Founders Furniture Company was a short-lived 20th-century American brand that produced enduring mid-century modern designs. The company's streamlined dressers, lounge chairs and coffee tables feature solid wood construction and simple but elegant designs.
The history of Founders Furniture Company began in 1946 when it was established as a subsidiary of Knoll Inc., an esteemed manufacturer known mainly at the time for its pioneering workplace furniture — largely owing to the work of visionary designer Florence Knoll — so it launched Founders as its residential division.
During its years of operation, Founders hired celebrated American modernist designers like Milo Baughman and David Parmelee, who created sleek commodes and sideboards in mahogany and rosewood for the brand. Michigan native Jack Cartwright, a designer at Heritage during the 1950s, also worked at Founders as head designer before moving on to start his eponymous furniture company in 1963.
Founders continued operations until 1965 when Thomasville Furniture acquired it. Established in 1904 in North Carolina — home to other iconic mid-century brands such as Drexel and Broyhill — Thomasville expanded significantly during the 1960s and purchased several other American furniture manufacturers.
Today, the timeless styles and exceptional craftsmanship associated with Founders Furniture Company pieces continue to render them desirable even for today’s interiors.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Founders case pieces, seating, tables and more.
Mid Century Modern Jack Cartwright Founders Furn. Leather Walnut Lounge Chair
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Stafford, TX
1960s Mid Century Modern Jack Cartwright W/ Original Black Leather Walnut Lounge Chairs for Founders Furniture! Beautiful lines, solid bones and very comfortable! These both have som...
Leather, Walnut
Pair of Extruded Aluminum and Velvet Sling Lounge Chairs by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Fabulous matched pair of extruded aluminum and velvet slung lounge chairs manufactured by Founders, Classic elegance, extremely comfortable, amazing quality, flawless welds, joints, ...
Aluminum
Pair of Aluminum Frame Upholstered Chairs in the Style of Harvey Probber
By Founders Furniture Company, Harvey Probber
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Pair of aluminum frame chairs upholstered in a soft grey corduroy in the style of Harvey Probber. Manufacturer, Founders Furniture Company.
Aluminum
H 33.5 in W 25 in D 35.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut lounge chairs. America circa 1970’s, iconic Mid-Century Modern styling. Beautiful curves and unique shape. Masterfully restored in a rich dark espre...
Fabric, Walnut
H 28 in W 25.5 in D 32 in
Rare Pair of Aluminum Lounge Chairs by Hannah/Morrison for Knoll
By Knoll
Located in Atlanta, GA
An absolutely stunning pair of the iconic lounge chair designed by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll, circa 1970s. Aluminum with polished stainless steel accents. This rare ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
H 27.5 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern lounge chair manufactured in the United States. This chair features a solid walnut-stained oak frame with sculptural armrests...
Fabric, Walnut
H 34.5 in W 29.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut High Back Lounge Chair
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabulous Mid-Century Modern lounge chair, manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. This chair features a solid walnut stained oak frame with sculptural armrests...
Fabric, Walnut
H 21 in W 30 in D 31 in
Pair of 1970s Curved Rattan Lounge Chairs by Founders
Located in Chicago, US
A stylish pair of 1970s curved rattan lounge chairs by Founders Furniture Company, exemplifying the era’s embrace of organic materials and relaxed modern forms. These sculptural chai...
Upholstery, Wicker
H 37.41 in W 36.23 in D 37.01 in
Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Lounge Chair
By Coja Culemborg
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Coja lounge chair produced in the Netherlands. Stylish and comfortable 1960s brown leather lounge chair. Both the ch...
Leather, Wood
H 29.93 in W 37.41 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Lounge Chairs in Green Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, beech, velvet, Europe, 1950s These European lounge chairs from the 1950s combine comfortable proportions with a restrained, elegant design. The softly rounded...
Fabric, Beech
H 30 in W 28 in D 28 in
Harvey Probber Barrel Back Lounge Chairs
By Harvey Probber
Located in Highland, IN
These barrel back lounge chairs by Harvey Probber are elegantly proportioned and perfectly scaled. The skirt conceals mahogany legs with integral spherical wheels allowing them to mo...
Upholstery, Wood
H 28 in W 41 in D 41 in
Craft Lounge Chair, Leather Lounge Chair, Black Leather and Walnut, Modern
By Craft Associates, Percival Lafer
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Craft lounge chair, percival lounge chair, black leather and walnut, Modern Designer: Percival Lafer Manufacturer: Craft Associates® Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern ...
