While many great American furniture brands have come and gone, Bernhardt continues to thrive in its space. Spanning more than 130 years and four generations of family leadership, the company maintains an enduring presence in the modern era. It is a global manufacturer of furniture and home accessories and has garnered widespread acclaim for its signature high-quality craftsmanship. Today Bernhardt lounge chairs, coffee tables and dressers are reliable mainstays in living rooms, bedrooms, offices, school campuses and hospitality properties all over the world.
The company was founded in 1889 by John Bernhardt, a veteran of the sawmill trade who intended to produce durable furniture made of wood from the white oak trees that grew in his native North Carolina. Bernhardt quickly earned a reputation for his exceptionally strong, sturdy, striking pieces and eventually gained competitors in the likes of Broyhill and Kent-Coffey, two Lenoir companies that were established in the early 1900s. Bernhardt created fruitful relationships for distributing his furniture all over the country, and as the business gained steam, the company was able to survive the trials and tribulations of World War I and the Great Depression.
While World War II yielded labor and material shortages, demand for furniture took shape in the postwar years as new homeowners looked to furnish their spaces. Expansion followed for Bernhardt, and in 1958, the company added upholstered furniture to its growing catalog. As often as you can find boxy club chairs in Bernhardt’s inventory that are inspired by iconic designs by Le Corbusier or Milo Baughman, the brand has introduced reproductions of furnishings in period styles such as Chippendale, Hollywood Regency and chinoiserie.
Bernhardt continued to expand over time and, in 1981, added the Bernhardt Design division, which focuses on furnishing offices and public spaces. It entered the new millennium by announcing a licensed furniture partnership with Martha Stewart in 2001. Bernhardt and Stewart have since collaborated on several additional collections. In 2008 and 2009, the company launched two more divisions: Bernhardt Interiors for customizable and high-design furniture and Bernhardt Hospitality to cater to the needs of the hospitality market.
Bernhardt has garnered many prestigious awards over its long history, including multiple Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards from the American Society of Furniture Designers. The company is also a leader in sustainable manufacturing and works with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council.
In 2019, Bernhardt introduced the Bernhardt Exteriors division for high-quality and innovative outdoor furniture. Today, the company operates eight manufacturing facilities and continues to be a leader and trendsetter in the growing worldwide oak furniture market.
On 1stDibs, find Bernhardt seating, tables, case pieces and more.
Baker Stately Homes Collection Rolled Arm Empire Sofa
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in North Canton, OH
From Baker Furniture Stately Homes Collection. Monumental Empire Revival Scrolled Arm Sofa.
Upholstery
Fully Upholstered Vintage Side Chairs from Flair by Bernhardt, a pair
By Flair
Located in North Canton, OH
Extraordinary Pair of Fully Upholstered Side Chairs from Flair by Bernhardt. Freshly and professionally Reupholstered in a decadent Cobalt Blue Velvety Chenille from Kravet. Gorgeous.
Upholstery
Ralph Lauren Chesterfield Sofa
By Ralph Lauren
Located in North Canton, OH
Gorgeous Vintage Chesterfield Sofa with Deep Button Tufts, Rolled arms and Brass Casters. Finished in a Cognac leather. Unsigned, believed to be Ralph Lauren.
Leather
1970s Emerald Green Upholstered Settee by Paul Evans for Directional
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in North Canton, OH
This beauty by Paul Evans for Directional Furniture just finished up at upholstery masters @copleypholstery. Wrapped in a decadent GP&J Baker Lee Jofa Velvet. Extraordinary to the to...
Upholstery
Extraordinary James Mont Club Chairs, a Pair
By James Mont
Located in North Canton, OH
Incredible Pair of James Mont Club Chairs. Compact size and extremely comfortable. Upholstery is in good condition but should be reupholstered for your project. Last photo is of anot...
Upholstery
1950s Ultra Rare Michael Taylor for Baker , Walnut and Cane Dining Chairs
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in North Canton, OH
Extraordinary set of 4 Michael Taylor for Baker Dining chairs. Fresh from upholstery these are pretty special chairs. Nearly impossible to replace. Beautiful Walnut Finish and brilli...
Walnut
1960's Midcentury Modern Design Boucle Wool 3 Seat Sofa
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Belgian Design Boucle Wool 3 Seat Sofa. Made in Belgium, 1960's period. This is custom / bespoke made by a Belgian furniture maker for the previous owners t...
Bouclé
Midcentury Modern Design Boucle 3 Seat Sofa, Italy 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design 3 Seat Sofa. Made in Italy, 1970's period. Has a brand logo on the inside of the cushions and back. Brown / Beige Boucle wool woven fabric th...
Wool, Bouclé
Mid Century Modern Sofa by Stendig, New Luxurious Boucle, Switzerland, 1950s
By Stendig Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Sofa by Stendig, Switzerland, New Sheepskin Boucle, Mid Century Modern, Labeled. A rare Mid Century Modern sofa by Stendig, made in Switzerland, in a new sheepskin style boucle, thick and rich with fully redone cushions. The box form mid century modern design is supported by a group of heavy chrome circular disk like feet. This sofa has a matching pair of box chairs, fully redone to match, sold separately. Seat height 18 inches. lhSX Stendig Co. played a pivotal role in introducing modern European furniture to the American market, thanks to the business acumen of founder Charles Stendig. Around 1950, the Brooklyn, New York–born Stendig (b. 1924) worked for Raymor, a purveyor of modern china and accessories that is best known for distributing designer Russel Wright’s American Modern line of ceramics. While at Raymor, Stendig focused on the company’s less popular pieces that were made in Italy and Scandinavia, recognizing their potential for the American market. In 1955, he left the company and decided to establish Stendig Co. In 1956, the first Stendig Co. showroom opened in Manhattan. A year later, during a trip to Zurich, Stendig came across a Bauhaus–inspired furniture store featuring pieces by Swiss designers Kurt Thut, Hans Eichenberger and Robert Haussmann, the store’s co-owner. Following a meeting with Haussmann, Stendig became the retailer’s exclusive U.S. distributor. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Stendig Co. imported and sold furniture...
Chrome
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Sofa By Edward Wormley For Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century modern sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture has been updated with a new single streamlined seat cushion. The Dunbar frame, circa 1950s, features a long low, f...
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Custom Warren Sofa by Foley & Cox, Hand-Crafted, Wool Fabric, USA
Located in New York, NY
New to the foley&cox HOME custom collection is the Warren sofa, shown here. Featuring clean lines and low profile, the contemporary sofa is made with solid wood frame, feather w...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1960s One-Owner Florence Knoll Model 1206 Three-Seat Sofa - For Reupholstery
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
An exceptional mid-century modern design icon: the Model 1206 Three-Seat Sofa, designed by the legendary Florence Knoll in 1954 and manufactured by Knoll Associates circa 1960s. Thi...
Metal, Chrome
