Robsjohn- Gibbings: Modern Classical Furniture

T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings was born in 1905 in England where he studied architecture and became interested in the furniture of the ancient Greeks. Moving to New York in 1936, Robsjohn-Gibbings opened a showroom on Madison Avenue, which featured furniture based on his interpretations of ancient Greek designs. The clean lines of his furniture and the spareness of his interiors, soon made him one of the United States’ leading interior decorators. In the 1930’s and 1940’s he designed homes for many of the United States’ leading social figures.

Robsjohn-Gibbings reputation was enhanced through his extensive writings on design. He was not impressed by the Bauhaus movement. He was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, elements of whose design found their way into Robsjohn-Gibbings work. He championed an Art Deco aesthetic but added a classical twist. He was the most important progenitor of what has come to be known as Hollywood Regency.

Robsjohn-Gibbings was principally associated with the Widdicomb Furniture Company for whom he designed in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. His furniture and accessories are eagerly collected today.

A good place to find vintage T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings furniture is at www.metroretrofurniture.com. Metro Retro has an inventory of over 3500 items of 20th century design. Included in Metro Retro collection are a Robsjohn-Gibbings dining suite, lounge with ottoman, chests, and side tables. Metro Retro also has a wide selection of items from the other great designers of the 20th century.