My 5 Favorite American Furniture Designers

I've been ruminating on some of my favorite American furniture designers. I started putting together a list but decided to stop at five. There are many more that I have omitted, so maybe later in the year I will add to this list with a few more names. But in the meantime, here are my top five.

1. Charles and Ray Eames (1907-1978, 1912-1988)

This husband-and-wife duo embodied the inventiveness, energy and optimism that was at the heart of mid- century American culture. They were some of the most influential furniture designers of our time, but also were known for being filmmakers, artists and textile and graphic designers.They were the pioneers of molded plywood furniture using a heat and pressure machine called Kazam. This led to fiberglass as well. Charles once described the role of a designer as similar to that of a very good, thoughtful host who anticipates the needs of his guests.

2. Paul McCobb (1917-1969)

More than almost any other designer, Paul McCobb is responsible for the introduction of modern design into the homes of middle America. Among other things, he designed the set for the original Today Show back in 1952.He also created cohesive furniture collections, the best known being the “Planner Group” which gave homes an instant look. Like many of the modernists, his work was completely without ornament of any kind. That said, his work would often reference classic silhouettes such as the Windsor chair.

3. Florence Knoll (1917- present)

Not only a giant in the design world, Florence is also a master business person and entrepreneur. She took over the fledgling design company Knoll after the sudden death of her husband.She went on to sign to the company such luminaries as Saarinen, Bertoia, Mies and Noguchi, making Knoll the leading modern furniture company in the world. Her influence was founded on her dedication to practicality and functionality.

4.Edward Wormley (1907-1995)

Wormley appreciated traditional design. As the longtime director of Dunbar Furniture, he was a leading force in the world of American furniture throughout the 20th century. A graduate of the New York Interior Design School and the Art Institute of Chicago, his career started at Marshal Fields designing reproduction furniture.He produced two collections a year for Dunbar, one traditional and one modern. As time went on, the contemporary lines became much more popular but even those were rooted in traditional design.

5. Milo Baughman (1923-2003)

Baughman became emblematic of the 70’s era furniture: sleek and polished. Always opposed to ostentatious design, his furniture pieces concentrated on lounge chairs, but also included some spectacular tables and cabinets.His designs often featured flat chromed metal. He taught at Brigham Young University and was thought of as an icon in late 20th century design.Who are your favorite American designers? Tell us in the comments.