Join us for a multi-media exhibition celebrating Tom Lee (1910-1971) and Sarah Tomerlin Lee (1910-2001), husband and wife for more than three decades, who left a distinctive mark on 20th century American design. He worked as a theater designer, a department store display director, and chiefly an interior designer, and she was a magazine editor, a department store executive, an advertising copywriter, and ultimately a renowned interior designer. But they were more than simply successful individuals; a designing duo, they sometimes shared clients and, more significantly, shared expertise, experience, and perspectives to profoundly influence each other. This synergy was vividly manifest at the time of Tom’s death at the age of 61, when Sarah seamlessly took over his firm and went on to design more than 40 hotel interiors until she retired, shortly before her death at the age of 90.

As influential tastemakers, the Lees promoted a sophisticated blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics—by turns decorative and minimalist—which Sarah called “romantic modernism.” Underlying their work was a belief that architecture and design were essentially forms of storytelling influenced by literature, theater, and art. At the same time, their work powerfully reflected larger social and cultural forces, from the advance of middle-class consumer culture to the rise of women in the workplace. They used design as an agent of American diplomacy during the Cold War, positioned American fashion on the international stage, and helped make historic preservation an indispensable economic engine of urban redevelopment.

The majority of the objects in this exhibition are drawn from the New York School of Interior Design Archives and Special Collections, unless otherwise noted. The archives’ holdings underscore that the Lees’ work was at once international in scope and a quintessential New York story.

This exhibition was curated by Donald Albrecht, an independent curator, and Thomas Mellins, an independent curator. Anne Regan, a graduate student in the Master's Program in the History of Design and Curatorial Studies, Parsons School of Design, in partnership with Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, assisted with research. Julie Sandy, NYSID’s librarian/archivist for the NYSID Archives and Special Collections, facilitated throughout the entire research process and led the development of the accompanying online exhibition to enhance the “Design Duo” experience.

Gallery Details:

• Access to the NYSID Gallery is via 170 E. 70 Street entrance

• Exhibition on view: September 15-December 5, 2022

• NYSID Gallery hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am–4pm

• Admission is free and no reservation is needed

• Government-issued ID and proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for entry to all NYSID facilities

In response to current health concerns surrounding COVID-19, the NYSID Gallery will be closed until further notice. Please email rsvp@nysid.edu with any questions regarding exhibitions.

We apologize for any inconvenience, we value your patronage and support of our programs. For more information on NYSID’s response and plans in regards to COVID-19, visit nysid.edu/covid19.

Join us for the opening reception on February 20, 2020 at 6pm, RSVP today!

In the middle decades of the twentieth century, Harvey Probber’s name was as widely recognized as those of designers like Charles Eames and George Nelson, yet it is scarcely as familiar today. This may be in part because he was even better known as a prominent manufacturer, but there are other reasons: his furniture was made in relatively limited quantities, he was self-taught as a designer, and he was considerably younger than his contemporaries and competitors.

But there was much more to his story. In addition to his dual roles as designer and manufacturer, Probber was responsible for a design innovation so familiar that its original source has been forgotten: in the 1940s, he conceived and introduced the first design for modular seating. He also gave several now-famous young artists their first exposure, discovered and introduced major European designers and technical innovations to the American market, and after retiring, served as an industry spokesperson and international consultant.

Making Connections: Harvey Probber Furniture, 1945 – 1985 will shed new light on the many aspects of this multi-faceted man, who began his career at an age when most young men would still be in school, and, while designing and producing furniture, pursued a parallel profession as a cabaret singer. He was not only an imaginative designer and successful businessman, but a skilled draftsman, and a competent amateur cartoonist.

Celebrating the diverse connections as integral to his story, this exhibition will paint a broader picture of a man whose influence on design, and on the furniture industry, has never been fully appreciated. It will feature period examples of his best-known furniture pieces, including his groundbreaking modular seating units and distinctive seating and storage furniture in rich woods and luxurious fabrics, along with original sketches and renderings, vintage photographs, catalogs, and ephemera from the Harvey Probber Design Archive.

Exhibition curator, Judith Gura. Associate curator, Evan Lobel. Exhibition design by Darling Green. Sponsored by the Harvey Probber Design Archive, M2L, Lobel Modern, and Chairish. Paint generously donated by Farrow & Ball. Opening reception sponsored by New York Design Center, Inc.

More about our sponsors

Lobel Modern was established by Evan Lobel. His vision was to promote important 20th century design that focuses on exceptional craftsmanship and materials with an emphasis on furniture that crosses over into art.  He has specialized in Harvey Probber’s designs since he opened his showroom in New York City in 1998.

M2L was founded nearly 30 years ago with a clear mission: to provide fresh yet timeless modern design solutions to the design professional and the clients they serve.

M2L holds the exclusive worldwide license rights to manufacture and sell Harvey Probber designs, including: Deep Tuft, Nuclear Sert, Architectural Series Seating, Architectural Series case-goods, Mayan, Cubo series, and the 303 & 1461 chairs. 

On loan from M2L, Inc: Deep Tuft® Sofa, Cubo Sectional, Architectural Series armchair, and Mayan Sofa.

Chairish is the design lover's indispensable online source for chic and unique decor, art, furniture and home decorating inspiration. Founded in 2013, Chairish delights millions of monthly shoppers with its expert curation of exclusive and diverse inventory, spirited attitude, refreshing shopping experience and award-winning customer care.  With 1,000+ new arrivals daily, it’s no wonder Architectural Digest named Chairish the #1 “can’t live without decorating app” that “will change the way you shop for furniture online.” Entrepreneur lists Chairish as one of  “best entrepreneurial companies in America.” To keep up with everything Chairish, visit www.chairish.com or follow @chairishco on social.

Exhibitions are open to the public, no reservation is required. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, closed for major holidays. For more information or questions please email rsvp@nysid.edu or call 212-472-1500, ext. 405.