Vintage PAUL FRANKL 8 Piece Rattan Set

A rare opportunity, this set of vintage rattan furniture was designed by Paul Frankl (1886-1958). This 8-piece set includes a three cushion sofa, two armchairs, two ottomans, and a coffee table. All pieces have tubular, layered rattan forms with a warm, natural finish. The three-piece sofa and chairs are framed by “double teardrop” arms to create a dramatic yet relaxed silhouette. The coffee table has an inset glass top and two-built in magazine holders at each end, with a decorative lower shelf spanning the floor. The original cushions have been painted white for a clean look that maintains the texture of the original floral. 

About the Designer:
Paul Frankl (1886-1958) was a furniture designer, architect, painter, and writer born in Vienna, Austria. He received his architectural education from Berlin Polytechnic before emigrating to New York City in 1914. His outsider’s perspective invigorated an enthusiasm for creating a new American design aesthetic, and his distinctive style was massively influential to American Modernism. His popularity began in the 1920s with his skyscraper style furniture. Simultaneously he exhibited his art in both New York and Los Angeles. He later moved to Los Angeles to open a gallery on Rodeo Drive, garnering much attention from contemporaneous Hollywood elite such as Katharine Hepburn, Fred Astaire, and Alfred Hitchcock. While in LA, he shifted to a more relaxed, organic style rather than the industrial-inspiration of the towering skyscrapers in New York City.  In addition to creating furniture and setting style trends with staying power, he also wrote books and magazine articles on Modern Style as a very vocal proponent of it. He co-founded Brown-Saltman Furniture with David Saltman, collaborating to create what could be called the blueprint for mass-produced Modern furniture. His style never stopped evolving, from his Art Deco skyscraper style in NYC to his breezy rattan in LA. 

This set is amongst hundreds of pieces of furniture that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.