Pulaski Furniture: Where is it made?
In this video, we discuss the ins and outs of Pulaski Furniture. We briefly discuss the history of Pulaski Furniture company and discuss some of the collections that made the company great!
Watch our Pulaski Furniture Video.
Where is Pulaski Furniture manufactured?
Pulaski Furniture has the name of its central location built into their name. The furniture company opened in 1955 in Pulaski, Virginia.
For the first 30-50 years, Pulaski manufactured all of their furniture in their Virginia workshops. By the mid 1970s, Pulaski had one of the largest furniture plants in the country.
Largely, this success came from one specific line of furniture known as “The Keepsake Collection.” Of course, the line offered nostalgic golden oak bedroom and dining room pieces. Mostly, “the Keepsake Collection” had a nostalgic, Victorian style.
However, as the manufacturing environment changed, so too did Pulaski. By the early 2000s, some of Pulaski’s product line came from overseas. Principally, Asian countries manufactured items like curios, accent furniture and chairs. Then, these items shipped to Pulaski’s factories, where some finish work and final inspection took place.
So, today, some of Pulaski’s product line comes from China. Of course, to a large degree, most modern furniture companies produce furniture overseas. So, we expect a certain percentage of Pulaski furniture is made in China.
Is Pulaski Furniture Good Quality?
Vintage furniture
by Pulaski demonstrates great quality. Of course, much of the furniture produced by Pulaski came from the Virginia factories.
So, you can expect that most of the older furniture made prior to the 2000s by Pulaski shows great quality. Indeed, the company used lots of solid oak, and cherry in their furniture.
Also, Pulaski had great quality control. The manufacturers inside the Pulaski Furniture centers used dovetailed joints and beautiful durable finishes.
Once a certain degree of manufacturing became outsourced, some of the quality of Pulaski Furniture Company suffered. For instance, you may see less solid wood in case goods by Pulaski. Instead, you may find pressed wood or even plywood. That said, Pulaski ranks very well in reviews today. Most customers are happy with Pulaski Furniture products!
As far as level of quality, Pulaski furniture ranks alongside Bassett Furniture, Broyhill Furniture and to some degree Thomasville Furniture. Pulaski is not as high end as Baker Furniture or Henredon. Also, it is not custom made to the same degree as E.A. Clore or Suters Furniture.
How to date Pulaski Furniture?
If you can determine the style of your Pulaski furniture, you can usually date your pieces with relative certainty. As mentioned, the most popular line of furniture ever created by Pulaski was the “Keepsakes Collection.”
The Keepsakes Collection was designed in the 1970s and continued until the 1990s. Probably, the most popular pieces included dressers, beds and nightstands from the line. However, Pulaski also made a very cool bar and other dining room pieces for the line.
Generally, the Keepsakes Collection featured light oak wood. Typically, the dressers had undulating or serpentine drawers. Also, it has simple porcelain knobs or brass hardware. Beds from the Keepsake Collection could have low posts and a bit of carving along the top of the headboard.
Meanwhile, the dining pieces from this line are also easy to distinguish. Again, most of this line was solid oak. So, you may see simple pedestal dining tables. Occasionally, some models had carved bases or claw feet. As far as chairs, commonly we see simple oak pressed back chairs with spindles.
A vintage Pulaski china cabinet likely has similar undulating or serpentine drawers. It may also have applied carvings to the doors or trim. Finally, one special feature on vintage Pulaski china cabinets is that many of them have leaded glass. Obviously, this special feature adds to the value and the vintage charm of Pulaski dining room sets.
Pulaski Curio cabinets are also likely in demand.
What is Vintage Pulaski Furniture Worth?
Pulaski Furniture may have value to customers who love the old country Victorian look. The nostalgia, as well as the quality may draw those who love the look to purchase vintage Pulaski Keepsake furniture.
Of course, while far from mainstream, this style still has a passionate buyer. Indeed, when you have a choice between a reproduction oak Victorian piece by Pulaski and a real antique, many will chose the Pulaski furniture. Obviously, since it is not as old, you generally have a well functioning piece of furniture that will last many years. And, you will not have to deal with repair or refinishing.
Also, Pulaski curio cabinets generally are in high demand. Of course, many modern furniture stores charge a fortune for curio cabinets. Additionally, shipping a brand new mirror and glass cabinet can also cost quite a bit.
So, vintage Pulaski curio cabinets or vintage Pulaski china cabinets can sell quite quickly on the used furniture market.
Generally a vintage Pulaski curio cabinet can sell for between $200 and $800, depending on size, quality and condition. Meanwhile a Pulaski bedroom set can cost between $500 and $1500. Finally, a really nice Pulaski dining room set can sell for between $300 and $1500.
Of course, if you have an entire Pulaski set to sell, you may do better to offer the pieces separately. Many times, you can find a home for a table and chairs quite easily. A server or buffet also sells quickly. A vintage Pulaski china cabinet may take more time to find the right buyer.
On the other hand, a Pulaski secretary desk can sell for between $200 and $800. A nice Pulaski oak secretary desk can find a buyer quickly, for the simple reason that many modern furniture stores do not offer secretary desks. So a nicely made, great quality Pulaski secretary desk can be quite desirable on the second hand furniture market.