Born in Vienna, Paul Frankl came to the United States in 1914 as part of a wave of Central European design luminaries — among them Kem Weber, Rudolph Schindler, and Richard Neutra — who were drawn by the energy and optimism of the American scene. Prolific and protean, Frankl would go on to design furnishings that are emblematic of nearly every key stylistic chord in American modernism, from the streamlined Art Deco to free-form organic shapes.
Frankl's Skyscraper cabinets, bookcases and more — introduced in 1924 — are his earliest and best-known designs (and the work by which he is most often represented in institutions, such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art). Tall and narrow, the pieces have staggered shelves meant to mimic the setbacks of Manhattan office towers. A later visually expressive line — the Speed chairs and sofas, which have a raked profile suggesting motion — links Frankl to Donald Deskey, Raymond Loewy and other creators of Streamline Moderne design.
Frankl moved to Los Angeles in 1934 and luxuriated in the climate and lifestyle. His designs became lighter and simpler and found an audience among the Hollywood élite. (Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant and Fred Astaire were clients.) Fascinated by Asian arts, Frankl produced numerous pieces — tabletops with edges that curve upward; sofas, chairs and other seating with rattan frames — inspired by Chinese and Japanese forms and materials. In the 1940s, Frankl became one of the first designers to incorporate free-form, biomorphic shapes in his work, as well as novel upholstery fabrics such as denim and nubby wool.
Frankl biographer Christopher Long argues that the designer’s easy, elegant aesthetic had an enormous influence on movie set design. As the furniture below attests, Paul Frankl’s work is ready for its close-up.
Find vintage Paul Frankl tables, dining chairs, case pieces and storage cabinets on 1stDibs.
Fully Upholstered Parsons Style Vanity Stool
Located in Pasadena, TX
This stool is made in the Milo Baughman style. Its fully upholstered and made in a Parsons Style. It has a short back. Reupholstery strongly recommended.
Upholstery
Paul Frankl Style Vanity Stool Upholstered in Shearling
By Paul Frankl
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A most elegant and thoughtful way to celebrate your "me" time. Make yourself comfortable in silky soft shearling and enjoy the ritual of tending to you. A beautiful and sculptural vanity...
Fur, Hide, Leather, Wood, Lacquer
1970s Mid Century Modern Swivel Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern swivel stool designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1970s. This stool is truly a work of art, with a wooden base allowing you to swivel 360 degrees. ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Vanity Swivel Chair By Edward Wormley For Drexel
By Edward Wormley, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This swivel vanity chair was designed by American designer Edward Wormley for Drexel's notable Precedent line, one of the few collections Edward Wormley produced outside of his work ...
Mohair, Mahogany
Swivel Seat Stool by Frederick Weinberg
By Frederic Weinberg
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stool having a sinuous steel base with a floating round foot rail supporting a swiveling leather upholstered seat.
Steel
$8,800
H 30 in W 20 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bleached Mahogany & Cane Swivel Vanity Stool c. 1950
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Beautiful and elegant as ever mid century vanity stool designed by Edward Wormely and produced by Dunbar in the 1950s. The caning is ori...
Cane, Mahogany, Mohair, Upholstery
Skye Barstool by DISC Interiors x Lawson-Fenning
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Skye Barstool features a sculptural silhouette and inspired upholstery details. The DISC Interiors x LF six-piece capsule collection pulls design inspiration from the romance of...
Upholstery, Oak
George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
George Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.
Aluminum
Willy Rizzo Inspired Counter Stool
Located in New York, NY
Custom counter or bar stool in the manner of Willy Rizzo, upholstered cream leather. x1 showroom model available and displayed in our NYC showroom.
Steel
$1,647
H 21.26 in W 16.15 in D 18.51 in
Mid-Century Vanity Stool in Birch & White Wool, Sope-Rahi, Sope Kaluste Oy 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful light weight vanity stool manufactured named the Sope-Rahi (Sope stool) by Sope Kaluste Oy, one of the main furniture manufacturers in Finland during the mid 1900s. A per...
Fabric, Wood
Brass Swivel Vanity Stool in the Manner of Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1970’s Glamorous polish brass swivel vanity stool in the manner of Charles Hollis Jones. New brown with a metallic silver sheen fabric. Measurements: 16” diameter, 20” high.
Brass
Chrome and Olive Green Leather Swivel Vanity Stool by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1970’s swivel polish chrome vanity stool, part of the “Ball Line” by American renowned designer Charles Hollis Jones. Out of an Arthur Elrod Desi...
Chrome
Swivel Lounge Chairs Designed by Phillip Enfield
By Phillip Enfield
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of swivel lounge chairs by Phillip Enfield. Stainless steel base with newly reupholstered Shagreen leather. These gorgeous chairs swivel 360°, circa 1960s
Stainless Steel
Pair of “Onassis” Barstools in Dowelwood & Boucle by Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of glamorous 1980’s “Onassis”Barstools by Karl Springer. Constructed of dowelwood with an amber packer finish and aged bronze footrests, the seats are newly recovered in Itali...
Bronze
Polish Aluminum and Leather Swivel Barstool by Design For Leisure
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s polish aluminum and off white leather swivel barstool by Design fo Leisure. In beautiful original condition, with minor wear consistent with age. The frame is all polish al...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Goatskin and Fabric Regency Lounge Chair in the Manner of Karl Springer
By Karl Springer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Spectacular 1980’s Regency lounge chair in the manner of Karl Springer. Out of an estate design by Steve Chase. In original condition, so it shows minor wear consistent with age. ...
Goatskin, Fabric, Wood
