Gershun, designed some of the earliest modern furniture lines available in the states and helped transition from traditional lighter woods to the richer dark woods that were popular throughout the mid-century. While designing with American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun designed over 12 different lines including but not limited to: Uptown, Legacy, Dilettante, Mokatone Modern, Urban-Suburban, Silhouette, Dania, Pristine, Fortissimo, Harlequin, and Kashmir. He also designed the Samara, Orbit, Espirit, and Budgetrend lines for Dillingham.

During his career he strove to bring affordable modern design to the average American consumer. His designs sought many influences, from designing furniture to make small spaces seem large, to influences in French and Asian culture, and his use of many types of materials, elm, walnut, birch, plastic, and porcelain. Notably his most recognized line, Dania by American of Martinsville, was once the best-selling furniture line in the world.
Later in his life, Gershun moved to Miami where he was often found either on the road traveling to the American of Martinsville plant in Martinsville, VA or as an avid golfer teeing off on the course (low 80s). Gershun often would provide interviews for newspapers to help young couples navigate the colors and layouts of their new homes.

“Many people, he says, look upon modern furniture as a series of boxes of various sizes and shapes, in varying heights off the floor. Modern is more than that these days, combining beauty and usefulness, he says. The advantage of American design is that the flavor of other worlds is incorporated to assist the trend to the romantic look. Take your choice of African figurines, Chinese lanterns, Italian marble, French faience as well as America’s contributions- plastics, tile, fabrics-of unusual durability, contrivance, and glamor.”

- Merton Gershun for the Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado 1956.

Merton Gershun died January 3rd, 1989.