Inside Bernhardt and 135 Years of Family Furniture Design

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Every High Point Market, we make it a point to visit the Bernhardt showroom. This spring, Bernhardt was part of our Meet the Makers Tour, in which attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from the people behind some of the furniture industry’s best brands. Our first stop was Bernhardt, and President and CEO Alex Bernhardt Jr. personally guided our group through the showroom. Here, he shared how new collections come together and discussed the materials that shape the company’s designs. Favorites of our tour included the Bernhardt Cayo Arm Chair and pieces from their Monolith Collection.

At Laura U Design Collective, which is the original company of DesignDash’s co-founders, we often select Bernhardt pieces for our projects. During the tour, we recognized one of the dining chairs displayed in the showroom because we had recently used the same design in a client project, upholstered in a custom fuchsia and red fabric. But our personal connection to the brand isn’t the only reason we adore them!

Founded in 1889, Bernhardt has grown into one of the country’s largest family-owned furniture companies while staying under Bernhardt family leadership. The company also recently introduced two new collections, Geneve and Lucerne, both of which reflect the material-driven approach Alex Bernhardt Jr. described throughout our visit. We’ll take a closer look at those collections later in this article.

What Is Bernhardt?

Bernhardt traces its history to 1889, when John Mathias Bernhardt established the company in Lenoir, North Carolina. Here, he produced bedroom furniture from the region’s native white oak. More than 135 years later, the company is still led by the Bernhardt family, with Alex Bernhardt Jr. now serving as President and Chief Executive Officer and representing the fourth generation of leadership.

Today, Bernhardt crafts residential furniture, hospitality furnishings, workspace collections, outdoor furniture, and commercial products through Bernhardt Design. Its products are sold around the world through retailers, interior designers, hospitality projects, and commercial design firms, with sales representatives serving more than 50 countries. After all this time, the company is still headquartered in Lenoir and operates multiple manufacturing facilities in North Carolina alongside international offices.

“For over 135 years, the company has celebrated the unique craft of furniture making.”

— Bernhardt Furniture Company

Rather than separating traditional craftsmanship from contemporary design, Bernhardt’s philosophy emphasizes both. The company describes its furniture as being shaped by generations of artisans while continuing to evolve through new materials, construction methods, and design influences.

Growing Through Four Generations Across 135 Years of Furniture Making

Bernhardt’s history includes many of the same challenges that have affected American manufacturing during the last century. The company rebuilt after a devastating factory fire in 1926, continued operating through the Great Depression, adapted production during World War II, and steadily expanded into new product categories over the decades that followed. Upholstery became a major part of the business in the late 1950s, while Bernhardt Design, Bernhardt Hospitality, Bernhardt Interiors, and Bernhardt Exteriors were introduced in later years as the company expanded beyond residential furniture.

One characteristic of the company has remained consistent throughout those changes: family leadership. Alex Bernhardt Jr. became President and CEO in 2009, when he continued a line of leadership that stretches back to the company’s founder. Today, both third- and fourth-generation family members are actively involved in directing the business.

Leadership Beyond Furniture

Bernhardt also maintains longstanding commitments outside manufacturing. Through company giving and the Bernhardt Furniture Foundation, it supports nonprofit organizations throughout Caldwell County and western North Carolina, with initiatives focused on healthcare, education, crisis support, and local community programs. The company has also established environmental objectives addressing manufacturing practices, materials, waste reduction, packaging, and responsible sourcing across its operations.

“We want to go beyond simply complying with environmental legislation and regulations. We want to become leading supporters in our community and industry.”

— Alex Bernhardt Sr., Chairman

Alex Bernhardt Jr.’s Design Philosophy

One of the most interesting parts of any Bernhardt tour is always hearing Alex Bernhardt Jr. describe how new collections got their starts. Rather than starting with a single furniture piece, the design team often begins by searching for materials that introduce a different texture, finish, or visual contrast. From there, they develop an entire palette before individual products are designed. That approach explains, in part, why Bernhardt collections often include coordinated casegoods, seating, occasional tables, and accent pieces that share common materials while maintaining distinct forms.

“We’re always on the lookout for an intriguing material that we haven’t seen before. Once we find it, we create a palette from which we then design a myriad of different pieces that work together.”

— Alex Bernhardt Jr.

Mixed materials are a constant at Bernhardt. Cast aluminum, German silver, capiz shell, bone inlay, textured woods, and handcrafted metalwork are combined to produce furniture with layered finishes and contrasting surfaces. Traditional forms are often simplified through cleaner silhouettes, while contemporary pieces incorporate handcrafted details that reference historical craftsmanship.

Inspiration Beyond Furniture

Bernhardt also describes travel, architecture, artisan craftsmanship, and global culture as recurring influences on new collections. Instead of developing individual statement pieces in isolation, the company focuses on creating furnishings that relate to one another through proportion, materials, and finish selections.

