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.
Lawrence Peabody Bracket Back Lounge Chair for Craft Associates
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, thick weave fabric This Lawrence Peabody bracket back loun...
Fabric, Walnut
Peabody Modern Club Chairs for Craft Associates, leather, black, walnut
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, leather This Lawrence Peabody lounge chair is expertly handcrafted and upholstered. These Peabody chairs are licensed reintroductions for Craft Associates. The chair is shown here in solid ziricote and velvet, but each is hand built and made to order so wood species and fabric can be customized. Craft Associates has a full fabric program available. Craft Associates Furniture is proud each modern piece is made in the US. They strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. They use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product. Dimensions: H 30.5" (77.47cm) W 29.5" (74.93cm) D 32" (81.28cm) Seat height 17.5" (44.45cm) Seat width 19" (48.26cm) Seat depth 22" (55.88cm). "The U.S. would profit by the example of the Danes, whose great work in furniture design is the result of combining proficient craftsmanship, Fine design and technical skill. The Danes do more than sell arts and crafts in their distinguished work, they sell Denmark." - Lawrence Peabody, 1957 History Lawrence “Larry” Peabody (1924-2002) was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. As an American born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, his distinctive design were often influenced by his Scandinavian roots. Lawrence studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark and at the Rhode Island School of Design. His early career with Selig Mfg. Co. was prolific and helped put both himself and Selig on the map for modern furniture. He then started Lawrence Peabody & Associates in 1955, a design firm in Boston which included a vast client list (Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kohler, Regal Rugs, Boyd Lighting, Chapman Lamps, and Richardson Brothers). In 1961, Mr. Peabody won a Citation for Merit for his Peabody Collection for Richardson/ Nemschoff. Winner of the 1962 International A.I.D. design award for his wood frame rattan cradle...
Leather, Walnut
$2,200Sale Price|44% Off
Sculptural Lounge Chair by Lawrence Peabody for Selig with Brass Legs
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Sculptural lounge chair by Lawrence Peabody for Selig with brass legs.
Velvet
Lawrence Peabody Modern White Dining Chairs for Craft Associates Furniture
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Lawrence Peabody modern white dining chairs for Craft Associates furniture These Lawrence Peabody modern white dining chairs for Craft As...
Maple
Stylish Pair Lawrence Peabody Barrel Back Tub Chair Selig, Mid-Century Modern
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Gorgeous pair of Lawrence Peabody barrel back tub chairs by Selig. Both chairs will need to be reupholstered but that's what you designers are looking for anyway-right? We love the l...
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Cane Back Lounge Chairs by Lawrence Peabody
By Richardson Nemschoff, Lawrence Peabody, Paul McCobb, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage pair of lounge chairs by Lawrence Peabody for Richardson Nemschoff Wonderful Horseshoe Arm Structure. Measures: 28.5" wide 32" height to top of pillow 28.75" deep Seat hei...
Wood
Lawrence Peabody for Richardson Nemschoff Mid Century Walnut Settee
By Richardson Nemschoff, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lawrence Peabody for Richardson Nemschoff Mid Century Walnut Settee This settee measures: 51 wide x 30 deep x 33 inches high, with a seat height of 17 inches All pieces of furnitur...
Upholstery, Walnut
Lawrence Peabody Dining Chairs P-1708, Craft Associates Furniture
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates® Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Walnut, leather These Lawrence Peabody dining armchairs P-1708 are expertly handcrafted and upholstered. These Peabody chairs are licensed reintroductions for Craft Associates®. Chairs are solid walnut with each frame hand steamed and bent. The price includes our standard leather seat. Craft Associates® Furniture is proud each modern piece is made in the US. We strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. We use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product. dimensions H: 29.5" (74.93cm) W: 23.75" (60.325cm) D: 21" (53.34cm) Seat Height: 18" (45.72cm) Seat Width: 19" (48.26cm) Seat Depth: 17.5" (44.45cm) Arm Height: 27" (68.58cm) "The U.S. would profit by the example of the Danes, whose great work in furniture design is the result of combining proficient craftsmanship, fine design and technical skill. The Danes do more than sell arts and crafts in their distinguished work, they sell Denmark." - Lawrence Peabody, 1957 history Lawrence “Larry” Peabody (1924-2002) was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. As an American born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, his distinctive design were often influenced by his Scandinavian roots. Lawrence studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark and at the Rhode Island School of Design. His early career with Selig Mfg. Co. was prolific and helped put both himself and Selig on the map for modern furniture. He then started Lawrence Peabody & Associates in 1955, a design firm in Boston which included a vast client list (Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kohler, Regal Rugs, Boyd Lighting, Chapman Lamps, and Richardson Brothers). In 1961, Mr. Peabody won a Citation for Merit for his Peabody Collection for Richardson/ Nemschoff. Winner of the 1962 International A.I.D. design award for his wood frame rattan cradle...
Leather, Walnut
Lawrence Peabody Lounge Chair Nemschoff / Milo Baughman Adrian Pearsall
By Lawrence Peabody
Located in Chicago, IL
Lawrence Peabody lounge chair model 982 for Nemschoff. Manner of Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall
Upholstery
Price Upon Request
Lawrence Peabody Danish Lounge Chair for Craft Associates Furniture
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Lawrence Peabody Danish Lounge Chair for Craft Associates Furniture Lawrence Peabody Danish Lounge Chair for Craft Associates Fur...
Walnut
Lawrence Peabody High Back Lounge Chair P-1714 for Craft Associates Furniture
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Lawrence Peabody High Back Lounge Chair - P-1714 - Craft Associates® Furniture is expertly hand crafted and upholstered. This Peabody chair is licensed reintroduction for Craft...
Fabric, Walnut