Councill Craftsmen Furniture
Councill Craftsman is one of the newer companies that we promote on our Vintage Furniture Guides. However, just because they have a short history, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a spot under our fine vintage furniture listings. Of course, Councill Craftsman has a reputation for making beautiful classic furniture since 1973.
Councill Craftsman Furniture History
Today Councill Craftsman falls under the Kindel Furniture brand (along with Karges) and is still produced in fine workshops in Grand Rapids Michigan. However, the company got its start in another furniture city in the south: Denton, North Carolina.
Fred and Hope Councill started Councill Craftsman in 1973, with a commitment towards high quality, finely made furniture. Like Biggs Furniture, Councill Craftsman worked almost exclusively with Honduran mahogany as their product base.
The company employed hundreds of people to craft the cases of their dressers, sideboards and tables. Then, they selected beautiful veneers to decorate their pieces. Finally, layers and layers of finish helped to bring out the natural beauty of their prime woods.
Of course, the results speak for themselves in phenomenal traditional Councill Craftsman furniture.
Fine Furniture by Councill Craftsman
Like any fine furniture made by hand, Councill Craftsman pieces require a laborious process and lots of experience. Typically, in these factory settings, people apprentice for many years, learning the joining, sanding, and finishing techniques that go into producing this artistic furniture.
Indeed, the art of furniture making is both a science and an art, requiring a steady hand, a great eye and lots of patience.
For these reasons, Councill Craftsman may appear pricier than other brands on the market today. Typically, case pieces with inlay and banding can run in the upper four digits and above. However, the value of fine furniture is in its beauty and exquisite craftsmanship.
Luckily for people of more modest means, Councill Craftsman furniture does find its way to the resale market here on our pages of Vintage Furniture Guide and elsewhere on the web. Owning a fine piece of used Councill Craftsman doesn’t require mortgaging your home or selling your first born!
Today, you can find gently used vintage Councill Craftsman sideboards, Councill Craftsman dining tables and even Councill Craftsman bedroom furniture for a fraction of the new retail price!
Most high end vintage sellers know how to source incredible furniture of high quality. They then take on the expense of moving (and in many cases) polishing and restoring this vintage furniture back to its former glory. Finally, they take great pains to describe their items and list them for sale on online antique stores. Many take as many as twenty photos to truly capture the true condition of each piece.
Councill Furniture Designs
Most of Councill Craftsman Furniture designs feature incredible traditional styles. Of course, this level of craftsmanship tends to produce incredible products no matter the style.
However, the bulk of Councill’s fine creations tend to fall in Sheraton, Hepplewhite or Chippendale designs. In other words, most of the designs fit in Federal houses or Georgian homes.
Councill Craftsmen dining tables, for instance, typically have pedestal bases, and fine banding. A few of Councill’s vintage catalog’s feature tables with Queen Anne legs, but they seem to be the simplest Colonial style tables.
Indeed, most dining room furniture by this fine company features intricate inlay. You likely will find bellfleur and dart designs reminiscent of Neoclassical design on Councill Craftsman Sideboard.
Likewise, Councill’s bedroom furniture can be very simple or very ornate. Often, you will see lovely brass swan neck hardware on the drawers of a Councill Craftsman nightstand set. Equally as beautiful are the graceful Councill Craftsman dressers with lovely proportions and nice carved bracket or ogee feet.
Of course, with a focus on historical tradition, Councill Craftsman furniture finds itself in well appointed homes across the country.
Councill Craftsman Furniture Value
Councill Craftsman ranks highly for collectors of fine furniture. So, of course, it tends to cost a pretty penny even on the used furniture market.
Expect to pay around $200 for a nice Councill dining chair. While dining tables tend to get more wear and tear, you can still estimate between $1200 and $3000 on a gently used Councill Craftsman dining table.
Likewise, a carved Councill Poster Bed likely will cost between $800 and $4000, depending on the size, with Queen beds and King size beds being the most desirable.
Purchasing Used Councill Furniture
Because of the delicate veneer works and high polish sheen on Councill furniture, it is often tough to repair a damaged finish.
So, if you want to purchase the best you can, try to check for deep scratches or blushing on the top layer of finish. Of course, with some time and patience, you may be able to apply a deep coat of wax on your Councill dining table or sideboard in order to hide these flaws.
Buying Councill Furniture Online
When shopping for Councill Furniture online, of course it is important to do your due diligence.
Identifying the Councill Craftsman Furniture becomes quite important. Search for the brass tags, and if you can, search vintage catalogues to be sure that the piece is an authentic piece of Craftsman Furniture.
Many trusted sellers have spent years in the business. They know, it takes a lot to help you feel confident in purchasing gently used furniture online. So, many are happy to help in providing extra photographs before your purchase.
Of course, you certainly know you will receive a great price for your Councill Craftsman furniture by buying vintage. And many have experience working with qualified shippers that can deliver to your door.
Take advantage of the incredible deals out there on exquisite Councill Craftsman heirloom furniture today. You will love how it transforms your home!
Learn more about the history and style of this company by watching the Councill Video.