Steve Chase lived in and worked out of Palm Springs, California, but he created luxury spaces and furniture for projects that took shape all over the world. A consummate art collector and brilliant interior designer, Chase was involved in every aspect of the rooms he designed and attracted many high-profile clients, including Gerald and Betty Ford, Farrah Fawcett and Gene Hackman.
Chase was born in New Hampshire and attended the Rhode Island School of Design as well as the ArtCenter in Los Angeles. After completing his studies, he joined Arthur Elrod and Associates — a celebrated Palm Springs-based firm that created colorful interiors and furniture for a range of Hollywood stars and more during the height of the mid-century modern era. Chase worked with Elrod for more than a decade before establishing his own business in 1980.
Chase designed his furniture to meet the sensibilities and personalities of his clients, and his work ranged from the traditional to the tastefully unconventional. While he created sculptural brass side tables that boast striking brutalist forms, there were also understated chrome-framed coffee tables with fossil shell tops. For his seating, Chase’s palette ranged from bright pastels to modest earth tones, and his vintage sofas are known for their signature tufted-channel backrests and seats. The plush cushioning was most prevalent in his Monterey seating collection of chairs, sectionals and sofas manufactured by the firm Martin Brattrud Inc., which produced most of Chase's designs during the 1970s and '80s.
Chase supported a number of charitable organizations and strongly advocated for the Desert AIDS Project (DAP), a volunteer-led initiative to combat the HIV epidemic in Coachella Valley. He lent his design talents to improve their office space, and used his influence with celebrities to enlist their help on the project. Chase also joined the Contemporary Art Council Acquisitions Committee at the Palm Springs Art Museum and eventually bequeathed more than 130 works to the institution when he passed away in 1994.
In 1996, the DAP created the annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards to honor him. Today he is remembered for his humanitarian giving as often he is for his furniture designs and lively interiors.
On 1stDibs, explore an array of vintage Steve Chase chairs, tables and lighting.
"Amphibious" Settee Sofa, Steve Chase, 1980's
By Steve Chase
Located in Culver City, CA
Designed by Steve Chase in the 1980's this modern sofa was called the "Amphibious" sofa. With its super curvy, marshmallow shape and sumptuous cotton chenille fabric, this sofa is de...
Chenille
Steve Chase Style Sectional Sofa
By Steve Chase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century sectional sofa In the manner of Steve Chase Brand New Upholstery Overstuffed down cushions & pillows In excellent condition Measures: Height: 31" (Back) 3...
Chenille
Monumental 1980s 3 Piece Sofa by Steve Chase
By Steve Chase, A. Rudin, Martin Brattrud
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This MASSIVE 3 piece sofa by Steve Chase is a sight to behold. Measuring in at just under 15 feet across, it is a real statement maker. The slightly asym...
Fabric
Vintage Boho Steve Chase for Preview “Amohibious” Sofa
By Steve Chase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This outstanding pair of vintage sofas captures the playful yet luxurious sensibility of Postmodern design prevalent in the late 1970s and 1980s, often drawing comparisons to iconic ...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1980s Steve Chase Modern Channel Tufted Sectional Sofa, Upholstered
By Steve Chase
Located in New York, NY
Modern channel tufted sectional sofa designed by iconic California designer Steve Chase. Sofa features new padding and upholstery from Romo wh...
Upholstery
$9,850
H 31.5 in W 93 in D 38 in
Vintage A. Rudin for Steve Chase Cream Leather Sofa, Palm Springs Modern
By A. Rudin, Steve Chase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage three-seat leather sofa designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, California by A. Rudin for Steve Chase. This elegant contemporary sofa features clean architectural lines, g...
Leather, Wood
$9,580 / set
H 30.5 in W 115 in D 33 in
Pair of Taupe Linen Modern Sofas from a Steve Chase Residence Illuminated Base
By Steve Chase, Directional
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Yes… they are amazing. The provenance doesn't get any better than this: A all-original penthouse in Rancho Mirage designed by the late design icon, Steve Chase. We spent over $4000 on new, high end European linen blend fabric and reupholstering these the way they deserved to be. The taupe tanish/silver linen fabric has a high end almost metallic sheen to it. The left and right pair of sofas were designed and made by Directional in the 1980s. . They look very much in the style of Kagan or Springer. The part that makes them so chic is the end with a curved chaise...
Linen
$6,507 / item
H 33.47 in W 29.53 in D 86.62 in
Amphibious Outdoor & Indoor Sofa in Concrete Gray Paint by Jacob Egeberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphibious Outdoor & Indoor Sofa in Concrete Gray Paint by Jacob Egeberg Dimensions: D 220 x W 75 x H 85 cm. Materials: Styrofoam & soft PU foam, hard & elastic pigmented polyurethan...
Other
Steve Chase Custom Lounge Chairs
By Steve Chase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Steve Chase was a prominent American interior designer and furniture designer known for his luxurious, sophisticated, and contemporary designs. Based in Palm Springs, California, he ...
Fabric, Foam, Hardwood
$6,500 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 30 in
Postmodern Steve Chase Style Pouf Swivel Chairs Newly Reupholstered
By Steve Chase
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern Steve Chase Style Pouf Swivel Lounge Chair Newly Reupholstered in Natural Blonde Alpaca Wool - Pair Newly custom upholstered in luxurious natural blonde alpaca wool, this...
Alpaca
Steve Chase “Amphibious” Style Sofa
By Steve Chase
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s, fully restored in 100% alpaca. One seat is firmer than the rest
Alpaca
Early “Bocca” Sofa by Studio65
By Gufram Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
for Gufram c. 1970s, fully restored with original importer’s tag
Fabric
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s, fully restored in a wool velvet. Very good condition
Velvet
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa in 100% Alpaca
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage, signed - excellent restored condition. This piece has been fully reupholstered in a 100% alpaca fabric
Fabric
1970s Italian Tubular Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
fully restored in a nubby, wool-blend textile with new foam. The frame has wear consistent with age and use including scuffs, scratches, and paint use
Metal
Vladimir Kagan “Zoe” Sofa
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 2000s for American Leather, signed - excellent vintage condition
Fabric
