Since Hickory Chair began offering options finishes on their wood products, a consistent wish has been for a way to visualize how different a piece would look in an optional finish. After several failed attempts, we now have a new wood configuration tool available on hickorychair.com!
Did you say wood configurator or finish visualizer? It is a configurator that allows you to visualize more options than just finish. In these past 5 years we have expanded from just applying an optional finish to also...
- Contrasting finishes
- Optional finish techniques
- Striping
- Techniques of striping
- Customer's Own HardwareTM
- Personal Preference Dining Program with optional tops and bases
- Optional door panels, apron friezes, etc.
All of these features are integrated into the new wood configurator! We made a decision to roll this new tool out with the Alexa Hampton Collection. This collection had many new introductions at the October 2009 market. All pieces with these options now are live on hickorychair.com.
How do I access them? There are several ways:
- On the homepage of hickorychair.com click on the Online Design Studio. It will take you to an introduction page that will let you choose the wood or upholstery feature.
- If you go to the specific items in the Alexa Hampton Collection you will now see Personalize This Item for these pieces. For example, the Gustav Round Dining Table with Reeded Apron. Once you click on Personalize This Item you will see the new tool.
Once you configure the piece you have designed, it will allow you to view the result and allow you to print a tear sheet with all of the choices listed! How does it work for the Gustav Round Dining Table?
- The first choice given is for finish. You will see Case and Top with a box checked underneath it. If you leave the box checked it will change the finish on the entire piece at once. If you uncheck the box it will allow you to select contrasting finishes.
- The next choice on the list is for Heirloom Technique if the finish you have selected is available with that technique. You can then choose Yes or No. Note: if the finish you have selected is not available in the technique it is grayed out and you can not select it.
- The next choice is Top Distressing. The choices are Weathered, Rustic/Vintage or Heirloom. Note: if the finish you have selected is not available in the technique it is grayed out and you can not select it. Vintage technique looked so similar to Rustic we combined the label.
- The next choice is Base Distressing. The choices are Weathered, Rustic/Vintage or Heirloom. Note: if the finish you have selected is not available in the technique it is grayed out and you can not select it.
- If the item has optional tops as part of Personal Preference Dining program, it will allow you to select from the tops that are available on that base.
- If the item has optional bases as part of Personal Preference Dining program, it will allow you to select from the tops that are available with that top.
- If the top has optional aprons (today only the Gustav Dining Tables have optional apron friezes) it will allow you to visualize them)
- The next option is for striping colors.
- Once you pick the color, the next option is technique.
After you have selected the options, at the bottom of the page is View Configuration button. Once this is clicked a tear sheet will be created.
The features for other types of pieces will vary, for example, a chest would allow you to apply contrasting finishes to the drawer fronts. If is part of the COHTM program then you would be able to select from any of the stocking hardware pieces in any of their three finish options.
What do the results look like?
Need something that you do not see as an option? Don't worry, we call those Special Construction Requests. A Hickory Chair dealer may ask for a other options. We have not been able to yes to every request but you can not imagine the vast number of things we have been able to make so far! Let us help you create a one of a kind piece for your home!
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