The Permacraft furniture company was a subsidiary of the Sanford Furniture Company which was active in North Carolina during the mid-20th century. The Permacraft Furniture company was well known for their prestigious furniture which was often made with cherry wood, a material that is considered a staple of mid-century Southern pieces.
About Permacraft Furniture Company
The Permacraft Furniture Company was created due to the new success of its parent company, the Sanford Furniture Company. The intention for the creation of the Permacraft Furniture Company was to designate a prestigious subsidiary where the company could sell higher-end furniture for a higher price; and, more importantly, target their products at a more exclusive clientele than the standard Sanford Furniture Company catalog.
Permacraft Furniture Company History
The Permacraft Furniture Company was first founded in 1942, when the trademark for the company name was filed. The Permacraft Furniture Company produced a catalog with dressers, chests of drawers, beds, chests-on-chests, vanities, night-stands and bachelor’s chests. The company became well known for its use of cherry wood and Maple wood, both of which were very popular in the South during the mid-twentieth century.
In addition to its use of these fine hardwoods, the company became known for its elegant style and durable craftsmanship which stood out from the competition during this time period. The exclusive “prestige” name created by Sanford Furniture Company allowed them to cater to a different type of clientele than their ordinary furniture. Of course, the quality and finer materials gave the Permacraft Furniture Company a “high class” reputation.
During the 1950’s and 1960s, one particular style of Permacraft furniture became quite popular: French Provincial Permacraft Furniture. The European influenced style featured serpentine front drawers, elaborate brass hardware and curved legs and feet.
Permacraft, like Drexel Furniture, White Furniture and Thomasville Furniture, became quite well known for their high quality French Provincial Furniture during the 1950’s and 1960s.
The company continued to produce furniture for the next few decades. But as consumers turned towards other styles and darker styles with cherry wood became less popular,the company saw its sales decline and it closed officially in 1992.
Permacraft Furniture Company Products
Over its several decades of production, the Permacraft Furniture Company produced a catalog with many popular items. Some of the most frequently produced pieces included vanities, chest of drawers as well as the company’s line of dressers and beds. Certain items, such as bachelor’s chest, became less popular as the years went on, since these items were no longer considered the social norm.
Almost all of the pieces produced by the company were made from cherry wood or, less commonly, Maple wood. Of course, Cherry wood has always been considered a fine hardwood for furniture making. However, as furniture manufacturers started producing furniture overseas with newly grown mahogany and other materials, cherry became rare.
However, cherry wood has again become popular in recent years, which has caused a resurgence in popularity in vintage furniture from primarily Southern companies which used this material.
Tips for Purchasing Permacraft Furniture Products
If you are looking for vintage pieces from this company, you should know that as its popularity has risen in recent years, prices for secondhand pieces have risen as well. Obviously, the best option when looking for vintage pieces from this company is to look online or through an antique dealership that can help you find pieces from specific brands.
Always look for the company maker mark, as well as the overall style and condition of the piece. Pieces from the company’s first decade or so will have a classical mid-century style; pieces from its later years may exhibit a less classical style but they will likely still be made with solid cherry wood.
Nowadays, many people seek out quality vintage furniture like Permacraft for their homes in lieu of purchasing new furniture. And, many have decided vintage furniture can be refinished and restyled to meet changing trends.
In fact, believe it or not, in recent years many have decided to paint Permacraft furniture. While not the traditional look I personally favor, many people have taken solid wood Permacraft desks, dressers and buffets and painted them in wild colors.
Indeed, why not start with such heavy and well crafted furniture if you decide to paint? Of course, this will ensure the piece will last for future generations.
Permacraft Furniture For Sale
Here is a good start to finding information about vintage Permacraft pieces for your home. Check back often, as we constantly update our pages.