John Van Koert was integral to the rise in popularity of Scandinavian modern furniture during the mid-20th century all over the United States. The Canadian-born designer’s spare walnut coffee tables and elegant armchairs, for example — particularly those that he created for North Carolina’s Drexel Furniture — reflected the influence of the era’s alluring Danish design and were prominently featured in the modern interiors of postwar American homes.
Originally from Manitoba, Van Koert moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the University of Wisconsin. There he studied sculpture and trained in metalwork. Van Koert later taught design in the school’s art department. After World War II, Van Koert settled in New York City. He created jewelry for Harry Winston before shifting his focus to flatware and furniture design.
Van Koert found quick success with his flatware designs for Towle Silversmiths. His Contour set was part of the “Knife, Fork and Spoon” exhibition organized by the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis in the early 1950s. In 1954, he served as design director for the “Design in Scandinavia” exhibition, which toured Canada as well as the United States and featured hundreds of designs created in Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden by the likes of Kaj Franck, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Finn Juhl and others.
Van Koert kept busy over the years. Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism during the postwar era with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile, Casa Del Sol and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by Van Koert.
In the early 1960s, Van Koert created a contemporary line for Richardson-Nemschoff, a furniture manufacturer based in the designer’s former stomping grounds of Wisconsin. During the early 1970s, he partnered with Sarreid Ltd., a brand that got its start sourcing materials from Spain and Italy and bringing the exceptional talents of European wood carvers, sculptors and painters to the forefront of American home decor.
On 1stDibs, find vintage John Van Koert seating, tables and storage pieces.
Newly Refinished - Pair of Mid-Century Modern “Projection” Night Stands
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished Expertly Refinished: With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativi...
Walnut
Rare "Counter Point" Night Stand by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
John Van Koert for Drexel Cherry Wood Two-Tier Side Table, Newly Refinished
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern sculpted cherry wood two-tier occasional side table or nightstand By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Counterpoint" Collection USA, 1950s M...
Cherry
John Van Koert for Drexel "Profile" Mid-Century Headboard
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crafted in the mid-1950s as part of the celebrated Profile collection designed by John Van Koert for Drexel, this walnut headboard embodies the refined simplicity and architectural c...
Wood
John Van Koert Walnut Bachelor Chest or Nightstand, Circa 1960s
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern three-drawer nightstand or bachelor chest By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, Circa 1960s Sculpted walnut, with original...
Walnut
Solid Wood Side Table
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Wooden side table in solid wood with an oiled finish. Designed by Project 213A in 2020 This sculptural side table is hand carved by local artisans in Por...
Chestnut
1950's Drexel Profile K44 Extending Dining Table by John Van Koert
By Edward Wormley, John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This Drexel Profile Model K44 extending dining table is both striking in scale and versatile in function. Its walnut and pecan top, supported by robust metal glides, opens effortless...
Fruitwood, Walnut
Large John Van Koert coffee Table
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Charleston, WV
38" wide x 16" tall, large walnut coffee table. John Van Korea for Drexel. This table has been refinished but maintains two flaws (photographed and shown in video), otherwise excelle...
Walnut
$2,047 / set
H 18.12 in W 22.84 in D 17.33 in
Pair of 1960s Brutalist Pine Bedside Tables or Nightstands
Located in London, London
Pair of Brutalist style bedside tables in pine. A pair of striking Brutalist-style bedside tables, crafted from solid pine with a sculptural, architectural presence. These pieces sh...
Pine
$1,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 25 in W 22.25 in D 16 in
Lovely Pair Lattice Front Walnut Night Stands Mid-century Modern
By American of Martinsville
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of American mid-century modern walnut night stands. The well carved drawer fronts give these a classical feel. You will love the quality and craftsmanship of these Amer...
Walnut
Mexican Night Stand
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this rare Mexican Night Stand made in solid pine wood and palm cords.
Pine
$1,836Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 77.5 in D 2 in
John Stuart Mount Airy Walnut King Bed Headboard, Mid-Century Modern
By John Stuart Inc., Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Elegant king size bed headboard from John Stuart of New York. The esteemed manufacturer uses a duo-tone presentation often seen in Chinoiserie furniture. However, here we have a mini...
Walnut, Burl, Teak
Pair of 2-Tier Entretoise Side Tables by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of 2-tier 'Entretoise' side tables by Design Frères. Wrought iron base with 2 thin travertine shelves. Also great as small nightstands. Shelves are removable for secure shipping...
