Steve Chase lived in and worked out of Palm Springs, California, but he created luxury spaces and furniture for projects that took shape all over the world. A consummate art collector and brilliant interior designer, Chase was involved in every aspect of the rooms he designed and attracted many high-profile clients, including Gerald and Betty Ford, Farrah Fawcett and Gene Hackman.
Chase was born in New Hampshire and attended the Rhode Island School of Design as well as the ArtCenter in Los Angeles. After completing his studies, he joined Arthur Elrod and Associates — a celebrated Palm Springs-based firm that created colorful interiors and furniture for a range of Hollywood stars and more during the height of the mid-century modern era. Chase worked with Elrod for more than a decade before establishing his own business in 1980.
Chase designed his furniture to meet the sensibilities and personalities of his clients, and his work ranged from the traditional to the tastefully unconventional. While he created sculptural brass side tables that boast striking brutalist forms, there were also understated chrome-framed coffee tables with fossil shell tops. For his seating, Chase’s palette ranged from bright pastels to modest earth tones, and his vintage sofas are known for their signature tufted-channel backrests and seats. The plush cushioning was most prevalent in his Monterey seating collection of chairs, sectionals and sofas manufactured by the firm Martin Brattrud Inc., which produced most of Chase's designs during the 1970s and '80s.
Chase supported a number of charitable organizations and strongly advocated for the Desert AIDS Project (DAP), a volunteer-led initiative to combat the HIV epidemic in Coachella Valley. He lent his design talents to improve their office space, and used his influence with celebrities to enlist their help on the project. Chase also joined the Contemporary Art Council Acquisitions Committee at the Palm Springs Art Museum and eventually bequeathed more than 130 works to the institution when he passed away in 1994.
In 1996, the DAP created the annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards to honor him. Today he is remembered for his humanitarian giving as often he is for his furniture designs and lively interiors.
On 1stDibs, explore an array of vintage Steve Chase chairs, tables and lighting.
Studio Ceramic Bowl by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase
By Steve Chase, Gary McCloy
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s Studio ceramic bowl by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase. In beautiful vintage condition. Hand signed by Gary McCloy and retains the Steve Chase label. ...
Ceramic
Charger in Gunmetal and Gold Glazes by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase
By Steve Chase
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Studio made charger in gunmetal and gold glaze with graphic design by Gary McCloy for Steve Chase, American 1980's (Signed with original “Steve Chase Assoc.” label on bottom)
Ceramic
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
Chinese Celadon Glazed Lotus Charger, Qing Dynasty, 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A sublime Chinese celadon glazed shallow dish or charger, Qing Dynasty, mid 18th century, China. Beautifully glazed, with a carved decoration of a group of lotus, leaves, stalks and blossoms. The interior wall with radiating S-shaped lines, a motif that is repeated on the wide rim of the dish. The back undecorated. Glazed all-over with an even bright celadon glaze, with some attractive areas of crackle. Ex. Butterfield's, San Francisco. Plate stand for display...
Porcelain
Vase in Oxblood Glaze
By Carl Haller
Located in Milan, IT
Carl Hallier for Royal Copenhagen Danish mid-century vase in oxblood glaze 1940s. Please note : the "free shipping option" and/or "subsidised shipping ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Osborne Bowl by Fakasaka Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Osborne bowl by Fakasaka Design Dimensions: W 35 cm D 10 cm H 3.5 cm. Materials: polished bronze Also available in black/brown bronze. FAKASAKA is a design company focused on pro...
Bronze
Bowl, Large Quartz Points by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowl, large quartz points by Aver Dimensions: D 23 x H 10 cm. Materials: quartz, steel, polyvinyl chloride, resin.
Quartz, Steel
"Africans with Jars, " Rare Art Deco Charger by Andlovitz for Societa Ceramica
By Societa Ceramica Italiana
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Much as Gio Ponti modernized and energized the porcelain production of the fabled Ginori company in Italy, so too did Guido Andlovitz revolutionize the work of the old Societa Cerami...
Ceramic
$709
H 9.45 in Dm 7.09 in
Glazed Ceramic Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and for Cer Paoli, Sahara series
By Aldo Londi, Bruno Paoli, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Aldo Londi for Bitossi and Ceramiche Paoli, 1960s. This is a beautiful mid-century Italian vase with a lid by the famous designer Aldo Londi for Ceramiche Paoli in ...
Ceramic
$960Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 1.13 in Dm 9.13 in
Ronald Hayes Pearson Shallow Spun Brass Metalworks Bowl American Studio Craft
By Ronald Pearson
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful metalwork, mid-century form. Good size, just over 9 inches.
Brass
Mona Morales-Schildt Orrefors Bowl, Blown Glass, Mid-Century, 1960
By Orrefors, Mona Morales-Schildt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mona Morales Schildt for Orrefors bowl or vase. Beautiful design of 1/2 round circles polished all around. Signed bottom.
Blown Glass
Postmodern Green Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a chic glossy green. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, pleasing from every angle. Not ...
Ceramic
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 4 in Dm 12 in
California Studio Craft Mahogany Centerpiece Fruit Bowl by Bob Stocksdale
By Bob Stocksdale
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful California utilitarian design with years of use and patina as intended. Cleaned to preserve past use. Showing a fleck to the rim, oil stains and utensil markings. The Top R...
Mahogany
$5,500
H 3.38 in W 4.88 in D 4.88 in
Jacques & Dani Ruelland Vide-Poche in Black Gunmetal Glaze c. 1970
By Jacques and Dani Ruelland
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jacques & Dani Ruelland vide-poche in black gunmetal glaze. France c. 1970. Signed. Christie’s label on underside. Measurements: 3 3⁄8 height x 4 7⁄8 depth x 4 7⁄8 in width Prov...
Ceramic
Studio Ceramic Planter by Roy Hamilton for Steve Chase
By Steve Chase, Roy Hamilton
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare studio ceramic planter or vase design by Roy Hamilton specially designed for Steve Chase in the 1980s. The planter has the Roy Hamilton mark on ...
Ceramic
Studio Ceramic Planter by Roy Hamilton for Steve Chase
By Steve Chase, Roy Hamilton
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare studio ceramic planter or vase design by Roy Hamilton specially designed for Steve Chase in the 1980s. The planter has the Roy Hamilton mark on ...
Ceramic
Two Steve Chase Retailed Stoneware Pottery Vessels
By Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice pair of Steve Chase retailed stoneware vessels. They both bear Steve Chase inventory labels. The large one is 16 inches tall and has a repair to the rim. It is 10 inches in di...
Pottery
Three Steve Chase Retailed Murano Vases
By Steve Chase
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice grouping of Murano vases, one of which still retains the Steve Chase inventory price tag. These are quite lovely and run in size from 14.25 inches tall to the smallest one whi...
Large Ceramic Vase Custom Designed for Steve Chase
By Steve Chase
Located in New York, NY
Large ceramic vase with a glossy pearlescent glaze and a whimsical pattern. It is marked "Gary McCloy exclusively for Steve Chase." It came from a pre...
Ceramic