The Paul László papers span 24 linear feet and date from 1925 to 1975. The collection primarily contains drawings and photographs that document László's interior planning and design work done after 1936, when he arrived in California, with most work dated since 1944. Some of his major clients include J. C. Hall (Hallmark), The Hudson Bay Company (Canada) and department stores Robinson's, and Bullock's. Materials include presentation boards for residential and commercial buildings (showing interior and exterior views) and furniture designs. Architectural drawings, correspondence, black-and-white photographs, and magazine and newspaper clippings are arranged by project.

Paul László, interior designer and architect, was born February 6, 1900 in Debrecen, Hungary. He attended the Staatliche Akademie der Bilden den Kunste in Stuttgart, Germany where he studied architecture and design. László apprenticed with Fritz August Brueuhaus in Cologne Germany before he opened his practice in Vienna in 1925, at the age of 24. In 1936, László moved to Los Angeles where he quickly gained residential commissions. Throughout László’s career the majority of his work consisted of ultra-modern, spacious residential homes for celebrities and the wealthy. He designed homes for Cary Grant, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor and Barbara Hutton, among others. László often designed all of the furniture and interiors for his buildings. As his career progressed László focused more of his energy on interior design. Some of his more notable projects include designs for deparment stores, including Bullock’s, Goldwater’s, Robinson’s, and Ohrbach’s stores; a bomb shelter for Mr. John Daniel Hertz; and the Illing of California building. Paul László died on March 28, 1993, at the age of 93.

24.0 Linear feet (7 record storage boxes, 5 flat file drawers, 1 model)

Open for use by qualified researchers.