We've come across these Mid-Century Modern dressers by John Kapel for Glenn of California several times since we started collecting and selling vintage Mid-Century furniture, and every time we are so attracted to this set.

John Kapel for Glenn of California

John Kapel designed this line for Glenn of California in the 1960's. It also includes a taller dresser, an armoire, more night stands, and a headboard. These pieces are walnut with carved handles and black accents. They are modern, minimalist, and elegant. They are beautiful, but are also practical with details such as a magazine holder inside the night stands and a mirrored cabinet door inside the armoire. They were designed over 60 years ago, yet work perfectly in today's interior design.

Early Exposure to Design

John Kapel (born 1922) graduated from the Cranbook Academy of Art in Michigan, where other well known Mid-Century furniture designers also studied, such as Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen. Kapel trained briefly in Yugoslavia and worked as a general designer for George Nelson & Associates in New York for a few years before he made his move to California.

Left: John Kapel at his home in Woodside, CA. / Photo: C-Home.com. | Right: Walnut and leather armchair designed by John Kapel in 1958. / Photo: Pinterest

Studio Craft vs. Popular Design

Like his good friend, Sam Maloof, whose designs we also admire, John Kapel is considered to be a studio craftsman. He is a skilled woodworker and metalsmith and has created many of one-of-a-kind pieces in his basement workshop. He also built prototypes to present to large manufacturers and developed a partnership with Glenn of California that lasted more than 20 years.

Chair prototypes in John Kapel's workshop. / Photo: C-Home.com

A Craftsman's Home

It was unusual for Mid-Century designers to focus on both unique studio pieces and also design for large manufacturers, but John Kapel is practical and wanted to be able to afford a nice home. In 1959, he built his dream home with the help of architect, Jerry Weiss, in Woodside, California. His home is a wonderful example of his craftsmanship and attention to detail. Not only is it full of furniture that he built himself, but he also created many of the lamps and sculptures.

“My fellow craftsmen sure thought I was tainted. They thought of me as a sell-out. I didn’t care. I wanted to have a nice house and designing for a manufacturer allowed me to do that.”

— John Kapel, Woodside Wonderland by Cat Doran, C-Home.com

Left: a work space in Kapel's home / Photo: LATimes.com | Middle: the exterior of John Kapel's home in Woodside / Photo: C-Home.com | Right: a cantilevered fireplace that divides the living room and entrance to the Kapels' home. The sculpture is also by Kapel. / Photo: C-Home.com

One-of-a-Kind Furniture and Art

We did come across a beautiful vintage rocking chair by Sam Maloof several years ago, but have not come across any of John Kapel's studio craft pieces. I am glad he also designed for large manufacturers, so that more design aficionados can enjoy his work.

John Kapel children's furniture on display at the Oakland Museum of California / Photo Credit: Esoteric Survey

Right: 'Bell Tower Wood Assemblage Sculpture by John Kapel / Photo:1stdibs.com | Middle: 'Mogul' in stacked laminate particle board by John Kapel / Photo: 1stdibs.com | Right: 'Counterpoint' by John Kapel / Photo: Reform Gallery/1stdibs.com

Bibliography: Leslie WIlliamson, "Handcrafted Modern: At Home with Mid-Century Designers", Rizzoli, NY, 2010

Designer Spotlight: Pierre Paulin

November 9, 2016Christine Villalta

Pierre Paulin is one of the reasons I fell in love with French Mid-Century Modern design. His designs are innovative and fun and sculptural. His work is still considered progressive even today. Coming from a background in sculpture, his chairs and sofas all had unique forms, yet comfort was the starting point of each design. Then he got creative.

"My favorite design is the one to come, either by me or a future generation." - Pierre Paulin

Sculpture & Design

Pierre Paulin (1927-2009) first trained to be a sculptor in ceramics and stone, but gave up his studies in sculpture due to an accident that injured his hand. Soon after, he enrolled in the Ecole Camondo in Paris where he studied design.

