One of the great things about your job also being a passion is that you spend hours surfing the net and learning about new furniture styles and the designers who created them without even realizing the time has gone by. One of the designers I stumbled across after crushing on many of his designs was Milo Baughman. He has many different styles of furniture and worked for a few different furniture makers but his best collaboration was with the furniture maker Thayer Coggin. This business relationship lasted over 50 years until Milo's death in 2003. Most of the pieces available today through 1st Dibs and Ebay were brought about through this collaboration.
Milo Baughman on the lounger and Thayer Coggin standing(plus very cute dog : )
Milo Baughman's interest in design started at a very young age. At 13, his family moved to Long Beach, California and his parents had him design both the interior and exterior of their new house. I wish I could track down photos of that house! After serving in the war for four years (WWII) he returned to Southern California to study product and architectural design. He was hired right out of school by a custom, all modern, west coast furniture store. This proved to be a great launching pad for his career. He designed for many manufacturers before his association with Thayer Coggin began in 1953. It was his enchantment with "California Moderne" that really influenced his designs.
Baughman's designs are timeless. What is so amazing when looking at his body of work is just how many pieces look familiar. Some of today's big stores (West Elm, Crate & Barrel, etc) best selling pieces are based off of his designs. His designs were forward thinking and distinctive, and yet unpretentious and affordable. See how many pieces you recognize?
My favourite sofa by Baughman. Although I would prefer it in a charcoal grey mohair : )
A sofa I see in Architectural Digest on a regular basis.
This sofa literally looks like it's floating in a room. Love the original 70's fabric ; )
An overall style to be replicated everywhere. Note the recessed plinth - classic Baughman.
Milo didn't just design soft furnishings, he also designed some great sideboards, dressers, and tables. Some of his favourite materials to work with were Burl wood, brass, chrome, and glass.
Amazing etagere!
Burl wood cabinet with chrome base.
An oft replicated campaign desk.
Although I wouldn't want every piece Milo designed in my house, I really love his work and I covet that tufted sofa! One day...