Rare Adrian Pearsall Wingback Lounge Chair

Adrian Pearsall's style is the epitome of mid-century American design.  The dramatic and exuberant lines echoed other design industries of the era that looked forward from the jet age into the rocket and atomic age.   Swooping lines and fins made their way into cars, architecture and other fixtures of modern American life.  Pearsall brought this into America's living room.

The 2231-C wingback chair exhibits a number of these design features.  The heavily canted back and gracefully curved legs resemble the angular jet-set lines of the automobiles of the time.  While many traditional wingback chairs look overstuffed and heavy, the lines of the back of this chair are of a slim profile that dreamers of the period might have imagined in their flying car or rocket ship.  While achieving this futuristic look, Pearsall also designed a very comfortable chair.  Although it doesn't recline, its angles and stature do not make it necessary.  My wife exclaimed as she sat in this for the first time "Ooh, I want to keep this one!"

This chair has been recently reupholstered in a tan chenille fabric that is softly textured.  The legs and arm pads are all of solid walnut and is in excellent shape.  The frame joints are all rigid and sturdy.

This is a link to a copy of the page from the Craft Associates catalog

 https://web.archive.org/web/20140318183828/http://adrianpearsall.com/2231C.pdf

This is a great piece of functional art for a mid-century collector.
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(Note: The dark areas that appear on the back, particularly just below the top edge is a shadow from the frame of the chair.  The fabric is not stained or worn in any way)

Walnut and Leather Mid Century Credenza

Although I do not have confirmation, I'm reasonably confident in attributing this piece to Founders Furniture, likely designed by Jack Cartwright.  For one, it was accompanied by a number of other pieces by Founders and Thomasville (Founders parent company).  It has many details that identify it as a Cartwright designed piece.  Cartwright has used leather in a number of his case piece designs.  He also often used square shaped legs, set out on the corners of the case.  The oiled finish and prodigious use of solid walnut in doors, edges, legs, etc although not unique to Founders and Cartwright give further credence to the attribution.  The construction and configuration of the doors, case and interior fittings also match some other Founders pieces of similar design.

The oiled finish used on this piece has given the walnut and very warm color, much more than the typical lacquered finish of the era.  The walnut exhibits great color variation and figuring.  Inside, the cabinet is divided into 3 different sections that are concealed by 2 doors per section.  The other 2 sections have one adjustable shelf each.  The center section adds one felt lined drawer that is divided into 3 sections.  The legs and pedestal are all constructed of solid walnut, not the typical dyed white wood or veneer over white wood.

With its ample open storage, this piece could be used in a number of applications from media stand, to dining room buffet or office credenza. The black leather finished doors would tie in well with other leather seating surfaces in the room.

Dimensions: 71 1/2"W x 30"H x 18"D

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Modern Walnut and Chrome Bedroom Set

I haven't uncovered the origin of this set.  It is certainly American made, likely in the early '70s.  The polished aluminum and chrome accents give it a look similar to something from Milo Baughman or a more subtle Paul Evans piece.  The walnut patchwork on the doors and mirrors also echos details from these designers.  The walnut used in these is very nicely figured and a deep, warm brown color.
The low dresser has 6 large exposed drawers with unique chrome looped pulls and another 3 drawers behind the patchwork drawers.  The armoire has 2 very large drawers on the bottom with matching pulls and another 2 wide drawers behind the large doors.  Above those is open shelving for bulky items such as jeans and sweaters.  The combination of the 2 pieces offers a great deal of flexible storage not often seen in mid century pieces.  The set also includes 2 mirrors with matching polished trim and walnut patchwork accents.  It would be a great set for fans of Baughman designs or someone that prefers a more swanky, Hollywood Regency style of modern.

Dimensions:
                    Low Dresser 80"W x 30"H x 19"D
                    Armoire:       36"W x 63"H x 20"D
                    Mirrors (x2)  18 1/2"W x 48"H

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Walnut Wall Unit by Founders Furniture

This is another great set by Founders Furnture.  Like the other Founders pieces I've recently posted these all exhibit great craftmanship and beautiful materials.  The oiled walnut veneers have developed a beautiful warm color and show great cathedraling in the grain figure.  The color and figure actually resembles that of Rosewood.  All of the pieces are finished on the backs, fronts, insides and out.  The cane on the upper doors is in excellent shape with no damage or missing "threads".  It has undergone the same restorative process as wood to clean and brighten the surface and to keep the fibers from drying out.

Each enclosed cabinet has one adjustable shelf inside.  The drop down "secretary" desk has a divided space also with an adjustable shelf.  Each of the "floating" shelves in the open areas of the units are adjustable as well.  Each of the 3 sections can be used on its own, paired with another or all combined to make one unit.  They all have adjustable leveling feet on the bottom for stability.

Because of the flexibility of the configuration, these units could be used in just about any room of the house.  In an office as bookshelves and small workspace desk.  In a dining room for china and glassware storage and dry bar.  With finished backs they could be used as a room divider.  Even a bedroom for a combination of clothing storage and shelf space.  Much the way that Ikea shelving systems end up with so many different uses.  However, these are far better made and more beautiful than anyting from Ikea.

Dimensions:
   each section is 30 1/2"W x 77 1/2"H x 16"D
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