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Lawrence Peabody Bookcases

American, 1924-2002

American designer Lawrence Peabody imbued his mid-century modern furniture with flair and style. His vintage lounge chairs, side tables and credenzas feature sleek silhouettes and chic curves. At the same time, every piece has an easy and comfortable appeal reflective of a designer known to be humble and pragmatic.

Peabody was born in 1924 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. As a young man, the story goes, he joined the Navy partly because he found the uniforms aesthetically appealing. After World War II, Peabody used the benefits offered by the G.I. Bill to attend the Rhode Island School of Design. There, he studied under Austrian designer Ernst Lichtblau, who introduced Peabody to the Bauhaus style.

After completing his studies in America, Peabody moved to Denmark and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Here, he met his wife, Bette, who he married in 1952. By 1955, Peabody had moved back to America and settled in Boston, where he created Danish-inspired seating for the Selig furniture company and opened a design firm called Lawrence Peabody Associates. 

One of the firm's earliest designs was a walnut and rattan cradle chair for Richardson Nemschoff, which earned the 1962 International Design Award. Peabody became known for using walnut in his work and drew on Scandinavian modernist influences in his designs.

For the next three decades, Lawrence Peabody Associates developed an extensive client list that included names like Kohler, Richardson Brothers, Chapman Lamps and Boyd Lighting.

Throughout his life and career, Peabody also developed a love of Haiti and Haitian art. On one trip to Port-Au-Prince, he met and befriended a man named Dewitt Peters, founder of Le Centre d'art, a haven for local artists. Peabody and Dewitt collaborated to promote handcrafted Haitian art and furniture at overseas museums. Peabody even became one of the organization's directors. He eventually purchased a home in Port-Au-Prince and spent much time there later in life.

Today, Craft Associates Furniture holds the license to produce Peabody designs.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Lawrence Peabody seating, tables, storage cabinets and other furniture.

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Creator: Lawrence Peabody
Modern Walnut Bookcase by Lawrence Peabody
By Craft Associates, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Black walnut, Claro walnut veneer This Lawrence Peabody modern boo...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Modern Bookcase in Teak by Lawrence Peabody
By Craft Associates, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Teak This Lawrence Peabody modern bookcase cabinet for Craft Associates Furniture is expertly hand crafted. The Peabody collection pieces are licensed reintroductions for Craft Associates. This bookcase cabinet is solid black walnut and Claro walnut veneer. It is available in multiple variations (all walnut / black or normal sliding door / brass or black pulls). Craft Associates Furniture is proud each modern piece is made in the US. We strive to craft a product that will stand the test of time. We use the best materials and have the best craftsman and upholstery in the business. We stand 100% behind our product. Dimensions: H 49" (124.46cm) L 58.875" (149.54cm) D 14.5" (36.83cm) Drawer interiors 8" width (20.32cm) x 12" depth (30.48cm) History Lawrence “Larry” Peabody (1924-2002) was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer. As an American born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, his distinctive design were often influenced by his Scandinavian roots. Lawrence studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark and at the Rhode Island School of Design. His early career with Selig Mfg. Co. was prolific and helped put both himself and Selig on the map for modern furniture. He then started Lawrence Peabody & Associates in 1955, a design firm in Boston which included a vast client list (Sears, Roebuck & Co., Kohler, Regal Rugs, Boyd Lighting, Chapman Lamps, and Richardson Brothers). In 1961, Mr. Peabody won a Citation for Merit for his Peabody Collection for Richardson/ Nemschoff. Winner of the 1962 International A.I.D. design award for his wood frame rattan cradle...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Modern Bookcase Cabinet The Peabody Collection
By Craft Associates, Lawrence Peabody
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Black walnut, Claro walnut veneer This Lawrence Peabody modern bookcase ...
Category

2010s American Modern Lawrence Peabody Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

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Previously Available Items
Lawrence Peabody Bookcase Cabinet
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Located in Chicago, IL
Bookcase / display cabinet designed by Lawrence Peabody for Richardson Bros. Co. This piece features two adjustable shelves, three small drawers and tw...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Lawrence Peabody Bookcases

Lawrence Peabody Bookcase Cabinet
Lawrence Peabody Bookcase Cabinet
H 48.63 in W 58.75 in D 12.75 in

Lawrence Peabody bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Lawrence Peabody bookcases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Lawrence Peabody bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bookcases by Lawrence Peabody were created in the modern style in united states during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bookcases by Sam Hecht + Kim Colin, Amorph Inc. , and Amuneal. Prices for Lawrence Peabody bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,000 and can go as high as $15,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,000.

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