In its inaugural days, iconic mid-century modern furniture brand Craft Associates was largely the work of founder and forward-thinking designer Adrian Pearsall and his wife, Dorie. The pair assembled sexy, stylish furniture in their Pennsylvania basement that they later sold from the back of a truck to the era’s marquee department stores in Philadelphia and New York City.
The New York–born Pearsall (1925–2011) served in the Navy before earning his architectural engineering degree from the University of Illinois in 1950. He abandoned architecture after only a couple of years and turned instead to furniture design, opening Craft Associates in 1952 to sell his sophisticated living room seating, dining room furnishings and more. Flush with dynamic angles and clean lines, Pearsall’s sculptural, expressive designs — coffee tables, luxurious lounge chairs and more — helped define the style of the Atomic Age. With the help of Dorie and working in partnership with his brother Richard, Pearsall oversaw the expansion of Craft Associates into a leading employer of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, with popular furniture including architecturally striking tables as well as plush beanbag chairs.
From Craft, there was Pearsall’s low-slung Gondola sofa, which embraces the sitter with its enveloping, geometrically rich form, his range of glass-topped tables — most boasting provocatively shaped wood slabs that serve as bases — as well as his skinny, high-backed upholstered walnut armchairs. Pearsall drew on his background in architecture for the organic and eye-catching structures of these pieces in addition to his larger scale work. One of his biggest projects was the complete design of his family’s 10,000-square-foot Pennsylvania home in Forty Fort, which boasted an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and ice cream bar.
After growing his business to 800 employees, Pearsall sold Craft Associates in 1968 to Lane Furniture, which continued producing his pieces into the late 1970s before halting production. With business partner John Graham, Pearsall established a new company, Comfort Designs, in the 1970s, while also devoting time to his lifelong hobbies of sailing and restoring classic yachts.
A company called New Craft Associates revived Pearsall’s brand’s name, referencing mid-century-era furniture design in its current projects while not formally associated with Pearsall or his family. Restoration Hardware has also reissued some of his Craft Associates designs, with Pearsall and his company’s distinctive furniture remaining popular statement pieces adaptable to any home.
Find a range of vintage Craft Associates furniture on 1stDibs.
CraftAssociates Dining Chairs, Modern Upholstered Dining Chairs, Barricas, Oak
By Laura Trenchard, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Modern Upholstered Dining Chairs, Barricas, Oak These Modern Upholstered Dining Chairs are part of the "Barricas Series" for Craft As...
Fabric, Oak
Craft Associates Dining Chairs, Barricas Modern Oak Dining Chairs, Upholstered
By Craft Associates, Laura Trenchard
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Dinning Chairs, Barricas Modern Oak Dining Chairs, Upholstered These Modern Upholstered Oak Dining Chairs are part of the "Ba...
Fabric, Oak
CraftAssociates Dinning Chairs, Barricas Modern Oak Dining Chair, Upholstered
By Laura Trenchard, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
CraftAssociates Dinning Chairs, Barricas Modern Oak Dining Chair, Upholstered These Modern Upholstered Oak Dining Chairs are part of the "Barricas Series" for Craft Associates Furni...
Fabric, Oak
Peabody Modern Dining Chairs
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Lawrence Peabody modern white dining chairs for Craft Associates furniture These Lawrence Peabody modern white dining chairs for Craft Associates furniture are expertly handcrafted and upholstered. These Peabody chairs are licensed reintroductions for Craft Associates. These chairs are solid maple with each frame hand steamed and bent. The price includes our standard leather or fabric seat. The wood is finished with a beautiful matte lacquer in white. Craft Associates furniture is proud each modern piece is made in the US. We strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. We use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product. "The U.S. would profit by the example of the Danes, whose great work in furniture design is the result of combining proficient craftsmanship, fine design and technical skill. The Danes do more than sell arts and crafts in their distinguished work, they sell Denmark." - Lawrence Peabody, 1957 Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Maple, leather or fabric History: Lawrence “Larry” Peabody (1924-2002) was an architect, interior designer and furniture designer. As an American born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, his distinctive design were often influenced by his Scandinavian roots. Lawrence studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark and at the Rhode Island School of Design. His early career with Selig Mfg. Co. was prolific and helped put both himself and Selig on the map for modern furniture. He then started Lawrence Peabody & Associates in 1955, a design firm in Boston which included a vast client list (Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kohler, Regal Rugs, Boyd Lighting, Chapman Lamps, and Richardson Brothers). In 1961, Mr. Peabody won a Citation for Merit for his Peabody collection for Richardson/ Nemschoff. Winner of the 1962 International A.I.D. design award for his wood frame rattan cradle...
Maple
Modern Dining Chairs, 1901 for Craft Associates Furniture
By Craft Associates, Laura Trenchard
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Modern dining chairs, 1901 for Craft Associates Furniture are expertly handcrafted. Each chair base is constructed by hand from hard wood. T...
Leather, Ziricote
Bertu Dining Chairs, Chili Modern Dining Chair, Wood, Upholstered
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Dining Chairs, Chili Modern Dining Chair, Wood, Upholstered This Chile Modern Wood Dining Chair is beautifully constructed from solid ...
Wood, Oak, Walnut
Alea Chair
Located in London, GB
Designed by Hannes Peer for SEM, Alea is part of the Paesaggio collection, a series that reflects a refined balance between sculptural form and everyday functionality. The chair off...
Leather, Ash
Set of 2, Sieni Chairs by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Sieni chairs by Made By Choice with Michael Yarinsky Dimensions: 40 x 40 x 65 cm Materials: solid oak, birch plywood Also available: natural oak / painted black Sie...
Birch, Oak, Plywood
Ode Chair by Sizar Alexis
By Sizar Alexis
Located in Geneve, CH
Ode chair by Sizar Alexis Signed and Numered Edition of 12 Dimensions: Length 45 x width 55 x height 74 cm Materials: Burned pine wood The hexagon has more to it than we think, and some of the aspects of this shape are still mysterious. The series is an ode to the aesthetics that I fell in love with in a geometrical sculptural works of art and the interesting perfect form of the historical hexagon. It's fascinating how hexagons are part of our life but fail to realize this. It all comes down to the element that is present throughout our body, and that is carbon. The use of the form dates back to ancient mesopotamia...
Pine
Pair of Post-Modern Dining Chairs in Solid Ash Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, ash, Europe, 1980s Striking pair of dining chairs, made in Europe in the 1980s. These chairs showcase beauty and strength due to their material, solid ash woo...
Ash
Mod Cantilevered Dining Armchairs
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Set of four mod cantilevered dining armchairs with polished chrome frame, a variation of the 'Rye' chair by Ralph K. Rye for Dunbar, newly upholstere...
Chrome
Bonnie Chair with armrests
By CPRN HOMOOD
Located in Ponsacco, IT
This chair with armrests features a contemporary silhouette defined by clean lines and a balanced sculptural form. Its solid legs support a generous seat and backrest designed for co...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
