1936 Charak

Over the course of nearly seven decades, Charak Furniture Company produced exemplary reproductions of 18th-century-era furniture, including works created in the American colonial and Georgian styles, as well as sophisticated mid-century modern pieces made by the likes of German furniture designer and painter Tommi Parzinger.

Charak was established in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1919. It earned a reputation for exceptional design and durability, and the 1920s were a period of high production for the brand. Charak was a leading manufacturer of reproductions of early American furniture that was influenced by Queen Anne– and Georgian–era design, including secretaries, dressers and cabinets with exquisite details like accented moldings, carved finials, recessed door panels, claw feet and other embellishments.

While the Great Depression put many furniture manufacturers out of business, Charak Furniture Company weathered the era’s difficulties. In fact, during the 1930s, it introduced one of its most enduringly popular dining tables: the drop leaf Danbury table. The solid mahogany table, which features four leaves to comfortably accommodate larger dining parties as necessary, is supported by four slender and elegantly curving legs, a wonderful example of the company's furniture from this era.

In the 1950s, Charak Furniture Company continued to thrive by shifting production to suit modern tastes. It worked with designers like Donald Deskey and Tommi Parzinger to develop collections that boast the clean lines and sleek silhouettes that characterized many of the period’s designs. The collaborations proved fruitful and prolific. The company’s rare revival and mid-century modern pieces have considerable appeal for today’s collectors.

In its heyday, Charak Furniture Company had showrooms in Chicago and New York City. Today, a 1958 desk designed by Deskey is part of the permanent collection at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

On 1stDibs, find an array of vintage Charak Furniture Company tables, storage cabinets, seating and more.

An alluring sitting area doesn’t have to be in the exact center of the room, but an antique or vintage center table is a great tool to partition off such an area.

By definition, a center table is a piece of furniture that is placed in the center of a room. Initially these appeared in the foyer or entryway before making their way into the living room. While one might keep seating furniture such as sofas against the walls to avoid limiting movement and closing off space, a center table in the living room can fill this central space without restricting the flow of the room.

One of the purposes of a center table is to anchor the rest of the furniture. It draws the eye to a specific area and invites guests to sit down. When thinking about how you’ll arrange your furniture, a good rule of thumb is to set tables an arm’s length away from seating. For instance, place a coffee table about 18 inches from a sofa so that it is within reach but not too close. In more modern layouts, tables are sometimes placed to the side to leave a large open area for foot traffic.

Because of its central position, a center table is one of the first things people will notice when entering a room. It’s important to consider how a center table can add to a room, as it’s a crucial element for defining the feel and theme of a room. Some center tables are mainly for decor, while others can be a great place to sit around over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Center tables are perfect for displaying decorative objects, floral arrangements, books or a cluster of prized antique vases given the prominent position of your table and the attention it will get.

The clean lines and organic forms that we typically associate with mid-century modern center tables means that they will bring a dose of sophistication to a space, and examples from the era can be found in square and round shapes. Wood tables were popular with furniture makers of the period, but versions in glass and marble are also widely available. Because Art Deco designers frequently incorporated ornamental embellishments such as exotic animal hides and veneers in their seating, case pieces and other furniture, your Art Deco center table will likely make a strong statement in any room. Alternatively, if you’re searching for something small and unassuming, Regency tables could be an option for your space.

Find a growing collection of antique and vintage center tables on 1stDibs today.