Category: Furniture

Dinette Set – Daystrom Corporation – 1954

First of all, I want this kitchen.

The Daystrom Corporation produced some of the coolest dinette sets to come out of the 1950’s. The one shown is from an advertisement for the company from 1954 when this dinette set could be yours for $155. To put this in perspective, adjusted to 2008 dollars this set cost $1242.30 according to the online consumer price index calculator of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. And this isn’t even one of their higher end models.

Daystrom produced their furnishings on both coasts with a factory in Olean, NY and a Pacific Division in Pasadena, CA. We’ve had a number of these dinette sets over the years, from a number of makers, and have found Daystrom’s design and quality to be superior. Pieces are generally marked with labels under the table and on the seat bottom of the chairs. Daystrom produced furniture into the early 1970’s.

Did I mention that I want this kitchen?

Heywood-Wakefield Advertisement – The American Home Magazine – August 1953

As I had written earlier this week, the pile of The American Home magazines I recently ran across has been a treasure trove of fabulous information, images and style. It is always so nice to see how the vintage items I cherish now were originally presented, utilized, marketed and displayed.

The Heywood-Wakefield ad shown here includes pieces which are part of our collection. The china cabinet, buffet and dining chairs (with the drop leaf whalebone table not shown) all sit in my dining room. This exceptionally styled and crafted furniture is as stylish today as it was 55 years ago.

“Scoop Chair” – Carter Brothers Furniture – circa 1958

As in the previous post, this graceful “Scoop Chair” was also produced by Carter Brothers around 1958 and is one of my favorite designs for any of the mass produced chairs of the period. These chairs orginally sold for between $19.99 to $24.99 but bring much higher prices now – when you can find one.

An exhaustive search does not reveal who designed this wonderful chair for Carter Brothers. This is often incorrectly attributed to Charles Eames or as having been produced by Plycraft. These chairs seem to be rarely found marked or labeled as being from Carter Bros.

The chair pictured is one we recently sold which was in as near to perfect condition as any I had ever seen.

Orange Sectional Sofa / Daybed – Carter Brothers Furniture – circa 1960

All I can say about this sofa is WOW!

Made by Carter Brothers of Salisbury, NC, this glorious mid-century modern marvel is a great example of domestically manufactured home furnishings with great style which were available to everyday people at the dawn of Camelot. This company is still producing under the name of Carter Furniture and their current catalog shows they are continuing to utilize modernist design for their sofas, chairs and tables.

This sofa / daybed has a bright orange naugahyde upholstery, walnut armrests and removable back cushions which rest against iron support bars at the back. Originally sold by The Diamond Department Store we recently acquired this beauty from the original owner’s family.

AMODEC Chest & Vanity– Thomasville Furniture – Designed by Donald Deskey – 1935

One of the pioneers of modern design in America, Donald Deskey brought the design sensibilities he saw at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris back to the United States and helped shape a look which came be known as Streamline Modern.

Deskey designed furniture for his company, AMODEC, in the 1930’s which was produced by Thomasville Furniture. The pieces shown here are painted mahogany and date from 1932. The AMODEC line was short-lived and only produced for a couple of years. Deskey went on to design furnishings for a number of companies. One of the most sought after designers of his time, Deskey was commissioned by John D. Rockefeller to to design his Manhattan apartment.

AMODEC Chest & Vanity– Thomasville Furniture – Designed by Donald Deskey – 1932

However, Deskey’s most dramatic design accomplishment came in 1932 when he won the competition to design the interior of New York’s Radio City Music Hall. In what was a daring move, Deskey utilized an Art Deco style rather than the traditional Rococo style used for such venues at the time.

AMODEC Metal Tag– Thomasville Furniture – Designed by Donald Deskey – 1932

It was exciting to find a set from this historic designer here in the hills of West Virginia. The set is currently being offered in our gallery and on Ebay. We just want to find a good home where these 20th Century Treasures will be appreciated and loved.