Certain leviathans of mid-century furniture design routinely make headlines: Edward Wormley, Jens Risom, and Richard Schulz, for example. But Mel Smilow—another champion of enduring and affordable modern design—has flown under history’s radar. Though recognized and coveted by collectors, Smilow’s work remains little known to the mainstream.
Smilow designed his pieces, oversaw their manufacturing, and sold them in his own shops in New York City, White Plains, Long Island, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. A master of the art of merchandising, his styled room settings were renowned for being charming and enticing, incorporating housewares, art, and decorations. His philosophy was clear: Modern design should be good-looking, affordable, and timeless.
Smilow (1922–2002) was born in the Bronx, New York. He studied art at the Pratt Institute, but he left near the end…