Last month, we had the opportunity to compare two different designs of Drexel "Profile" dining chairs and tables. We have also sourced other Drexel "Profile" pieces and other Drexel designs over the years. I thought it was time to share some of what we have learned about this furniture company.
Company Background
Like many manufacturers of the furniture that we now refer to as "mid century modern", Drexel Furniture Company was located near the Appalachian mountains, in the city from which its name was taken, Drexel, North Carolina. It was founded in 1903 by Samuel Huffman and five other investors. Under his son Robert's leadership the company grew and by 1950 the company was a "leading manufacturer in traditional and modern furniture".
The Drexel "Profile" dining set we recently sourced is date stamped 1957 on the chairs and table.
Drexel continued to grow in the 50s, 60s and 70s as it acquired other companies such as the Heritage Furniture Company.
Designer Furniture
Notably, Drexel's modern furniture lines were designed by recognizable names in the design world, such as Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall (Drexel "Declaration"), John Van Koert (Drexel "Profile"), Barney Flagg (Drexel "Parallel"), Edward Wormley (Drexel "Precedent") and Milo Baughman (Drexel "Perspective").
We have been impressed by the quality and attention to detail in the designs of the Drexel furniture that we have had the opportunity to source over the years. For instance, the chairs in the current dining set available in our store were made in 1957. They came from a home in western Iowa that had used them in their family dining room for 60 years. The cushions had been reupholstered as the styles changed over the decades, but the well-built chair design really stood the test of time.
We invite you to browse the Drexel pieces currently available in our store and see these quality pieces of vintage furniture for yourself!
Sources:
Thank you to the Vintage Drexel Furniture group on Facebook for the scans of original ads provided.
North Carolina History https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/drexel-furniture-company/