Tommi Anton Parzinger was born on February 21, 1903, in Munich, Germany. He was raised in an artistic family and studied at the prestigious Kunstgewebeschule, focusing on a variety of media including ceramic, glass, metal, wood, painting, and design. Parzinger began his career as a freelance designer in Germany and Austria before emigrating to the United States in 1932 after winning a poster contest for North German Lloyd, a steamship company. He settled in New York City in 1935, where he took a job designing silverware, furniture, and accessories for Rena Rosenthal’s famous Madison Avenue shop.
Over time, furniture became Parzinger’s primary focus. In 1938, he became a designer for Charak in Boston and the following year he formed his own business, Parzinger, Inc., in New York, which was later renamed Parzinger Originals in 1946. His design philosophy was rooted in the belief that beauty and functionality should coexist harmoniously. He often employed luxurious materials such as lacquer, brass, and fine woods, and his pieces were frequently adorned with intricate hand-painted details or subtle embellishments. His furniture designs were both practical and aesthetically pleasing, featuring elegant silhouettes and a restrained yet opulent style, and characterized by clean lines, exquisite craftsmanship, and a meticulous attention to detail.
Parzinger's work played a pivotal role in shaping the mid-century modern aesthetic. His designs were favored by prominent figures in society, including Hollywood celebrities and influential business leaders (such as Marilyn Monroe, the DuPont family, and the Rockefellers), which helped cement his reputation as a leading designer of his time. Parzinger's creations were featured in prestigious department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and high-end interior design firms, making his work accessible to a broader audience. Additionally, he continued to work in graphic design and designed furniture, lighting, and accessories for other companies, including Reed and Barton, Lightolier, Salterini Hofstatter, and Dorlyn.
Despite his significant contributions to design, Parzinger remained relatively understated in his personal life, allowing his work to speak for itself. In his later years, painting became his passion, and he primarily focused on creating abstract expressionist works. His legacy is one of elegance, innovation, and timeless beauty, and his work continues to be highly sought after by collectors and design enthusiasts today.
Born in rural Illinois in 1907, Edward Wormley’s interest in design originated early in life and led him to later study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to financial reasons, Wormley dropped out after 2 years and began his first job in an interior design studio before joining the Indiana-based Dunbar Furniture Company where he served as director of design for nearly 40 years.
Following World War II, Wormley became an independent consultant branching out to design textiles, globe stands, and showrooms. He designed award winning collections for Drexel Furniture Company and was included in the Good Design shows of the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Characteristic of his design elements were functional engineering, decorative laminated plywood, and unconventional upholstery.
Wormley characteristically honored aesthetic qualities, following influences of Scandinavian modernism, while maintaining utilitarian qualities and “designing for the needs” of others. His work is timeless and of the highest quality. Wormley died in 1995, but his legacy is celebrated in collections including the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Montreal.