Form, Function & Color

Paulin debuted his first designs in 1953 at the Salon des arts menágers and then went on to design for Marcel Gascoin's Atelier, Thonet Fréres and Artifort. He wanted to design furniture that was both comfortable and fun.

“A chair should be more than simply functional. It should be friendly, fun and colorful.” - Pierre Paulin.

It was in the 1950's at Thonet Fréres when he began to experiment with using stretch jersey and foam rubber to create more rounded shapes. Many of his most recognized designs were manufactured by the Dutch company, Artifort, in the 1960's and 1970's where he continued to experiment and develop his design ideas. With names such as the Tongue Chair, the Orange Slice Chair, the Mushroom Chair, and the Ribbon Chair, his designs were instantly recognizable and unique, and were offered in vivid colors.

The Élysée light table by Pierre Paulin for Alpha International was originally commissioned by Mobilier National for the Palais L'Élysée in 1971. Fewer than fifteen of these tables were produced. Photo Credit: Paulin Paulin Paulin | Top: Furniture d… — The Élysée light table by Pierre Paulin for Alpha International was originally commissioned by Mobilier National for the Palais L'Élysée in 1971. Fewer than fifteen of these tables were produced. Photo Credit: Paulin Paulin Paulin | Top: Furniture designed for the Élysée Palace | Photo credits: huntingforgeorge.com (top left), Wright Auction (top middle), culturedmag.com (top right)

Interior Design & Consulting

In the 1970's and 1980's, Pierre Paulin did interior design and consulting, including design work for the French presidents, Georges Pompidou and Francois Mitterand at the Elysée Palace in Paris, France and also gallery seating for the Louvre.

In 1975, Paulin and his wife Maia founded the creative design agency ADSA together with Marc Lebailly. ADSA did work for companies such as Calor, Ericsson, Renault, Saviem, Tefal, Thompson, and Airbus; and also worked on projects for public spaces such as the Mediterranean Hall at the Gare de Lyon and the Versailles Rive-Gauche train station.

The Bergerie located at the entrance of the Cévennes National Park, France. | Photo credit: Paulin Paulin Paulin

La Bergerie

In the 1990's, Pierre and his wife, Maia, moved to the Cévennes region of France. In Cévennes, he continued to design, but in a more relaxed atmosphere. Together with his wife, Maia, he restored a traditional estate, la Bergerie, that as of 2016 can be visited by design professionals, architects, researchers, and collectors to appreciate many of his designs in their natural habitat.

Pierre Paulin died in 2009 in Montpellier, France.

Left: Pierre with his wife, Maia, and son Benjamin sitting in a Tapis Siege, circa 1982. | Photo credit: Pierre Berdoy, Mobilier National Les Archives Paulin. Right: Alice Lemoine, Irene, and Benjamin Paulin sitting in the Déclive 1966 edition. | Photo credit: Paulin Paulin Paulin

Museum Collections

MOMA was the first museum to acquire one of Paulin's designs in 1965, and today you can admire them in museums all over the world. Paulin's iconic designs earned him many awards and much praise. He was honored as "the man who made design an art" by French president, Nicolas Sarkosy.

First retrospective of Pierre Paulin at the Centre Pompidou in 2016. Photo credit: Georges Meguerditchian.

How to Collect Pierre Paulin's Designs Today

While many of Pierre Paulin's designs are offered through vintage furniture dealers such as MCMF and auction houses, you can also purchase several of his designs that have been reissued by Artifort, Magis, and also Ligne Roset.

