This week we decided to look into the history of mid century modern furniture maker, Johnson Carper.
We have a lot of admiration for the design and durability of Johnson Carper furniture (we have a full bedroom set and a desk for our 3 year old 😊).
Most of the info that I have for you on Johnson Carper centers around their furniture lines, so let's start there!
Johnson Carper Designs
Check out the Johnson Carper "Ronda" nine drawer dresser that is part of this week's drop.
We also had coordinating pieces in earlier drops (the chest, shelf, headboard and nightstand, and a six drawer lowboy, tallboy and headboard).
Original ad for Johnson Carper Ronda - from @boston_modern
One of our favorite Johnson Carper designs is the Delray! We had one of the modular bedroom sets that Johnson Carper made, pictured below (see end of the article for the Chats with Jeff episode on that!)
This ad also from @boston_modern
Another notable Johnson Carper dresser design is the Brentwood, which features curving drawers. Say what you like about formica/laminate tops, but these dressers still look great after a lifetime of use!
Here's a close up of a Brentwood that we sold last year.
Ad also from @boston_modern - he is a great resource for identification!
History
So let's get into some of the history of Johnson Carper.
Like many of its contemporaries, Johnson Carper was located near the Appalachian mountains, in Roanoke, Virginia. My internet sleuthing suggests that the company was started in 1927.
Apparently, by looking at the ads that we have seen, Johnson Carper worked with designers like Edmond Spence, who designed their Delray line. Edmond Spence was a pretty renowned designer in the middle of the century for his Danish modern designs!
Checkout this video featuring the company and its factory:
I found it interesting how they showed the veneering process.
I wasn't able to find out a lot about the company, but the well loved TV show "I Love Lucy" featured their furniture! Two of their Fashion Trend bedroom sets were featured in Lucy and Desi's on set bedroom.
This was their first set - photo credit WikiCommons
Here's their second set with twin beds (same style as our son's) photo credit Flickr
Lastly, here is an Instagram video that Jeff did about the Johnson Carper Delray set that we had last year!
Please be sure to comment and share any info you might have about Johnson Carper!
Thank you for all of the comments on this article – many comments mention seeking value information on an item or more information on the company. We do offer valuation services for a fee – please see the link below. Otherwise, please make sure to read the available information in this article.
https://alittlemorelikehome.shop/products/expert-appraisal-services?pos=1&_sid=ba1be3788&ss=r
As far as finding replacement parts or additional pieces, this can be tricky with vintage items. I would recommend looking on Facebook for mid century modern interest groups.
I inherited a dresser, armoire and nightstand from my mother. The furniture has been with her since my earliest childhood memories. The marking inside is Fashion Trend by Johnson …Cass???
It is difficult to make out the stamp.
I would love to know the history of the furniture. My mother is danish and her father immigrated from Denmark in 1903.
Any information about it would be wonderful.
My Dad has a Johnson and Carper bedroom set. He tried to show us the hidden compartment on the dresser and we never would look. He’s passed away and now we have searched and searched for it and can’t find it. I found a patent Johnson and Carper got for secret compartment on dresser but we still can’t find it. Any idea? Thanks for any help!
I have a 9 drawer dresser – yellow with a white top and lattice drawer covering the middle 3 drawers. It is beautiful but cannot find a value on it. Any ideas.
My father probably applied some part the finish to most all of these pieces of furniture, as he worked in the finishing department for 42 years. This was a multistep process on an assembly line.
As a side note I worked for the company as a maintenance technician for 10 years myself.