Few friendships last a lifetime, but Milo Baughman (1923–2003) and Thayer Coggin (1922–2003) were united by their desire to craft American furniture with timeless heirloom appeal. Today vintage Thayer Coggin sofas, coffee tables, alluring chrome-framed chairs and other furnishings are recognized as masterpieces of good design and remain highly sought after by collectors near and far.
Having both served in the military during World War II and coming from humble backgrounds — Coggin from Denton, North Carolina, and Baughman from Goodland, Kansas (but raised in California) — they shared a passion for simple, modern design in home furnishings. In 1953, after showing his prescient designs to a number of companies (who turned him down) in the furniture center of High Point, North Carolina, Baughman decided to pay a last-minute visit to Coggin, who had just founded his eponymous brand. After a nearly hour-long meeting in which Coggin shot out of his seat exclaiming he had never seen anything like Baughman's work, the two men shook hands. They would be friends and collaborators for the next 50 years.
Coggin let Baughman pursue his singular vision, while the Thayer Coggin company benefited from its close relationship with the ever more prominent Baughman, the manufacturer’s lead designer and an architect of California modernism who also collaborated with Drexel Furniture, Glenn of California and others during his career.
In 1968, New York Times critic Rita Reif hailed Baughman’s work for its elegance and sophistication. “With this furniture,” she wrote of his new collection, Environment 70 produced by Thayer Coggin, “who needs a decorator?” Baughman’s name became synonymous with sleekly modern, comfortable furniture the whole family could enjoy — stylish seating upholstered with impossibly cozy bouclé fabric and dashing case pieces that reflected the venturesome sensibility associated with mid-century modernism as well as the functionality of the Bauhaus.
Although its founder died in 2003, Thayer Coggin remains an esteemed family-run brand in High Point. Each item of furniture is bench-made by a single craftsperson to ensure “continuity among related pieces,” the company says, and comes in a vast array of upholstery fabrics, wood and metal finishes. Like the friendship that defined it, Thayer Coggin furniture is built to last.
Find a unique collection of new and vintage Thayer Coggin furniture today on 1stDibs.
Thayer Coggin Sofa Tropical
By Thayer Coggin
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Velvet
Pair of BENTLEY CHURCHILL Sofas Carol Hicks Bolton Style
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Leather, Cotton
Old Hickory Tannery Settees & Ottoman 3 Piece Set
By Old Hickory Tannery
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a 3 piece set of 2 settees & 1 cocktail table ottoman by Old Hickory Tannery...
Leather, Cotton, Faux Fur
Tomlinson Erwin Lambeth Sofa
By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Cotton
English Style Roll Arm Sofa by Century Furniture
By Century Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Phenomenal spotless camelback English rolled arm and rolled back sofa...
Cotton
French Provincial Louis XV Style Sofa with Serpentine Carved Back
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A French Provincial Louis XV Style Sofa...
Cotton, Wood
George Smith Signature Large 7 Seater Corner Sofa with Velour Floral Upholstery
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare George Smith Signature full scroll arm corner sofa that seats up to seven people Well.. where to begin, what a sofa! This piece is sim...
Upholstery, Beech
COMFORTABLE PAIR OF HOWARD & SON'S STYLE SiLK BLEND FLORAL UPHOLSTEREED SOFAS
By Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Floral Silk blend upholstered three seat Howard & Son's style sofas Please note the de...
Silk, Hardwood
Vintage French Country Sofas in Floral Tapestry – A Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
A monumental pair of vintage French sofas, sourced in Provence. Upholstered in the original floral tapestry fabric woven in shades of ochre, russet, muted blue, sage, and soft gold, the surfaces show both richness of palette and the patina of age. Each base is finished with a bullion fringe in golden yellow, adding decorative weight and a refined edge. When placed together, the pair forms a dramatic armless...
Tapestry, Hardwood
19th Century Pair of Antique Sofas in the Manner of Howard and Sons
Located in Miami, FL
This sofas have high sides and back which is cosy in front of a fire or anywhere. The high sides are sprung and have built in down cushions. This makes them supremely comfortable if ...
Fabric, Walnut
VINTAGE HOWARD & SON'S LONDON BRIDGEWATER LARGE 5 SEAT CORNER SOFA FLORAL FABRiC
By Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this rare, highly collectable Howard & Son's / Howard Chairs LTD London, c...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of George II Style Sofas, Early 20th Century
Located in El Monte, CA
An elegant pair of English George II style camel back sofas with eight finely carved walnut claw and ball feet. Upholstered with Scalamandré beautiful fabric in fair condition.
Upholstery, Walnut
