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
$11,671Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 84.26 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Fuchsia Sofa by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous fabric sofa designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for the fine manufacturer Azucena Italia. The vintage sofa is made of brown, fuchsia and purple striped fabric, which creates a very colorful geometric effect. The lines are very hard and geometric, wonderfully eccentric. The frame is made of anodized aluminum, shiny silver, which connects to the spectacularly beautiful square, hollowed out feet. The cushions also act as square armrests, very colorful. The sofa comes from the Rome home of Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The colored sofa are ideal for furnishing eccentric and colorful living rooms.
Metal
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
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
$3,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 102 in D 30 in
Handsome Tomlinson style X-Long Sofa Pecan Wood Sofa Mid-Century Modern
By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome X-long Tomlinson Sophisticate style sofa. This piece retains its original textured stiped fabric in presentable condition. The cushions are still soft and the sofa is very...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
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
Sofa for W & J Sloane, 1950s
By W. & J. Sloane
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and beautifully proportioned sofa, having a tufted and sectioned back with wide and comfortable flattened arms. The cushions are down filled and the fully upholstered sofa ...
Upholstery
Tomlinson Erwin Lambeth Sofa
By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Chenille
Alanda vintage sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By Paolo Piva, B&B Italia
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Alanda sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. A true design product, typical of the 1990s. Made of Steel and upholstered in Grey color Alcantara, fully removable cover. Armrests and head...
Fabric
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 81 in D 29 in
Vintage Maple Frame Knoll Sofa by Lewis Butler for Knoll
By Knoll, Lewis Butler for Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage maple frame Knoll sofa by Lewis Butler for Knoll. An arm-less sofa with walnut back legs, cotton web seats and back support. A great example of classic Knoll style and substa...
Teak
$16,925Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 143.71 in D 34.65 in
Heide Rolf Elegant Vintage Wood and Bouclé Sofa for ICF
By ICF Milano 1
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and beautiful 7-seater sofa designed in the 1960s by Heide Rolf for the fine ICF production. The sofa consists of 7 seats in total and a coffee table. The frame is entirely ma...
Bouclé, Wood
$5,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 108 in D 33 in
Vintage Leather Sofa by Franz Köttgen for Kill International
By Franz Köttgen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage leather sofa by Franz Köttgen for Kill International. Located in NYC.
Travertine
$12,500 / set
H 29 in W 98 in D 44 in
Pair of Vintage Modern Serpentine Sofas by Weiman, for upholstery
Located in Raleigh, NC
Exceptional pair of Weiman serpentine sofas featuring the graceful S-curved silhouette that defined mid-century luxury seating. These opposing arm sofas are designed to create elega...
Upholstery
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