American designer Lawrence Peabody imbued his mid-century modern furniture with flair and style. His vintage lounge chairs, side tables and credenzas feature sleek silhouettes and chic curves. At the same time, every piece has an easy and comfortable appeal reflective of a designer known to be humble and pragmatic.
Peabody was born in 1924 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. As a young man, the story goes, he joined the Navy partly because he found the uniforms aesthetically appealing. After World War II, Peabody used the benefits offered by the G.I. Bill to attend the Rhode Island School of Design. There, he studied under Austrian designer Ernst Lichtblau, who introduced Peabody to the Bauhaus style.
After completing his studies in America, Peabody moved to Denmark and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Here, he met his wife, Bette, who he married in 1952. By 1955, Peabody had moved back to America and settled in Boston, where he created Danish-inspired seating for the Selig furniture company and opened a design firm called Lawrence Peabody & Associates.
One of the firm's earliest designs was a walnut and rattan cradle chair for Richardson Nemschoff, which earned the 1962 International Design Award. Peabody became known for using walnut in his work and drew on Scandinavian modernist influences in his designs.
For the next three decades, Lawrence Peabody & Associates developed an extensive client list that included names like Kohler, Richardson Brothers, Chapman Lamps and Boyd Lighting.
Throughout his life and career, Peabody also developed a love of Haiti and Haitian art. On one trip to Port-Au-Prince, he met and befriended a man named Dewitt Peters, founder of Le Centre d'art, a haven for local artists. Peabody and Dewitt collaborated to promote handcrafted Haitian art and furniture at overseas museums. Peabody even became one of the organization's directors. He eventually purchased a home in Port-Au-Prince and spent much time there later in life.
Today, Craft Associates Furniture holds the license to produce Peabody designs.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Lawrence Peabody seating, tables, storage cabinets and other furniture.
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 64 wide x 18 deep x 30.25 inches high The hutch measures: 64 wide x...
Cane, Glass, Walnut
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza and Hutch
By Harvey Probber
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Harvey Probber Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 70.5 wide x 18 deep x 30.25 inches high The hutch measures: 56.75 wide x 14 deep x 52.75 inch...
Brass
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Curved Walnut Credenza and Hutch
By Young Manufacturing Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Young Manufacturing Mid Century Curved Walnut Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 64 wide x 19 deep x 32.25 inches high The hutch measures: 60 wide x 12.5 deep x 49.25 inches ...
Glass, Walnut
Lawrence Peabody for Nemschoff Mid Century Secretary Desk Bar Credenza
By Nemschoff, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lawrence Peabody for Nemschoff Mid Century Secretary Desk Bar Credenza The bottom of the secretary measures: 58 wide x 19.25 deep x 30 inc...
Cane, Wood
Barney Flagg for Drexel Parallel Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch
By Drexel, Barney Flagg
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barney Flagg for Drexel Parallel Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 72 wide x 20 deep x 32 inches high The hutch measures: 59.5 wide x 12 deep x 4...
Cane, Walnut
Lawrence Peabody for Nemschoff Mid Century Walnut Dresser Chest
By Lawrence Peabody, Nemschoff
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lawrence Peabody for Nemschoff Mid Century Walnut Dresser Chest This chest measures: 41.75 wide x 19.25 deep x 30.25 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...
Walnut
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Walnut Credenza With Hutch
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this outstanding Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Walnut Credenza With Hutch. The top is removable.
Walnut
Three-Piece George Nelson Cabinetry Display Case Unit
By George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Two small chests support the glass front display unit, vitrine. This versatile set can be used as shown, or separated into two dressers and a long glass display case. Selling three p...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern walnut sliding doors cabinet bookcase.
Glass
Mid-Century Danish Buffet Cabinet in Walnut & Beechwood, Circa 1940-50
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 20th Century, vintage Mid-Century modern Danish dining room cabinet made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Walnut, in good condition. The Scandinavian cupboard is composed ...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Walnut China Cabinet Buffet Hutch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful, retro Mid-Century Modern detailed proportioned walnut buffet China cabinet in great original condition. The hutch is one solid-piece, featuring two sliding glass doors on ...
Glass, Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut Credenza or Bookcase with Glass Doors by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Presenting a stunning vintage walnut credenza or bookcase, a true gem designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the vibrant era of the 1960s. This piece showcases...
Brass
