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 Craft Associates, Paul Evans, Adrian Pearsall
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 Paul Evans, Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
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
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
Kem Weber Tubular Chrome Lounge Chair for Lloyd Manufacturing
By Kem Weber, lloyd manufacturing co.
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A masterclass in American Streamline Moderne design, this rare lounge chair by Kem Weber for Lloyd Manufacturing captures the spirit of 1930s industrial innovation. Designed with Web...
Chrome
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
Sofa by Joaquim Tenreiro, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Refined and inviting, this sofa embodies Joaquim Tenreiro’s commitment to lightness and modern proportion. Its curved profile and tapered jacarandá legs lend the piece a quiet sophis...
Upholstery, Rosewood
Early Four Seater Sofa Designed by Milo Baughman for James, Inc. Mid-Century
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Early labelled Milo Bauhgman for James Inc. 4 seater sofa. This sofa is a super early sofa designed by Mr Baughman and does need to be reupholstered. We love the classic sleek line...
Upholstery, Walnut
