Drexel Furniture & Drexel Heritage Furniture What is the Difference
Drexel Furniture and Drexel Heritage: FAQ
Hello and to Welcome to Vintage Furniture Guide. Today, we will be talking about a furniture brand that is close to my heart (and in my bedroom) Drexel and Drexel Heritage!
Direct link to our Drexel Furniture video on our channel https://youtu.be/v28hN_YcvYM
The first question, we see all the time and its regarding the actual name of the company?
Is Drexel Furniture The Same as Drexel Heritage?
Yes, Drexel Furniture is essentially the same business as Drexel Heritage. Here’s the story:
Drexel Furniture started in 1903 as just that name: Drexel Furniture. The company did very well and by the 1940s and 1950s, business was booming. In that decade, the company employed over 2300 people. Also, their furniture company reached national distribution and Drexel Furniture was sold in over 2000 furniture and department stores nationwide.
Essentially, Drexel Furniture became a household name.
In 1968, the company went through a few mergers and changed its name and focus to Drexel Heritage Furniture. This was their way to emphasize the styles they were becoming known for: reproduction of French, European and classic American designs.
Drexel Heritage essentially focused on British and French antiques to inspire their furniture designs. You will find that most furniture marked Drexel Heritage has an elegant traditional look. Drexel Heritage made several lines of furniture that appealed to customers looking for a refined yet traditional aesthetic for their homes.
For instance, their La Belle Maison (May Sawn) line incorporated French Country style into their products.
However, Drexel Heritage pieces can certainly lean to Federal and Georgian styles as well. At times, Drexel Heritage worked with incredible designers who modernized and glamorized certain aspects of traditional furniture. So, you may see that Drexel dining room chairs are larger, more substantial than traditional antiques. Also, drawers became a bit deeper and extra flourishes were often added…
In recent years, they abandoned the Heritage part of their name to pursue more contemporary styles and modern twists.
So, you will see furniture marked just as Drexel, which will date to 2015 and later or before 1968..
Anything marked Drexel Heritage likely dates from 1968 to 2015.
Is Drexel Furniture still in Business?
Sadly, Drexel Furniture is no longer in business. After many acquisitions and mergers by various parent groups, Drexel Furniture no longer manufactures furniture. Additionally, as of 2020, no company has produced furniture under the Drexel name. In other words, it appears that no company currently licenses furniture using the Drexel Company identity.
Heritage Home Group, which was the most recent parent company to own Drexel, filed for bankruptcy in 2018. HHG owned other great American brands such as Henredon Furniture, Hickory Chair and Maitland Smith.
Perhaps in the future, other established manufacturers or large parent companies will find a reason to resuscitate the Drexel Brand. After all, Drexel Furniture has a long history, a devoted following, and a great reputation.
Is Drexel Furniture Good Quality?
In a word, yes! Drexel Furniture usually demonstrates very good quality construction, beautiful finishes and nice designs. Find vintage furniture near you.