Ross Franklin Littell (1924 – 2000) was an American textile and furniture designer known for his practical, innovative, and minimalist style as part of the Good Design movement of the 1950s. He was born in Los Angeles.
Education
After serving in the military, he graduated from Pratt Institute in New York with a degree in industrial design.
Biography
He received an award from the American Institute of Decorators in 1949 when he was 25 years old for a low coffee table with tubular steel legs and a top made of birch dowels strung together within a gumwood frame with handles. The judges praised the table’s affordability, noting that it only cost $19.
Ross Littell’s signature designs were functional, purposeful, and enjoyable. The “New Furniture” line, which he designed with William Katavolos and Douglas Kelley for the Laverne Company in 1952, is now considered an essential collectable from the time. It combines angularity and elegance, Belgian marble, polished chrome, and woven white leather straps. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has the sling-leather and chrome-frame T-Chair from that series in its permanent design collection.
Littell’s work quickly drew the attention of well-known manufacturers such as Knoll and Herman Miller, with whom he did much work in the 1950s and 1960s. Littell’s 1959 textile design Criss-Cross for Knoll received a citation of merit from the American Institute of Decorators. In 1960, he moved to Copenhagen, then to Italy, where he worked on textile and furniture designs for several well-known European companies, including Unika Vaev in Denmark and DePadova in Italy.
Recognition
The T Chair won the 1952 AID award for the best USA furniture. Their work was shown at the 1953 and 1955 ‘Good Design’ exhibitions at the New York Museum of Modern Art, including Littell’s textile designs, and 1983—84 ‘Design Since 1945’ exhibition of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions
- 1993 OK Harris Gallery, New York City
- This exhibition showed principally intarsia veneer reliefs comprising elements of geometry with illusive, shimmering overtones that constantly change depending on the viewing angle.
- 1983 The Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Factory, Copenhagen
- White-on-white bas-reliefs on paper
- 1982 Illums Bolighus, Copenhagen
- White-on-white hand-pressed bas-reliefs on paper
- 1969 Herman Miller Showroom, New York City
- Exhibition of “Luminars” shown for the first time in the USA
- 1968 CitiBank, Milan
- Exhibition of ten “Luminars”
Group exhibitions
- 1993 Villa Olmo, Como, Italy
- Scheduled for the invitational International Mini-Textile Art Exhibit No. 3, May 1993. Requirements: miniature piece 8 x 8 x 8” utilizing textile, fibre, or paper.
- 1992 “Art Encounter,” Vittorio Veneto, Italy
- An international exhibition featuring artists and craftsmen from five countries scheduled to travel to Finland, Germany and the Netherlands. Work by Littell included illusion reliefs pressed into cardboard and a set of wooden boxes with multi-directionally polished aluminium tops.
- 1982 Aeroskobing Town Hall, Aero, Denmark
- In an exhibition shared with a ceramicist, Littell’s work included three large “Luminars”
- 1980 Founded “Totem,” a group of five artists who exhibited together in galleries and art clubs around Denmark. Work by Littell included “Luminars” and hand-pressed bas-reliefs.
- 1968 Oscar Woolens, London
- “Luminars” and design selections.
- 1965 Eriksholm Mansion, Helsingor, Denmark
- Exhibitions of art pieces, including the first “Luminars.”
- 1958 Rome Gallery
- Spring exhibition of work by Fulbright scholars, which included Littell’s photographs of impressions of Italy
Sources
Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.
Iovine, J. V. (2000, May 8). Ross Littell, 75, Who Designed Inventive Textiles and Furniture. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/08/nyregion/ross-littell-75-who-designed-inventive-textiles-and-furniture.html.
Ross Littell Biography. Casati Gallery. (2020, March 3). https://www.casatigallery.com/designers/ross-littell/.
Wikipedia contributors. (2020, December 26). Ross F. Littell. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:17, May 13, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ross_F._Littell&oldid=996390932
More American Furniture
John Houshmand: Blending Nature and Artistry in Furniture Design
American furniture maker John Houshmand combines nature’s raw beauty with contemporary design to create unique, functional pieces. Influenced by a diverse background, his bespoke creations emphasize sustainability, customization, and the interplay of art and functionality.
Keep reading
Classic Comfort: The Timeless Allure of Adirondack Chairs
The Adirondack chair, originating from early 1900s New York, is admired for its iconic, comfortable design and versatile adaptability. This timeless piece epitomizes outdoor relaxation, continues to inspire designers, and remains popular globally.
Keep reading
Yves Béhar: A Visionary Fusion of Function and Aesthetics
Famed designer Yves Béhar employs a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality in public office landscapes. Discover his inspiring journey.
Keep reading
Angaraib: An Avant-Garde Masterpiece by Danny Lane
‘Angaraib’ is a groundbreaking chaise longue by Danny Lane, blending technology, artistry, and conservation. It features glass, wood, and steel, defying traditional design and merging art with utility.
Keep reading
No. 22 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia
No. 22 Diamond Chair by Harry Bertoia. Many would argue that this is more of a sculpture than a chair. READ MORE
Keep reading
Charles Eames: A Distinguished American Designer and Architect
Charles Eames, a renowned American designer, collaborated with his wife, Ray, and architect Eero Saarinen, creating iconic furniture and influential multimedia.
Keep reading
George Nelson (1907 – 1986) American Voice on Design
George Nelson (1907 – 1986) was an American industrial designer. His Storagewall shelf system, which he made in 1945, changed the way offices worked. The Marshmallow sofa from the 1950s is one of his best-known pieces.
