Tony, the son of Jack J.W. Parker, the founder of the iconic Parker Furniture Australia brand, was the driving force behind its success. His revolutionary ideas transformed the industry, setting new standards in craftsmanship and design. Under his leadership, Parker Furniture became synonymous with quality and innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries of furniture design and manufacturing.
Tony Parker
Tony Parker’s Message
“Covesmore Solutions are genuine quality restorers of Parker Furniture who maintain or improve the quality of craftsmanship of the original article. Many restorers compete on price and therefore compromise on materials and techniques to maintain a profit. The quality of construction is not seen; it is invisible until it breaks down.
You can trust Covesmore Solutions in the unseen quality of construction, whether it be timber joints or cushion construction.”
Meet the Man behind Parker Furniture
We invite you to watch this 4-minute feature of Tony on Great Home Ideas.
Tony & the coveted Parker 150 conversation chair
Tony Parker & CEO Dan Hurditch
Parker Furniture Historical Timeline
The Parker Furniture story begins with Jack W. Parker, the founder of the largest Australian furniture manufacturer.
During the Great Depression, Jack lost his job and began buying and selling fish in the suburbs to make ends meet. After 18 months, he met Alf Dagger.
1935: Jack Parker and Alf Dagger established Dagger and Parker. They got started making kitchen cabinets with wood palettes. During their partnership, they made government tender furniture which included parts of the mosquito bomber.
1937: After Alf Dagger’s departure, the company was renamed JW Parker Furniture.
1949: Tony Parker joined the family business after studying design at East Sydney Technical College.
1952: Tony Parker gained valuable retail experience by working as a salesman at the John Lewis department store on Oxford Street in London. He helped them with the development of a modern range of furniture and introduce the idea of “Dream Rooms” to give people the ability to visualize furniture in their homes.
1953: Tony Parker returned to Sydney, bringing new insights and ideas from his time in London. Grace Brothers showed interest in Parker’s design and he was able to showcase his brilliance at Sydney’s first furniture exhibition. This range was described as a Fashion Revolution
1954: Ross Parker joined the business to manage the financial operations.
1956: Parker Furniture became the first Australian manufacturer to introduce fully laminated plastic surfaces in their furniture.
1957: The company relocated from Erskineville to a 4.5-acre site in Regent’s Park.
1958: Parker Furniture introduced the use of Formica in various timber grains.
1961: The Regent’s Park site was expanded to include a showroom and an in-house design service. This year also marked the introduction of Scandinavian-inspired teak furniture, which became highly popular with the younger market.
1968: The Parker range was expanded to include traditional American Walnut veneers.
1972: Jack Parker retired
1975: Parker Furniture moved to a larger, eight-hectare facility in Seven Hills.
1984: Parker Furniture was awarded the European Award for Furniture Excellence in Paris, becoming the first Australian furniture manufacturer to receive this prestigious accolade.
1997: Parker Furniture ceased operations.