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.
1960s Arne Vodder Attributed 2 Seater Lounger Sofa in Green Mohair
By Arne Vodder
Located in Charleston, SC
A stunning sculptural Danish 2 seater sofa in the style of Arne Vodder. Teak frame with subtly scooped and curved arms and a base that makes it appear to be floating. The cushions ar...
Metal
$1,665
H 31.89 in W 70.08 in D 33.86 in
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green furniture velour, ash wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green furniture velour, ash wood legs and armrests, brass springs in the seat. Original good condition: no smells, no stains and stable construc...
Velvet, Ash
Danish Mid-Century Style 4-Seat Green Woven Upholstery Sofa
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century style 4-seat sofa in a blended green tweed upholstery with a curved back and teak accents on the arms and base
Danish 1950s Sofa in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on beech wood legs remai...
Wool, Mahogany
$3,750
H 30.75 in W 64 in D 28 in
Danish 1950s Settee or Loveseat in Green Wool in the Style of Peter Hvidt
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant lines very much in the style of the early Danish iconic Designer, Peter Hvidt made circa 1950. Back and seat nice and firm and frame on Cuban mahogany legs r...
Wool, Mahogany
Sofa Greaves Thomas Midcentury Green
By Greaves and Thomas
Located in Otley, GB
A rare 1960s Greaves & Thomas sofa, highly prized by collectors for its distinctive organic silhouette. The three seater sofa has beautiful curved sides & deep button tufting on the ...
Wool
Midcentury Sofa Green Three Seater Danish Fully Refurbished
By Folke Ohlsson
Located in Otley, GB
This exceptional midcentury sofa, designed by Danish Folke Ohlsson & manufactured by British Gimson & Slater, has a beautifully shaped restored teak frame. The seating has been profe...
Wool, Teak
Ward Bennett Style Mid Century Green Mohair Sofa Settee
By Ward Bennett
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ward Bennett Style Mid Century Green Mohair Sofa Settee This sofa measures: 61 wide x 29 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches Great Vintage Condition - Mohair h...
Upholstery, Wood, Mohair
$6,950
H 29.53 in W 93.71 in D 36.23 in
Scandinavian Four-Seater Green Sofa, Scandinavia Mid-20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Scandinavian four-seater sofa recalls the peak of Nordic mid-century modern design. Thanks to its geometric shape and slim, tapered legs, it is exceptionally cosy and ...
Fabric, Wood
Large Scale Boomerang Sofa, by Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Adrian Pearsall's famous "boomerang" sofa, this mrare model constructed of recently polished walnut, and supporting a freshly upholstered back and seat done in a grey boucle fabric. ...
Walnut
Danish Four Seat Sofa in Teak and Moss Green Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, teak, fabric, Denmark, 1950s Typical Scandinavian Modern sofa with modest yet striking lines. The triangular silhouette of the armrests underlines the modern dimensions of thi...
Fabric, Teak
Mid-Century Modern Italian Two Seater Sofa in Green Velvet and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Two seater sofa, velvet fabric, mahogany, Italy, 1950s An Italian sofa from the 1950s, its shape is characteristic of postwar modern design. The armrests are striking in their desig...
Fabric, Mahogany
Adrian Pearsall Grand Boomerang Sofa in Grey Pierre Frey Bouclé
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, 'Boomerang' sofa, model '1600-S', Pierre Frey 'Louison' bouclé, walnut, United States, 1960s This exceptional Boomerang sofa, designed by Adria...
Bouclé, Walnut
1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa in Moss Green Velvet and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, velvet, brass, Italy, 1950s This gorgeous sofa is an iconic example of Italian design from the 1950s. Organic and sculptural, this sofa is anything but minimalistic. Equipped ...
Brass
Italian Curved Three-Seat Sofa in Light Green Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric and wood, Italy, 1950s. Simplistic Italian sofa with clean lines and a high back. The sofa features small tapered wooden legs. The high back embraces the sitter in com...
Fabric, Wood
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena 'Toro' Sofa in Dark Forest Green Upholstery
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, 'Toro' sofa, model ‘P20B', fabric, metal, Italy, 1979 This sofa model 'P20B Toro' is designed by Luigi Caccio Dominioni in Milan and produced by ...
Metal
Gunnel Nyman was known as a glass artist, but this piece is a striking example of her early training in furniture design.
With its grid-like doors and wavy trim, the 1940s design feels as fresh as ever.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
