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Founders Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables

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
David Parmelee for Founders Staved Rosewood X-Form Desk or Table, Circa 1970s
David Parmelee for Founders Staved Rosewood X-Form Desk or Table, Circa 1970s

David Parmelee for Founders Staved Rosewood X-Form Desk or Table, Circa 1970s

$2,470Sale Price|25% Off

David Parmelee for Founders Staved Rosewood X-Form Desk or Table, Circa 1970s

By Founders Furniture Company, David Parmelee

Located in Peabody, MA

Mid-century modern writing desk featuring a staved rosewood top over an X-form chrome base, designed by Dave Parmelee for Founders Furniture, circa 1970s.

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Jack Cartwright Writing Desk by Founders Furniture
Jack Cartwright Writing Desk by Founders Furniture

Jack Cartwright Writing Desk by Founders Furniture

$3,500

Jack Cartwright Writing Desk by Founders Furniture

By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company

Located in Highland, IN

A beautiful design by Jack Cartwight from his "Decorum" line for Founders Furniture, this lightly scaled desk features a bow-tie shaped top, a shallow center drawer flanked by two de...

Category

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

Materials

Cane, Walnut

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Founders Furniture Company desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Founders Furniture Company desks and writing tables 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 and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables 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 and writing tables by John Stuart, Milo Baughman, and Frank Lloyd Wright. Prices for Founders Furniture Company desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,500 and can go as high as $5,900, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,448.

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Questions About Founders Furniture Company Desks and Writing Tables
  • What company took over Lane Furniture?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • What happened to the Lane Furniture company?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • What is the most famous Swedish furniture company?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • What is the largest furniture company in the world?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • Is Bombay Company furniture real wood?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • What happened to the Drexel Heritage furniture company?
    1 Answer
    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.

    Find vintage Drexel dressers, sofas, dining tables and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

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