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Founders Furniture Company Desks

American

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.

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Creator: Founders Furniture Company
Restored Chestnut & Bronze 4-Drawer Large Desk by Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the United States towards the late 1960s, this desk was designed by Jack Cartwright and manufactured by Founders in very low numbers, probably due to the quality required dur...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Founders Light Blonde Pecan Single Pedestal Desk Tubular Chrome Legs MINT!
By Henredon, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Founders light blonde pecan single pedestal desk tubular chrome legs MINT! Solid wood construction dovetail joints.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Chrome

Founders Furniture Co. Rectangular Walnut and Bronze Desk
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century desk with a rectangular walnut top containing four drawers with bronze horizontal bar drawer pulls, supported on two Sets of four bronze legs on either side with...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company Desks

Materials

Metal, Bronze

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Previously Available Items
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Campaign Style Founders Furniture Light Oak Desk with Brass Plate Accents
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Handsome Campaign style writing desk in light oak bookmatched veneer and brass plate accent and hardware made by Founders Furniture. This piece is in wonderful vintage condition apart from some missing veneer on one of the drawers which has now been repaired. Please see photos, circa 1970s. This marvellous desk needs to be yours! It was made circa 1970s in a Campaign style that was as popular then as it is today. Comprised of four drawers in the left stack and four drawers in the right stack with a single centre pencil drawer. It has very clean straight lines and is covered in light oak veneer which is bookmatched and has a very wide beautiful grain. It makes me think of a tiger skin. This gorgeous graining is accented by brass plated beading around each drawer in the upper row and each bank of three equal sized drawers in its two tower stacks. The antique brass plated recessed Campaign style handles are the perfect highlight to its blocky style and outstanding grain pattern. Its back is beautifully finished making it able to float in a room. This simple but handsome desk would be perfect in your living room, family room, bedroom, or kitchen. And will blend or complement many design styles including Mid-Century Modern, Industrial, Southwestern, and traditional. If you care to view them, we do have other pieces from this collection by Founders Furniture listed online as well. You need to make this wonderful desk your own. Desk: • Height 29.25 inches • Width 54 inches • Depth 24 inches • Top drawer sizes 4 x 14, 4 x 21, 4 x 14 inches • 4 tower drawer...
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1970s American Campaign Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks

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Founders Furniture Company desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Founders Furniture Company desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Founders Furniture Company desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Founders Furniture Company were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Florence Knoll, Dunbar, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Founders Furniture Company desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,600 and can go as high as $8,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,895.
Questions About Founders Furniture Company Desks
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    United Furniture took over Lane Furniture in 2017. After that, the furniture maker became well known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022, United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane due to financial problems. Find a collection of Lane Furniture pieces from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    The story of what happened to the Lane Furniture company is one of financial difficulties. The company was acquired by United Furniture Industries in 2017 and became particularly well known among contemporary consumers for its upholstered furniture. In 2022, United abruptly closed and ceased operations at Lane due to bankruptcy. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Lane furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
    The most famous Swedish furniture company is arguably IKEA. Founded in 1943, the company has grown to become one of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world. The brand has more than 450 stores located in more than 60 countries. Shop a range of IKEA furniture from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024
    IKEA is generally considered to be the world's largest furniture company. Established in 1943 in Älmhult, Sweden, the company now operates more than 450 stores around the world. In 2022, more than 800 million people visited IKEA stores, and millions more bought pieces online. Find an assortment of vintage IKEA furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024
    Yes, most Bombay Company furniture is real wood. The furniture maker produces pieces out of rubber wood, cherry wood and other hardwoods. Some pieces also feature other materials, such as bamboo. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Bombay Company wood furniture from some of the world's top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJuly 9, 2024
    What happened to the Drexel Heritage furniture company was that the brand went out of business. In 2014, the last plant operated by Drexel Heritage — known to mid-century modern furniture collectors as Drexel Furniture — closed its doors. The North Carolina company rebranded as Drexel in 2017. Then, in 2018, the Heritage Home Group, which was formed years earlier by an equity investor called KPS Capital Partners when it acquired Drexel Heritage and other manufacturers such as Lane and Broyhill, filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations. Production of Drexel furniture never resumed.

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