Mel Smilow Slat Coffee or Side Table
About the Item
- Creator:Mel Smilow (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Walnut,Woodwork
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950-1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Excellent condition tables that were well taken care of. Some slight wear and tear is expected on vintage items. Please zoom into images for accurate condition details or contact us with any questions.
- Seller Location:Westfield, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6928232697962
Mel Smilow
“Enduring, modern and classic” is how mid-century modern furniture designer Mel Smilow used to describe his chairs, benches, coffee tables and other pieces, which were not only functional and durable but were designed to become timeless heirlooms for American families.
Smilow was born in the Bronx, New York, and, in 1939, attended Pratt Institute, where he studied to become a commercial artist. However, his father’s death forced him to discontinue his schooling and, at the age of 17, he took over his father’s role as a wholesale furniture salesman.
Following his stint in the army during World War II, Smilow partnered with colleague Morton Thielle in 1949 to form the furniture manufacturer and retailer Smilow-Thielle. Although they had planned to sell quality furniture made by American manufacturers, Smilow was unsatisfied with their designs and became Smilow-Thielle’s chief designer.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Smilow used a variety of American hardwoods such as walnut, beech and oak for his benches, lounge chairs, sofas, table lamps, coffee tables, and other furnishings. One of his more popular designs was the Floating Platform bed — John Lennon and Yoko Ono owned one.
Although Smilow intended his designs to be comfortable and affordable for the “average American family,” his work was defined by the clean lines, delicate construction and symmetry often seen in Scandinavian modernist or Japanese furniture, and it drew attention and acclaim from designers and critics.
For instance, Buckminster Fuller placed Smilow’s rocking chairs in the geodesic dome he designed as the U.S. pavilion for Expo 1967, in Montreal, and Pratt Institute featured his ottoman as part of an exhibition of “well-designed furniture for under $25.” The New York Times, the New Yorker magazine and William Hennessey’s book Modern Furnishings for the Home also featured Smilow’s furniture.
Smilow-Thielle operated retail locations in the New York metro area as well as in Washington, D.C., with the firm’s flagship store occupying prime real estate on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan for several decades. Smilow’s designs have been likened to those of Jens Risom and Børge Mogensen and certainly wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Herman Miller showroom in the postwar era, but they have distinctive joinery details and a quiet strength that make them unique.
In 1969, Smilow and Thielle ended their partnership, with Smilow retaining sole company ownership. In 1981, Smilow retired and closed the business, turning his attention toward sculpting, painting and printmaking.
Although he died in 2002, Smilow’s legacy of furniture-making has lived on. His daughter, Judy, formed Smilow Design in 2013, which carries on her father’s tradition of creating “enduring, modern and classic” designs. Following Judy’s death of ALS in 2018, the company has been run by her husband, Steven Schoenfelder and her two children, who are still managing the brand today.
On 1stDibs, find a range of vintage Mel Smilow seating, tables and lighting.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Westfield, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Casa Bique Inlaid Stone and Brass Inlay Coffee TableBy Casa BiqueLocated in Westfield, NJStunning inlaid travertine stone and brass inlay glass coffee table by Casa Bique. Substantial legs with a waterfall edge with brass detail that surrounds glass and comes down each l...Category
Vintage 1970s Philippine Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- Late 20th Century Crespi Style Pencil Reed Bamboo and Wicker Coffee TableBy Gabriella CrespiLocated in Westfield, NJVintage circa late 20th century (1979-1989) pencil reed and wicker coffee table. Monumental column legs wrapped in pencil reed bamboo with inlay of wicker on the top surface to add t...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Bohemian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsReed
- Travertine Cube Octagonal Side TableBy Roche BoboisLocated in Westfield, NJVintage circa 1980s travertine cube table that can be used as a coffee table, side table or nightstand. Excellent polished finish with beveled edges for a postmodern aesthetic.Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern End Tables
MaterialsTravertine
- Vetri Murano Glass Egg Table LampBy VetriLocated in Westfield, NJExtremely rare and vintage 1980s Vetri Murano glass egg shaped lamp. Lamp has art glass texture on white part that really pops when lamp is lit. The black glass cap adds an additiona...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMurano Glass
- Warren Kessler Gilded Palm Tree Table Lamp With String ShadeBy Warren KesslerLocated in Westfield, NJStunning mid 1950s Warren Kessler metal palm tree lamp with original string shade. Could be used with current shade or updated. Excellent vintage condition. Shade measures: 17.25” x ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Tommaso Barbi Rosewood and Brass TrayBy Tommaso BarbiLocated in Westfield, NJRare Tommaso Barbi rosewood tray with brass detail. Large tray with raised foot detail and brass trim that follows the entire edge of tray. This item includes restricted materials a...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tray Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mel Smilow Slat Walnut Side TablesBy Mel SmilowLocated in Middlesex, NJMel Smilow slat walnut side tables.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
- Mel Smilow Walnut Slat TableBy Mel Smilow, Smilow-ThielleLocated in Garnerville, NYA Mel Smilow (1922-2002) designed solid walnut slat table. Wonderful oiled walnut featuring that signature splined corners, cross cut color contrast sides and removable tapered...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Mel Smilow Walnut Slat TableBy Mel Smilow, Smilow-ThielleLocated in Garnerville, NYA Mel Smilow (1922-2002) designed solid walnut slat table. Wonderful oiled walnut featuring that signature splined corners, cross cut color contrast sides and removable tapered...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- 60" Slatted Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the 60" slatted bench or coffee table is a prime example of handcrafted woo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWalnut
- Walnut Slatted Stacking Tables by Mel SmilowBy Mel SmilowLocated in New York, NYOriginally designed by Mel Smilow in 1956 and officially reintroduced by his daughter Judy Smilow in 2016, the slatted stacking tables in a set of three is a prime example of handcra...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Trio of Mid-Century Modern Stacking Tables by Mel SmilowBy Mel Smilow, Smilow-ThielleLocated in Brooklyn, NYTrio of petite, Mid-Century Modern, walnut block, tapered leg, stacking tables by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle can be stacked together, used as occasional side tables or continuousl...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut