Made By Hickory Chair

Hable Construction for Hickory Chair

Perhaps you remember the Elle Decor feature on Susan and Kate Hable designing an exclusive fabric collection for Hickory Chair.  The Hable Construction collection launched in October 2010 to great success!  These fabrics begin with original paintings by Susan Hable and then are used to create fabrics that are woven in North Carolina exclusively for Hickory Chair.  Susan and Kate thoughtfully researched Hickory Chair's existing fabric offerings studying the colors and textures that were most successful.  Using this insight, patterns and very importantly colors were developed that would work back to our fabric rack.  They wanted their fabrics to be an extension of what we are known for. As you can see below in this Elle Decor feature from earlier this year, the original launch featured silvery grays, browns, greens and other colors of nature.  The patterns are named Lollipop, Stripes, Pom Pom, Geranium, Facets, Endpapers and Mustaches.  Susan and Kate were eager to bring their modern fabrics to Hickory Chair as we share a passion for making things in America.  Our fabrics are woven in North Carolina and almost 90% of our furniture is hand made in North Carolina as well.  We knew this collaboration could be something special!

At the Spring 2011 Market, additional neutral colorways were added to some of the original patterns and two new patterns were introduced named Ponti and Library. At the Spring 2011 Market, Hickory Chair launched its 100th anniversary with the 1911 Collection.  Shown in the foreground below is a new color of Pom Pom from the April 2011 Market which is a very soft green.  Shown above is Pom Pom in a dark blue-brown colorway from the original October 2010 launch.

This brings us to the Fall 2011 Market where we celebrated our centennial!  Our showroom was alive with vibrant color thanks to Hable Construction and our Creative Director/VP Ron Fiore! You have to be happy with 100 years of successfully making fine custom furniture in America! So, this season we added vibrant shades of fushia, tomato, terra cotta, sapphire, lapis and other amazing shades of blue, pink and oranges in addition to snow and black. One new pattern was added named Snakes is available in a neutral Wheat color and darker brown-black color named Bark.  Shown below is a Silhouettes custom made sofa shown in Library in the new Fushia colorway.  Susan was invited to create a display of our furniture with her fabrics that illustrates her unafraid design aesthetic.  A special Susan Hable touch is the cream paper wrapped books that she hand painted to add a fresh, decorative look to the room.  So Susan!

Library pattern in fushia is complemented by the new fushia tweed pattern, the luxurious velvet and leather.  The rug was custom made for Susan and was inspired by the Ponti fabric pattern.

Susan's hand painting brought these book spines to life!

Are you a lover of vibrant colors?

Or do you love neutrals?

Either way Hickory Chair and Hable Construction have you 'covered'!

1911 Collection - The Centennial Collection by Hickory Chair

Turning 100 years old this year is very special for all the employees of Hickory Chair.  We want to say thank you to everyone who has chosen Hickory Chair pieces for their homes these past 100 years.  We enjoy receiving emails with pictures of family heirlooms and special finds at antique stores that so many of you have shared with us. 

This week we have introduced a very special new collection at the Spring International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina.  To create the 1911 Collection, a group of us perused our earliest catalogs.  As we reminiscedabout the products in these vintage catalogs beginning in the 1930's, we realized how beautiful and timeless many of the forms were.  We selected distinctive timeless pieces that we felt could be updated for today.  The result is a grouping of pieces that are respectful of their heritage but are decidedly modern! 

Normally you have to wait up to six months after market to see new pieces in stores, catalogs or web sites.  Not with Hickory Chair!  Our craftsmen in Hickory, North Carolina have already made pieces that have been ordered at market and are shipping them to the stores that ordered them!  Therefore, we have already posted the 1911 collection to our web site.   With over 87% of our entire product line made in Hickory by our talented craftsmen can offer custom finishes, sizes and other options that will allow you to personalize pieces for your home and made for you in just a couple weeks from order!

We Did It!

 
  As a first chapter in celebrating our 100th year in 2011, Hickory Chair opened a brand new showroom in High Point, North Carolina!  This new showroom, located at 330 N. Hamilton, is open during furniture markets and by appointment the rest of the year. 

Located street level, we have easy access during market.  We have banks of floor to ceiling windows on several sides of the building which gives all of us the gift of natural light.  This has already proven to be extremely helpful during market as designers and buyers worked with our fabrics and finishes.

 
 
We debuted the second collection by Suzanne Kasler during the market.  Known as The Studio Collection, this new collection complements the original collection beautifully! Shown is the new Simone king size bed with its beautifully upholstered headboard, side rails and footboard.  It is available in twin, queen and California king as well.  To add further personalization, Simone is available without upholstery!  Below it is shown in the twin size in our new finish, Weathered Stone.

