Drexel Composite Bedroom Set

As I began the process of putting finish on this set I faced a design dilemma.  A test of my regular finish in an inconspicuous area revealed that the mahogany and pecan used in these pieces would end up a light, somewhat golden color.  I'm pretty fierce in my adherence to the philosophy of not adding pigment to finer materials such as walnut or mahogany but felt on these pieces the color I was getting with my normal finish would detract from the overall look.  I also didn't want to lose the great "movement" that mahogany is known for.  No, mahogany doesn't shake or vibrate.  Some woods, because of the way the growth rings form, change color or tone depending on the angle they are viewed from.  Mahogany is a species that exhibits this well.  However, opacity in the finish can lessen the effect.  Opacity can come in the form of pigment particles.  After testing various stains I found something that did a great job of adding color to the finish without hiding the nice banding and striping in the mahogany.  The resulting color is somewhat deeper and warmer than the original finish on the pieces.

After I acquired the set, I was able to find very little information on the line.  Date codes on the pieces showed they were manufactured in late 1961 and early 1962.  I have yet to uncover the designer of the Composite line.  John Van Koert would be a likely candidate having designed the Counterpoint and Profile lines in the same time period.  But with other luminaries such as Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall, Ed Wormley and Barney Flagg also having designed for Drexel in the 50's Van Koert isn't the only candidate.  Actually with the sled style base of the credenza and the use of mahohany and burl that are more reminiscent of deco period pieces I see the influence of Paul Laszlo in these.

The set is very nicely made with details that don't show up on "department store" quality pieces from the era.  The cases all use mitered joints to eliminate edgebanding and for a cleaner look.  The front edges of the cases are all solid pecan.  This front edge is rabbeted on the dressers to reveal a smaller profile from the front view.  This technique was also often used on Danish furniture.  The rung of the sled base on the credenza has a subtle curve on its top edge.  All of these details were deliberate and subtle and added expense to the manufacturing of the pieces.  The hardware is also noteworthy.  The drawers use a heavy brass D-ring on an inset escutcheon.  The hardware on this set arrived with a fair amount of wear and oxidation.  Although I love how patinated metal looks, it didn't fit with the freshly refinished wood, so I cleaned them up and they are now shiny brass with a light patina.  All the original drawer dividers are intact and the jewelry storage trays are in both dressers.

For about the same money as you'd pay for a Furniture Row bedroom set you can get a unique, well made set of American furniture with far nicer materials than the Furniture Row pieces.  Although the Drexel set has already been around for 50 years, if I had to bet on which set would still be around 50 years from now, I'd bet on the Drexels.

Dimensions:

7-drawer low dresser    62"W x 31"H x 20"D
7-drawer upright chest   33"W x 50"H x 20"D
2x nightstands         20" W x 23"H x 16"D
 king headboard       82"W x 39"H

 
Headboard for $195.   All other pieces are sold