Born in Philadelphia in 1919, Phil Powell studied engineering at Drexel University, After World War 2, he moved to New Hope PA, a long-time artists' colony on the Delaware River. There he built a house and began producing carved furniture while selling Herman Miller pieces as well as Isamo Noguchi lamps to earn money. Encouraged by George Nakashima, in 1953 Powell opened a small shop in New Hope to feature his designs.

Edward Wormley (1907-1995) is best known for his association with the Dunbar Furniture Co. of Berne Indiana. Hired by Dunbar in 1931 to improve its' inexpensive tradional lines, Wormley's simple outlines and quality surfaces and finishes propelled Dunbar's modern lines to the top of the American market within 5 years. Never leading edge or overly adventurous, influenced and inspired by both classicism and modernism, Wormley's furniture presented traditional motifs in modern forms using the finest materials and highest production standards.

Paul McCobb (1917-1969) was a prolific American designer best known for his Planner Group and Directional furniture lines. Produced by various manufacturers including ModernAge, Wichendon, CustomCraft, and H.Sacks & Sons, McCobb's designs epitomized the Mid-Century style and were among the best-selling lines for nearly 3 decades.

Trained as a painter and architect, Klint is considered the father of the Danish Modern design movement. He was a faculty member at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, where he founded the Furniture Department and influenced students such as Ole Wanscher and Borge Mogensen who went on to become successful designers. In his own work, Klint combined 18th-century forms with the spare lines and rationalism of the modern era. Some his best known works include the Faaborg chair (1914, co-designer C. Peteresen), the Barcelona or Red chair (1927), and the Propellor stool (1927).  

Curtis Jere or C. Jere is the production name for Curtis Freiler and Jerry Fels of the Artisan House Corporation. They combined pieces of their own names to create the C. Jere signature found on many of their metalwork sculptures and household accessories.  Co-founders of Artisan House in 1963,  Freiler was the production chief and his brother-in-law Fels was the head of design. Artisan House’s stated mission was to produce “gallery-quality art for the masses”.