Any help identifying the designer &/or manufacturer of this 1950's bed? It is in the style of a Nelson Thin Edge bed, but with an upholstered headboard and it's square white enamel legs are perpendicular to the floor.
There is also a 6?+ sofa of very similar style, with single bench seat, solid (unseamed) back and straight, upholstered arms. It's square enameled legs are also perpendicular to the floor.
Owner (now in her 90's) thinks they both were acquired in the 50's from "Pascoe Houston" (?), a franchise store supplied out of California, if her memory is correct. Any information about the store or franchise would also be appreciated.
maybe KNOLL + Drake, Austin Industries
it's a budget modern line developed by hans knoll with designer Ladislav Sutnar in 1954-55 and saw only one year of production due to the untimely death of hans knoll. i have the dining set with enameled square metal tubing and light grey plastic caps. the wood is birch or maple finished in a dark brown lacquer.
Possibly
Thanks. It looks similar - but details in the catalog photo are difficult to discern. This bed has a fully upholstered headboard and approximately a 6" gap between the bed and headboard. The catalog bed base looks close, but the headboard seems to extend to the bed and appears to have a dark (wood?) border. Attached is another photo of bed detailing the headboard connection.
Also including photos of the sofa, which has been reupholstered & probably has replacement caps on the legs. Owners son thinks the sofa was acquired prior to 1954, so that may rule out Knoll + Drake, although it is similar in style and construction to the bed & I assumed they were from the same manufacturer. The sofa in the catalog doesn't match this one - no exposed "thin edge." My original description of the sofa design was incorrect - it has three loose cushions on the seat as you can see.
Not necessarily Pascoe
Pascoe design was my thought also, but I find no record of Pascoe pieces with the square tube, vertical legs. Can anyone direct me to Pascoe production/franchise info?
This same owner has many other "Pascoe Houston" pieces, including early Eames DKR and RAR Zenith chairs, Strinning String shelving unit and a Nelson Slat Bench plus BSC chest. The store definitely wasn't limited to Pascoe designs.
Pascoe-Houston in trouble
Just did a quick search and was able to dig up some records referring to Pascoe-Houston Corp.
Arch Gordon, Fiesta and Philip Stahl all sued Pascoe-Houston for monies owed in late 1956.
Possibly your sofa was by one of these firms as we certainly know that Pascoe-Houston carried their lines.
ID Thin Edge style furniture? "Pascoe Houston"
It is Knoll+Drake, from the Rado X series. Designed by Ladislav Sutnar for Austin Industries for the Drake co. Knoll International extended there name to the line for marketing reasons. The Line failed after one year . It cost more to make the furniture than it was selling for.
I personally love the pieces I have and am looking all the time to add to my collection. So if by any reason you are selling any pieces I would like to make an offer.
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