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.
Norway Teak 4 Drawer Dresser in Scandinavian Modern Style, 1965
By Arne Vodder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Norway Teak 4 Drawer Dresser with a plinth Black Base, most likely by Westnofa. Marked Norway on bottom of cabinet. Nice construction with solid wood d...
Teak
Mid-Century Modern 5 Drawer Dresser by Bassett Furniture, Walnut
By Bassett Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bassett Furniture 5 Drawer Tall Dresser. Drawers are just over 6" deep making this a perfect cabinet for bulkier items! Top is deeper on corners and cuts back in the center! Visua...
Walnut
D-Scan Teak Gentleman's Cabinet/ Dresser
By D-Scan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
D-Scan Teak Cabinet/ Dresser. 7 Drawers with brass pulls on the left and one door that opens to reveal a ton of storage with 2 adjustable shelves. Very nice original condition! Ma...
Brass
Oak 5 Drawer Dresser in the Style of George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Oak 5 Drawer Dresser in the style of George Nelson. New legs added. U-shape Chrome handles make it easy to grab and open drawers. Overall clean condition with extra deep bottom dr...
Aluminum, Chrome
E.W. Bach Teak Dresser, Scandinavian Modern, Six Drawers, 1958
By E.W. Bach
Located in Philadelphia, PA
E.W. Bach 6 Drawer Teak Dresser. All original! Nice size and scale! Overall very clean! Bottom of one drawer shows edge loss as seen in photos.
Teak
Drexel Tall Boy Dresser, Walnut, Hollywood Regency Style, USA, 1970
By Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drexel Tall Boy 6 Drawer Dresser from the Treasury Collection. Traditional in so many ways with a touch of updating that brings it up to speed! Plenty of Storage! All original con...
Walnut
Midcentury Walnut Jack Cartwright for Founders Highboy Tall Dresser Refinished
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Baltimore, MD
Handsome, richly grained walnut mid-century modern 6 Drawer tall dresser, attributed to Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture Company, USA circa 1960’s. Expertly crafted, this absol...
Walnut
Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut Dresser
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall mid-century modern dresser by Jack Cartwright. Six wide dovetail jointed drawers with black metal pulls. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
John Kapel Tall Dresser / Wardrobe in Walnut
By John Kapel, Glenn of California
Located in Berkeley, CA
This tall dresser/wardrobe was designed by John Kapel and produced by Glenn of California in the USA during the 1960s. Built in solid walnut, the tall case combines drawer and wardro...
Walnut
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Armoire
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jack Cartwright for Founders Mid Century Walnut Armoire This armoire measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 45.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as m...
Walnut
1960s Jack Cartwright for Founders Six Drawer Walnut Highboy Dresser Refinished
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut Six Drawer Highboy Dresser, designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture in 1965. It has a case of walnut and features six drawers that have Dovetail Joints. I...
Steel
Mid-Century Merton Gershun Designed Walnut Highboy Dresser by Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Carlton House Fine Furniture, Merton Gershun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Similar to Merton Gershun's designs for the "Dania" collection by American of Martinsville, this walnut highboy dresser by Carlton House exemplifies classic American Mid-Century Mode...
Brass