“Creating eclectic pieces that can be curated together. Layering textures and contrasting elements. Subverting traditional forms through the use of interesting materials.”

— Alex Bernhardt Jr.

That philosophy was so obvious to all our tour attendees after walking through the showroom with Alex. As he discussed different introductions, the recurring materials and finishes from one collection to the next became much easier to recognize than they would in a catalog alone. The Geneve and Lucerne collections, both introduced this spring, illustrate that approach particularly well and will be the focus of the next section of this article.

Exploring Two New Bernhardt Collections

The Geneve Collection and a Fresh Perspective on Modern Rustic Design

Bernhardt introduced Geneve during Spring 2026 High Point Market as a collection that explores modern rustic design through material selection and craftsmanship. Rather than relying on distressed finishes or traditional rustic details, Geneve combines bold architectural forms with textured surfaces, wire-brushed oak, and cast aluminum accents. It references rustic materials while presenting them through clean, contemporary silhouettes.

“With bold profiles, handcrafted texture and a rich, moody finish, Bernhardt’s Geneve collection offers an elevated perspective on modern rustic design.”

— Bernhardt Furniture Company

Contrast is one characteristic you’ll find throughout the collection. Deep oak finishes are paired with textured metal surfaces, while smooth architectural lines are balanced by handcrafted details. These materials create continuity across the collection without making every piece look identical.

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Textural Variety Across the Collection

To that point, several dining pieces demonstrate this approach particularly well. The Geneve Dining Table boasts a substantial oak top with clean architectural lines, while the accompanying dining chairs introduce softer curves and upholstered seating. Nearby, the Geneve Buffet combines wire-brushed oak with textured cast aluminum door fronts that reflect light differently throughout the day. The contrast between those materials gives the buffet much of its visual interest while also concealing generous interior storage.

The same design language continues into the bedroom collection. The Geneve Shelter Bed uses a sweeping upholstered headboard to introduce softer forms, while matching nightstands, benches, and dressers repeat the collection’s oak finishes and textured hardware. Even larger storage pieces avoid unnecessary ornamentation. Curved drawer fronts, restrained hardware, and carefully selected finishes allow the materials themselves to define each piece rather than decorative detailing.

The Lucerne Collection

While Geneve emphasizes texture and material contrast, Lucerne from Bernhardt Hospitality explores modern rustic design from a different perspective. Throughout the collection, continuous reeding becomes one of its defining characteristics. Reeded surfaces appear across casegoods, while softened edges, curved forms, and substantial plinth bases establish a consistent architectural language.

“Lucerne combines rhythm, proportion and the movement of continuous reeding into a singularly beautiful narrative.”

— Bernhardt Furniture Company

Natural wood finishes play an equally important role. Instead of relying on heavy ornamentation, Lucerne allows the grain of the wood, carved detailing, and repeated forms to shape the overall collection. Understated hardware is used sparingly, allowing cabinets, dressers, and tables to read as sculptural furniture rather than heavily decorated casegoods.

Classical References with Contemporary Details

Bernhardt describes Lucerne as drawing from classical influences while maintaining a contemporary point of view. Rounded corners soften larger casegoods, angled frames introduce visual lightness, and carved openings break up otherwise substantial forms. Those details create consistency across dining, bedroom, and occasional pieces without relying on identical silhouettes.

“Softened edges, repetition of form and a restrained sensibility define the fundamental architecture of the aesthetic.”

— Bernhardt Furniture Company

Although Geneve and Lucerne each have their own identity, both collections reflect the material-first philosophy Alex Bernhardt Jr. discussed during our tour. One emphasizes layered textures, hammered metals, and dramatic contrast. The other focuses on carved detailing, natural finishes, and repeated architectural forms. Together, they demonstrate how Bernhardt develops complete collections around a cohesive palette before expanding those ideas across multiple furniture categories.

Looking Ahead to Fall High Point Market

Exploring the Bernhardt showroom each Market gives our tour group an incredible opportunity to see how the company continues to develop its collections while staying connected to more than 135 years of furniture making. After spending time with Alex Bernhardt Jr. and exploring Geneve and Lucerne, we’re looking forward to seeing what Bernhardt introduces at Fall High Point Market 2026.

As a proud sponsor of DesignDash, High Point Market continues to bring together furniture manufacturers, interior designers, retailers, architects, and other members of the home furnishings industry from around the world. Registration for Fall Market is now open, and attendees who pre-register can skip onsite registration and receive their Market pass in advance. Buyer passes remain free through the pre-registration period, which closes on October 14 at 6:00 p.m. ET, while new company applications will be accepted through October 9 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

If you’ll be attending this October, we hope to see you in High Point as we continue exploring the latest introductions from Bernhardt and many of the other brands shaping the future of our inspiring industry! For registration details and eligibility requirements, visit the official High Point Market registration page.

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.