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 Chaise Lounge / Robsjohn Gibbings / Milo Baughman
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Chicago, IL
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder Sophisticate Chaise Lounge for Tomlinson some wear to the finish. structurally sound Manner of Milo Baughman & Robsjohn Gibbings
Wood
Oversized Milo Baughman Round Circular Chaise "Satellite" Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Buffalo, NY
We have for your consideration a vintage Satellite chaise lounge chair on castors.. attributed to Milo baughman This is a very large chair ma...
Fabric, Wood
Milo Baughman Satellite Chaise Lounge in Boucle and Walnut, C. 1970s
By Milo Baughman
Located in Westport, CT
An iconic Satellite chaise lounge by Milo Baughman, dating to the 1970s, this sculptural piece captures the effortless elegance of mid-century modern design. Fully restored from the ...
Bouclé, Walnut
$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 Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
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
$1,800
H 33.5 in W 60 in D 38 in
Post Modern Chaise Lounge by Thayer Coggin att. to Milo Baughman c 1980/90's
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Postmodern, Hollywood Regency style upholstered chaise lounge, made by Thayer Coggin, design attributed to Milo Baughman circa 1980/90's. The chaise features an asymmet...
Upholstery
$3,500
H 33 in W 74 in D 25 in
Vintage Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Grey Leather Fred Chaise Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin "Fred" chaise lounge chair. The "Fred" chaise was one of the very first designs Baughman proposed to Thayer Coggin to begin their lifelong p...
Metal
Large Milo Baughman Style 'Satellite' Chaise Lounge
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Large Milo Baughman Style 'Satellite' Chaise Lounge
Upholstery
$3,750
H 28.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Tomlinson Sophisticates Slipper Chair by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
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
$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 Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
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
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Day Break Chaise Lounge, Model 1708
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Chicago, IL
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Day Break Chaise Lounge, Model 1708 This elegant Day Break chaise lounge, designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, has been professionally reupholstered with A butt...
Bouclé, Mahogany
Vintage Chaise-Lounge in the Robsjohn Gibbings Manner
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chaise-Lounge in the Robsjohn Gibbings Manner
Bouclé, Hardwood
$6,495
H 28.25 in W 27 in D 24 in
John Lubberts - Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Cane, Walnut Slipper Chairs - Pair
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
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
$3,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 54.5 in D 25.5 in
Stylish Sophisticates Walnut Desk and Chair Lubberts & Mulder for Tomlinson
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning 1950s walnut desk by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, from the Sophisticates collection. We love the stylish curved front with a built-in bookcase along with the five side drawers and a center drawer. Beautiful figured light walnut. . The original chair is included and adds to the total...
Walnut
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 Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
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.