For more information about Pierre Paulin, visit P aulin Paulin Paulin , a site dedicated to preserving his work that is run by his wife, Maia Paulin; son, Benjamin Paulin; his daughter-in-law, Alice Lemoine; and one of his closest collaborators, Michel Chalard.

concorde F780 chairs le grenier 1stdibs.jpg

'Dos-a-Dos' Sofa. Photo: Centre des arts plastiques, Paris-La Défense. | Top: Pair of Orange Slice Chairs. Photo: anguloaquitectura.com (top left) | Ribbon Chair and Ottoman. Photo: anguloaquitectura.com (top middle) | Pair of 'Concorde' F780 Chairs… — 'Dos-a-Dos' Sofa. Photo: Centre des arts plastiques, Paris-La Défense. | Top: Pair of Orange Slice Chairs. Photo: anguloaquitectura.com (top left) | Ribbon Chair and Ottoman. Photo: anguloaquitectura.com (top middle) | Pair of 'Concorde' F780 Chairs. Photo: 1stdibs/Le Grenier(top right)

Designer Spotlight: Lawrence Peabody

October 29, 2016Christine Villalta

We recently acquired a pair of beautiful forest green barrel back lounge chairs that were designed by Lawrence Peabody for Richardson Nemschoff. Over the years, we have come across other Peabody designs, but not enough to be very familiar with the designer’s background, which leads me to believe his designs have become somewhat rare. Researching more about him has been fascinating, especially learning more about his involvement in Le Centre D'Art in Haiti.

Pair of Barrel Back Lounge Chairs by Lawrence Peabody. Photo: Mid-Century Modern Finds

Architect, Interior Designer, and Furniture Designer

Lawrence Peabody (1924-2002) was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where even as a child he frequented antique shops. Peabody trained at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1950 and then went on to study at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Booklet containing 'selling aides' such as press releases, photos, and a price list for the Lawrence Peabody Collection from Nemschoff. Sketch is of the '911 Chair'. Photo credit: lawrencepeabodytumblr.com

Lawrence Peabody and Associates

In 1955, Peabody started his design firm, Lawrence Peabody and Associates, in Boston. Some of his clients included Kohler, Richardson Brothers, Boyd Lighting, and Sears, Roebuck & Co. He also helped design many hotels in the US and the Caribbean. Many of his most recognized furniture designs were manufactured by Richardson Nemschoff.

A postcard shot of the Peabody house in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Photo Credit: lawrencepeabody.tumblr.com

Lawrence Peabody and DeWitt Peters, Le Centre D’Art

In the 1960’s, Peabody bought a 17th century gingerbread house in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, where he and his family lived for six months out of the year and where many of his best known designs were conceived.

While living in Haiti, Peabody befriended DeWitt Peters, the founder of Le Centre D'Art , which gave an opportunity to hundreds of local artists through art classes and gallery exhibition exposure. Peabody served as a director of Le Centre d’Art, and together with DeWitt and several others who were involved in Le Centre D'Art, such as Philippe Thoby-Marcelin and Francine Murat , helped promote interest in Haitian art and craft, thus creating a dependable income for hundreds of Haitian artists and artisans, many of whom were once impoverished.

Through a collaboration with Richardson/Caribbean in the late 1960’s, Peabody helped bring a collection of one-of-a-kind furniture made by Haitian artist-craftsmen to the United States. He also incorporated Haitian art in his design projects.

Beautification Mission

Lawrence Peabody died in Boston, Massachusetts in 2002 at age 78.

Peabody’s daughter is quoted saying, “I really think his mission in life was to beautify everything”. His love of art and design even influenced his decision to serve in the Navy during World War II. “He chose the Navy because he liked the uniforms. He loved those bell bottom trousers,” his daughter said. In the Navy, Peabody was nicknamed “Eagle Eye” for his keen eyesight. I imagine he got this nickname for his attention to detail, too. And who doesn’t love sailor pants? Lawrence Peabody was my kind of guy.

