Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Cloud Sofa
View Similar Items
Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Cloud Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Width: 129 in (327.66 cm)Depth: 40 in (101.6 cm)Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Phoenix, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU853226570802
Cloud Sofa
The early days of Craft Associates— the furniture company founded in 1952 by Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011) — took shape in his mother-in-law’s duplex. There, the American architect and designer would build pieces while his wife, Dorie, would manage purchase orders and invoices. Even if the Pennsylvania-based operation was at first limited to the confines of an apartment, the company afforded Pearsall the opportunity to bring to life his residential furniture designs, such as his revered low-profile Cloud sofa, one of the contributions to mid-century modern furniture design for which Pearsall is recognized today and among the initial concepts for the now-legendary furniture company he founded.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1950. With the founding of his Craft Associates two years later, he helped usher in the Atomic Age of design, and his work, making use of natural materials and conceived with comfort in mind, was widely appealing to a postwar American consumer base. Pearsall frequently used geometric and often flamboyant shapes in his furniture, and the bold concepts were greatly influenced by prominent furniture makers of the era, such as Vladimir Kagan, George Nakashima and Florence Knoll.
Innovative, revolutionary ideas aside — Pearsall also invented the bean bag chair — the maker’s great success lay in his ability to move his flashy designs directly into the mass market, and it wasn’t long before Craft began selling its pieces to department stores in Philadelphia and New York, including Wanamaker’s and Macy’s.
Circa early 1950s, the Cloud sofa’s walnut legs and sinuous shape blended subtle flair with comfort, and its original gently swerving back became a Pearsall signature. These attributes, the permanent back of his sofa and its solid walnut base, are widely known components of his designs from the era as well as through the 1960s. Later, Pearsall integrated the Cloud sofa’s swerving back into his lounge chairs — which featured a similarly long and low gondola silhouette — and used modern fabrics in rich color combinations that boldly embraced the Atomic Age. Today, Pearsall’s designs are licensed to Restoration Hardware.
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.
- Sculptural Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Adrian Pearsall, 1970'sBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Phoenix, AZAll original sculptural taupe leather lounge chair and accompanying ottoman by Adrian Pearsall. Ottoman measures 15.25" H x 16.75" D x 23.25...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Early Mid-Century Florence Knoll Sofa with Magazine HolderBy Florence KnollLocated in Phoenix, AZFlorence Knoll for Knoll Associates sofa with built in magazine holder, circa early 1950s. This example is upholstered in a pumpernickel Knoll boucle which pops beautifully next to t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Sculptural Sofa in Walnut & Bouclé by Henry Glass, 1960'sBy Henry GlassLocated in Phoenix, AZHenry Glass 1960s 'Intimate Island' walnut and upholstered bouclé sofa. This exquisite piece has been expertly refinished and upholstered in an off-white Turkish bouclé. Red Modern a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Walnut
- Phenomenal Saporiti Stainless Steel & Mercedes Leather SofaBy SaporitiLocated in Phoenix, AZAll original Saporiti stainless steel and special ordered perforated Mercedes leather 'Wave' sofa by Giovanno Offreddi. This is the nicest example of this sofa that we have ever seen...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Cocobolo Studio Crafted Mirror, 1960sLocated in Phoenix, AZStudio cocobolo mirror, circa early 1960s. This sculptural example is adjustable and hand-formed. It is solid cocobolo with stunning graining.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Mirrors
MaterialsCocobolo
- Studio Crafted Walnut & Raffia Midcentury ArmchairLocated in Phoenix, AZStunning studio crafted solid walnut and raffia armchair, late circa 1970s. This sculptural example has an unusual handcrafted back, beautifully formed arms and masterful joinery.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRaffia, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950sBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Westport, CTIndulge in luxurious comfort with the Low-Profile Cloud Sofa, a timeless piece designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the mid-20th century. Meticulously restored to its ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Maple
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa This sofa measures: 123 wide x 70 deep x 30.75 inches high, with a seat heigh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Middlesex, NJAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola sofa.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Outstanding Adrian Pearsall Boom-a-range Cloud Sofa Craft Associates Mid-CenturyBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pemberton, NJModel 3600-8 Craft Associates "Cloud" sofa, circa 1970, designed by Adrian Pearsall. Having graceful undulating curves. One-piece cushion. Sofa floats above a matte black recessed pl...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFaux Leather, Wood
- Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian PearsallLocated in San Francisco, CAAn iron-framed gondola sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Fully restored. The frame is newly powder coated in black. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsIron