Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
View Similar Items
Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
About the Item
- Creator:Craft Associates (Manufacturer),Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 102 in (259.08 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84742038282
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.
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar SofaBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Chicago, ILEdward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa, early design with great scale, spring seating system, reupholstered and rebuilt reupholstered with wool ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Tommi Parzinger Sofa for Parzinger OriginalsBy Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in Chicago, ILTommi Parzinger sofa for Parzinger Originals, ceruse oak solid legs, fully restored and reupholstered with great plains cotton-poly.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- Curved Sofa for Directional in the Style of Milo BaughmanBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Chicago, ILCurved sofa for Directional in the style of Milo Baughman reupholstered with Italian Boucle Measures: 119 in length and 54" in depth at the deepest point Height 32" Seat height 18" D...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé
- William Armbruster Custom Monumental five-seat Sofa for Chase ManhattanBy Edgewood Furniture, William ArmbrusterLocated in Chicago, ILThe William Armbruster Custom Designed Monumental five-seat Sofa for Chase Manhattan Executive Offices, Embodies luxury and sophistication. Crafted with expert craftsmanship, this gr...Category
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- William Armbruster Monumental Five-Seat Sofa for Chase Manhattan Executive OfficBy William ArmbrusterLocated in Chicago, ILWilliam Armbruster Monumental five-seat sofa for Chase Manhattan Executive Offices. A generous 144" in length, Reupholstered with Italian wool, cotton...Category
Vintage 1960s American Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Paul Frankl Style SofaBy Paul FranklLocated in Chicago, ILPaul Frankl style sofa 100 inche length, extreme curved arms, slightly curved back details. Reupholstered with great plains cotton-poly. Button tufted b...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
$8,000
- Gondola Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Palm Springs, CAAn incredible gondola form sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Fame has been professionally refinished. Sofa has been restored with new webbing, foam and upholster...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Floating Back Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Sagaponack, NYA wonderfully long, low and deep upholstered sofa having a floating back and an organic sculptural walnut sled base with a floating frontal stretcher. Reupholstery is recommended.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Inc.By Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in Dallas, TXAn impressive and very comfortable low profile "Cloud Sofa" designed by the iconic American architect and furniture designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1950s. More t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
On Hold$16,500 - Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Cloud Sofa, C. 1950sBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated 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
- Vintage Walnut "Boomerang" Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in North Hollywood, CAStunning vintage walnut “Boomerang” sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in the United States, circa 1960s. This sofa has a structurally detailed design where the polygonal...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Walnut "Gondola" Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft AssociatesBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage walnut “Gondola” sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates in United States, circa 1960s. This modernist sofa, also known as model-2000, is composed of ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut