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, Stool, Wood, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and green velvet stool designed by Paul Laszlo and produced by Brown Saltman, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood legs consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand new velvet....
Velvet, Wood
$4,500 / set
Paul Laszlo Cross-Stretcher Stools
By Paul Laszlo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A great combination of materials and design.
Naugahyde
$3,600 / set
Pair of Paul Laszlo Ottomans
By Paul Laszlo
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Paul Laszlo ottomans. Green laquered notched legs with brass cross stretchers.
Wood Tripod Heart Stool, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique heart tripod stool made in France, circa 1950s. Substantial and chunky heart shaped seat with three sturdy club legs with faceted sides. Perfe...
Wood
$5,900 / set
H 14 in W 22 in D 22 in
Jacques Charpentier Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman Stool Pair
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Charpentière Mid-Century Modern 1970 French stool, ottoman side tables in original tufted brown leather upholstery and polished chrome base. Very good original condi...
Chrome
Mushroom Ottoman in Denim Boucle
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in a denim blue colored curly boucle fabric. Perfect for using as a footstool or extra occasional seating. A comfortable cushioned sea...
Fabric
Pair of Wood and Fabric Stools, Italy 1950s
Located in Naples, IT
Pair of benches/stools with walnut wood frame, The toe of the legs is satin-finished brass. The seat is upholstered and the cover is green velvet.
Brass
Pair Of Borge Jensen Danish Ottomans in Brown and White Cowhide
By Bernstorffsminde Møbelfabrik A/S
Located in New York, NY
A pair of midcentury Danish teak wood rectangular ottomans or stools with newly upholstered light whiskey and cream loose cushions designed by Borge Jensen & Sonner for Bersnstorffsm...
$4,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18 in W 24 in D 20 in
Magnificent Pair Dorothy Draper Henredon Heritage Bench Ottoman Hollywood
By Dorothy Draper, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent pair of Dorothy Draper Henredon Heritage stools. We had the seats biscuit tufted upholstered in a shimmering peacock blue velvet and they sure look scrumptious! They meas...
Brass
$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 Glenn of California, Paul Laszlo
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
Pair of Silk Parsons Ottomans or Stools
By Milo Baughman
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of Silk Parson Ottomans or stools. Gingham silk upholstery covers the pair. very good condition. In the Billy Baldwin style with button top. This ...
Fabric, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
$2,450 / set
H 18 in W 24 in D 24 in
Pair of Baker Furniture Co. Large Sculpted Form 70's or 80's Ottomans or Poufs
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Baker Furniture Company sculpted ottomans or poufs circa late 1970s or early 1980s with vintage Chintz floral and rope welt upholstery. I think ...
Upholstery
Mushroom Ottoman in Gray Boucle
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in a gray curly boucle fabric. Perfect for using as a footstool or extra occasional seating. A comfortable cushioned seat and sculptural accent piece. Mushroom ottomans are made to order, customizations are not possible. PLEASE NOTE: Color variations may occur due to different monitor settings. Colors shown on screen may be a close match, but please do not rely on them to be an exact match. Please feel free to send a message with your address...
Fabric
Heywood-Wakefield Swivel Vanity Stool, White Bouclé, 1950s USA
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vanity stool by Heywood-Wakefield with a round, segmented seat reupholstered in white bouclé. The seat swivels on four bowed legs joined by a circular bentwood stretcher. Marked on t...
Upholstery, Bentwood
$3,375
H 17 in W 19 in D 19 in
Liberty & Co A Large Size Walnut Thebes Stool with ring turned legs & stretchers
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. A rare large Walnut Thebes stool with studded leather seat with turned stretchers uniting the turned legs.
Walnut
Sold
H 13.56 in W 28 in D 21.25 in
Paul László, Ottoman, Rattan, Oak, Metal, Glenn of California, Usa, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan, stained oak and metal ottoman designed by Paul László, and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s.
Metal
Modernist Free-Form Stool Bench by Paul Laszlo
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Danville, CA
Amply scaled stool or ottoman with a free-form upholstered seat raised on a cruciform base by Paul Laszlo. The seat has been re-upholstered in luxurious heavyweight or backed JB Mart...
Velvet, Hardwood
Paul Laszlo ottomans/Stools
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Chicago, IL
Laszlo pair of brass X base and wood ottomans/Stools. Reupholstered with Great Plains mohair. Routed detail on legs.
Brass