John Kapel
American
California modern designer John Kapel graduated from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI (other noted alums include Harry Bertoia, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen). After a short stint training in Yugoslavia, he moved to New York to work with George Nelson (chief designer of Herman Miller Furniture Company), who hired him as a general designer. At a studio with only 17 employees, the young Kapel was exposed to all aspects of industrial and furniture design.
After two years at George Nelson & Associates, Kapel headed westward to California and landed in what was then the farmland of Los Gatos. Because he had no tools of his own, his great friend and fellow craftsman, the late Sam Maloof, took him to an auction to buy a workbench. In order to get the one he wanted, Kapel had to purchase a lot of five benches from a local school. Within a month, he’d sold four of them, making enough of a profit to start crafting furniture on the fifth. He still uses it to this day.
Kapel saw how Maloof struggled to make a living off custom, hand-hewn furniture. “Sammy hated to do stuff for manufacturers because there are constrictions associated with that kind of work, but I don’t like to make the same thing twice.”
What intrigued Kapel was the challenge of creating a design that could then be produced in a factory. He had seen how George Nelson & Associates earned royalties off its popular designs. To Kapel, that was much more appealing than hand-making every single stick of furniture his mind could dream up. He made some prototypes and piled them into his station wagon, journeying from Los Gatos to Los Angeles, where he knocked on factory doors. The first he tried was Glenn of California. After showing his samples to owner Ike Baron and striking a mutually satisfying agreement, the two embarked on a partnership that would last more than 20 years—with only a handshake binding their deal.
john kapel furniture
After two years at George Nelson & Associates, Kapel headed westward to California and landed in what was then the farmland of Los Gatos. Because he had no tools of his own, his great friend and fellow craftsman, the late Sam Maloof, took him to an auction to buy a workbench. In order to get the one he wanted, Kapel had to purchase a lot of five benches from a local school. Within a month, he’d sold four of them, making enough of a profit to start crafting furniture on the fifth. He still uses it to this day.
Kapel saw how Maloof struggled to make a living off custom, hand-hewn furniture. “Sammy hated to do stuff for manufacturers because there are constrictions associated with that kind of work, but I don’t like to make the same thing twice.”
What intrigued Kapel was the challenge of creating a design that could then be produced in a factory. He had seen how George Nelson & Associates earned royalties off its popular designs. To Kapel, that was much more appealing than hand-making every single stick of furniture his mind could dream up. He made some prototypes and piled them into his station wagon, journeying from Los Gatos to Los Angeles, where he knocked on factory doors. The first he tried was Glenn of California. After showing his samples to owner Ike Baron and striking a mutually satisfying agreement, the two embarked on a partnership that would last more than 20 years—with only a handshake binding their deal.
john kapel furniture
John Kapel
John Kapel for Glenn of California Walnut Cabinet Bedside Tables / Commodes
H 23 in W 24 in D 18 in
$ 7,800
John Kapel
Studio Craft Rocker by John Kappel for Glenn of California
H 42 in W 25 in D 30 in
$ 4,995
Sold
John Kapel
Custom Commissioned Solid Wood Desk by California Studio Craftsman John Kapel
H 30 in W 63 in D 32 in
John Kapel
California Modern Walnut Night Stands by John Kapel
H 22 in W 24 in D 18 in
$ 3,895
Access Trade Price
John Kapel
John Kapel Wooden Coffee Table with Curved Edges
H 14.57 in W 47.64 in D 22.44 in
Request Price
John Kapel
One of a Kind Studio Sideboard or Cabinet by John Kapel Studio, US, 1960s
H 32 in W 53 in D 18 in
$ 17,900
John Kapel
John Kapel for Glenn of California Mid Century Walnut Dining Table
H 26 in W 45 in D 45 in
$ 2,495
John Kapel
John Kapel for Glenn of California King-Size Headboard, circa 1960
H 42 in W 82 in D 1 in
$ 3,200
Access Trade Price
John Kapel
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Walnut Nightstands - A Pair
H 22 in W 24 in D 16 in
$ 1,795
Sold
Mid Century Modern Tall Dresser with Sculpted Handles
H 42 in W 38 in D 18 in
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