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.
1960s Solid Walnut Lounge Chair Ib Kofod-Larsen for Selig
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Charleston, SC
Beautiful solid walnut and teak lounge chair Attributed to Ib Kofod-Larsen imported by Selig. features stunning sculpted arms, a slatted back, new yellow velvet upholstery and new w...
Velvet, Teak
$2,962 / item
H 30 in W 32 in D 36 in
Lawson-Fenning Griffin Chair, Velvet & Solid Walnut, Modern Lounge Chair
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Griffin Chair is a wide, armless lounge chair that features biscuit tufting. The base is solid American Walnut or White Oak. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handma...
Velvet, Walnut
Midcentury Milo Baughman Style Walnut Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Houston, TX
Midcentury Milo Baughman style walnut lounge chair. This handsome midcentury club chair or lounge chair has been professionally upholste...
Bouclé, Walnut
$4,800
H 38.5 in W 33 in D 32 in
Adrian Pearsall Walnut Lounge Chair Model 2161-C For Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern lounge chair was designed by American design legend Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates circa 1960s. This armchair is documented in the Craft Associates cata...
Velvet, Walnut
$6,790 / item
H 33 in W 24 in D 34 in
Midcentury, Line Lounge Chair by Michael van Beuren, Walnut & Velvet, by LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Line lounge chair was designed in circa 1945 by Michael van Beuren, an American who trained at Germany's prestigious Bauhaus school and then immigrated to Mexico to become one of the most successful and sought after furniture designers of the 20th century. The Line chair has a distinctly Latin American flavor with its curved legs whilst honoring the international style...
Velvet, Walnut
Milo Baughman Scoop Armchair for Thayer Coggin, Brown Velour & Chrome
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century scoop armchair with brown velour upholstered seat, back, and arms with button tufted detail along the seam where the seat and back join, supported by a thin squa...
Metal, Chrome
$4,200 / item
H 31 in W 40 in D 38 in
Lawson-Fenning Mesa Swivel Chair, Rust Velvet & Walnut, Modern Lounge Chair
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Mesa Swivel Chair by Lawson-Fenning is a fully upholstered club chair that features a walnut or oak inset base. Pair with the Mesa Ottoman. Available with a Square Base. The Law...
Velvet, Walnut
Paul Laszlo Attribution, Lounge Chair, Mahogany, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Paul Laszlo
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached mahogany and brown velvet lounge chair attributed to Paul Laszlo, US, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use. Reupholstered in brand new fabric. Overall Di...
Velvet, Wood, Mahogany
$3,295
H 27 in W 29 in D 30 in
Lounge Chair in Walnut & Original Fabric After Harvey Probber, Usa, C. 1970's
By Harvey Probber
Located in Deland, FL
Mid-Century Modern low slung club chair after Harvey Probber (1922–2003) the influential American Mid Century Modern furniture designer born in Brooklyn, New York. A self-taught tale...
Walnut
Cantilever Lounge Chair attributed to Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Pace Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Cantilever Lounge Chair attributed to Milo Baughman. One of the best forms in solid bar chromed steel.
Upholstery
Mel Smilow Walnut Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Mel Smilow, Smilow-Thielle
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A rare Mid-Century Modern Case Armchair by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle, 1950s Designed in the 1950s by celebrated American modernist Mel Smilow for his New York–based firm Smilow-T...
Walnut
Beautiful Light Brown Remy Lounge Chair for Bernhardt
By Florence Knoll, Jeffrey Bernett, Bernhardt Design
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Jeffrey Bernett designed Remy swivel lounge chair with light brown soft silky upholstery on a self returning chrome bases. Heavy, solid, and well made chairs showing little use. Manu...
Chrome
Superb Antonio Citterio Slipper and Swivel Chair in Velvet (two available)
By Antonio Citterio, Flexform
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Stunning Post-Modern Guscioalto Lounge chair by Antonio Citterio for Flexform. Sea foam velvet upholstery adds a touch of luxury and elegance to any space, while the plush cushioning...
Metal
Mid-Century Sculpted Danish Modern Lounge Chair by Niels Koefoed
By Niels Koefoed, Koefoeds Hornslet
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Scandinavian Modern solid teak lounge chair by Niels Koefoed with new black leather upholstery. Sleek sculptural back and gentle curves combined with angular frame creates a dynamic ...
Brass
Midcentury Lounge chair Teak and Leather
By Alf Svensson & Yngve Sandström
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Mid-Century Scandinavian Lounge / reclining chair in teakwood with dark thick saddle brown leather. Newly upholstered. Has three positions to recline. Sleek design and wond...
Leather, Teak
Midcentury Rare Folding Angle Chair by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Drexel
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this Mid-Century Modern lounge or easy chair from the Perspective collection by Milo Baughman for Drexel in 1951. Crafted from exotic Mindoro wood that shim...
Linen, Wood
