While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.
In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oak wood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.
One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.
In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.
Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more.
With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.
Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories.
In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.
In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.
The vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Sideboard/Hutch
By Drexel
Located in Tulsa, OK
Mid Century Modern Drexel Declaration Sideboard/Hutch Above average vintage condition and structurally sound. Has some expected slight finish we...
Walnut
Drexel "Declaration" Dresser
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long Mid-Century Modern dresser by Drexel for their "Declaration" line. Designed by Stewart MacDougal and Kipp Stewart, with modern straight lines, walnut grain and 11 total drawers....
Walnut
$5,010
H 31 in W 66 in D 20 in
Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall for Drexel Declaration Mid-Century Dresser
By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut dresser designed by the celebrated duo Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel’s iconic Declaration Collection, one of the most recogn...
Brass
$3,995
H 76 in W 60 in D 18 in
MCM 2-Piece China Hutch Cabinet Buffet by Heywood Wakefield Contessa Collection
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Mid-Century Modern 2-piece china hutch, cabinet, or buffet by Heywood Wakefield for the Contessa Collection. Comprised of 2-pieces a top hutch & a bottom buffet in a dark cherrywood, woven wicker basket weave or caned door fronts, brass toned pulls, & slim steel legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are nicks on the left side of the buffet edge toward the front. Stiffener has been added underneath buffet as the cabinet had sagged in the middle making doors uneven. Stiffener corrected that issue. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960’s. In 1959, the Heywood Wakefield “Contessa” slogan was "Wood for warmth and grace ... steel for strength and rigidity." "Furniture of Slender Elegance." And does this China cabinet ever fit that description. The Contessa line features a darker cherrywood, gold or brass toned accents, and slim steel legs. This cabinet has 2 pieces. A bottom buffet that features brass toned pulls that open two sets of double doors. There are three drawers on the right side with a silverware tray in the top drawer. The left side is open storage. The top hutch features two rolling side doors with woven wicker basket weave, or caned, door fronts and three shelves in the center. The whole cabinet stands on slim steel legs and exudes mid-century modern magnificence! This awesome, versatile china cabinet or buffet will look amazing whether you place it in the dining room, living room, study, or the kitchen. It is adaptable enough to blend right in whether your design style leans to Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern, industrial, southwestern, or modern country. In 1897, two prominent furniture companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company merged and created Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company; the name would be shortened to Heywood-Wakefield in 1921. The new company rose to popularity in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s with its solid wood, Art Deco-inspired, mid-century modern furniture. In 1992, South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the Heywood-Wakefield name. After realizing how in demand vintage Heywood Wakefield pieces were, production began on new pieces that remained true to the style, quality, and values of the original company. Today's Heywood-Wakefield is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the name and its famous pieces while incorporating new and contemporary technology which allows new generations to appreciate the classic looks from a classic company. This is a fabulous piece by Heywood Wakefield’s Contessa...
Metal
Mid-Century Dresser by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long nine drawer dresser by Thomasville with sculpted front drawers. Walnut grain with accenting rosewood ellipses. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
$4,595
H 80 in W 72 in D 20 in
Barney Flagg for Drexel Parallel Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch
By Barney Flagg, Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barney Flagg for Drexel Parallel Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 72 wide x 20 deep x 32 inches high The hutch measures: 59.5 wide x 12 deep x 4...
Cane, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Drexel Precedent Collection Sideboard
By Drexel, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Wormley for Drexel, his Precedent collection sideboard-buffet, originally designed in the late 1940s. Center drawers with end cabinet doors and interior shelves. P...
Elm
Drexel Counterpoint Mid Century Tambour Door Credenza and Hutch
By Drexel
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Drexel Counterpoint Mid Century Tambour Door Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 60 wide x 20 deep x 30.25 inches high The hutch measures: 60 wide x 17.5 deep x 42 inches high...
Wood
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 54 in W 68 in D 20.5 in
Renzo Rutili Walnut Double-Sided Cabinet for Johnson Furniture
By Johnson Furniture Co., Renzo Rutili
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern cabinet or sideboard in figural walnut by Renzo Rutili for Johnson furniture. The top section features double sliding glass doors and a split opening with closed cabinet and one open. To the back there is a small open cabinet...
Brass
Danish Two Piece Credenza w/ Hutch
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern credenza with floating topper. Simple and handsome design, made of teak veneer, sculpted handles, and sliding glass doors. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
Fruitwood Drexel Double Bookcase Credenza Mid Century Modern Vintage MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Fruitwood Drexel Double Bookcase Credenza Mid Century Modern Vintage MINT
Brass
Long Walnut Mid-Century Modern 9 Drawers Credenza Dresser Double Door Cabinet
By Drexel, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Long walnut Mid-Century Modern 9 drawers credenza dresser double door cabinet. Gorgeous walnut wood pattern super clean original condition.
Walnut
Walnut mid century modern two-part hutch credenza display cabinet glass doors
By Broyhill Brasilia, American of Martinsville
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Walmart mid-century modern sculpted two part hutch display cabinet credenza china cabinet.
Walnut
Very Fine Two Part Breakfront Sideboard Cabinet Wall Unit by John Widdicomb MINT
By John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Two Part Breakfront Sideboard Cabinet Wall Unit by John Widdicomb MINT. Decorative forged brass window grills have hinges and can be opened to maintain and clean the glass.
Brass
Danish Mid Century Modern Two Part Chest on Chest Block Front Two Doors Fin Back
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Mid Century Modern Two Part Chest on Chest Block Front Two Doors Finished Back MINT!
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern walnut sliding doors cabinet bookcase.
Glass
