Designer and architect Greta Magnusson Grossman first gained fame in her native Sweden, where she established her store and workshop and became the first woman to receive a prize for furniture design from the Swedish Society of Industrial Design. In 1940, she married jazz musician Billy Grossman and moved to Los Angeles.
Upon her arrival in Southern California, she opened the Magnusson Grossman Studio on Rodeo Drive and rapidly became popular among the Hollywood elite, including Greta Garbo and Gracie Allen.
In addition to creating iconic furniture and lighting — like the Grasshopper series for Barker Bros. or the Cobra lamp for Ralph O. Smith — Magnusson Grossman designed 14 homes in the Los Angeles area inspired by the Case Study Houses.
Combining her Scandinavian roots with laid-back West Coast style, Magnusson Grossman became a notable contributor to California modernism.
Find a range of vintage Greta Magnusson Grossman table lamps, floor lamps and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Credited for being at the forefront of the West Coast modernist design movement, Glenn of California introduced a relaxed, breezy and elegant style to postwar America. The company was based in Arcadia, California, a city situated near Los Angeles at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. It specialized in the production of easily accessible and reasonably affordable furnishings that included credenzas, chairs, cabinets, tables and more.
However, it wasn’t until Glenn of California hired the prolific American furniture designer Milo Baughman that the company made a name for itself in the annals of American mid-century modern design. Baughman prioritized function — he worked with simple forms and often used sleek, flat-bar chromed metal and natural materials such as walnut in his pieces.
Glenn of California marketed Baughman’s designs along with those of unsung Swedish architect and designer Greta Magnusson Grossman in their successful California Modern collection. The first woman to receive an award from the Swedish Society of Industrial Design, Magnusson Grossman drew on her Scandinavian heritage to create iconic homes as well as furnishings for Glenn and other companies that helped define mid-century-era Southern California. The furniture she and Baughman designed became known for its laid-back Los Angeles style and thoughtful integration of walnut, iron and Formica.
In addition to employing the talents of Baughman and Magnusson Grossman, Glenn of California collaborated with several other notable and influential designers. These included Stanley Young, Kipp Stewart, John Kapel and Paul Laszlo. Laszlo, an American-Hungarian architect, interior designer and furniture designer, was well-regarded among Hollywood’s elite and designed pieces for Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck and Elizabeth Taylor.
While the company is no longer in business, vintage Glenn of California furniture remains highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts.
Discover a range of vintage Glenn of California dressers, dining tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
H 15 in W 62 in D 22 in
Vintage Heywood Wakefield Cherry Wood Coffee Table w/ Drawer for The Cliff House
Located in New York, NY
This solid cherry wood coffee table by Heywood Wakefield was part of a collection called the Cliff House Line designed in the late 1960s for the famous San Francisco Hotel . These de...
Rosewood
H 15.5 in W 66 in D 24 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid-Century American Wooden Expandable Coffee Table
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American wooden coffee table with a smooth veneer in rectangular expandable form revealing a black formica topped center, sitting on two square block supports. (JOHN KEAL...
Wood
H 14.57 in W 52.37 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Luigi Bartolini, Mahogany, 2 drawers - France
By Luigi Bartolini
Located in Girona, Girona
Coffee table with two drawers on one side, mahogany veneer, French polish, nickel-plated metal feet. Designer: Luigi Bartolini - Paris (label), France, circa 1960.
Metal
H 15.16 in W 55.52 in D 20.67 in
Mid-Century Gianfranco Frattini, wooden Coffee Table for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Gianfranco Frattini, wooden Coffee Table for Bernini, Italy, 1960s
Wood
H 15 in W 60 in D 20 in
Mid Century Coffee Table with Drawer Stanley Furniture
By Stanley
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful, mid-century, modern, 1960’s, Danish style, coffee table/ bench, by Stanley Furniture. The perfect length to pair with an extra long sofa, in great original condition. Fe...
Walnut
H 11.03 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
Mid Century Modern Vintage Wood Coffee Table Sofa Table Johannes Spalt Vienna
By Johannes Spalt
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage brown coffee table or sofa table from wood designed by Johannes Spalt, 1961, Vienna. The presented Coffee table was made of solid and veneered oakwood, bee...
Metal
H 16.5 in W 59.5 in D 16 in
Mid Century Kipp Stewart Drexel Coffee Table Bench
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful, mid-century, modern, retro, 1960’s, Danish style, coffee table/ bench, by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel, from the Declaration series. The perfect length...
Walnut
H 14.5 in W 56 in D 19 in
Lane Acclaim Series Mid Century Modern 56" Coffee Table Andre Bus 1960s
By Andre Bus, Lane Acclaim
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An iconic Lane Acclaim series Mid-Century Modern coffee table from the 1960’s. Designed by Andre Bus under the supervision of Warren Church. Walnut veneers with solid ash, the rectan...
Ash, Walnut
H 15 in W 62 in D 16.5 in
Henredon Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table, One Drawer, USA, 1960
By Henredon
Located in Charleston, SC
Mid-Century Modern stunning solid walnut grain long bench coffee table with rolled edges and one drawer similar to Edward Wormley for Dunbar bench. Elevate any space with the timele...
Walnut
H 15 in W 22 in D 48 in
Mid Century Modern Bench Style Teak Coffee Table with Drawers
By Clausen & Søn
Located in East Freetown, MA
Mid Century Danish Modern teak bench style coffee table. Table has two drawers one on either end. Teak top with black base. Attributed to Cla...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Yngve Ekstrom for Westbergs Mobler
By Yngve Ekström
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Yngve Ekstrom for Westbergs Mobler
Wood, Oak, Teak
Expertly Restored - Johannes Andersen Extending Teak Coffee Table
By Johannes Andersen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
___________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. W...
Teak, Wood
California Modern Slatted Bench / Coffee Table by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut Wood, New Tweed Fabric, New High-Density Foam ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing histo...
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Drexel “Declaration” Walnut Coffee Table by Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
By Drexel, Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Brass Pull Handles ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we ...
Brass
Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Modern Two-Tone Lacquered Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
_____________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With ov...
Walnut, Wood
Jack Cartwright Steel & Walnut Coffee Table for Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With...
Steel
