Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Gondola Sofa 2408
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates sculptural sofa 2408 Offered is a beautifully all original 'Gondola' sofa (model 2408) designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft A...
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2408-S Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates 2408-S Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 102 wide x 33 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height of ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Unavailable
H 32 in W 102 in D 34.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall 2408 Platform Sofa Fully Restored
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in San Marcos, CA
This is a beautiful and authentic Adrian Pearsall 2408 sofa circa 1960’s. It has been fully restored with all new foam, straps and fabric.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall 2408-S Gondola Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Topeka, KS
Amazing gondola style sofa model 2408-S by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. It is in wonderful vintage condition.
Fabric, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sofa, Model 2408
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
This Adrian Pearsall sofa for Craft Associates is in excellent fully restored condition. It boasts hand cut high grade foam. Extremely comfortable, newly upholstered in linen. Splend...
Linen, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sofa, Model 2408
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates sofa in excellent, fully restored condition. It boasts handcut high grade foam. Extremely comfortable, newly upholstered in off white twill by Ho...
Linen, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sofa, Model 2408
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
This Adrian Pearsall sofa for craft associates is in excellent fully restored condition. It boasts handcut high grade foam. Extremely comfortable, newly upholstered in off white twil...
Linen, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Sofa - Couch 2408-S for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Adrian Pearsall Sofa - Couch 2408-S for Craft Associates.
Walnut, Fabric
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sculptural Sofa - Model 2408
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Round Rock, TX
Beautiful sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, c. 1960s. Model 2408 shows off its sculptural solid walnut base from every angle and is no wonder it’s as iconic as m...
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola" Sofa Model 2408 for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern sofa made by Craft Associates, designed by Adrian Pearsall reflects the stunning sleek, elegant lines of Mid-Century design while remaining highly appropri...
Walnut, Ultrasuede
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Model 2408-S Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. This 2408-S model sofa or often referred to as the “gondola sofa” was made circa 1950s.
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Sofa, Model 2408 by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 1960
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A sofa, model 2408 by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 1960.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 101 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculptural Sofa 2408
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a beautiful Mid-Century Modern sofa (model 2408), designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 26 in W 103 in D 32.5 in
Extra Long Adrian Pearsall Sofa for Crafts Associates, Model 2408, 1960
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
An Adrian Pearsall sofa for Crafts Associates, model 2408, with sculptural walnut leg supports.
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 27.5 in W 102 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Gondola Sofa 2408
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a beautifully restored 'Gondola' sofa (model 2408) designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Model 2408-S Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century model no. 2408-S sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1960s.
Fabric, Velvet, Foam, Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 27.56 in W 102.37 in
Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola" Sofa for Craft Associates in Original Condition 2408
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare original condition on this Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola" sofa for Craft Associates.
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 18.5 in W 103 in D 31.5 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Model 2408 MCM Sleigh Leg Gondola Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Model 2408 Mid Century sleigh leg gondola sofa Sofa measures: 103 wide x 31.5 deep x 18.5 high, with a seat height of 18 inches and arm height o...
Upholstery, Wood
Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola" Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully restored Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola" sofa model 2408 for Craft Associates.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Gondola Sofa, Model 2408
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Westport, CT
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates sofa in excellent, fully restored condition. It boasts handcut high grade foam. Newly upholstered in great plains soft off-white velvet by Holly ...
Walnut, Velvet
Adrian Pearsall Gondola Sofa for Craft Associates Model 2408-S
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Dallas, TX
Blue Adrian Pearsall Gondola sofa from Craft Associates Model 2408-S.
Adrian Pearsall Model 2408 Sofa for Craft Associates, 1960s
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A sleek and modern Adrian Pearsall Model 2408 sofa for Craft Associates. Structurally sound, new upholstery recommended.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Sofas for Craft Associates Inc., Model 2408-S
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Condition: These Adrian Pearsall sofas for Craft Associates Inc., Model 2408-S are in very good restored condition.
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sofa 2408
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Wilmington, DE
This sofa was designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Features sculpted walnut legs and has been reupholstered by the previous owner, who added extra throw pillows as well....
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 27.5 in W 102 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Craft Associates Sculpted Gondola Sofa 2408
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a beautifully restored 'Gondola' sofa (model 2408) designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid Century Lounge Chair by Adrian Pearsall Model 2406
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This is an all original Mid Century lounge chair by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. Model 2406. The super clean lines and beautiful sculpted walnut base, make this one of Pear...
Fabric, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall 2408-S Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Long Beach, CA
Beautiful sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates. The open space between the backrest and the arms is very unique, and with the arm bolsters in place the couch almost ...
Adrian Pearsall 2408-S Sofa for Craft Associates
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Cambridge, MA
This gondola style sofa is classic Adrian Pearsall at his best. The sculpted cradle base is walnut. The beautiful form and spectacular lines create a very dramatic effect. This is...
Walnut, Upholstery
Sofa model 2408-S by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Expertly reupholstered.
Walnut, Upholstery
Sofa, Model 2408 by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Chicago, IL
Sofa, model 2408 by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates.
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Baltimore, MD
Classic Adrian Pearsall model 2408-S sofa. New symmetrical tufted upholstery in soft slate material.
Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Sofa
Located in Baltimore, MD
Classic Adrian Pearsall model 2408-S sofa. New symmetrical tufted upholstery in soft slate material.
Walnut
$12,501Sale Price / set|45% Off
H 27 in W 103 in D 31 in
Adrian Pearsall for Kroehler MFG Co Sofa and Two Matching Armchairs
By Adrian Pearsall, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Sarasota, FL
Adrian Pearsall for Kroehler Manufacturing Co RARE matching atomic sofa set with sofa and two arm chairs in the original upholstery from their 'American Leisure Collection'. Original...
Fabric, Walnut
1960's Mid-Century Modern Walnut Arm Paw Sofa In Knoll Textiles
By George Nelson, Jens Risom, Hans J. Wegner, Knoll
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1960's Mid Century Modern sofa for sale. It has been professionally reupholstered in Knoll Textiles' Cato fabric in the blue colorwave that goes for $214 a yard. The fabric i...
Wool, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall mid century cloud sofa Sofa measures: 124 wide x 72 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition. That ...
Upholstery, Wood
Mid Century Modern Josef Otmar Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Otmar
Located in Raleigh, NC
Exceptional mid-century modern gondola sofa by celebrated designer Josef Otmar, featuring his signature flowing lines and masterful woodworking. This stunning piece showcases the sc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Sofa This sofa measures: 97 wide x 33 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 28 inches Fair Vintage Conditio...
Upholstery, Walnut
$17,027
H 31.5 in W 102.37 in D 34.26 in
Adrian Pearsall 'Gondola Sofa' in Brown Fabric for Craft Associates, USA, 1950s
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Berlin, DE
A long, low sofa with Pearsall’s characteristic open structure, the iconic model 2408 pairs generous upholstered volumes with a sculptural walnut frame. Its partly open back and angl...
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,500
H 27 in W 100 in D 34 in
Mid Century Fully Restored Adrian Pearsall Style Gondola Sofa c.1960's
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century Modern Gondola Sofa in the Style of Adrian Pearsall c.1960’s. Fully restored top to bottom, all new foam, and upholstered in quality dark teal chenille fabric. Walnut tri...
Chenille, Walnut
$4,200
H 25.5 in W 100 in D 32.5 in
Rare and Exceptional Mid Century Walnut Four Seat Sofa from John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A phenomenal mid century wood framed sofa originally purchased from John Stuart in New York City in 1959. Elegant frame with slightly angled arms ending in one piece with the legs- s...
Walnut
$8,450
H 25 in W 78 in D 33.5 in
Rare Three Seat Platform Sofa, Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates, USA, c. 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Deland, FL
Designed by the incomparable Adrian Pearsall, this iconic platform sofa is the epitome of functional art. Audacious in it's scope, shape and materials used this three-seater sofa is ...
Fabric, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa This sofa measures: 123 wide x 70 deep x 30.75 inches high, with a seat height of 13.5 and arm height of 21 inches Great...
Upholstery, Wood
$5,895
H 27.75 in W 105 in D 32.5 in
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 105 wide x 32.5 deep x 27.75 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 20 inch...
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Walnut Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 92 wide x 35 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height of 21 inches All pieces of fur...
Upholstery, Walnut
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Gondola Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Gondola Sofa This sofa measures: 104 wide x 33 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 21 inches Good Vin...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,250
H 26 in W 96 in D 32 in
Wonderful Adrian Pearsall Style Tufted Gondola Sofa Walnut Mid-Century Modern
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome Adrian Pearsall style tufted gondola shaped sofa with walnut trim and legs. This sofa will need to be re-upholstered but foam is still comfortable and soft. We love the deep...
Upholstery, Walnut
$9,995
H 29.5 in W 120 in D 31 in
Mid-Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Platform Sofa, 1960s Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Raleigh, NC
This exceptional Adrian Pearsall platform sofa showcases the renowned mid-century modern designer's signature floating aesthetic with integrated walnut end tables elegantly positione...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut “Gondola” Sofa After Adrian Pearsall, 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Inspired by the celebrated designs of Adrian Pearsall, this vintage walnut Gondola sofa captures the sculptural spirit that made his work an enduring icon of American mid-century mod...
Fabric, Walnut
$7,950 / set
H 30.32 in W 26.78 in D 29.53 in
1940s Kozelka & Kropacek Armchairs in Texel Sheepskin & Brown Patinated Frame
By Karel Kozelka & Antonin Kropacek, Jindřich Halabala
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century Czech design by Kozelka & Kropacek, reupholstered in luxurious Texel sheepskin with warm brown patinated bentwood frames. Comfort, craftsmanship, and timeless style. De...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Bentwood
Very Large Massimo Vignelli for Venini 'Cipolla' Onion Glass Pendant
By Massimo Vignelli, Venini
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This pendant was designed by Italian designer and architect Massimo Vignelli. Inspired by an onion, this model is called the Cipolla, and was created in two sizes. At 18", this is th...
Metal, Brass
Art Deco Standing Ashtray with Illuminating Light
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning Art Deco standing ash tray having blue glass. Polished nickel frame having three blue glass ash trays with covers.
$7,900 / set
H 30.5 in W 28.5 in D 31.5 in
Original Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Swivel and Tilt Scoop Chairs 1970's
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An iconic pair of swivel and tilt chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Chairs are every bit as comfortable as they are good looking. Rare to find time capsules with or...
Upholstery, Walnut
De Sede Large Daybed or Lounge Set in Patinated Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, daybed, leather, Switzerland, 1970s This De Sede daybed/lounge set includes two parts: a lounge seat and an additional ottoman-style section, allowing for versatile configu...
Leather
$26,800Sale Price|21% Off
H 29.5 in W 75 in D 36 in
'Mole' Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Sergio Rodrigues for OCA Brazil, 1960s, Signed
By Sergio Rodrigues, OCA Brazil
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare signed example of the 'Mole' sofa by Sergio Rodrigues, produced by OCA Brazil in the 1960s (see image gallery for a photo of the OCA stamp). This Mole sofa has an expansive am...
Rosewood, Leather
$8,485Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 29.14 in W 19.49 in D 20.48 in
Space Age Vintage Sculptural White Plastic Dining Room Set Finland 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage Dining Room Set consists of a circular like dining table and six matching sculptural dining chairs from white lacquered fiberglass 1970s by HT-Collection, Finland...
Fiberglass
$4,250 / item
H 30.71 in W 39.38 in D 28.75 in
The Laziness Armchair in Brazilian Solid Wood and Leather with rocking footstool
By Amilcar Oliveira
Located in São Paulo, SP
Laziness is a laid-back and spacious rocking armchair, crafted for sitting/lying down and unwinding. The low seat height from the ground draws inspiration from Japanese rocking chair...
Alabaster
Antique English Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late Victorian antique English stained glass window, circa 1900. We are also selling a second window in the same design. This colourful stained glass window is tall in scale and c...
Glass, Stained Glass, Pine
$2,200
H 28 in W 28 in D 31 in
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome and Flokati Faux Fur Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Chrome and Flokati Faux Fur Lounge Chair.
Chrome
$25,770
H 24.81 in W 171.66 in D 75.6 in
Sofa, Modular Upholstered, 7-Piece Configuration, Reflective Brown Fabric, Italy
By Piero Lissoni, Living Divani
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Sofa, Modular Upholstered Design, 7-Piece Configuration, Reflective Brown Fabric, Italy TITLE: ExtraSoft Sofa DESIGNER: Piero Lissoni STYLE: Modern MATERIALS: Fabric, Polyurethane F...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Lacquered Coffee Table
By Gracie
Located in Greenwich, CT
A sleek black lacquer coffee table by Gracie and Co. incorporating 19th or early 20th Century Japanese lacquer panels depicting lakeside scenes of cranes and bamboo in gold, with two...
Lacquer
$1,535Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
Large brutalist Murano glass wall lamp by Toni Zuccheri, Italy, 60s
By Toni Zuccheri
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large piece of multicolored Murano glass with an organic shape in brutalist style, attached to a silver chrome metal base. The diffuser is rough inside, creating an unique lighting e...
Metal, Chrome
Modernist architect sofa, The Netherlands, 1970s
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A Dutch vintage sofa from the 1970s, featuring a substantial wooden frame with angular armrests and dark upholstered cushions. Its low proportions and distinctive construction give t...
Wood
Authentic 19th Century French Carved Stone Lion Fountain Element
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Originally a wall-mounted fountain element that was paired with a basin in France during the 1800s, this highly carved limestone depicts a lion’s face....
Stone, Limestone
$15,079 / item
H 72 in W 65 in D 24 in
Amuneal’s Collector's Hanging 2 Bay Brass and Glass Shelving Unit
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
This Wall Hanging Brass and Glass Shelving Unit is part of Amuneal’s Collector’s Shelving System and features our precision machined brass fittings and tubes in a hand applied warm b...
Brass
Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American chairs, sofas and other furniture of the 1950s and ’60s. For verve and vivacity of form, he surpasses even Vladimir Kagan — whose work is the emblem of swinging, sexy mid-20th century modernism. Pearsall gave his imagination free rein, and his flamboyant, eye-catching styles are icons of what has become known as “Atomic Age” design.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois before opening his Pennsylvania furniture company, Craft Associates, in 1952, and that training shows in many designs.
A Pearsall trademark, for example, is a lounge chair with an exceptionally tall, trapezoidal back, which give the pieces a skyscraper-like silhouette. Pearsall also had a talent for so-called Gondola sofas — long, low-slung pieces with upswept ends. Many of Pearsall’s sofas and chairs are supported not by legs, but on gently arced walnut skids.
Pearsall had a gift for tables, too, in particular glass-topped side tables and coffee tables with frames that have the look of an Alexander Calder stabile. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
Find vintage Adrian Pearsall sofas, armchairs, coffee tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Vintage couches and antique sofas have anchored living rooms for generations. The pieces most sought after today carry the deep-buttoned tufting of a Chesterfield or the low, sculptural ease of mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency design.
Styles to Know
Rolled arms and tufted backs point to Mid-Century Modern or Hollywood Regency pieces, while tight backs and turned legs skew more traditional. Velvet is enjoying a renewed moment across most of these silhouettes; see our velvet chesterfield sofa trend report for examples. A mid-century modern coffee table within reach and a vintage mirror nearby round out the seating area.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Sofa
A sofa's frame and upholstery history can be difficult to judge from photographs alone. Ask a seller for more information when a listing doesn't show the fabric or joinery clearly, and confirm whether the upholstery is original or has been redone. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and the 1stDibs Promise stands behind every purchase.