Before growing into one of the largest furniture brands in the United States in the mid-20th century, the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. had humble beginnings. It was founded in 1902, when Peter E. Kroehler, a Chicago-based businessman who grew up on a farm in Minnesota, bought a small furniture manufacturer called Naperville Lounge Co., a maker of wooden lounge chairs and upholstered furniture, founded in 1893.
Peter had first worked there as a clerk before rising to partner and then president and finally owner. Under Kroehler’s leadership, a new factory was built in Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 1913, and soon after the company was renamed.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. became a fixture of the American furniture industry, eventually employing around 8,000 people in four plants in Illinois and Ohio, and by the 1940s was bringing in more than $20 million in annual sales.
The company was a pioneer in innovative 20th-century furniture, patenting some of its designs, like the Unifold sofa bed with a removable mattress that was developed in 1909 and the sideways foldable Duofold sofa bed. Colorful ads in popular magazines such as Ladies Home Journal propelled these dual-purpose furnishings into customer favorites.
Kroehler was also known for its hand-tufted Turkish couches as well as unique shapes for lounge-chair backs, such as batwings and scallops. In addition to seating and sofa beds, the company specialized in furniture for the entire home, from sturdy wooden cabinets to sleek mid-century modern credenzas.
Kroehler’s historic Naperville factory closed in 1978 due to financial struggles and was acquired by a Chicago investment firm that sold the plants as well as the rights to the Kroehler name. Its Naperville factory was converted into apartments in the 1980s, and decades later the company name is still visible on the building.
Kroehler Manufacturing Co. is remembered for its long association with the Chicago area and its quality mid-century modern pieces, which remain coveted collector’s items to this day.
Find vintage Kroehler Manufacturing Co. furniture on 1stDibs.
Crawford Furniture Mid Century Maple China Cabinet
By Crawford Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Crawford Furniture Mid Century Maple China Cabinet This china cabinet measures: 48 wide x 19.25 deep x 51.5 inches high All pieces of furniture c...
Glass, Maple
$2,820Sale Price|20% Off
H 70 in W 52.25 in D 19 in
Mid Century 2pc China Cabinet by Albert Parvin for American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Freehold, NJ
This mid century modern China cabinet by Albert Parvin for American of Martinsville features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, two piece design with three ca...
Glass, Walnut
$3,995
H 76 in W 60 in D 18 in
MCM 2-Piece China Hutch Cabinet Buffet by Heywood Wakefield Contessa Collection
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Mid-Century Modern 2-piece china hutch, cabinet, or buffet by Heywood Wakefield for the Contessa Collection. Comprised of 2-pieces a top hutch & a bottom buffet in a dark cherrywood, woven wicker basket weave or caned door fronts, brass toned pulls, & slim steel legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are nicks on the left side of the buffet edge toward the front. Stiffener has been added underneath buffet as the cabinet had sagged in the middle making doors uneven. Stiffener corrected that issue. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960’s. In 1959, the Heywood Wakefield “Contessa” slogan was "Wood for warmth and grace ... steel for strength and rigidity." "Furniture of Slender Elegance." And does this China cabinet ever fit that description. The Contessa line features a darker cherrywood, gold or brass toned accents, and slim steel legs. This cabinet has 2 pieces. A bottom buffet that features brass toned pulls that open two sets of double doors. There are three drawers on the right side with a silverware tray in the top drawer. The left side is open storage. The top hutch features two rolling side doors with woven wicker basket weave, or caned, door fronts and three shelves in the center. The whole cabinet stands on slim steel legs and exudes mid-century modern magnificence! This awesome, versatile china cabinet or buffet will look amazing whether you place it in the dining room, living room, study, or the kitchen. It is adaptable enough to blend right in whether your design style leans to Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern, industrial, southwestern, or modern country. In 1897, two prominent furniture companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company merged and created Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company; the name would be shortened to Heywood-Wakefield in 1921. The new company rose to popularity in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s with its solid wood, Art Deco-inspired, mid-century modern furniture. In 1992, South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the Heywood-Wakefield name. After realizing how in demand vintage Heywood Wakefield pieces were, production began on new pieces that remained true to the style, quality, and values of the original company. Today's Heywood-Wakefield is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the name and its famous pieces while incorporating new and contemporary technology which allows new generations to appreciate the classic looks from a classic company. This is a fabulous piece by Heywood Wakefield’s Contessa...
