Pair of Restored Midcentury Drexel "Modern" Walnut Nightstands, circa 1950s
View Similar Items
Pair of Restored Midcentury Drexel "Modern" Walnut Nightstands, circa 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent overall condition. Tops have been professionally refinished by our in-house cabinet shop. detailed top to bottom. Only minor imperfections remain.
- Seller Location:Chattanooga, TN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2255310676291
Drexel
While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.
In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oakwood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.
One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.
In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.
Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more. With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.
Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories. In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.
In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.
The range of vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- Pair of Post Modern White and Gun Metal Gray Chrome Nightstands by LaneBy Lane Furniture, Raymond LoewyLocated in Chattanooga, TNSleek pair of vintage 1980s Post Modern white nightstands by Lane. Stylish and hearty construction, hallmarks of Lane. These nightstands have white enamel painted wood cases and white laminate (Formica) top surfaces. As you can see, there is a slight patina to the white enamel paint. The body of the nightstands appears a slightly warmer ivory color while the laminate tops are pure white. This subtle patina is due to age. The Nineteen-Laties nightstands exhibit elements of Neo Deco...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Night Stands
MaterialsHardwood
$1,996 Sale Price / set20% Off - American of Martinsville Dania Queen Size Bar Bed Headboard with NightstandsBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Chattanooga, TNMid-Century Modern queen size bed headboard with built-in nightstands. The 4004-14 “Bar Bed” is a part of American of Martinsville’s Dania Collection. Designed by Merton Gershun, this walnut bed...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
- Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Nightstand by Broyhill PremierBy Broyhill, Raymond LoewyLocated in Chattanooga, TNWell it’s 2023, and Broyhill’s Chapter One Collection is officially harder to find and more sought after than the Raymond Loewy orginals. With all due respect to Raymond Loewy, there really is something magical about the Chapter One line. Maybe they’re just more fun and approachable. Maybe it’s the proportions and practicality. Regardless, they’re one of our favourite collections of all time. The restoration team pulled no punches on this nightstand, and the end result exceeded our expectations. Every inch of the wood body and base was professionally sanded, primed and painted to match the original bright white. The laminate top and dark lime green molded plastic drawer fronts were finally buffed and polished to a glassy shine. It’s tough to see these go, but we know it will be loved. Broyhill’s Chapter one collection borrowed from the plastic mold injection designs made famous by legendary designer Raymond Loewy. Like Loewy, this Chapter One Green Nightstand...Category
Vintage 1970s American Space Age Night Stands
MaterialsPlastic, Hardwood
- Pair of 1970s Chrome Accent John Stuart Hickory Bachelors ChestsBy John Stuart Inc.Located in Chattanooga, TNMasterfully crafted and preserved vintage 1970s bachelors chests by John Stuart Inc.. We were lucky enough to purchase these pieces from a time capsule estate outfitted with premium...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsChrome
- Restored Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cane Arm Daybed SofaBy Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Grete Jalk, Peter HvidtLocated in Chattanooga, TNThe arms on this sofa are unique, practical and super stylish. The arms curve outward in an L-shape to provide added comfort. Each section is accentuated with cane panels. There are two (interior and exterior) cane panels in each arm. Although unmarked, we're quite certain this sofa was made by Galloway's Furniture of Florida. Beautifully restored vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern daybed sofa. It’s as if you’re buying a “new” vintage sofa...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Pair Parquet Oak Petite Side Tables with Iron x Base Sabre LegsBy Tommi ParzingerLocated in Chattanooga, TNPair of vintage parquet oak side tables with elegant X shaped bases. The transitional side tables are a petite stature and weight. They are perfectly at home placed beside your sofa or armchair. The beauty of these tables lies in their mobility. Because of their size, you can easily move them about. Essentially you have the functionality of portable furniture with the timeless look and craftsmanship of an heirloom piece. The oak parquet veneer accentuates the solid wood table tops...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsIron
- Edward Wormley Pair of Nightstands Precedent Line Drexel, 1950s / 1960sBy Drexel, Edward WormleyLocated in Camden, MEEdward Wormley pair of nightstands for the Precedent collection by Drexel, circa 1947 The pair of silver elm nightstands have been refinished in a blac...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Restored Pair of Chests by Edward Wormley, circa 1947By Drexel, Edward WormleyLocated in Atlanta, GAA beautiful pair of Modern chests by Edward Wormley for Drexel, circa 1947. Expertly constructed in silver elm and finished in cream lacquer. The functional size and scale allow for ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered NightstandsBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern three-drawer bachelor chests or nightstands By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Elegant Restored Pair of Modern Maple Chests by John Stuart, circa 1950By John StuartLocated in Atlanta, GAA stunning restored pair of modern chests by John Stuart, circa 1950. The sleek clean design is clearly influenced by the Florence Knoll case production of the same period. Expertly ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMaple
- Drexel Georgian Carved Mahogany Nightstand, 1950sBy DrexelLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style nightstand By Drexel USA, 1950s Carved mahogany, with original brass hardware. Measures: 21"...Category
Vintage 1950s American Georgian Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Heritage Regency Walnut Drawers Chests Night Tables, circa 1950s, a PairBy Heritage FurnitureLocated in Germantown, MDRare Pair of regency bachelor chests, night tables by Heritage Furniture. Vintage of the 1960s. Walnut and brass. Measures 30 inches in width, 18 inches in depth and stand 22 inch...Category
Mid-20th Century American Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
$1,495 Sale Price / set35% Off