Keep reading
Gustav Stickley (1858 – 1942) American Furniture Designer
Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) was a key figure in the Mission Furniture movement, founding his own sustainable community and emphasizing craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Keep reading
Billy Wilder Chaise Lounge by Charles and Ray Eames
The Wilder Chaise 1968 Lounge is a masterpiece of design created by Charles and Ray Eames, featuring a nylon-coated cast aluminium frame and base with a leather-covered polyurethane foam upholstered seating section. It is functional and adds elegance to any living space.
Keep reading
Richard Schultz (1930 – 2021) American Sculptor and Furniture designer
Richard Schultz (1930 – 2021), an American sculptor and furniture designer, created iconic pieces for Knoll, earning recognition for his work.
Keep reading
Russel Wright (1904 – 1976) American Industrial Designer
Russel Wright, an influential American Industrial Designer, shaped mid-century living with versatile furniture, ceramics, and plastics, emphasizing functionality and informal living.
Keep reading
Extension Table a perfect design for small spaces
An extension table is a table whose length can be increased by inserting a leaf or leaves. The Pulman Extension Table is made of durable solid wood and can be used in various settings.
Keep reading
Lisa Krohn (b.1963) American Industrial Designer
Lisa Krohn studied three-dimensional form with Rowena Reed Kostello, New York, between 1985 and 1986. From 1985 to 1985, she studied art history and visual arts at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. From 1988 to 1988, she was a student at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
Keep readingMission Furniture – Design Dictionary Term
The term mission furniture was first popularized by Joseph P. McHugh of New York, a furniture manufacturer and retailer. The word mission references the Spanish missions throughout colonial California. The style became increasingly popular following the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo.
Keep reading
Tracy Fong (b.1975) American Furniture Designer
Tracy Fong is an American furniture designer who created a new version of an old Asian style by mixing traditional rattan with high-end woods, leathers, and geometric shapes. Her work is rooted in a meticulous artisan ethic and was shown at the 1991 New York International Contemporary Furniture Fair.
Keep reading
Reuben Cary (1845 – 1933) American Furniture Designer
Reuben Cary, an American furniture designer and maker, lived from 1845 to 1933. He worked as a guide and later as a carpenter and boat builder.
Keep reading
John Mascheroni (b.1932), American Furniture Designer
John Mascheroni has been designing furniture for his entire career, recognized for his design acuity and modernism. LEARN MORE
Keep reading
Francis H. Bacon (1856 – 1940) American Furniture Designer
Francis H. Bacon, an American furniture and interior designer, studied in Massachusetts and worked for prominent firms, leaving a legacy in furniture design.
Keep reading
Sam Maloof (1916 – 2009) American Furniture Designer
The furniture designed by Sam Maloof can be found in every imaginable place in the United States, from boardrooms to bungalows, from the White House to the Smithsonian. READ MORE
Keep reading
One of America’s Most Historic Hotels – Mission Inn
Frank Miller built the Mission Inn for people passing through California in the 1800s. It’s a Spanish-colonial-style hotel, which has been remodelled many times over time, with plenty of onsite production – such as balconies, light fixtures, and door handles.
Keep reading
George Nakashima (1905 – 1990) American Woodworker and Designer
George Nakashima, an American woodworker and designer, blended influences from various cultures to create custom, site-specific furniture. His work received numerous awards and was exhibited internationally.
Keep reading
Revolutionising Design: Emeco’s Sustainable Legacy in American Furniture Innovation
Emeco, based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, has been producing iconic furniture, including the Navy Chair, since the 1940s. The company emphasizes sustainability.
Keep reading
Outdoor Seating & Table System for Moroso M’Afrique by Marc Thorpe
Eight years into their collaborative relationship, New York-based designer Marc Thorpe is launching his latest piece for Moroso for their outdoor collection called Moroso M’Afrique. DayTrip comprises various components that are used as low tables and benches that pay homage to the Italian brand’s multi-cultural ethos. The design allows the user to create a composition for…
Keep reading
Wharton Esherick (1887 – 1970) American Sculptor and Furniture Designer
As a result, his sculptural furniture and furnishings are his most well-known works. For his leadership in designing non-traditional designs and supporting and inspiring artists/craftspeople by example, Esherick was dubbed the “dean of American artisans” by his peers during his lifetime. Esherick’s impact can still be apparent in contemporary artisans’ work, especially in the Studio…
Keep reading
Donald Deskey (1894 – 1989) an American Industrial, Furniture and Interior Designer
Donald Deskey was an American industrial, furniture, and interior designer. He was born in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He was professionally active in New York. He may have lacked the European sophistication and architectural training of his friend Paul Frankl. However, he created a uniquely American modern style that combined streamlining with French Art Deco taste.
Keep reading
Muffy VanderBear Portrait Chair
Barbara Isenberg of New York inspected store inventories of soft toys in the mid-1970s and found them deficient. Isenberg wanted a teddy bear for her small kid that had the same quality, charm, and cozy textures as the ones she remembered from her youth.
Keep reading
Edward Wormley (1907 – 1995) American furniture designer
American modern furniture designer Edward Wormley worked for Dunbar Furniture and later his studio, achieving renown for his unique synthesis of historical design and modern innovation. His works featured prominently in the Good Design Exhibitions, with his tile-topped tables being particularly successful.
Keep reading
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.