Nothing Low about this Lowboy

A lowboy dresser is a long, waist-high chest of drawers. This vintage example is a marvelous mid-century modern creation by Bassett Furniture. The dresser's minimalist sleek lines and tapered legs exemplify the streamline styling of this period. As it typical of Bassett furniture from the 1950s and 1960s, this piece combines fine wood veneers and quality craftsmanship with a wood-grained formica top; the formica top was considered a modern and practical alternative to wood veneer, as it was durable and resistant to scratches and moisture.

Bassett Furniture was founded in 1902 in Bassett, Virginia by J. D. Bassett, Sr. (for whom the town was in fact named), as a way to utilize scrap wood from the family sawmill. Joined by his two brothers and brother-in-law, the family furniture company thrived and in 1930 became Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. The company is in fact still largely under family control. Ever innovative, the company was an early adaptor of mass production, while still maintaining high quality, and catering to consumer tastes, such as adding upholstered furniture in the 1930s and introducing popular mid-century modern designs in the 1950s and 60s. Faced with foreign competition from countries such as China, which decimated the American furniture industry, the company, under John Bassett III, fought back, streamlining the operations to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The company survived and continues to manufacture furniture made in the U.S.A.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

All Dress(er)ed Up!

That is just what your bedroom will be with the addition of this distinguished and desirable vintage dresser. Of handsome honey-toned wood, it is an excellent example of American mid-century modern design.

Inside one of the many drawers is the mark of Link-Taylor, which specialized in fine quality bedroom and dining room furniture, beginning in 1950. 

In 1903, the Dixie-Elk Furniture Company was established in Lexington, North Carolina. Beginning in the 1950s, the company decided to divide into four companies, each with its own specialty and product lines. These companies were: Dixie, which made mid-priced bedroom and dining room furnishings; Henry Link, specializing in girls' bedroom furniture; Young Hinkle, a boys' bedroom furniture manufacturer; and Link-Taylor, which focused on luxury bedroom and dining room furniture. Link-Tayor was known for its solid wood furniture made by skilled craftsmen. In addition to traditional styles, Link-Taylor also produced lines appealing to contemporary tastes and its mid-century modern furniture is highly sought after. In 1987, Masco Corporation bought and merged the four companies into Lexington Furniture Industries. 

Solid and sturdy, this attractive vintage bureau just needs a little polish and tender loving care to bring it back to its original beauty.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly! 

16020-9

Flower Power!

This treasure from our trove is a real blast from the past, a desk and dresser from the Drexel "Whimsy" line, introduced in 1969.

The flower-child inspired design features blossoms in bright yellows, red, and white against an orange background. Groovy!

Even the handles feature flowers.

Working at this delightful desk could almost make homework or paying bills fun. . . .

Each piece is stamped on the back "Whimsy - By - Drexel."

An advertisement from the time shows a bright bedroom decked out in this wonderful whimsical style. It assures the "Free Spirit" who wants her "Citadel" to "say something" with "zap" that this "flower-powered" furniture has a finish that will keep it as fresh as a daisy. The posy pun-filled ad promises that the furniture doesn't cost a "bunch" and invites customers to come see the "whole Blooming Thing."

Drexel Furniture Company was founded in 1903 in North Carolina. By 1950, it was a leading manufacturer in traditional and modern furniture, as well as furnishing for laboratories, dormitories,  hospitals, libraries, schools, hotels, and churches, with factories in North Carolina and South Carolina. However, in the 2010s, competition with overseas manufacturers began adversely affecting the American furniture industry and in 2018 Drexel filed for bankruptcy. The company was subsequently purchased by a Chinese-based furniture company.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

16277-37, 16277-38

Zee Whiz!

Is what you'll say when you'll say upon viewing this intricately carved drop leaf secretary dress or dresser.

On the back of this fantastic piece of furniture is the metal plaque of George Zee and Company of Hong Kong.

The company was famous for its carved teak and camphor wood furniture covered in hand-carved details. George Zee was originally from Shanghai, a region of China renown for its finely crafted and carved wood furniture since the Tang dynasty. Zee opened his furniture workshop there in the 1930s. He specialized in creating furniture modified to Western tastes and clients and became one of Shanghai's leading furniture manufacturers. Zee fled Shanghai in 1949, shortly before the communists seized control of China, taking refuge in Hong Kong. A skilled businessman, Zee quickly rebuilt his business, at one point operating three furniture shops and two factories. The furniture was entirely hand crafted with an emphasis on quality. Zee used a special kiln drying technique and his furniture came with a guarantee that it would not split or warp. His Asian-inspired furniture was very popular in the West during the 1950s and 1960s as many of his pieces blended well with the mid-century modern aesthetic. He died in 1967 and the business passed to his widow Zee Chang Kam Fung. The company closed in 2010.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

14382-229

Bedding Down. . .

 . . .which is what you do both figuratively and literally with this so-called Murphy bed. At first glance this handsome piece of vintage furniture appears to be a nice wood dresser.

It even has a pull-out bottom drawer.

However, open up the front panel and inside is concealed a folding bed. Although there were various types of fold-up bedsteads before, in the early 1900s William Lawrence Murphy received patents for a "disappearing bed." According to legend, Murphy wished to court a young lady, but was living in a single room apartment. At that time it would have been considered improper for a single man to invite a woman into his bedroom, so Murphy created his eponymous folding bed, thus converting his bedroom into a more proper parlor. Murphy beds became a popular space-saving device, either installed in a wall or hidden in a cabinet or dresser. In 1989, a federal appellate court held that because the term "Murphy Bed" had entered common usage, it was no longer eligible for trademark protection. Murphy or wall beds are still a popular option for small apartments and homes, often combined with other functions, such as shelving, storage or a home offce.

This example has nice art deco detailing on its handles.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

8402-6348