Pay a visit to the town of High Point, North Carolina — long the capital of American-made furniture — and, from nearly any location in the city, you’ll see a tall smokestack bearing the name Tomlinson. It’s a name with deep roots there: In 1901, Sidney Halstead Tomlinson, Sr., and his brother founded the Tomlinson Chair Manufacturing Co., producing adaptations of 19th-century European antiques for an enthusiastic American audience. Later the Tomlinson Furniture Company grew rapidly over the ensuing decades, becoming a significant contributor to High Point’s thriving manufacturing economy.
Although Tomlinson began with a focus on antique-style furniture, by the middle of the century the company had adopted aesthetics from the modern style that was rapidly growing in popularity around the world.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Tomlinson Furniture produced coffee tables, storage cabinets and seating in the low-slung, sleek silhouettes that were typically characteristic of what we now know as mid-century modern designs.
Working with designers like John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, the company experimented with materials like woven cane and unique styles such as neoclassical lounge chairs in cherrywood that were seen as thoughtful modern interpretations of Biedermeier furniture.
During the mid-1950s, Tomlinson Furniture introduced its dramatic and decorative Sophisticate line, a collection of case pieces, seating, tables and more, available in a variety of woods. Today, designs that originated in the collection, such as its pecan-framed chairs with seats and backs of woven leather straps, are increasingly sought after by collectors.
Find vintage Tomlinson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder Sophisticate Chaise Lounge for Tomlinson
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Chicago, IL
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder Sophisticate Chaise Lounge for Tomlinson some wear to the finish. structurally sound
Wood
Restored Olivier Mourgue "Djinn" Chaise Lounge for Airborne
By Olivier Mourgue
Located in Berlin, DE
Newly upholstered Djinn Chaise Lounge in Kvadrat Tonus wool fabric. The color as close as it was shown in the 2001 movie by Stanley Kubrick. Excel...
Metal
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 29.5 in D 27 in
Gorgeous Pair Lubberts & Mulder Tomlinson Sophisticate Wide Seat Lounge Chairs
By Tomlinson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious pair of John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson's 'Sophisticate' Collection lounge chairs, circa 1950s. We just love the super wide low seats and gorgeous sabre wooden legs. They retain their original apricot crushed...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Mario Papperzini "Amalfi" Patio Chaise Lounge for John Salterini
By Mario Papperzini, John Salterini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Papperzini "Amalfi" Patio Chaise Lounge for John Salterini
Iron
$4,850 / set
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair of Curvaceous Caned Slipper Chairs by Lubberts & Mulder for Tomlinson
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of curvaceous caned slipper lounge chairs designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, American, circa 1960s. They are currently being refinished and reupholstere...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
$3,750
H 28.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Tomlinson Sophisticates Slipper Chair by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful and rare Tomlinson slipper chair from the Sophisticates line circa 1950's. The model 650 chair was designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder. This chair have a walnut ...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$6,495
H 28.25 in W 27 in D 24 in
John Lubberts - Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Cane, Walnut Slipper Chairs - Pair
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Mid Century Walnut and Cane Slipper Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 27 wide x 24 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat height of 13.5 inch...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$3,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 28.25 in D 27 in
Pair of Lubberts & Mulder Tomlinson Sophisticate Oversized Lounge chairs
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Lubberts & Mulder Tomlinson Sophisticate Oversized Lounge chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Tomlinson "Sophisticate Collection" Fluted Dining Chair
By Tomlinson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid-century modern dining chair by Tomlinson for the "Sophisticate Collection". A unique blend of modern form and classical inspiration, combining refined craftsmanship wit...
Teak
$7,500 / set
H 28.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Pair of Tomlinson Bullhorn Slipper Chairs by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful and rare set of Tomlinson slipper chairs from the Sophisticates line circa 1950's. The model 650 chair was designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder. These chairs have...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Olivera Chaise Lounge
By KGBL
Located in New York, NY
With seating on all sides, the Olivera Chaise Lounge becomes the natural focus of any room. Featuring Pavoni Perforated Leather and a Silicon Bronze base. This is a natural produc...
Brass
$12,450 / set
H 26 in W 28 in D 26 in
Pair of Tomlinson Sophisticate Ebonized Lounge Chairs by Erwin Lambeth
By Tomlinson, Erwin Lambeth
Located in Dallas, TX
Attractive pair of Tomlinson "Sophisticate" lounge chairs designed by Erwin Lambeth. Restored: the chairs feature solid ebonized wood frames with two straight front legs and two rais...
Upholstery, Wood
$12,800 / set
H 28.5 in W 26 in D 21 in
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Cane, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of bleached wood, cane and beige velvet slipper chairs designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder and produced by Tomlinson, USA, 1950s. Corners of arms and frame present...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
Tomlinson Sophisticate Chaise Lounge
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
A Rare chaise lounge designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson. Beautifully restored.
Fabric
Curvaceous Chaise Lounge Designed by Lubberts and Mulder for Tomlinson
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous chaise longue, designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, American, circa 1950s. Designed for Tomlinson's "Sophisticate" Line, this chaise looks great fro...
Upholstery, Walnut
Chaise Lounge Tomlinson Sophisticate
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Rochester, NY
A mid-20th century chaise lounge with a beautiful sculptural form that looks great from every angle. Designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for the Tomlinson Sophisticate...
Upholstery, Wood
Rare Tomlinson Sophisticate Chaise Lounge
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
A Rare chaise lounge designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson.