Mid Century Furniture : Alma Desk Company - Alma Architectural Series

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Alma Desk Company - Alma Architectural Series - Mid Century Moden

From personal experience I can tell you these credenzas are "stupid" heavy - quality made and really lovely, trying to move one just makes me angry. Not to take away from their sleek appearance, they are amazing mid century items that are high quality, but heavier than a steel tanker desk. They will last several lifetimes if you don't die trying to get it into place : )

HISTORY

One of the first companies to manufacture furniture in High Point was the A. A. Barker Company in 1881. The company was purchased by A. O. Redding in 1895 and named Alma after his deceased daughter. In 1904 brothers Charles, Daniel, and John Hayworth founded the Hayworth Roll and Panel Company. It was first veneer and plywood manufacturer in North Carolina.

Charles Hayworth purchased Alma Furniture Company from the estate of Redding in 1926 and converted the company to the manufacture of desks so as not to compete with the customers of the Hayworth Roll and Panel company. Charles Hayworth died in 1929. The company was managed by his widow Myrtle Hayworth Barthmaier until 1957 when his son Charles Hayworth, Jr. assumed the presidency. She remained Chairman of the Board until her death. The company employed more than 1500 people at its peak. It ran into trouble after a failed leveraged buyout in 1991 and was liquidated in bankruptcy in 1993.

Hayworth Roll and Panel Company continues to operate a lumber yard. It is all that remains of the Alma Desk Company family of businesses. It was purchased from the Bankruptcy Court by the present owner.

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

1 comment:

UnknownJanuary 31, 2017 at 7:11 AM
YES!!! They are crazy stupid heavy. Just moved one and damn near ridiculous even after taking it apart as much as reasonbly practical. Absolutely love it though!!!!!!!!
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What Is Mid Century Furniture

Mid-century furniture refers to a distinct furniture style that gained attention shortly after World War II.

The more simple mid century designs are referred to as Danish Modern, which was a modernist style of furniture started in Denmark and copied in the States.

Although the style gained popularity in the 50's and 60's, modernist design was displayed in the New York World’s Fair in 1939-1940. A decade behind the high end stylists were the established American furniture manufacturers. Seeing the trend, they wanted to cash in on the popularity of the style, making furniture that any budget could afford.

Many of these bigger companies hired well known designers to start their own line under the manufacturer's name. It led to the mass produced quality furniture that we still have today.