PAUL LASZLO: INTERIORS | EXTERIORS
Paul László

Paul László: PAUL LASZLO: INTERIORS | EXTERIORS [PAUL LASZLO INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER]. Beverly Hills: Paul László, 1947. First (only) edition. A near-fine spiral-bound book with printed and laminated carboard covers: one corner has been gently bumped. Neat former owners signature in red pencil on FEP, otherwise interior unmarked and very clean. The wire spiral binding is in perfect condition and does not bind any pages when opened. The original shipping box is present and in fair condition: vintage tape reinforcements to all four corners with splits at junctures. The box-top mirrors the design of the book cover. Cover design by Paul László (naturally). Apparently issued in a numbered, limited edition, this particular copy is un-numbered. An extraordinarily rare edition.

10 x 6.5 spiral-bound booklet with 102 pages, 186 b/w photographs and 23 diagrams, showcasing Paul László's work as an architect, interior designer and industrial designer. Foreword by George Nelson. "Julis Shulman, Los Angles, took most of the photographs published in this book. (He believes he is the "best in the world.")."

This lavish volume was self-published by László's office in 1947 as an elaborate self-promotion to trumpet their services to high-end clients. Designed and letterpress printed in Los Angeles, this book is absolutely gorgeous in every aspect, from the cover and binding to the interior layouts and typography and photography by Julius Shulman. This book captures the zeitgeist of the modern movement in postwar Los Angeles and southern California better than any single document I have come across. My absolute highest recommendation.

His reputation as "the Millionaire's Architect" is on full display in the myriad of the residential comissions presented in this volume. All aspects of Laszlo's design work from 1937 to 1947 is represented, including the Mayo, Greer, Schiff, Matray, Harrison, Rosenson, Finer, Illing, de Stakosch, Philipp, Reiss, Blanke, Springer, Lowewendahl, Laszlo, and Keating residences; details from the Beverly Hills Hotel, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Federal Department Store, Walter Marks Office, Eddy Harths, the Crenshaw Movie Theatre, the Bettye Lee shop, theDesert Combers Club, Dreamville, a propsed airline office, the László showroom; as well as individual photographs of multiple Laszlo furniture designs.

In 1948, George Nelson described László's designs as having "generous dimensions, great elegance of appearance, and impeccable taste", all of which translated easily to the glamorous Hollywood life-style.

"People would hire him, go to Europe and come back six or nine months later to find the paintings on the wall, the toilet paper on the roller and slippers by the bed" remembers Julius Shulman.

Asked once what his style was, he responded it is "Laszlo style.". He felt that his homes should have a certain distinction, one that could not be easily duplicated. He credits this as having a balance between the specific needs of his clients and the want to "accomplish comfort, to please the people without the mere shock value." Laszlo always considered his clients first and foremost, maintaining simplicity in the elegance of the furnishings with the luxury of the home. Laszlo best stated in 1952, "I don't try to design look-at-me houses. I try to give the modern style an ageless importance, to be ahead of my time and yet build a comfortable home."

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