Paul Laszlo, Pair of Settees, USA, 1955

Historically significant and a stunning example of Paul Laszlo’s innate design genius early in his career, this pair of custom designed settees are a striking and timeless statement in any setting. The bleach white oak frames are finished with a white ceruse. The settees have been newly upholstered in a sumptuous Ocean Mist Mark Alexander Taliesin wool linen blend.

Paul Laszlo is best know for his inimitable personal style of elegant modernism, tempered by traditional touches and softened by the bold use of color and texture. Born at the height of the Belle Époque, Laszlo sidestepped the popular schools of the Wiener Werkstatte and the Bauhaus that had dominated the design world during the years he worked in Europe. As an architect and designer in Vienna and Stuttgart, Laszlo gained a prodigious reputation before immigrating to Los Angeles. Bringing his European roots and sensibility to the land of sunshine and scenery, Laszlo left his imprint on modern design and became closely associated with what has come to be called California Modern. As his career progressed, his home, interior, furniture, fabric, rug and lamp designs became more lavish in style, in service to his Beverly Hills society clientele. Laszlo designed furniture for the Herman Miller Company, department stores Saks, Hudson’s Bay and Robinson’s, hotel casinos in Las Vegas and many other companies, individuals and settings. Developing an audience for custom furniture of the highest quality, Laszlo had a productive and remarkably long career, stretching close to sixty years.

Typical of California design, Laszlo used a great deal of glass and wood. His take on modern was neither hard-edged nor linear, instead incorporating traces of a softening traditionalism. His furniture was notably comfortable. He often used color boldly, and it is this, as much as the sumptuous textures of lacquer, veneers, marble, brick, flagstone, and gold leaf, not to mention the warm effect of handwoven fabrics, that gave his homes variety as well as a distinctive character.

Dimensions:
30 H x 48 W x 31 D in.