As a first for Hickory Chair, the first ever licensed fabric collection was introduced with Hable Construction! Sisters Susan (left) and Kate (right) formed the textile company eleven years ago with a vision and a mission.  They named their company for their great-grandfather's Texas road construction company.  In the years since they have created one of a kind fabrics all from Susan's hand painted designs.  Their fabrics are woven and printed in America.  Their entreprenaurial spirit complements the talented craftsmen at Hickory Chair who carefully make one of a kind pieces to order.  The collaboration of these companies have resulted in fresh, graphic fabrics to the classic pieces made by Hickory Chair.  Swatches are in production now for stores and trade showrooms around the country.  Pictured is the Geranium pattern being hand painted and then a grouping of graphite toned Hable -  Hickory Chair fabrics.   

 Don't these Louis XVI chairs look inspired in their graphite colored Hable Construction fabrics?  For more information contact press@hickorychair.com!

 

We're Under Construction!

 For those of you who come to High Point, North Carolina to the International Home Furnishings Market, we invite you to join us as we debut our new Hickory Chair showroom! 

This new showroom located on the first floor of 330 N. Hamilton, will showcase the talent and spirit of our master craftsmen and artisans at Hickory Chair.  Their ability to make one of a kind wood and upholstered pieces to order has differentiated Hickory Chair from a manufacturer of furniture to a workroom where personalized pieces are made to order.   “A thoughtful shopping experience has been created in our new showroom allowing natural light and inspirational settings that will showcase one of a kind pieces made by our talented craftsmen,” says Jay Reardon, President.  He continues “in addition, we have created a design center to allow designers and buyers to create personalized pieces and settings not only during market, but also by appointment throughout the year.” 

Hickory Chair celebrates the success of the “Suzanne Kasler Collection for Hickory Chair” that was introduced at the Spring 2008 market with the launch of her second collection.  The “Studio Collection” by Suzanne Kasler is inspired by classic elements from French, English, African and American influences. Each piece is specially tailored to fit a chic, comfortable and luxurious lifestyle.  Suzanne loves the juxtaposition of decorative forms mixed with clean lined, finely tailored and well proportioned architectural pieces.  Classic details such as dressage inspired hand-carved hoof-feet and French paw-feet add decorative charm while the tapered legs and crisp tailoring of French Moderne influences add a sophisticated element.  These special pieces will be showcased in our new showroom at 330 N. Hamilton.

To help celebrate this exciting time we are also hosting a book signing for Alexa Hampton.  Her first book, The Language of Interior Design, will be released on October 5th at bookstores and online.  This event will be held on Saturday, October 16 from 3 - 5 pm.

To make an appointment to visit our exciting new showroom contact your local Hickory Chair sales representative.  Not sure how to contact the sales representative in your area?  Simply email us at info@hickorychair.com.  We look forward to sharing our new showroom with you soon!

We open our showroom on Friday, October 15th at 8:00 am.  Our showroom will close on Wednesday, October 20th.  

Alexa Hampton - The Language of Interior Design

On October 5, 2010, Alexa Hampton will release her first book, The Language of Interior Design.  Being published by Random House, Alexa will give you a very personal insight into her aesthetic and how it has been used to satisfy her clients wishes.  The Random House press release says, "At an early age, Alexa Hampton learned the language of good design, the vocabulary to speak it, and the elements that define it. As the daughter of interior design legend Mark Hampton, she traveled the world by her father’s side, touring the great architectural landmarks and discovering beauty, training her eye."

The review contines, "Now one of America’s most influential designers herself, Alexa Hampton provides a tour of stunning residences from her own portfolio.  Eighteen classic spaces illustrate in rich detail the elements that govern cultivated design—contrast, proportion, color, and balance. Among the residences are a landmark 1912 McKim, Mead & White restoration on Fifth Avenue in New York City; an eclectic house by the sea layered in textures, patterns, and colors; a contemporary apartment distinguished by simple geometry and clean lines; and Hampton’s own apartment, filled with an exquisite collection of architectural elements."

Additionally, "Hampton also explains how she tailored each space to meet her clients’ needs while retaining a timeless aesthetic, and she provides design expertise on everything from fabric schemes to the particulars of paint. From a French neoclassical tour de force of architec-ture, artwork, and design to a Queen Anne summer cottage furnished to showcase the house’s graceful nineteenth-century dimensions, the spaces here speak the language of design—a language that, under Hampton’s tutelage, anyone can master." 

Hickory Chair will host a book signing at its NEW showroom located at 330 N. Hamilton in High Point, North Carolina on Saturday, October 16th from 3-5 p.m. during the Fall Furniture Market in High Point, North Carolina.  Her furniture collection will showcased along with Hickory Chair's other offerings including the new Suzanne Kasler Studio Collection that is being introduced at the fall market.  Alexa is scheduled for other book signings beginning on September 24th in Omaha, Nebraska.  Other cities with scheduled events include High Point (NC), New York City (NY), Denver and Lone Tree (CO).  This beautiful 256 page book is surely to become a inspirational guide to luxurious design.

