA
Paul Laszlo rare and unique curved settee, privately commissioned for actor Cameron Mitchell in the 1950s. Only 2 of these settees have come to market, neither of which had the extra...
Aluminum
Paul László for Brown Saltman Two-Piece Sofa
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul László for Brown and Saltman two-piece sectional sofa bought from the original owners who purchased it in 1950 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago! Couch needs to be recovered in...
Upholstery, Wood
Paul Laszlo, Pair of Settees, USA, 1955
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Historically significant and a stunning example of Paul Laszlo’s innate design genius early in his career, this pair of custom designed settees are a striking and timeless statement ...
Paul Laszlo Sofa
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Rare plank-arm sofa by Paul Laszlo. Sculptural sofa of ebonized wood frame. Wide plank arms with shaped cut-out sections. Curved back with spindle fret-work and tapered legs. Recen...
Paul Laszlo Custom Sofa
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Chicago, IL
Laszlo Custom Asymetric Curved Sofa, features slight curved detail with Lazslo detailed legs in charuse finish three vertical supports give appearance of floating maintains clean hor...
Upholstery
Paul Laszlo Caned Sofa Bench
By Paul Laszlo
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Paul Laszlo caned sofa bench.
Cane, Walnut