Pair of Adrian Pearsall Modern High Back Lounge Chairs in Pale Pink Velvet
View Similar Items
Pair of Adrian Pearsall Modern High Back Lounge Chairs in Pale Pink Velvet
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer),Craft Associates (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU106065848453
Adrian Pearsall
Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American furniture of the 1950s and ’60s. For verve and vivacity of form, he surpasses even Vladimir Kagan — whose work is the emblem of swinging, sexy mid-20th century modernism. Pearsall gave his imagination free rein, and his flamboyant, eye-catching styles are icons of what has become known as “Atomic Age” design.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois before opening his Pennsylvania furniture company, Craft Associates, in 1952, and that training shows in many designs. A Pearsall trademark, for example, is a lounge chair with an exceptionally tall, trapezoidal back, which give the pieces a skyscraper-like silhouette. Pearsall also had a talent for so-called Gondola sofas — long, low-slung pieces with upswept ends. Many of Pearsall’s sofas and chairs are supported not by legs, but on gently arced walnut skids.
Pearsall also had a gift for tables, in particular glass-topped side tables and coffee tables with frames that have the look of an Alexander Calder stabile. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Adrian Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
Craft Associates
In its inaugural days, iconic mid-century modern furniture brand Craft Associates was largely the work of founder and forward-thinking designer Adrian Pearsall and his wife, Dorie. The pair assembled sexy, stylish furniture in their Pennsylvania basement that they later sold from the back of a truck to the era’s marquee department stores in Philadelphia and New York City.
The New York–born Pearsall (1925–2011) served in the Navy before earning his architectural engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1950. He abandoned architecture after only a couple of years and turned instead to furniture design, opening Craft Associates in 1952 to sell his sophisticated living room seating, dining room furnishings and more. Flush with dynamic angles and clean lines, Pearsall’s sculptural, expressive designs — coffee tables, luxurious lounge chairs and more — helped define the style of the Atomic Age. With the help of Dorie and working in partnership with his brother Richard, Pearsall oversaw the expansion of Craft Associates into a leading employer of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with popular furniture including architecturally striking tables as well as plush beanbag chairs.
From Craft, there was Pearsall’s low-slung Gondola sofa, which embraces the sitter with its enveloping, geometrically rich form, his range of glass-topped tables — most boasting provocatively shaped wood slabs that serve as bases — as well as his skinny, high-backed upholstered walnut armchairs. Pearsall drew on his background in architecture for the organic and eye-catching structures of these pieces in addition to his larger scale work. One of his biggest projects was the complete design of his family’s 10,000-square-foot Pennsylvania home in Forty Fort, which boasted an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and ice cream bar.
After growing his business to 800 employees, Pearsall sold Craft Associates in 1968 to Lane Furniture, which continued producing his pieces into the late 1970s before halting production. With business partner John Graham, Pearsall established a new company, Comfort Designs, in the 1970s, while also devoting time to his lifelong hobbies of sailing and restoring classic yachts.
A company called New Craft Associates revived Pearsall’s brand’s name, referencing mid-century-era furniture design in its current projects while not formally associated with Pearsall or his family. Restoration Hardware has also reissued some of his Craft Associates designs, with Pearsall and his company’s distinctive furniture remaining popular statement pieces adaptable to any home.
Find a range of vintage Craft Associates furniture on 1stDibs.
- Custom Green Dyed French Armchair with Tropical Palm Tree UpholsteryBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Houston, TXBeautiful Louis the XV style green dyed French armchair with custom pink tropical upholstery featuring a floral palm tree design.Category
20th Century French Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
$1,350 Sale Price25% Off - "Tail Feathers" Pink and Black Floral Accent ChairLocated in Houston, TXJoy, laughter, and the unexpected are at the heart of Annie Evelyn’s work. Employing a range of materials and processes (tessellating metal pieces to create soft upholstered seating or embedding fresh cut flowers to add aroma), Evelyn uses furniture...Category
2010s American Side Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$1,537 Sale Price25% Off - Pair of French Verde Green Marble Column Pedestals with Bronze Capital DetailBy Napoléon IIILocated in Houston, TXStunning pair of verde green marble columns. These sturdy French pedestals have bronze on the capitals and bases with floral details.Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Pedestals
- Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Frank Trocino PaintingBy Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with light green toned abstract figurative painting. This handmade sideboard was custom mad...Category
2010s American Post-Modern Sideboards
MaterialsOak
$5,625 Sale Price25% Off - Stunning Custom Scandinavian Modern Small Chest by Norm StoekerBy Norm StoekerLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom Scandinavian modern small chest by norm stoeker. The three exposed Egyptian blue drawers are made with master craftsmanship surrounded by ...Category
2010s American Night Stands
MaterialsMaple
$1,650 Sale Price25% Off - Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style PaintingBy Reeves Design + Art, Gustav KlimtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style Painting. This handmade sideboard was custom made in Houston, Texas in collaboration ...Category
2010s American Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBirch
$5,437 Sale Price20% Off
- Pair Mid-Century Modern Sculptural High Back Lounge Chairs by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Philadelphia, PAA dramatic vintage pair of tall back lounge chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates in the 1960's. These feature a sol...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Mid-Century Modern High Back King Canopy Lounge Chair by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Philadelphia, PAA hard to find king chair designed by Adrian Pearsall and produced by Craft Associates circa 1960's. This modern take on a canopy chair features sculpted solid walnut legs with off w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Mid Century Modern High Back Walnut Lounge Chair in the style of Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Philadelphia, PAUnique Sculptural Tall Back Lounge Chair in the style of Adrian Pearsall for Carsons Inc. of High Point, NC. Item features sculpted solid wood walnut base, diamond form tall back, ta...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Tall Back Brown Lounge ChairsBy Adrian PearsallLocated in New York, NYStriking pair of Mid Century Classi Walnut framed lounge chairs upholstered in a Chestnut brown fabric with a slight gold metallic thread. New upholstery and padding. Mint Restored f...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$9,800 / set - Pair of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Walnut Lounge Chairs, 1960'sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Bainbridge, NYPair of Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Inc. highback walnut lounge armchairs. Featuring an ergonomic, organic modern design in solid American Black Walnut with newer Burgundy a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Pair of Adrian Pearsall "Slim Jim" Lounge Chairs for Craft Associates, 1960sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Hamburg, PAA modernist pair of Adrian Pearsall "Slim Jim" chairs model no. #1865-C from the Pearsall Catalog. This pair of dramatic chairs would look great in any modern...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut