Few friendships last a lifetime, but Milo Baughman (1923–2003) and Thayer Coggin (1922–2003) were united by their desire to craft American furniture with timeless heirloom appeal. Today vintage Thayer Coggin sofas, coffee tables, alluring chrome-framed chairs and other furnishings are recognized as masterpieces of good design and remain highly sought after by collectors near and far.
Having both served in the military during World War II and coming from humble backgrounds — Coggin from Denton, North Carolina, and Baughman from Goodland, Kansas (but raised in California) — they shared a passion for simple, modern design in home furnishings. In 1953, after showing his prescient designs to a number of companies (who turned him down) in the furniture center of High Point, North Carolina, Baughman decided to pay a last-minute visit to Coggin, who had just founded his eponymous brand. After a nearly hour-long meeting in which Coggin shot out of his seat exclaiming he had never seen anything like Baughman's work, the two men shook hands. They would be friends and collaborators for the next 50 years.
Coggin let Baughman pursue his singular vision, while the Thayer Coggin company benefited from its close relationship with the ever more prominent Baughman, the manufacturer’s lead designer and an architect of California modernism who also collaborated with Drexel Furniture, Glenn of California and others during his career.
In 1968, New York Times critic Rita Reif hailed Baughman’s work for its elegance and sophistication. “With this furniture,” she wrote of his new collection, Environment 70 produced by Thayer Coggin, “who needs a decorator?” Baughman’s name became synonymous with sleekly modern, comfortable furniture the whole family could enjoy — stylish seating upholstered with impossibly cozy bouclé fabric and dashing case pieces that reflected the venturesome sensibility associated with mid-century modernism as well as the functionality of the Bauhaus.
Although its founder died in 2003, Thayer Coggin remains an esteemed family-run brand in High Point. Each item of furniture is bench-made by a single craftsperson to ensure “continuity among related pieces,” the company says, and comes in a vast array of upholstery fabrics, wood and metal finishes. Like the friendship that defined it, Thayer Coggin furniture is built to last.
Find a unique collection of new and vintage Thayer Coggin furniture today on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Deco Arm Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
From Beverly Hills to Paris, these mid-century Art Deco revival chairs are sure to make a big impression in any space. Designed by American master Milo Baughman for High Point's este...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Mid Century Modern Brown Teak Lounge Chairs - a Pair
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Mid Century Modern Brown Teak Lounge Chairs - a Pair. Item features a solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, original label, clean modernist ...
Teak
$14,000 / set
1960s Thayer Coggin Wingback Chairs
By Thayer Coggin
Located in New York, NY
Pair of wingback lounge chairs by Thayer Coggin. Solid walnut frame and newly upholstered. Labeled.
Upholstery, Walnut
$8,500 / set
Milo Baughman Clam Shell Swivel Lounge Chairs
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern pair of lounge chairs float on top of a circular chrome trim swivel base. The shell backrest and removable seat cushions boast the perfect contours ensur...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Thayer Coggin Modern Barcelona Style Black Tufted Leather 40" Square Ottoman
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Thayer Coggin Modern Barcelona Style Black Tufted Leather 40" Square Ottoman. Circa Early 21st Century. Measurements: 16" H x 40" W x 40" D.
Chrome
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome Yellow Vinyl Flat Bar Lounge Armchair
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century lounge armchair with a polished chrome flat bar frame, upholstered in bright yellow vinyl. (MILO BAUGHMAN FOR THAYER COGGIN).
Metal, Chrome
Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome and Paisley Fabric Flat Bar Loung
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century lounge armchairs with polished chrome flat bar frames, upholstered in a beige and neutral tone paisley patterned fabric. (Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin...
Metal, Chrome
Thayer Coggin Black Tufted Leather Square Ottoman Modern Barcelona Style
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Thayer Coggin black tufted leather ottoman. Item details tufted leather upholstery, original label, metal legs, clean modernist lines, and quality American craftsmanship, circa 2005....
Leather
1970’s Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chairs, Set of 5
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Sarasota, FL
A set of five Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin dining chairs. Square caned seat backs are framed in chrome plated steel, square seats are upholstered in black fabric embroidered with ...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman Swivel Tilt Chairs
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Dallas, TX
Amazing pair of rocking swivel lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, circa 1960s. The chairs have an extremely detailed design, something that only Milo Baughman...
Brass
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome Tufted Arm Chairs - Pair
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome Tufted Arm Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 25.75 wide x 28.5 deep x 31.5 inches high, with a seat height o...
Chrome
1970s Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1188 Chairs in Fabric and Chrome
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a pair of 1188 Chairs, originally designed by Milo Baughman in 1968. These particular examples were produced in the 1970s by Thayer Coggin. The chairs are comprised of a chro...
Chrome
$2,400 / set
Pair of Swivel Chairs by Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This bold and stylish pair of swiveling club chairs by Thayer Coggin are full of Mid-Century Modern flair. Bright red leather upholstery is complemented by chrome bases for a stunnin...
Chrome
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin High Dining Chairs Newly Upholstered - Set of 6
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin High Back Dining Chairs Newly Upholstered in a Black Cow Hide Front with Holly Hunt Black Patten Leather Back - Set of 6 A spectac...
Chrome
Chrome Wrapped Swivel Chair by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Take iconic mid-century American furniture for a spin with this classic tub chair from design legend Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin of North Carolina. Featuring a wrap-around chrome covering and brand new reupholstery, this deep seated chair...
Metal, Chrome
Post Modern Pull Up Side Chair by Thayer Coggin in Original Upholstery
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Thayer Coggin Pull Up Side Chair The MCM Pull Up Chair by Thayer Coggin is in its original geometric patterned fabric upholstery with metal frame. Tagged...
Metal
Vintage Modern Barrel Back Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique chrome frame barrel back lounge offers a stylish and comfortable addition to any interior. Unique textured fabric and Classic design mak...
Upholstered Cantilevered Armchair with Darkened Steel Frame by Milo Baughman
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in New York City, NY
Sleek metal armchair by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Great as an accent or desk chair.
Steel
1970s Vintage Chrome Dining Chairs by Milo Buaghman for Thayer Coggin - Set of 6
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage chrome dining chairs designed by Milo Baughman and manufactured by Thayer Coggin in the United States circa 1970s. These dining ch...
Chrome
Tête-à-tête Settee by Randy Culler for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Dallas, TX
An innovative tête-à-tête de-sign by Randy R. Culler for Thayer Coggin, Inc. This is Thayer Coggin’s newfangled version of a victorian courting settee. The two curves allow the seate...
Upholstery, Wood