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.
Lovely Petite Danish Modern Rosewood Bachelors Chest Mid-Century Modern
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely petite Danish modern rosewood bachelors chest. Rosewood veneer with solid rosewood handles. Perfectly matched drawer fronts and fully finished mahogany inside the drawers with...
Rosewood
American Martinsville High Boy Walnut Dresser Chest Mid-century Modern
By Merton Gershun
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome six drawer shingle front dresser designed by Merton Gershun. This particular line is exceedingly well crafted and heavy, a hidden treasure in American Mid-Century Modern in ...
Brass
Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Bachelors Chest Mid-century
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely and rare kipp stewart designed bachelors chest for drexel declaration. The original finish is gorgeous-seems to be glowing. The hardware is the original porcelain white balls...
Walnut
Handsome American of Martinsville Tall Walnut Rosewood Dresser Chest of Drawers
By American of Martinsville
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome Mid-Century Modern tall walnut and rosewood American of Martinsville chest of drawers dresser. We love the simple li...
Walnut
Magnificent Michael Taylor Baker Campaign Chest Mid-Century Modern
By Michael Taylor
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent 9-drawer campaign chest of drawers by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Co. This is one of those pieces that the more you look at it the more brilliant it becomes. The stunning walnut grain runs up the drawers and onto the top. All the drawers are finely crafted with dovetail joinery and bevelled top edge. The back is also finished so that this piece could float in a room. We just love the original finish with its intentional distress look giving it an old-world charm. This piece came from a mansion on Long Island Sound which was a celebrated Hollywood hangout during the 50s and 60s. It measures 30"T x 66"Lx 19"D. As seen in the last photo we also have the matching bachelor chest...
Walnut
Handsome Danish Modern Teak Johannes Andersen Tall Dresser Mid-Century
By Eva & Johannes Andersen
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome Danish modern Teak tall dresser attributed to Johannes Andersen. This piece measures 46.5"T x 36"D x 18'D.
Teak
Nice Four Drawers Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Bachelor Chest
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Danish modern rosewood bachelor chest of dresser.
Jack Cartwright Brazilian Rosewood Highboy Dresser for Founders
By Jack Cartwright
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Manufacturer: Founders Materials: Brazilian Rosewood, Metal Handles ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing his...
Metal
Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut Chest of Drawers
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Low chest of drawers in walnut designed by Jack Cartwright. Simple mid-century design with straight lines, dovetailed drawers and black pulls. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
Midcentury Modern Era Designer Carlo De Carli Sormani Rosewood Chest of Drawers
By Carlo di Carli, Sormani
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Italian modern chest of drawers designed by famed architect and designer Carlo de Carli (Milan, Italy; 1910-1999) for luxury furniture maker Sormani, model D154, circa...
Bronze
Danish Mid-Century Rosewood Chest of Drawers, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Produced in Denmark in the 1960s, this elegant mid-century chest of drawers is crafted in beautifully grained rosewood. The striking veneer features a rich, vibrant grain pattern tha...
Rosewood
Rosewood Chest of Drawers with 3 Drawers Danish Design from the 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Danish rosewood chest of drawers with 3 drawers from the 1960s. Classic Danish storage furniture. — Origin: Denmark — Period: 1960s — Material: Rosewood — Type: Chest of drawers — D...
Rosewood
