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 Nesting Tables, Bleached Mahogany, Mid-Century, 1952
By Brown Saltman, Paul Laszlo
Located in Hanover, MA
Nest of three bleached mahogany end tables, with open rectangle side supports, by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman, American, 1950s. The largest measuring 24 x 16 in, height 22 3/8 in....
Mahogany
$1,875
H 23.38 in W 20.94 in D 17.63 in
Elegant 1940's Mid-Century Mahogany Nesting Tables in Dark Expresso
Located in St. Louis, MO
Elegant 1940's set of nesting tables, refinished in dark brown expresso on mahogany. Larger table measures 21-15/15" W x 17.5/8" D x 23-3/8" H, lower table measures 17-5/8" W x 16" D...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Glass Nesting Tables
By Galotti & Radice
Located in Weesp, NL
Glass nesting tables Mid-Century Modern. 1970s Dutch fume glass nesting tables in very good condition. Measurements: H 41 x W 434 x D 42 cm. The nesting tables will be send disass...
Metal
$1,845
H 22.5 in W 25 in D 19 in
Vintage John Widdicomb Mid Century Modern Mid Century Modern Nesting Table
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage John Widdicomb Mid Century Modern Mid Century Modern Nesting Table Dimensions. 25 W ; 19 D ; 22 1/2 H
Wood
$2,247 / set
H 22.25 in W 28 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Brass and Mahogany Nesting Table Set
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century brass and mahogany nesting table set The table measure: 28 wide x 20 deep x 22.25 inches high; the nesting tables measure 13 wide x 17.5 deep...
Brass
$1,425Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 18 in W 13 in D 13 in
Set of Four Mid Century Modern Nesting Tables by Tony Paul
By Tony Paul
Located in Pasadena, TX
Set of Four Mid Century Modern Nesting Tables by Tony Paul Super sleek design, signature mark of Tony Paul. Each has a tripod base with circular table surface.
Metal
Mid-Century Mersman Furniture Mahogany Nesting Tables
By Mersman
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of 3 Mid-Century Mersman Furniture Mahogany Nesting Tables Measures 23" in width, 15" in depth and 24" in height for the largest table.
Mahogany
$5,400
H 29.25 in W 65.5 in D 41.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Dining Table by Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman
By Paul Laszlo, Brown Saltman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This exceptional vintage dining table represents California Modern Design, masterfully crafted by architect and furniture designer Paul Laszlo for Brown Saltman. The piece showcases ...
Oak
$512Sale Price|20% Off
H 25 in W 25.25 in D 16.25 in
Mid Century Tooled Red Leather Mahogany Nesting Tables
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 3 mid century 1950s tooled red leather ma...
Mahogany, Leather
French Mid-Century Nesting Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of French mid-century brass Directoire' style nesting tables, Circa 1960. A fine addition to any home.
Brass
Danish Teak Nesting Tables Mid-Century Denmark
By Nordisk Andels-Eksport
Located in Baltimore, MD
Set of three Mid-Century Modern nesting tables by Nordisk Andels Eksport made in Denmark. Exceptionally well crafted. Undersides of the tables are channeled so that the tables hook to one another when nested, forming an attractive cube like profile. The wood grain is naturally highlighted in a teak pattern throughout, with a rich teak tone, top surface of each one, is in good condition. Stacked set of three tables for easy storage. Individual tables are in varying sizes – large, medium and small. Measurements correspond to the Largest of the Nesting Tables. Great vintage condition, retains original label on the underside: (Nordisk Andels Eksport). Modern Danish Style, Mid-Century Modern retro nesting...
Teak
Mid-Century Inlaid Mahogany Faux Bamboo Nesting Tables
Located in Germantown, MD
A trio of mid-century Inlaid Mahogany Faux Bamboo Nesting Tables. The measures measures: Larger table is 22.5"W x 14.5"Dx 26"H Smaller table 18" D x 13"D x 25.5"H Small table is 13.5...
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Nesting Tables, Scandinavian, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern wooden nesting tables, Scandinavian, 1960s.
Wood