Travertine, Wrought Iron
$3,200 / set
H 26 in W 25.5 in D 17 in
1960s Kent Coffey Perspecta Walnut & Rosewood Demilune Nightstands or End Tables
By Kent-Coffey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
United States designed and made, these nightstands or end tables feature a great look with modern clean lines and sculptured elements such as the arches on the drawers. The appeal is...
Rosewood, Walnut
$2,280 / set
H 23 in W 22 in D 15 in
A Pair of Refinished Mid Century Modern Nightstands by John Stuart. Circa 1960s
By John Stuart Inc.
Located in Miami, FL
A Pair of Refinished Mid Century Modern Nightstands by John Stuart. Circa 1960s Feature a sleek Mid Century Modern Design with anodized legs, one drawer with brass hardware, and one ...
Aluminum, Brass
$495
H 22 in W 26.5 in D 26.5 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Oak Round Tier Side Table by Lane
By Lane Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage design...
Oak, Walnut
$2,695 / set
H 30 in W 30 in D 19.75 in
Vintage Coastal Organic Modern Rattan Wicker Nightstands or Bachelor Chests
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Gorgeous pair of vintage rattan wicker bachelor chests featuring a richly toned finish, wrapped pencil reed frames, and intricate woven drawer fronts with decorative loop detailing. ...
Rattan, Plywood
Mid-Century Modern Drexel "Profile" Walnut Nightstands - Set of 2
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This elegant pair of Mid-Century Modern Drexel “Profile” nightstands, designed by John Van Koert, exemplifies refined American modernism at its best. Crafted from warm, beautifully g...
Brass
John Van Koert, Nightstands, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By John Van Koert
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut nightstands designed by John Van Koert and produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 30.0"H x 28.125"W x 19.875"D All items ship from High Po...
Walnut
King Size Drexel Profile K19 Bookcase Bed Headboard
By Karl Johan, Henredon, John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
K19 “Utility” headboard John Van Koert for Drexel’s “Profile” collection. The luxurious American walnut wood headboard has solid wood sliding doors. The...
Chrome
Sold
H 26 in W 28 in D 20 in
1950's Drexel Profile K75 End Chest Bedside Lamp Tables by John Van Koert
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of Drexel Profile walnut and pecan K75 End Chest Tables, circa 1950s. Built like tanks, these large (by 50's standards) lamp tables would look awesome flanking your bed or sofa...
Fruitwood, Walnut
Midcentury Side Tables by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut end tables by John Van Koert for the Drexel profile series, circa 1960s. This beautiful pair of nightstands features a strong solid walnut frame that gives an exce...
Aluminum
Midcentury Side Tables by John Van Koert for Drexel
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut end tables by John Van Koert for the Drexel profile series, circa 1960s. This beautiful pair of nightstands features a strong solid walnut frame that gives an exce...
Aluminum
Sold
H 26.25 in W 18 in D 16 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Nightstands
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bedside tables. By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" collection. USA, 1950s. Black lacquered walnut, with original brass hardwar...
Brass
Sold
H 35 in W 77.25 in D 11 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Sculpted Walnut Tambour Door Bookcase Headboard, 1956
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut tambour door bookcase headboard with unique built-in floating cantilevered bedside tables By John Va...
Walnut
Sold
H 28.25 in W 21 in D 19 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Nightstands
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern three-drawer bachelor chests or nightstands By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with ...
Brass
Sold
H 30 in W 28.13 in D 19.75 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Sculpted Walnut Bedside Chests, Newly Refinished
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A pair of sleek and stylish mid-century modern sculpted walnut bachelor chests or nightstands with unique cantilevered top By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Counterpoint" Collection ...
Walnut
Sold
H 30.25 in W 28.13 in D 20 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Walnut Bachelor Chest or Nightstand, Newly Refinished
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern walnut bachelor chest or nightstand By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Counterpoint" Collection USA, Circa 1950s Measures: 28.13"W x 20"D ...
Walnut
Sold
H 26.25 in W 18 in D 16 in
John Van Koert for Drexel Profile Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Drexel, John Van Koert
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bedside tables By John Van Koert for Drexel, "Profile" Collection USA, 1959 Black lacquered walnut, with original brass hardware. ...
Brass