Leather, Walnut
H 28 in W 26.75 in D 28 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Tufted Aluminum Lounge Chairs by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Simple and elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Sculptural tufted lounge chairs by Harvey Probber. Alcoa aluminum is the main material making up the beautiful frames. Button tufted wit...
Aluminum
H 40 in W 29 in D 31 in
Set of Three Garden Patio Poolside Sling Seat Lounge Chairs by Salterini
By Woodard Furniture Co., Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Voguish suite of three sling seat lounge chairs by noted garden furniture maker, Salterini. The chais features a suspended upholstered continuous back, seat rest in original diamond ...
Wrought Iron
H 25.5 in W 31 in D 26 in
Pair of Custom Pink Silk Velvet Tufted Lounge Chairs by Adesso Imports
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of custom tufted lounge chairs upholstered in pink silk velvet with wood legs. Made in Los Angeles by Adesso Imports. Can be done in different colors and fabrics. Sale price f...
Velvet, Wood
H 35 in W 29 in D 29 in
Pair of Matching Jack Cartwright for Founders Lounge Chairs Newly Upholstered
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent pair of matching Jack Cartwright lounge chairs that have just been reupholstered by our team. The reupholstery includes new fill. The fabric is a subtle raspberry colored...
Fabric, Textile, Walnut
H 28 in W 30 in D 32 in
Mid-Century Cube Chair by Jack Cartwright for Founders, Rosewood + Chrome
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin, Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright, Harvey Probber
Located in Decatur, GA
Stellar cube lounge chair in Brazilian rosewood by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Rosewood slabs with chrome cross bars and hardware and black leather straps. Finished with soft and n...
Chrome
H 28 in W 36 in D 33 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Chrome Low Sling Velvet Lounge Chair
By Founders Furniture Company, Milo Baughman
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
This is a beautiful walnut and chrome yellow velvet low sling lounge chair. Simple design by Founders Furniture open frame with brown walnut frame with chrome details. Upholstery is ...
Chrome
H 32 in W 30 in L 32 in
Jack Cartwright Lounge Chairs for Founders Furniture
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Jack Cartwright Manufacturer: Founders Furniture. Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Walnut, thick weave. Condition: These Jack Cartwright lounge chairs...
Fabric, Walnut
H 26.5 in W 35 in D 31 in
LC3 Lounge Chair by Jack Cartwright for Founders, Chrome and Multi-Color Fabric
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Kansas City, MO
LC3 lounge chair in the style of Le Corbusier. Designed by Jack Cartwright and manufactured by Founders, 1960s. This chair was reupholstered several y...
Chrome
H 28 in W 30.25 in L 28 in
Pair of Founders Aluminum Lounge Chairs
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of founders furniture aluminum lounge chairs. Newly re-upholstered and ready to go! Aluminum frames are very solid and all welds are very nicely done. Elegant Design, looking go...
Aluminum
H 28.75 in W 25 in D 28 in
Leather and Aluminum Lounge Chair by Founders Furniture
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous leather and aluminum lounge chair by Founders Furniture Dimensions: 25” W × 28" D × 27.5" H.
Aluminum
H 24 in W 29 in D 32 in
Founders Lucite Slab Lounge Chair in Stevie Howell "Brambles"
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
One-of-a-kind Founders Lucite Slab Lounge Chair in collaboration with Stevie Howell Studio. Stevie Howell is an LA-based painter, printmaker, and designe...
Cowhide, Linen, Lucite
H 28 in W 30 in D 30 in
Pair of 1960s Founders Furniture Lounge Chairs in the Style of Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Miami, FL
Here a pair of 1960s lounge chairs from Founder's Furniture with polished aluminium frames with a cushioned faux sling style ala Harvey Probber. Requiring new fabric, the original is...
Aluminum
H 31 in W 27.5 in D 30 in
Pair of Aluminium Lounge Chairs in the Manner of Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Polished aluminium frame lounge chairs, in the manner of Harvey Probber, newly re-upholstered with Turquoise Knoll fabric. A wonderful detailed touch is the exposed oversized flat he...
H 28 in W 25 in D 30 in
Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs in Brushed Aluminum in the style of Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of slipper chairs in the style of Harvey Probber with brushed aluminum frames, circa 1970s.
Aluminum
H 24 in W 36 in D 30 in
1970's Club Chairs
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of dark rich coco brown club chairs sitting on bent steel legs.
Steel