Milo Baughman was one of the most agile and adept modern American furniture designers of the late 20th century. A prolific lecturer and writer on the benefits of good design — he taught for years at Brigham Young University — Baughman (whose often-scrambled surname is pronounced BAWF-man) focused almost exclusively on residential furnishings, such as chairs, sofas and benches. He had a particular talent for lounge chairs, perhaps the most sociable piece of furniture.
Like his fellow adoptive Californians Charles and Ray Eames, Baughman’s furniture has a relaxed and breezy air. He was famously opposed to ostentatious and idiosyncratic designs that were made to excite attention. While many of his chair designs are enlivened by such effects as tufted upholstery, Baughman tended to let his materials carry the aesthetic weight, most often relying on seating and table frames made of sturdy and sleek flat-bar chromed metal, and chairs, tables and cabinets finished with highly-figured wood veneers.
Like his colleagues Karl Springer and the multifarious Pierre Cardin, Baughman’s designs are emblematic of the 1970s: sleek, sure and scintillating.
As you will see from the furniture presented on 1stDibs, Milo Baughman’s designs for the likes of Drexel Furniture, Glenn of California and — for five decades — Thayer Coggin are ably employed as either the heart of a décor or its focal point.
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist-Inspired Two-Cushion Sofa Loveseat (2 of 2)
By Adrian Pearsall, Paul Evans, Craft Associates
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking example of Adrian Pearsall’s bold design vision, this two-cushion sofa or loveseat blends clean modernist lines with dramatic Brutalist detailing. Upholstered in rich blac...
Upholstery, Resin, Wood
Cini Boeri for Knoll Architectural Sofa with Steel Chassis and Casters
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An architectural lounge sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll, exemplifying her human-centered approach to modern seating. Conceived to support multiple sitting positions, the design...
Steel
Adrian Pearsall Brutalist-Inspired Two-Cushion Sofa (1 of 2)
By Adrian Pearsall, Paul Evans, Craft Associates
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A striking example of Adrian Pearsall’s bold design vision, this two-cushion sofa blends clean modernist lines with dramatic Brutalist detailing. Upholstered in rich black fabric, th...
Upholstery, Resin, Wood
Dan Johnson for Brown Jordan Sol y Luna Lounge Chairs Ottomans and Cushions
By Dan Johnson, Brown Jordan
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A refined and sculptural set of four “Sol y Luna” lounge chairs with matching ottomans, designed by Dan Johnson for Brown Jordan, circa 1960s. This iconic model reflects Johnson’s mastery of form—organic, airy, and architectural—while showcasing Brown Jordan’s industry-leading craftsmanship in cast aluminum outdoor furniture...
Aluminum
Barwa Lounge Chair by Edgar Bartolucci
By Edgar Bartolucci
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Barwa' lounge chair by Edgar Bartolucci for Barwa Associates. Sold with thought to be original sling. (New slings available online in a variety of colors).
Aluminum
Arthur Umanoff Rocking Chair
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The Arthur Umanoff rocking chair is a timeless piece of furniture that combines elegant design with exceptional comfort. Designed by Arthur Umanoff, a prominent mid-century modern fu...
Steel
Moreno Sofa by Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Moreno sofa sits low and deep with Italian inspired curved arms. The sofa features loose seat and back cushions and two side cushions that mimic the curvature of the arms. The le...
Upholstery, Oak
Architectural 1950's Mid Century Modern Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Stunning long 1950's architectural sofa. Measures over 8 feet in length and sits 6 with ease. Recently reupholstered in a fine cotton fabric. 6 Ebony legs. This sofa is in flawless c...
Upholstery, Wood
Kurt Østervig Attributed Large Danish Four-Seat Sofa, 1960s
By Kurt Østervig
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Amazing sofa sleek organic design lines and just the epitome of the best the Danish designers of the 1960s had to offer. Some of these fantastic designs were in many ways the last ho...
Wool, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Forma Sofa by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1956
By Rare Form
Located in New York, NY
A sofa designed in 1955 and produced by Forma, the company directed by Carlo Hauner (1927-1996) and Martin Eisler (1913-1977). The piece is an important item of Brazilian design an...
Fabric, Rosewood
Mid-Century Sofa by Arthur Elrod
By Arthur Elrod
Located in Pasadena, CA
Elegant and glamorous sofa designed by Arthur Elrod for the Cody House in Palm Springs, circa 1960s. Re-imagined in a chic metallic gray linen. A pair o...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern 801 Sofa by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin, 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The 1950s proved to be politically and economically favorable to initiatives related to industrial production. The Polish naturalized Brazilian architect, Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020)...
Rosewood, Fabric
