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.
Vintage Boho Tomlinson for Judith Norman Sofa
By Tomlinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a luxurious vintage sofa by Tomlinson for Judith Norman, a piece that perfectly marries bohemian comfort with sophisticated design. This generously sized sofa features a p...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Regency Tomlinson Roll Back Tufted Sofa
By Tomlinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in the opulent elegance of this vintage Hollywood Regency sofa by Tomlinson, a true testament to luxurious design and superior craftsmanship. This magnificent piece features a gracefully rolled back and arms, adorned with exquisite deep button tufting that creates a rich texture and inviting silhouette. The sofa's sophisticated lines and generous proportions evoke the glamour of a bygone era, promising to be the focal point of any refined living space. Upholstered in a plush fabric with delicate piping details and a tailored skirt, this sofa perfectly blends comfort with an undeniable sense of grandeur, making it an ideal choice for those who appreciate timeless style and exceptional quality. With an impressive width of 103", a seat depth of 24", and an overall height of 42.5", this sofa offers ample seating for lavish entertaining or serene relaxation. The comfortable seat height of 21" ensures an inviting experience. This piece is presented in great vintage condition, displaying minor wear consistent with its age and history, which contributes to its authentic charm and rich patina. Acquire this stately Tomlinson sofa...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$24,500 / set
H 29.5 in W 180 in D 34 in
Stunning Hollywood Regency Tufted 2-Piece Curved Sectional Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Hollywood Regency an extra long two-part sofa with a deep tufted back. The sofa splits in the centre, each side has a single seat cushion with rounded outer edge on an upholstered base, the extension has a tufted top and also has a curved edge. The sofa comes with two matching tufted foot stools...
Upholstery
Huge Sofa Set by Norman Bel Geddes, 1950s, USA
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Extremely rare huge sofa set by Norman Bel Geddes from the 1950s. We have the set from the possession of a US soldier stationed in Germany or Roth after...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Classic luxurious tufted curved back sofa, C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic luxurious tufted curved back sofa, C !940. The shapely design feels modern with traditional button-tufting overs three deep seats over short turned and fluted wooden legs. Re...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,890 / item
H 33 in W 84 in D 38 in
Custom Made White Linen English Arm Rolled Back Sofa with Casters
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
White linen English arm rolled back sofa with casters. Custom made to order, upholstered in a heavy weight Belgian linen, with down feath...
Linen
Vintage Hollywood Regency Knole Sofa
By Knole
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Hollywood Regency Knole couch for sale. This was is from the 1950's, and was previously reupholstered in silk with a beautiful pattern. It's ...
Fabric, Feathers
$4,297
H 27 in W 98 in D 35 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Gold Velvet Sofa, Tufted Chesterfield Style Couch
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
An exquisite vintage Hollywood Regency sofa upholstered in a luxurious gold velvet fabric with a rich, warm tone that glows beautifully under natural light. This elegant statement pi...
Velvet
Edward Ferrell Tufted Back Sofa Damask Sofa
By Edward Farrell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully tufted quality built bow back sofa by Edward Ferrell. The Sofa with elegant lines, tufted back and refined pale Champagne Damask style fabric. With Edward Ferrell label...
Fabric, Wood
$2,128Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.32 in W 55.91 in D 33.86 in
rare curved sofa element or huge lounge chair by norman bel geddes
By Norman Bel Geddes
Located in Munich, DE
corner element for a bigger sofa landscape, that can also be used as single impressive loung chair. we have two 2-seater sofas also avaiable.
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Henredon Sofa with Brass Feet
By Henredon
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This stunning Henredon sofa exudes a high-end, vintage charm that’s both comfortable and stately. The mix of intricate fabric texture, channeling details and brass accents is classic...
Brass
$95,000
H 29 in W 84.25 in D 38 in
Important Adjustable 'Roll Back Day Bed' Sofa by Kagan-Dreyfuss, 1950s, Signed
By Vladimir Kagan, Kagan-Dreyfuss, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very important piece of design history, and to understand why - it is all in the details, so to anyone interested in modern art and interior design, please keep reading. Vladimir Kagan’s 'Roll Back Day Bed' (model #6718) was originally conceived as a one-off design for a client in the 1950s. Valdimir Kagan selected Rosewood and Lucite, materials he had just started experimenting with at that time, blended it into a futuristic frame with a brass-capped cylindrical adjustable back cushion that can transform the sofa into a daybed and even into a double sided gallery seating system. All on top of Lucite legs giving the appearance the sofa is floating above ground. By all accounts - Vladimir Kagan advertisements, catalogues, the design community and even the team at Vladimir Kagan Designs had it documented that the design (model 6718 Roll Back Day Bed) was first put into production in 1967, however this one - this exact sofa in the photos and listed for sale, IS THE ONE that he created in the 1950s for a special one-off client. And it was later, in 1967 that he decided to bring the design into production, all based on this concept model which we have listed for sale. This is all documented with the Vladimir Kagan archives under registry 25073. They were thrilled to have found this surviving example and have added it into their archives, knowledge-base and timelines. They wrote: "We conducted a detailed review of the Kagan Archive, and we were puzzled to find that Vladimir consistently dated the release of the Roll Back Day Bed to 1967. Also based on Vladimir’s accounts, Hugo Dreyfuss retired in 1960, ending their partnership. This would mean that your example pre-dates the “earliest production date” we have on record for the Roll Back Day Bed or Roll Back Sofa...
Brass
Extraordinary Custom Upholstered Sofa by Tomlinson/ Erwin-Lambeth
By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine and Classic Style sofa from Tomlinson with notable Custom Tailored Upholstery. The square frame with short wings into deep sloping arms. Upholstered in a pale stripe in tan, green and gold tones, with nail head trim along the back and sides. A single long seat cushion and a tailored skirt with fine coordinating braid ribbon trim. Along with two bolster cushions in pale green stitched fabric with tan braid trim. L. 90", Depth 37", H. 45", seat H. 19" Condition: Please see all detail photos. The overall condition is good with only slight age and use wear including a few dimples to the upholstery and a small washed out area on the right-side facing seat...
Wood
Rolled Arm Sofa with Curved Tight Back
Located in Ballard, CA
Elegant curved sofa comes with tight back over two loose poly/down seat cushions, with exposed wood frame and tapered legs. Custom sizes and finishes availa...
Polyester, Maple, Down
Vintage 1960s Wood Wrapped Sofa by Tomlinson
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage 1960s wood wrapped sofa by Tomlinson. Sofa is in wonderful vintage condition and needs upholstery and refinishing. Dimensions: 107" W x ...
Hollywood Regency Velvet Sofa
By Tomlinson
Located in Hanover, MA
Very stylish vintage sofa by Tomlinson very much in the style of Dorothy Draper with split seat cushions, curved back, sculpted arms, diamond tufts and box-...
Elegant Barrel Back Sofa by Tomlinson Sophisticates
By Tomlinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Barrel Back Sofa by Tomlinson Sophisticates, circa 1950's. This classic form could be used in a wide range of interiors, from traditional to ultra modern. This sofa is currently being restored. It can be finished in your choice of finish colors and upholstery. The price noted below includes reupholstery in your fabric and refinishing. To give you an idea of how it would look restored, please take a look at the Tomlinson Sophisticates chair...
Upholstery