Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud Sectional Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:Adrian Pearsall (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 128 in (325.12 cm)Depth: 71 in (180.34 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:
Cloud Sofa
The early days of Craft Associates— the furniture company founded in 1952 by Adrian Pearsall (1925–2011) — took shape in his mother-in-law’s duplex. There, the American architect and designer would build pieces while his wife, Dorie, would manage purchase orders and invoices. Even if the Pennsylvania-based operation was at first limited to the confines of an apartment, the company afforded Pearsall the opportunity to bring to life his residential furniture designs, such as his revered low-profile Cloud sofa, one of the contributions to mid-century modern furniture design for which Pearsall is recognized today and among the initial concepts for the now-legendary furniture company he founded.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1950. With the founding of his Craft Associates two years later, he helped usher in the Atomic Age of design, and his work, making use of natural materials and conceived with comfort in mind, was widely appealing to a postwar American consumer base. Pearsall frequently used geometric and often flamboyant shapes in his furniture, and the bold concepts were greatly influenced by prominent furniture makers of the era, such as Vladimir Kagan, George Nakashima and Florence Knoll.
Innovative, revolutionary ideas aside — Pearsall also invented the bean bag chair — the maker’s great success lay in his ability to move his flashy designs directly into the mass market, and it wasn’t long before Craft began selling its pieces to department stores in Philadelphia and New York, including Wanamaker’s and Macy’s.
Circa early 1950s, the Cloud sofa’s walnut legs and sinuous shape blended subtle flair with comfort, and its original gently swerving back became a Pearsall signature. These attributes, the permanent back of his sofa and its solid walnut base, are widely known components of his designs from the era as well as through the 1960s. Later, Pearsall integrated the Cloud sofa’s swerving back into his lounge chairs — which featured a similarly long and low gondola silhouette — and used modern fabrics in rich color combinations that boldly embraced the Atomic Age. Today, Pearsall’s designs are licensed to Restoration Hardware.
Adrian Pearsall
Adrian Pearsall designed some of the most exuberant and expressive American furniture of the 1950s and ’60s. For verve and vivacity of form, he surpasses even Vladimir Kagan — whose work is the emblem of swinging, sexy mid-20th century modernism. Pearsall gave his imagination free rein, and his flamboyant, eye-catching styles are icons of what has become known as “Atomic Age” design.
Pearsall studied architectural engineering at the University of Illinois before opening his Pennsylvania furniture company, Craft Associates, in 1952, and that training shows in many designs. A Pearsall trademark, for example, is a lounge chair with an exceptionally tall, trapezoidal back, which give the pieces a skyscraper-like silhouette. Pearsall also had a talent for so-called Gondola sofas — long, low-slung pieces with upswept ends. Many of Pearsall’s sofas and chairs are supported not by legs, but on gently arced walnut skids.
Pearsall also had a gift for tables, in particular glass-topped side tables and coffee tables with frames that have the look of an Alexander Calder stabile. As you will see from the offerings on 1stDibs, Adrian Pearsall had flair, and his work adds an attention-getting, sculptural exclamation point to any décor.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Countryside, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century 2300-S Walnut Boomerang SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates midcentury 2300-S walnut boomerang sofa. This sofa measures: 126 wide x 67 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches. All piec...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Mid Century Cloud SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall mid century cloud sofa Sofa measures: 124 wide x 72 deep x 31.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in wh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Directional Mid-Century Sectional SofaBy DirectionalLocated in Countryside, ILDirectional Mid-Century sectional sofa This sectional sofa measures: 143 wide x 111 deep x 28 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 17.5 inches All pieces of ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud SofaBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Mid Century Cloud Sofa This sofa measures: 123 wide x 70 deep x 30.75 inches high, with a seat heigh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Phyllis Morris Mid-Century Illuminated Lucite Base Sectional SofaBy Phyllis MorrisLocated in Countryside, ILPhyllis Morris mid-century illuminated lucite base sectional sofa. This sectional sofa measures: 147 wide x 111 deep x 28.5 inches high, with a seat height of 18 inches high. A...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Lucite, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall Style Mid Century Gondola SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Countryside, ILAdrian Pearsall Style Mid Century gondola sofa This sofa measures: 88 wide x 33 deep x 26.5 inches high, with a seat height of 16 a...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Adrian Pearsall For Craft Associates Sectional SofaBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pasadena, TXA mid-century modern sectional sofa designed by Adrian Pearsall and made by Craft Associates. Two 6ft sections that can be positioned end to end for a long sofa or used as two separ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Cloud Sofa for Craft Associates Fully RestoredBy Adrian Pearsall, Craft AssociatesLocated in Chattanooga, TNFULLY restored. A true jaw-dropper from every angle. The new faux leopard fur fabric contrasts perfectly with the old-growth walnut and black lacquer trim. Ultra soft to the touch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Signed Craft Associates 2-PC Sectional Sofa 2069-LRBy Craft Associates, Adrian PearsallLocated in West Hartford, CTAdrian Pearsall two-piece sectional sofa by Craft Associates, circa 1960s, features a walnut wood frame which could use some conditioning. The sofa comes in two pieces with sea green...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Adrian Pearsall Pit Style Yellow Semi-Circular Sofa 3 Piece SectionalBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Saint Louis, MOAdrian Pearsall semi-circular sectional sofa by Craft & Associates, circa 1970s. Inset base gives a futuristic floating experience and creates an instant conversation pit...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Boomerang Sofa by Adrian PearsallBy Adrian PearsallLocated in New York, NYA rare "boomerang" sofa having a recently polished frame supporting a freshly upholstered back and seat done in a grey boucle fabric.Category
Mid-20th Century Sofas
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
- Unusual Two-Piece Adrian Pearsall Sofa Sectional Boomerang Mid-Century ModernBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Pemberton, NJUnusual Adrian Pearsall two-piece boomerang sectional sofa with two attached tables. One table has a triangular shaped cabinet with door for secret...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut