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Founders Furniture Company

American

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.

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Creator: Founders Furniture Company
Expertly Restored - Jack Cartwright Walnut Night Stands for Founders Co.
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jack Cartwright Walnut Night Stands for Founders Co. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furni...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Founders Furniture Co Walnut Sideboard
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Hanover, MA
1960's Founders Furniture Co. model 21301-48, F-16 sideboard with two cabinet compartments and four double doors with cast bronze finish hardware. The left side is open cabinet spac...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Founders Blond Pecan Bachelor Chests Dressers Large Night Stands Mint
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of founders blond pecan bachelor chests dressers large night stands mint! All solid hardwood dovetail joints construction.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Hardwood

Founders / Dillingham American Mid-Century 12-Drawer Teak Low Chest
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century teak 12-drawer low chest with three sections of four drawers each with circular brass drawer pulls in a rectangular cabinet resting on four square teak legs. (FO...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Wood, Teak

Founders Dark Walnut Lazy Susan Mini Bookcase
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century dark walnut lazy susan mini-bookcase with a rectangular form of alternating panels and two compartment shelves on each side, on ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Metal

Founders Walnut Lazy Susan Mini Bookcase
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
American mid-century walnut lazy susan mini-bookcase with a rectangular form of alternating panels and two compartment shelves on each side, on a ful...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Metal

David Parmelee for Founders Staved Rosewood X-Form Desk or Table, Circa 1970s
By David Parmelee, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Peabody, MA
Mid-century modern writing desk featuring a staved rosewood top over an X-form chrome base, designed by Dave Parmelee for Founders Furniture, circa 1970s.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Solid Wood Blonde Pecan Veneered 4 Drawers Dresser by Founders MINT!
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid Century Solid Wood Blonde Pecan Veneered 4 drawers dresser by Founders MINT!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

Founders Dresser with Wicker Doors
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long dresser with hidden drawers by Founders. Cane wrapped doors and brass hardware. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Blonde Pecan Night Stand End Side Table Dovetail Joints Mint
By Milo Baughman, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern blonde pecan night stand end side table dovetail joints mint!
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Hardwood

2 MCM Founders Corner Step Tables Black Brass Sabots Coronado Grp Luther Draper
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern corner step tables from Coronado Group by Luther Draper for Founders Furniture. Gorgeous condition. This pair of tables have been completely restored to their original glory. The tops have been stripped and repainted and the legs have been sanded and given a fresh finish. There may still be some age-related signs of use that refinishing did not catch. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa 1955. Note- We have listed here as well, if they are still available, an additional pair of tables 1 step and 1 side, in this same style but with a satin finish. Although their sheens are different, they would be very complimentary to each other. Double Delightful-ness!! This is a stunning pair of vintage Mid-Century Modern corner step tables from the Coronado Group designed in 1955 by Luther Draper for Founders Furniture. Their long straight legs with cross stretchers and beautiful brass sabots on the feet are eye catching and sophisticated. They are square with a corner angled step and comprised of a superb matte finished hardwood with Classic back beveled edges. They would look stunning beside your loveseat; living room sofa; dividing a corner or u-shaped sectional; or even a separation for perpendicularly placed sofas and chairs. They will add just the right Mid-Century Modern flair to your home. Founders Furniture was started in 1947 as a subsidiary of the esteemed Knoll International for their residential line and then merged with Thomasville Furniture in 1965. It is said that Luther Draper designed for the whose-who of high caliber furniture companies in the mid-century. He designed The Coronado Group collection for Founders Furniture in 1955. He had an unmistakable clean, modern mark he left on his work. He also designed fabulous furniture including the “India Teakwood” collection for White Furniture Company and the well known “Boomerang Desk” for Alma, which was recognized for its prize-winning office furnishings. He also worked in High Point, North Carolina, for such well-known firms as Henredon, Myrtle Desk...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

Founders Light Blonde Pecan Single Pedestal Desk Tubular Chrome Legs MINT!
By Henredon, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Founders light blonde pecan single pedestal desk tubular chrome legs MINT! Solid wood construction dovetail joints.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

Jack Cartwright for Founders Tall Dresser, 2 Available
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful Jack Cartwright walnut tall boy, six-drawer, dresser with black base and black wood inset detail. Dove-tale construction of drawers. Newly Re...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut and Cane Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of mid-century cabinets or nightstands By Jack Cartwright for Founders USA, 1960s Walnut, with woven rattan door fronts, black lacquered plinth base, and ori...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Walnut and Brushed Steel Table by Jack Cartwright
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing Mid-Century Modern table by Jack Cartwright for founder in the United States, circa 1960s. Features a book-matched walnut top, X-shaped stretcher, and brushed steel legs with...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Steel

Jack Cartwright for Founders MCM Danish Modern Walnut Full Headboard
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Jack Cartwright for Founders MCM Danish...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Founders Mid Century Rosewood Expanding Dining Table with 2 Leaves
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Countryside, IL
Founders mid century rosewood expanding dining table with 2 leaves The table measures: 41 wide x 41 deep x 28 inches high; each leaf is 20 inches wide, making a maximum table widt...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Rosewood

Jack Cartwright for Founders Brazilian Rosewood Bar Cabinet Mid-Century Modern
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Jack Cartwright for Founders Brazilian rosewood bar cabinet. This piece has been well cared for and is in wonderful vintage condition. The rosewood has tons of graning and has a deep...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Metal

Modern Founders Furniture Company Danish Teak Credenza With Display
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid Century Modern teak Danish credenza with display by Founders Furniture Company. Two bottom tambour doors conceal adjustable shelves and three ...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Burl Credenza by Founders
By Thomasville, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage modern Thomasville bar cabinet in burl. Unique design with smoked glass cabinet doors, burl front drawers, and brass trim along the b...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

Pair Mid Century Walnut Nightstands Cabinets Attributed to Jack Cartwright
By Founders Furniture Company, Jack Cartwright
Located in Baltimore, MD
Handsome, richly grained walnut Mid-Century Modern nightstands or end tables, attributed to Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture Company. USA circa 1970’s. Expertly crafted, these ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

Founders Furniture Company Mid Century Walnut and Brass Round Coffee Table
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Countryside, IL
Founders furniture company mid century walnut and brass round coffee table This table measures: 38 wide x 38 deep x 14.5 inches high ?Al...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

David Parmalee for Founders Eight-Drawer Cabinet Rosewood and Black
By Founders Furniture Company, David Parmelee
Located in Miami, FL
Well-proportioned eight-drawer cabinet for jewelry or anything else.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Founders Chrome Dining Armchair
By Milo Baughman, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Wilmington, DE
What a find. Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern chrome armchair attributed to Milo Baughman by Founders. Features a square tube chrome fra...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

Magnificent Rosewood Jack Cartwright Founders Bachelors Chest of Drawers
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magnificent rosewood Jack Cartwright Founders bachelors chest of drawers. This piece is in wonderful vintage condition with only light signs of age. The rosewood color is deep and da...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Walnut Tall Chest Dressers Mid-Century Modern
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of matching tall dresser chests by Jack Cartwright for Founders, circa 1957. The top looks great with little wear to the finish. I love the recessed pulls along the waln...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Steel

Baughman Style Chrome Floating Bar Cabinets Credenza Mid-Century Modern Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful set of four Milo Baughman style chrome mirror clad floating cabinets by Founders. Two upper cabinets with built-in lighting and two lower cabinets with one adjustable shelf...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

Mid Century Rosewood Nine-Drawer Dresser by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Mid-Century dresser by Founders features a beautiful Rosewood finish, graduated drawers, and unique metal drawer pulls. Wonderful mix of modern style and plenty of storage space make this vintage nine drawer dresser...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Rosewood

Set of 6 Rosewood Frame Dining Chairs by Founders Furniture Co.
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful and rare set of 6 dining chairs, by Founders Furniture Co. as part of their Patterns 15 collection. Six armchairs each with upholstered backs and seats (upholstery as is) ....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Pair of Vintage Italian Chrome Upholstered Club Arm Chairs
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage Italian upholstered club side chairs purchased with a Paul Evans game table. Designer sled base for legs. These were "Made in Italy". Recently located a reference. Wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Upholstery

Vintage Office Credenza by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uniquely sized vintage credenza offers a stylish combination of cabinet and drawer storage. Low profile height makes this perfect for use in an office or business environment, w...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Modernist Blonde Mahogany Coffee / Magazine Table, X-Sides, Robsjohn
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist blonde mahogany coffee / magazine table. X-sides. Manner of Robsjohn Gibbings, Classic Modernist design.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Extruded Aluminum and Velvet Sling Lounge Chairs by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Fabulous matched pair of extruded aluminum and velvet slung lounge chairs manufactured by Founders, Classic elegance, extremely comfortable, amazing quality, flawless welds, joints, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Polished Aluminum & Linen Lounge Chairs in the Manner of Harvey Probber
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Polished aluminum frame lounge chairs, in the manner of Harvey Probber, with ivory silk/linen blended upholstery. Unexpected details come in the form of exposed oversized flat head s...
Category

1960s American Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Aluminum Frame Upholstered Chairs in the Style of Harvey Probber
By Founders Furniture Company, Harvey Probber
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Pair of aluminum frame chairs upholstered in a soft grey corduroy in the style of Harvey Probber. Manufacturer, Founders Furniture Company.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Dresser - Jack Cartwright - Founders Patterns 10 - Tall Highboy Chest
By Jack Cartwright, Florence Knoll, Founders Furniture Company, Harvey Probber
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage mid century modern chest of drawers by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Part of his "Patterns 10" line circa late 1950s. American black walnut with minimalist black metal pulls....
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Founders Chrome & Walnut Etagere Bar Wall Unit Shelving
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Modern Founders Chrome & Walnut Etagere. Featuring a straight line design, floating walnut chest of three drawers, bar and walnut shelves, chrome pillars, and original ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Chrome

1960s Founders Monumental Walnut Dining Table for Heritage
By Heritage Furniture, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Grand 1960s Founders for Heritage Walnut Expanding Dining Table Art Deco modern clean lines in elegant walnut wood exude the finest craftsmanship. features a unique pedestal base of...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Jack Cartwright for Founders Walnut Two Door Buffet / Cabinet
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Please inquire about discounted local/regional delivery 36” x 18” x 30.5”H Versatile two door cabinet designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture. •faux leather upholstery...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern 2 Door Credenza/Sideboard by Founders
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Modern 2 door credenza/sideboard by Founders Offered is a beautiful Mid-Century Modern 2 Door Credenza/Sideboard with ample storage space, which was designed by Foun...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Modern Campaign Style Oak Gentlemen’s Chest by Founders Furniture
By Founders Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage modern Campaign style oak Gentleman’s chest by Founders Furniture. Comprised of book matched oak veneer, six drawers and two double doors with brass toned hardware, and brass plated beading detail. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970-1980’s. Just what the Gentleman ordered!!! Although, it is suitable for a lady as well!! This Founders Furniture tall Gentleman’s chest is comprised of gorgeous book matched oak veneer and features six full width drawers and two double opening doors, one drawer above the doors and five below. Each drawer is fitted with unique campaign style brass toned inset handles with brass plated beading around each drawer opening. And the doors have a picture framed border with mitered corners and are inlaid with brass plated beading. It’s a lovely detail! This modern beauty has ample storage for linens...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dresser with 6 Drawers by Jack Cartwright
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Ava, MO
Presenting this gorgeous 6 drawer Walnut Dresser by Jack Cartwright for Founders. Absolutely clean lines, accentuated steel black pulls with chromed plate backing. Elevated by the m...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Metal

MCM 3 Walnut Cube Stools Black Upholstered Tops Jack Cartwright for Founders
By Jack Cartwright, Founders Furniture Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Amazing Mid-Century Modern trio of square walnut cube stools number 42102-01 with black faux leather upholstered tops by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture’s Patterns 7 line. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. One seat cushion has a repair to its underside, one stool has a scratch to one side, and another stool has a repair to one corner. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Propriotor’s note: Although these stools are not marked with a maker’s name, they are stamped inside with the number 42102-01. My 30-year experience in the vintage furniture business lead me to believe they were Founder’s Furniture and with the help of a great FB Group I was able to find this number, without the -01, in one of their catalogs for Patterns 7 designed by Jack Cartwright. It is the number for a fabulous Founder’s Furniture cube side table which looks exactly like these stools apart from the padded removable seats and the measurements are the same. My feeling, as well as some of the experts, that these were a factory special order or undocumented offering using the existing side table as the base and adding the cushion. However, I cannot document that thought. They could have been something someone did themselves, but I do not think that as they are too factory-made in my opinion. What a terriffic trio!!!! Triple your pleasure with this outstanding trio of square walnut cube stools designed by Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture Patterns 7 line!! They are FABUOLUS!! The tops are comprised of black faux leather and the back of the tops have silver snaps that snap on and off of the top of the cube, it’s nice for cleaning purposes. Also, you can see in the photos that the underneath of the tops is a bit different… one has full faux leather upholstery, and a small repair has been made. The other two have fabric backs. It’s the way we obtained them, and you can’t see that when the tops are snapped on. They are hollow in the center and would obviously make handy foot stools however, we are more inclined to see them used as extra seating. You could use all 3 together as a bench or fireside stools...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Founders Furniture Company

Materials

Faux Leather, Walnut

Founders Furniture Company furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Founders Furniture Company furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Founders Furniture Company furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Founders Furniture Company were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Kent-Coffey, Merton Gershun , and Conant Ball. Prices for Founders Furniture Company furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $495 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,978.

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