Jack Lenor Larsen was a celebrated American mid-century modern textile designer born in Seattle. He fostered connections throughout the design and architecture industries beginning in 1950, and today, his influential eponymous design company is widely recognized for its muted hand-spun textured textiles. Larsen manufactured fabrics all over the world for more than six decades, using both traditional and modern weaving techniques.
Larsen initially studied in the architecture program at the University of Washington before he quickly realized he was instead interested in furniture design and interiors. He earned his MFA in 1949 from the Cranbrook Academy of Art — the go-to art school for design stars of the mid-20th century. The following year he moved and opened a studio in New York City where he launched his career.
For one of his first commissions, which was to design curtains for the Lever House — a New York City icon designed by Gordon Bunshaft and Natalie de Blois — Larsen created a linen and gold metal-themed weave to complement the building’s famed glass walls. He designed similarly magnificent textiles for the Phoenix Opera House, the Wolf Trap Theater and more.
Nowhere is Larsen’s profound impact on textile design more evident than at LongHouse Reserve, his house in East Hampton, New York. Modeled after a seventh-century Shinto Shrine, the home and its surrounding sculpture gardens opened to the public in 1992.
Larsen built LongHouse Reserve in collaboration with Charles Forberg. The property features sliding panels that showcase the revered artisan’s fabrics as well as works by Lucie Rie, Wharton Esherick, and Edward Wormley. The gardens feature sculptures by Willem de Kooning, Sol LeWitt and Yoko Ono.
Larsen had a solo exhibit at the Louvre in 1981. His work is held in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Find vintage Jack Lenor Larsen lounge chairs, sofas, and dining room chairs on 1stDibs.
$6,800 / set
H 34 in W 31 in D 39 in
Pair of Original Italian Mid-Century Armchairs with Iconic J. Larsen Fabric
Located in North Miami, FL
These exquisite and finely upholstered Italian armchairs are finished with Jack Lenor Larsen fabric (soft multicolor floral velvet). Origi...
Brass, Metal
$1,500 / item
H 29.53 in W 23.23 in D 31.5 in
Pair of 1950s Italian Armchairs Featuring Vintage Print Upholstery by LaDoubleJ
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of two 1950s wooden armchairs with newly upholstered cushions. The chairs were sourced in Milan by LaDoubleJ and include newly covered cushions featuring the brand’s re-issued vi...
Cotton, Wood
$5,813 / set
H 28.35 in W 27.56 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Mid-Century Elisabeth Chairs in Original Upholstery, Asko 1950s
By Asko
Located in Helsinki, FI
A Pair of elegant Elisabeth chairs Model 1407 crafted by the renowned Finnish manufacturer Asko Oy in the 1950s. The chairs are quite compact in size and are easy to integrate in int...
Fabric, Birch
$3,750Sale Price / set|31% Off
H 30.75 in W 23 in D 32 in
Vintage Pair of Velvet Slipper Chairs in Original Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Pair of Velvet Slipper Chairs in manner of Edward Wormley for Dunbar. High quality wood Parsons Leg Design construction. These are being sold with the original upholstery t...
Wood
Important Vintage Italian Wingback Armchairs, PAIR
By ISA Bergamo
Located in North Miami, FL
These incredible winged armchairs, restored to perfection, feature new abstract floral pattern fabric, wood and brass sabots, wings and rolled armrests. NOTE: there is a matching settee...
Brass
$2,918Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 34.65 in W 28.75 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Paolo Buffa Mid-Century Modern Italian Armchairs, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful pair of armchairs with curved armrests, made by Paolo Buffa in 1950. The structure in curved and padded wood, the upholstery was redone more than twenty years ago but is in...
Fabric, Beech
$6,000 / set
H 31.5 in W 25.99 in D 29.93 in
Pair of Mid Century Modern Armchairs in style of Marco Zanuso, Italy 1950s
By Marco Zanuso
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Mid Century Modern Armchairs designed in style of Marco Zanuso's "Lady Chair". Chairs are upholstered in plush with an attractive print and th...
Brass
Pair of Early Milo Baughman Lounge Chairs for James Company
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
A nice early pair of designer chairs by Milo Baughman. Were reupholstered sometime in the 1980s-1990s. If the floral fabric is desirable then I believe the condition of fabric as-is ...
Upholstery
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Selig Style Club Chairs
Located in Wilmington, DE
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Selig Style Club Chairs Offered is a pair of vintage mid-century club chairs. The pair features a tufted curved back. The chairs have low back and are ...
Velvet
$1,542 / set
H 83 in W 87 in D 83 in
Pair of Czech TON Armchairs, 1985, Mid-Century Upholstered Lounge Chairs
Located in Praha, CZ
Exceptional pair of original Czech armchairs manufactured by TON, Bystřice pod Hostýnem, in 1985. The chairs feature generously padded sculptural forms, button-tufted caramel-brown ...
Fabric
Vintage Mid Century Modern Erwin Lambeth Lounging Armchair and Ottoman
By Erwin Lambeth
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage mid century Erwin Lambeth armchair and ottoman. This is a lovely lounge set featuring a very comfy armchair and matching ottoman footstool to go with it. Each item is uphol...
Fabric, Wood
High Back Upholstered Baker Style Accent Slipper Chair
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Baker style accent chair features a tall, gently angled back and a sturdy wooden frame with clean, classic lines. The chair is upholstered in a yellow geometric patterned fabric...
Fabric, Wood
Milo Baughman For Thayer Coggin Cantilever T Back Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin cantilever T-back lounge chair exemplifies the designer’s refined approach to Mid-Century Modern seating, balancing comfort with clean architectu...
Metal
Set of 3 Arne Vodder Model FD-184 Chairs for France & Daverkosen Vintage Danish
By Arne Vodder, France & Daverkosen
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 3 Arne Vodder for France & Daverkosen Model FD-184 chairs. The FD-184 chair by Arne Vodder is a fantastic Danish design, (and a personal favorite of this writer), featuring ...
Teak
Bernhardt Maple Wood Armchair with Paisley Upholstered Seat
By Bernhardt
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Bernhardt armchair showcases a warm maple wood frame with graceful curves and a refined, transitional silhouette. The sculpted back features an open circular motif that adds vis...
Fabric, Wood
Set Of 4 Mid Century Modern Tri-Mark Designs Dining Chairs
By Tri-Mark
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This Set of 4 Mid Century Modern Tri-Mark Designs Dining Chairs captures the bold innovation and playful geometry that define classic mid-century design. With their sculptural cantil...
Chrome