Photo credits: Pair of Lawrence Peabody Lounge Chairs with Cane Backs for Richardson Nemschoff. Photo: eBay | Lawrence Peabody Bookcase. Photo: 1stdibs | Lawrence Peabody Settee for Richardson Nemschoff. Photo: One and Home | Lawrence Peabody Lounge Chairs for Selig. Photo: 1stdibs/ReMod | Lawrence Peabody Dining Set for Richardson Nemschoff. Photo: Mid2Mod | Lawrence Peabody Fiberglass Chairs for Selig. Photo: 1stdibs

Bibliography:

Joshua Hudelson, “Lawrence C. Peabody, 78, was Interior Designer, Businessman”, The Boston Globe, August 23, 2002; Elizabeth Hillyer, “From Haiti with Love…”, Chicago Tribune, April, 2, 1968

Designer Spotlight: Bertha Schaefer

October 24, 2016Christine Villalta

We recently acquired a set of eight unique dining chairs from a collector that sparked our interest in the designer, Bertha Schaefer. Carlos and I are both impressed with her sculptural dining chairs, desks, and tables; and I, as a woman, am always curious about Mid-20th Century female designers. After digging deeper, we learned that Bertha Schaefer was not only a furniture designer, but also an interior designer, art gallerist, and innovator.

Bertha Schaefer and Will Barnet (left) at the 14 Painter-Printmakers exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum in 1955. Photo credit: Archives of American Art

Bertha Schaefer Interiors & Bertha Schaefer Gallery of Contemporary Art

Bertha Schaefer (American, 1895-1971) was born in Mississippi and later moved to New York where she got her diploma in interior design at Parsons School of Design. She opened Bertha Schaefer Interiors in 1924 and Bertha Schaefer Gallery of Contemporary Art in 1944, both in New York City. Bertha Schaefer Interiors designed furniture and interiors for private residences, hotels, restaurants, and also projects such as the interior of the Temple Washington Hebrew Congregation (1954). Her art gallery launched the careers of many American and European painters and sculptors and also featured American furniture design. Schaefer, a proponent of the Bauhaus Movement, believed that economical design should possess both craftsmanship and beauty, and in 1947-1948, she curated a series of exhibits called “The Modern House Comes Alive”, which expressed this vision. Schaefer also believed in functional and economical lighting and was using decorative interior fluorescent lighting in her designs as early as 1939.

Bertha Schaefer Furniture Design for Singer & Sons

From 1950-1961, Schaefer designed furniture for Joe Singer of Singer & Sons, who was intrigued by her innovative design and her ability to mix the fine arts with the commercial arts. Singer & Sons introduced many Italian designers, such as Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino, and Ico Parisi, to the American market. In 1951, fifteen of Bertha Schaefer’s designs were debuted along with twenty-one pieces by Italian designers in a week-long trade show in a showroom that was designed by Schaefer and Richard Kelly, a well known lighting designer.

Awards & Recognition

Schaefer’s ideas and contributions to American Mid-Century design were well recognized, and she received many invitations to participate in discussions and design juries sponsored by museums and universities. She won design awards from the Museum of Modern Art in 1952 and the Decorator’s Club of New York in 1959, where she served as president from 1947-1948 and 1955-1957.

Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons Coffee Table. Photo: The Exchange Int/1stdibs

Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons Desk designed in 1955. Photo: Case Antiques

Bertha Schaefer for Singer & Sons nesting Tables. Photo: Archive/1stdibs

Bertha Schaefer Sofa for Singer & Sons. Photo: Wright Auction

Bertha Schaefer Desk for Singer & Sons. Photo: Patrick Parrish

Eight Bertha Schaefer Dining Chairs. Photo: Mid-Century Modern Finds

Photo credits: Bertha Schaefer Coffee Table. Photo: The Exchange Int/1stdibs | Bertha Schaefer Desk. Photo: Case Antiques/1stdibs | Bertha Schaefer Nesting Tables. Photo: Archive/1stdibs | Bertha Schaefer Sofa. Photo Wright Auction | Bertha Schaefer Desk. Photo: Patrick Parrish | Bertha Schaefer Dining Chairs. Photo: Mid-Century Modern Finds