Mid Century Furniture : Stanley Furniture

Stanley Furniture - Mid Century Walnut

Thomas Bahnson Stanley started Stanley Furniture in 1924 - he was a former executive at Bassett Furniture Company in Bassett, Virginia, (see Next Post). In 1969, Stanley was bought out by Mead Corp.

All Mid Century Furniture with the Distinctive Furniture by Stanley Logo was made prior to 1969.

Three things about Stanley Furniture stand out -

The hardware on the furniture is unique, they have wood pulls, metal pulls and recessed pull - but no other manufacturer used the same pulls which helps in visually identifying a Stanley (the stamped logo is also nice).

The walnut they use has a certain sheen to it, like Dillingham walnut is easily recognizable, so is Stanley. They may have sourced it locally or from a specific supplier.

Finally, Stanley is known - in my mind anyway, for its quality leg and leg supports. Stanley made well designed and strong leg supports. Many of their lines have square braces and thick, solid legs, no spindly tapered legs that easily crack. It's hard to break a leg made by Stanley. It may explain why so many Stanley's are still around.

Stanley Furniture Wood & Hoop Pull Dresser

Stanley Furniture Wood & Hoop Pull Desk

Stanley Furniture Recessed Metal Pull Upright Dresser

Stanley Furniture Recessed Metal Pull Dresser

Stanley Furniture - Black Circle Backing and Metal Pull Sideboard

There are Stanley Furniture Flat Front / No Hardware Dressers out there - most have laminate tops like this one

Stanley Furniture - Black Circle Backing and Metal Pull Upright Dresser

Many of these Stanley Furniture Buffets / Credenzas are floating around, some have wood tops, others have laminate tops - they must have been popular because there are a lot of them - should have the Bulls Eye Hardware