When I was channel surfing the other evening, I came across a fascinating PBS documentary featuring Frank Lloyd Wright. This reminded me that Henredon collaborated with the famous architect on a furniture collection in the mid 1950’s. Because Henredon did not manufacture upholstery at that time, the company joined with the Heritage upholstery company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to produce the collection—marketed under the Heritage-Henredon label. It included living, dining, bedroom and upholstered furniture.
This year, Henredon will commemorate its 65th anniversary. As part of this celebration, at least one of the original Wright designs will be on display in the Henredon showroom during the High Point Furniture Market, October 15-21.
The collection follows Wright’s signature organic style, which has overtones of the Arts and Crafts movement. Wright sought to design furniture that was not only beautiful, but also functional. While the collection was not a commercial success, the pieces are sought after today as collector’s items. If you’d like to learn more about this collection and other furniture designed by Wright, a good source is Frank Lloyd Wright, Interiors and Furniture by Thomas A. Heinz.
Enjoy some of the newspaper ads and articles from the mid 1950’s that featured this innovative collection. (Click on images for a larger view)
Comments