Thayer Coggin - Milo Baughman

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Creating a Livable Modern Style
by Hardy Haberman

Milo Baughman once said, “Furniture that is too obviously designed is very
interesting, but too often belongs only in museums.” Those words would be both
part of his design ethos and would come back to haunt him.

Though the name may be unfamiliar, most of us have probably had some
interaction with Baughman’s designs. His furniture designs have graced millions
of homes and commercial spaces over the past half century and continue to
hold their minimalist good looks and geometric appearance.

Born in Kansas, Baughman spent much of his early life in California where he
studied at the Art Center School of Los Angeles, the school that later became
the California Institute for the Arts. After serving in World War II in the Army Air
Corps, he returned to California to complete his education.

820-400 Chaise – (1954)

By the 1970’s Milo Baughman’s name was
synonymous with modern furniture. His
designs proved popular not only because of
livable. At a time when some modern
designers were looking toward a stiff
formalism, Baughman wrote “a forest of
black iron threatens to overwhelm us.” His
designs always had an inviting touch that
was lacking in other designer’s work. He
defined good modern design as, “honest,
simple and straightforward”.
Eventually, his works became such icons of
modern design that ended up in several
museums including the Whitney in New
York. In 1987, Baughman himself was
inducted into the Furniture Designer's Hall
of Fame./

California played a big part in his
career and his design sensibilities.
Baughman is identified with the
mid 20th Century California
Modern movement and was one
of its most prolific designers. Much
of his work from the 1950’s and
1960’s was considered too avant
guard for the market and has
been reissued recently and is still
popular with decorators and
architects.
In 1953, Baughman began a long
and prolific association with Thayer
Coggin, Inc, of High Point, North
Carolina. Milo soon became the
chief designer for the furniture
manufacturer and his collections
became a staple of the firm.

989-103 Lounge Chair – (1963)

Baughman continued designing
modern furnishings at his studio in Salt
Lake City until his death in July or
2003. His timeless works still command
the attention of decorators and
collectors throughout the world.
During a 2003 interview at the premier
of his 50th Anniversary Collection for
Thayer Coggin, Milo was quoted as
saying, “good Modern has already
proven to be the most enduring,
timeless and classic of all design
movements.” His designs are lasting
proof of that concept.

3405 Tub Chair

resource:

Thayer Coggin
www.thayercoggin.com

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