Metal
$12,800
H 77.5 in W 65.5 in D 20 in
Edward Wormley Mid-Century China Cabinet in Walnut & Rosewood, 1950s
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century two-section china cabinet / hutch with an upper walnut case with four rosewood cabinet fronts featuring inset Japanese wood blocks depicting pastoral scenes with adjacent...
Wood, Walnut, Rosewood
Vintage MCM Ramseur Seagrass China Cabinet
By Ramseur Furniture Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ramseur china cabinet, featuring a sleek design with seagrass accents, offering a stylish blend of natural texture and modern elegance for your dining space.
Metal
Mid-Century Dresser by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Long nine drawer dresser by Thomasville with sculpted front drawers. Walnut grain with accenting rosewood ellipses. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
Mid-Century Walnut China Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
47.5" Mid-Century Modern China cabinet Mid-Century Modern walnut china cabinet with brass fretwork over the doors revealing ample shelving for china ...
Brass
$8,700
H 62.25 in W 44.25 in D 18.25 in
Mid-Century Danish Buffet Cabinet in Walnut & Beechwood, Circa 1940-50
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 20th Century, vintage Mid-Century modern Danish dining room cabinet made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Walnut, in good condition. The Scandinavian cupboard is composed ...
Metal, Brass
Gilbert Rohde Petite Cabinet Model 4020 ( Bar Cabinet )
By Gilbert Rohde, Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare cabinet by Gilbert Rohde on the petite side for scale. Model 4020 for Kroehler. All the pieces from this collection were designed with space saving in a room in mind. The sh...
Birdseye Maple
Thaden-Jordan Two Piece Sideboard or China Cabinet
By Thaden-Jordan Furniture Co., Herbert Von Thaden
Located in Kansas City, MO
Herbert Von Thaden designed sideboard or china cabinet. All original, late 40's to early 50's production. The original finish is in very good condition.
Plywood, Wood
Mid-Century ‘Fresco’ Highboard by G-Plan
By Victor Wilkins, G Plan Furniture
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century ‘Fresco’ highboard designed Victor B. Wilkins for G-Plan, circa 1960s. This teak piece features a credenza styled bottom and shelving atop. Storage and display opportunit...
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Highboy Dresser by Bernhard Pedersen & Son
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century highboy dresser designed by Bernhard Pedersen & Søn, Denmark. Made from teak wood with incredible storage potential. The left-hand side features a bank of eight drawers....
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century Dresser by Bernhard Pedersen & Son
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century dresser designed by Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Denmark. Made from teak wood and featuring eight drawers. Each drawer has a long carved teak handle for ease of opening and ...
Wood, Teak
Mid-Century ‘Sculptura’ Nine Drawer Dresser by Broyhill
By Broyhill
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century nine drawer dresser manufactured by Broyhill. This piece is a part of Broyhill’s Sculptura line. Crafted from walnut wood with fantastic wood grain. The left and right-...
Metal
Mid-Century Campaign Dresser by Drexel
By Dixie, Lane Furniture, Drexel, Henredon, Bassett Furniture
Located in Raleigh, NC
Vintage campaign dresser by Drexel. This piece is a part of Drexel’s Accolade line. Featuring ten smooth sliding drawers, a bank in the middle...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century 'Magna' Dressers by Broyhill
By Broyhill
Located in Raleigh, NC
Two mid-century ‘Magna’ dressers manufactured by Broyhill and a part of the Sculptra line. We are offering for individual purchase or purchase as a pair by choosing your quantity bel...
Wood, Walnut
