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 Paul Laszlo, Glenn of California
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
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
$15,350 / item
H 30.71 in W 70.87 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
DESIGNER / MAKER - Ricardo Graham Ferreira MATERIALS - Freijó Hardwood, Rope STYLE - Organic Modern ORIGIN - Nova Friburgo, Brazil CONDITION - New, Made to Order The rope whic...
Upholstery, Cord, Wood, Hardwood, Freijó, Peroba, Walnut
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 69 in D 32 in
John Wisner Rattan Sofa by Ficks Reed, Floral Upholstery, 1950s Design
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Southampton, NJ
1950's John Wisner Ficks Reed Far Horizons rattan sofa with new cushions in original vibrant Jack Lenor Larsen floral upholstery. Beautifully maintained cushions have always been sli...
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
$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
$3,250
H 28.5 in W 52.5 in D 33.25 in
Art Deco Mahogany Bergere Style Sofa with Cane Details and Ball Feet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa originates from 1950s production, combining traditional bergere construction with Mid-Century materials and craftsmanship. The mahogany frame features hand-carved details and sc...
Upholstery, Velvet, Cane, Mahogany
$1,200
H 30 in W 63 in D 32 in L 30 in
Ficks Reed Style Sofa Patio Furniture Rattan Vintage Sofa Palm Beach
Located in Rochester, NY
Ficks Reed style 3 seater sofa in immaculate condition. Part of a set including another armchair. DM for details on set! But this piece is gorgeous and in immaculate vintage conditi...
Rattan, Wood
McGuire Organic Modern Pencil Reed Rattan Sofa Settee
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exceptional and rare McGuire modern organic rattan sofa. Crafted in the California coastal organic modern style by McGuire artisans from bundled pe...
Leather, Fabric, Rattan, Oak
$16,000
H 30 in W 76 in D 35.5 in
Rare Restored Campaign Sofa by John Wisner for Ficks Reed, circa 1954
By John Wisner, Ficks Reed
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fabulous restored vintage Campaign style sofa from a difficult to find series by John Wisner for Ficks Reed. Exceptional rattan and hardwood construction with Cane back panels. Bra...
Brass
Ficks Reed, Sofa, Bamboo, Rattan, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By Ficks Reed
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded bamboo, rattan and blue fabric sofa produced by Ficks Reed, USA, c. 1950s. Vintage fabric in fair condition, ideally replaced. Moderate wear to rattan consistent with age ...
Fabric, Rattan
$6,470
H 31 in W 144 in D 30 in
Exceptional Ficks Reed Mid Century Curved Rattan Sectional Sofa and Tables
By Ficks Reed
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Exceptional Two Section Ficks Reed Mid Century Curved Rattan Sectional Sofa with Matching End Tables. The end tables measure 33.5”w x 16.5”d x 18.5”h. This particular model is rare ...
Fabric, Rattan
$5,800 / set
H 39.5 in W 94 in D 32 in
Ficks Reed Rattan Sofa Set, Pale Blue Wash, Antique, 1970s, Six Pieces
By Ficks Reed
Located in Stamford, CT
A spectacular pair of Ficks Reed rattan sofas in an original factory finish: a pale blue wash. Original cushions to use or for reupholstery. All...
Fabric, Rattan, Wood
$5,540
H 30.71 in W 52.37 in D 34.65 in
Antique Bergère Style Sofa in Wood, Cane and Ochre Yellow Fabric
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Bergère Style Sofa in Wood, Cane and Ochre Yellow Fabric A Bergère-style two-seater with ochre upholstery. Europe, late 19th century / early 20th century. Compact two-seate...
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Paul Laszlo Chair
By Paul Laszlo
Located in New York, NY
Custom designed pull-up chair by Paul Laszlo. Bleached mahogany frame, with recessed grip detail on the back. Upholstered seat and back.
Mahogany
Rare 1950s French Teak and Cane Sofa – Mid-Century Modern
Located in Almelo, NL
Rare 1950s French Teak and Cane Sofa – Mid-Century Modern Description: A striking and rare example of 1950s French modernism, this teak and cane sofa beautifully complements the mat...
Cane, Teak
$28,500
H 30 in W 74 in D 37 in
Sublime Rush Cane and Mahogany Sofa by John Hutton for Donghia- Pair Available
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent sofa is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and ready for upholstery. There are a mat...
Cane, Mahogany
Anglo Indian Rosewood And Caned Settee
Located in Essex, MA
In the Regency taste with serpentine arched caned back and scrolled out arms. carved seat rail with round discs over lion form legs and paw feet.
Cane, Rosewood
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