While many great American furniture brands have come and gone, Bernhardt continues to thrive in its space. Spanning more than 130 years and four generations of family leadership, the company maintains an enduring presence in the modern era. It is a global manufacturer of furniture and home accessories and has garnered widespread acclaim for its signature high-quality craftsmanship. Today Bernhardt lounge chairs, coffee tables and dressers are reliable mainstays in living rooms, bedrooms, offices, school campuses and hospitality properties all over the world.
The company was founded in 1889 by John Bernhardt, a veteran of the sawmill trade who intended to produce durable furniture made of wood from the white oak trees that grew in his native North Carolina. Bernhardt quickly earned a reputation for his exceptionally strong, sturdy, striking pieces and eventually gained competitors in the likes of Broyhill and Kent-Coffey, two Lenoir companies that were established in the early 1900s. Bernhardt created fruitful relationships for distributing his furniture all over the country, and as the business gained steam, the company was able to survive the trials and tribulations of World War I and the Great Depression.
While World War II yielded labor and material shortages, demand for furniture took shape in the postwar years as new homeowners looked to furnish their spaces. Expansion followed for Bernhardt, and in 1958, the company added upholstered furniture to its growing catalog. As often as you can find boxy club chairs in Bernhardt’s inventory that are inspired by iconic designs by Le Corbusier or Milo Baughman, the brand has introduced reproductions of furnishings in period styles such as Chippendale, Hollywood Regency and chinoiserie.
Bernhardt continued to expand over time and, in 1981, added the Bernhardt Design division, which focuses on furnishing offices and public spaces. It entered the new millennium by announcing a licensed furniture partnership with Martha Stewart in 2001. Bernhardt and Stewart have since collaborated on several additional collections. In 2008 and 2009, the company launched two more divisions: Bernhardt Interiors for customizable and high-design furniture and Bernhardt Hospitality to cater to the needs of the hospitality market.
Bernhardt has garnered many prestigious awards over its long history, including multiple Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards from the American Society of Furniture Designers. The company is also a leader in sustainable manufacturing and works with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council.
In 2019, Bernhardt introduced the Bernhardt Exteriors division for high-quality and innovative outdoor furniture. Today, the company operates eight manufacturing facilities and continues to be a leader and trendsetter in the growing worldwide oak furniture market.
On 1stDibs, find Bernhardt seating, tables, case pieces and more.
Modern Bernhardt Design Mitt Lounge Chair in Blue
By Bernhardt
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern Bernhardt Design Mitt lounge chair in Lagoon blue with white stitching with handle The Mitt Lounge designed by El Salvadoran Designers Harry...
Fabric
$3,599Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 17.5 in D 23 in
3 Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Slipper / Lounge Chairs, Pierre Lottier, 1940
By Pierre Lottier
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Slipper, Fireplace or Lounge Chairs in dark green leather by French / Spanish designer, Pierre Lottier.The chairs are in a neoclasslical X frame form in wood with leather cov...
Leather, Wood
Ernst Josef Designed Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
By Florence Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of parallel bar style tufted vinyl slipper chairs in the style of Florence Knoll. Mid-Century Modern styling with black vinyl cushions supported by tubular aluminium frames and ...
Chrome
Florence Knoll for Knoll International Lounge Chair in Teak
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Florence Knoll for Knoll International, lounge chair, model '51', teak, fabric, United States, 1955 This slipper chair model 51 is designed by Florence Knoll. The teak frame of the chair is sleek in form. The angled seat is placed upon the squared-off frame. Maximum seating comfort is ensured by the wide seat and tilted backrest. Florence Knoll (1917-) was trained as an architect and had a sense of style from a very young age. In 1936 she met Alvar Aalto and was trained by Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe. This meant that although she was barely out of her teens, she was educated by the best of the European modernists. When she arrived in New York Knoll worked on interior projects (being the only female) which is how she came to know Hans Knoll. When Florence joined Knoll, the planning unit started. Florence also made sure that the designs where more 'American Modernist' instead of Scandinavian, When Hans Knoll died she...
Fabric, Teak
$2,900 / set
H 29 in W 30.5 in D 36 in
Matching Pair of Mid-Century Modern Parsons Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Swaim
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic pair of decorator slipper lounge chairs circa 1970's and made by Swaim. Well made chairs. Fabric is original and needs recovering. Foam and padding are soft.
Fabric
$3,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 32 in W 20.25 in D 30 in
Pair French Mid-Century Modern Grid Back Iron Lounge Chairs, Rene Gabriel Style
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern wrought iron lounge chairs, side chairs or slipper chairs in the style of Rene Gabriel with grid backs and grid seats. The open grids add to a feeli...
Wrought Iron
$476Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 31.5 in D 27 in
Post Modern Memphis Style Club Lounge Chair by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in New York, NY
Pure 1980's Postmodern, memphis influence lounge, arm chair. Gutsy tapered legs support the dramatic upholstered seat. Structurally sound and sturdy, unfortunately, the fabric shows ...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,300 / set
H 29.93 in W 20.08 in D 27.56 in
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair with Ottoman in Canvas Webbing
By Jens Risom, Walter Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair with ottoman, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair with ottoman featuring exquisite...
Brass
Jens Risom 'Vostra' Lounge Chair in Canvas Webbing
By Walter Knoll, Jens Risom
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jens Risom for Walter Knoll, 'Vostra' chair, beech, canvas, brass, United States, design 1941, production 1950s An elegant lounge chair featuring exquisite canvas webbing, this piec...
Brass
Bernhardt Modern Lounge Chair
By Bernhardt, Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Modern upholstered lounge club box shape chair by Bernhardt.
$2,200 / item
H 27.56 in W 33.47 in D 31.5 in
Vittorio Varo for I.P.E. 'Cigno' Lounge Chair in Striped Upholstery
By IPE
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Varo for I.P.E., lounge chair, model 'Cigno, fabric, chrome-plated metal, Italy, 1968. The Italian designer Vittorio Varo created a striking design that adds a vibrant all...
Metal, Chrome
$3,900 / set
H 31.5 in W 25 in D 31.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Slipper Lounge Chairs in Grey Tweed with Bronze Frames
By Florence Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple and sleek modern pair of slipper chairs after Florence Knoll circa 1970's. These feature their original upholstery with bronze f...
Steel
$5,400 / set
H 34 in W 26 in D 33 in
Pair of White Lacquer Chrome Bases Scoop Lounge Chairs Mid Century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice Mid-Century Modern chrome bases, white lacquer shell body, ribbed upholstery lounge chairs.
Chrome
Pair of Brown Velvet Tufted Slipper Chairs by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in West Hartford, CT
Luxurious brown velvet armless upholstered slipper chairs with rolled back and button tufting throughout creating a firm but comfortable sitting experience.
Velvet, Mahogany