Thomasville Passport

Thomasville Furniture was once a manufacturing giant known for its chic designs and popular licensed collections. Today, every vintage solid wood Thomasville cabinet, dining chair and dining table is a charming piece of American furniture history.

Thomasville was founded in 1904 in the town of Thomasville, North Carolina. The neighboring city of High Point, home to Tomlinson and others, would one day be known as the capital of American-made furniture, while iconic mid-century modern brands Century, Broyhill and Drexel also opened their doors in the so-called “Tar Heel State.”

Thomasville’s initial offerings were limited to one item — the Thomasville chair — and it was known in its early days as the Thomasville Chair Company. People loved Thomasville chairs so much that demand surged for more types of seating and other furnishings. In 1922, there was even a 13-foot replica of the original chair design installed in the town square. Dubbed "The Big Chair," it was rebuilt in 1951 to a height of 30 feet and still serves as the town's most notable landmark.

Thomasville quickly grew and expanded, and was featured in hundreds of retail stores across America. The manufacturer also established Thomasville Home Furnishing stores to carry the company’s products exclusively. In 1995, Thomasville was purchased by Interco Inc.

In 2002, Thomasville unveiled the Humphrey Bogart collection, the first of two highly successful licensed collections. Inspired by the Art Deco movement as well as the Hollywood Regency style, the theatrical line of alluring mahogany chests, mirror-topped nesting tables and other furnishings positioned glamour and sophistication front and center. Upon seeing the collection, Bogart's widow, actress Lauren Bacall, remarked, "They haven't missed a trick."

This was followed in 2004 by the Ernest Hemingway collection, released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the writer's Nobel Prize. The collection, which included sleigh beds, chests, dining tables and more, drew on Chippendale furniture and the French Rococo style. It represented the largest launch in Thomasville's history, boosting the company's sales and brand image.

In 2008, Thomasville introduced a new signature collection in collaboration with designer Darryl Carter. The partnership yielded a line of versatile traditionalist center tables, seating and other pieces with a contemporary twist and saw Carter offering a fresh take on the classic work for which Thomasville is known.

In 2014, Thomasville, then owned by Heritage Home Group, announced the end of operations in its native city.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Thomasville case pieces, tables, seating and more.

We find relaxation and solace in our bedrooms, which are often the most cherished rooms of a home. Your antique, new or vintage bed and bed frame are integral to this oasis of personal comfort.

Beds and bed frames have long been an important part of the sanctuary that is the bedroom. For the upper class in countries such as England, the massive, costly beds of the 16th and 17th centuries were decorative and of the poster variety. Some were characterized by large painted wooden headboards, often made of oak, that featured ornate carvings and richly colored curtains affixed to each of the two or four posts — think of today’s sumptuous upholstered headboards as a distant cousin to these luxurious furnishings. The heavy fabric curtains were drawn across a fringed canopy to close out the sunlight that might’ve warmed your grandiose and opulent bedchambers. This feature could also offer privacy as desired, because, as we all know, a bedroom is for more than just sleeping. 

Coiled springs didn’t make their way into mattresses until the 1800s, which likely made for a far more comfortable night’s sleep for many. Bed frames of cast iron and brass were introduced during the mid- to late-19th century. Later, the 20th century brought with it marvelous innovations for slumberland, among them daybeds from the likes of George Nelson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as well as convertible sofa beds.

Today, you will find a range of beds geared toward your individual personality and preferred style of decor. When shopping for a bed and bed frame, keep in mind that you’ve got options. Sizes range from twin to California king. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a king-size bed is roughly 16 inches wider than a queen-size mattress, and your bed frame will likely add two to five inches to each side. (The California king bed is 84 inches long.)

From dramatic bedroom designs to uncomplicated, minimalist approaches, the bedroom has evolved into the haven that it should be: a peaceful place of respite, where we begin and end every day. Take the time to create your very own oasis — you deserve it. Rest easy with an expansive collection of antique, new and vintage beds and bed frames available on 1stDibs.