Few friendships last a lifetime, but Milo Baughman (1923–2003) and Thayer Coggin (1922–2003) were united by their desire to craft American furniture with timeless heirloom appeal. Today vintage Thayer Coggin sofas, coffee tables, alluring chrome-framed chairs and other furnishings are recognized as masterpieces of good design and remain highly sought after by collectors near and far.
Having both served in the military during World War II and coming from humble backgrounds — Coggin from Denton, North Carolina, and Baughman from Goodland, Kansas (but raised in California) — they shared a passion for simple, modern design in home furnishings. In 1953, after showing his prescient designs to a number of companies (who turned him down) in the furniture center of High Point, North Carolina, Baughman decided to pay a last-minute visit to Coggin, who had just founded his eponymous brand. After a nearly hour-long meeting in which Coggin shot out of his seat exclaiming he had never seen anything like Baughman's work, the two men shook hands. They would be friends and collaborators for the next 50 years.
Coggin let Baughman pursue his singular vision, while the Thayer Coggin company benefited from its close relationship with the ever more prominent Baughman, the manufacturer’s lead designer and an architect of California modernism who also collaborated with Drexel Furniture, Glenn of California and others during his career.
In 1968, New York Times critic Rita Reif hailed Baughman’s work for its elegance and sophistication. “With this furniture,” she wrote of his new collection, Environment 70 produced by Thayer Coggin, “who needs a decorator?” Baughman’s name became synonymous with sleekly modern, comfortable furniture the whole family could enjoy — stylish seating upholstered with impossibly cozy bouclé fabric and dashing case pieces that reflected the venturesome sensibility associated with mid-century modernism as well as the functionality of the Bauhaus.
Although its founder died in 2003, Thayer Coggin remains an esteemed family-run brand in High Point. Each item of furniture is bench-made by a single craftsperson to ensure “continuity among related pieces,” the company says, and comes in a vast array of upholstery fabrics, wood and metal finishes. Like the friendship that defined it, Thayer Coggin furniture is built to last.
Find a unique collection of new and vintage Thayer Coggin furniture today on 1stDibs.
Vintage Dansen Milo Baughman Style 1980's Modern Swivel Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman, Hekman-Dansen Contemporary
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Dansen Milo Baughman Style 1980's Modern Swivel Lounge Chair 3” tall circular base with 21.5” diameter roughly 4.5” from bottom of chair frame to ground
Upholstery, Wood
$6,475
H 24.5 in W 26 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Modernist Chrome & Upholstered Swivel Club Chair by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist swivel club chair, designed by the renowned Milo Baughman circa 1970, exemplifies the designer's ability to seamlessly merge comfort and sophistication. Cr...
Chrome
$15,000 / set
H 30 in W 27 in D 30 in
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Swiveling Tilt Lounge Chairs in Chrome Backs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Oakland, CA
Pair of Swivel & Tilt lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Features a 360 degree swiveling mechanism with tilt. The chairs are very comfortable and flex as ones...
Chrome
Chrome Wrapped Swivel Chair by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Take iconic mid-century American furniture for a spin with this classic tub chair from design legend Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin of North Carolina. Featuring a wrap-around chrome covering and brand new reupholstery, this deep seated chair...
Metal, Chrome
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Mid Century Swivel Tilt Lounge Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Mid Century Swivel Tilt Lounge Chair This chair measures: 32 wide x 29 deep x 27.5 high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height/chair clearance of...
Upholstery, Wood
Thayer Coggin Swivel Scallop Shape Back Tilt Rocking Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern swivel rocking lounge chair by Thayer Coggin.
Upholstery
$2,794
H 30.5 in W 25 in D 28 in
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin 1969 Chrome Upholstered Tank Lounge Cantilever Chair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Thiensville, WI
Designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Inc., in High Point, North Carolina. Date of manufacturing / order date listed on chair is "7/30/69". Architectural heavy flat bar chrome steel frame. Design features hidden chrome seat support bars to enhance illusion of floating seat. Deep, wide seat offers a subtle inclined design. Original tufted brown polished leather-like (synthetic blend) upholstery with matching upholstered arm cushions / accents at top of each arm rest. Upholstery has a somewhat polished / shiny appearance with variations in brown tones that blend well with any color palette. Solid, intact and a great useable Mid-Century Modern piece as an accent chair; for the home or office. Measurements: (Close approximate measurements noted below. Additional measurements upon request) Height : 30.5" (from base to top of back cushion) Width : 25" (from left edge of armrest to right edge of armrest) Depth : 28" (from back edge of frame to front edge of seat cushion) Seat Height : Approximately 17.5" at front and gradually declines to approximately 16.5" at back. Seat Depth : 20" (front edge of cushion to back) Seat Width : Approximately 22" (left to right) Back Cushion Height : Approximately 14.5" (from seat to top of back). Materials : Exterior cushion...
Chrome
1990s Mid Century Chrome Swivel Chair by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt, Jeffrey Bernett
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Chrome Swivel Lounge Chair by Jeffrey Bernett This stunning mid-century chrome swivel lounge chair, expertly designed by acclaimed American designer Jeffrey Bernett and ...
Chrome
Leon Rosen for Pace Mid Century Chrome Swivel Lounge Chair
By Leon Rosen, Pace Collection
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Leon Rosen for Pace Mid Century Chrome Swivel Lounge Chair This chair measures: 30 wide x 29 deep x 28.5 high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height/chair clearance of 23 inches ...
Chrome
$8,995 / set
H 26.25 in W 27.5 in D 28 in
Mid-Century Chrome Swivel Lounge Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin chrome swivel lounge chairs showcasing the designer's iconic blend of sculptural form, exceptional comfort, and enduring modern style. Designe...
Chrome
1980s Swivel Tilt Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin in Cream a Pair
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Modern Swivel Tilt Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Add a touch of mid-century modern elegance to your home with this stunning pair of Vintage Modern Swivel Tilt C...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Modern Cased Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Selig
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Mid Century Modern Leather Lounge Chair and Ottoman Attributed to Selig This vintage Mid-Century Modern leather lounge chair and ottoman set is attributed to Selig and dates...
Leather
Vintage Adrian Pearsall Style Chair With Ottoman Mid Century Modern Seating
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Experience the pinnacle of lounge luxury with this striking Adrian Pearsall style chair and matching ottoman, a definitive example of Mid-Century Modern comfort. Featuring a bold arc...
Wood
Vintage Modern Cane Chair by Josef Hoffman for Thonet Prague
By August Thonet
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Josef Hoffmann for Thonet "Prague" Cane Chair Elevate your interior with this iconic Vintage Modern Cane Chair, designed by Austrian architect Josef Hoffmann for Thonet. Know...
Wicker
Chesterfield Tufted Blue Leather Arm Chairs a Pair. with Brass Nailhead Accent's
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Bring a touch of refined British charm to your study or lounge with this striking pair of Chesterfield-style armchairs. Finished in a bold blue leather, these chairs masterfully blen...
Leather
Vintage Broyhill Brasilia Style Dining Chairs Six Set Mid Century Modern Design
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Transform your dining room into a mid-century masterpiece with this set of six Broyhill Brasilia style dining chairs. Defined by their iconic sculptural backs and sleek silhouettes, ...
Wood