In 2005, Hickory Chair introduced the Alexa Hampton Collection and has continued to introduce new groupings regularly since.  Her collection spans classic English Regency, French Moderne to Napolean III pieces each interpreted for today's customer and their busy lifestyle. The vast majority of her collection is hand made in Hickory, North Carolina by talented artisans and craftsmen.  Most wood products are available in a wide range of wood and stained finishes along with Customer's Own Hardware^TM. Her upholstered collection features classics pieces such as the Grant Chair with its distinctive crotch mahogany band around the outback and hand carved mahogany posts as well as pieces that are bench made in your choice of width from a chair to a 120-inch sofa.  Classic style and proportion are her signatures.  She has been listed as a top interior designer annually by both Architectural Digest and House Beautiful magaznies.  In addition to her licensed furniture collection by Hickory Chair, she also has licensed collections with Kravet Fabrics, Stark Carpets and Visual Comfort Lighting.  She lives in New York City, serves as the president of Mark Hampton, Inc., is a wife and mother. 

Suzanne Kasler To Introduce New Collection At October 2010 Market

Hickory Chair

 celebrates the success of the "Suzanne Kasler Collection” that was introduced at the Spring 2008 market with the launch of her second collection.  The “Studio Collection” by Suzanne Kasler is inspired by classic elements from French, English, African and American influences. Each piece is specially tailored to fit a chic, yet comfortable lifestyle.  Suzanne loves the juxtaposition of decorative forms mixed with clean lined, finely tailored and well proportioned architectural pieces.  Classic details such as hand-carved hoof-feet and French paw-feet add decorative charm while the tapered legs and crisp tailoring of French Moderne influences add a sophisticated element.  

This exciting new collection will  be introduced in the new Hickory Chair Showroom located at 330 N. Hamilton during the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina that opens on Friday, October 15th and closes on Wednesday, October 20th.  For more information contact press@hickorychair.com

No Doubting Thomas Here!

Today Hickory Chair officially launched the 10th anniversary of the Thomas O'Brien Collection with an dynamic introduction of classic modern forms.  The collection is complete with bedroom, dining room and living room pieces that are inspired by his passion for collecting timeless forms from different eras and then mixing them in unexpected ways creating modern interiors. 

These distinctive pieces feature fine details such as hand applied nail head trim, fine book-matched walnut and mahogany veneers, custom hardware and fine hand carving.  In this room scene, the Warner Lounge Chair is shown that is a reproduction of a 1755 George II sleeping chair, the Atheneum Sofa with its upholstered leg that rests upon an antique brass ferrule, the stately Sheffield Sideboard with the Keaton Mirror with its scored clear mirror, the Sebastian Side Chair with its very tall back, the graceful Inama Tray Table in its soft beige painted finish, and the Classico Cocktail Table with its faux shagreen top, bookmatched walnut veneered base that rests upon antique brass ferrules.  The unique forms complement each other creating comfort and luxury.

We are very proud that almost every piece from the new collection was made by the talented craftsmen in our Hickory, North Carolina workroom.  It is because of these dedicated craftsmen that Thomas entrusts his creations to Hickory Chair.  He does not doubt the passion and ability to execute these finely made pieces.  Their quality of construction will allow them to become tomorrow's antiques. 

We wish you could be here with us to see this beautiful and distinctive new collection!

A Sneak Preview...

 

For those of you who attend the upcoming International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina next week, we think we have an amazing treat for you!  Our showroom is being installed over the next week.  In addition to the pieces we show from each of our collections, we are premiering the introduction of The Library Collection by Thomas O'Brien in celebration of the 10th anniversary of this landmark collection by Hickory Chair. 

This new collection grew out of O’Brien’s personal collecting and designing for a new studio-library that he is building in the garden of his Long Island house. The furniture that he has been gathering for this space led to ideas for a type of ‘curated’ group for Hickory Chair – the kind of things one might bring home from wonderful travels, or uncover in favorite small antique shops. The setting of a personal library becomes symbolic, for in this type of space, furniture can be at its best: comfortable and deeply loungeful, formal enough to receive special guests, generous with places to display treasures, relaxed yet elegant and worldly. And, such furniture pieces are often equal to the surrounding artifacts – they are collected objects themselves.

 

 

 

 

A New Chapter For Hickory Chair

For those of you who attend the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC, we invite you to attend one of our special events this market! 

Our first event will be held on Friday, April 16th from 3-5 pm.  We will hold a book signing for Thomas O'Brien's new book American Modern.  The second event will be held on Saturday, April 17th from 3-5 pm.  We have the honor of holding four book signings!  The four authors will be in our Hickory Chair Showroom most of the day to meet our dealers, designers, members of the press and then from 3-5 pm, will sign books.  Who are the authors?

Duane Hampton is the author of Mark Hampton: An American Decorator.  She is the widow of the late Mark Hampton and the mother of both Alexa Hampton Papageorgiou and Kate Hampton.  Her new book, published by Rizzoli, documents the lifework of Mark Hampton.  It is a celebration of the career of the late interior designer Mark Hampton (1940–1998), whom the New York Times called "an icon of American Style." Rich with original materials including Hampton’s watercolors, sketches, and notebooks, as well as hundreds of images of Hampton’s important commissions, and impeccably researched and intimately written by his widow, Duane Hampton, this will be a visual feast for everyone interested in interiors as well as an important addition to the history of interior design.  In addition, she is the author of The Art of Friendship, a compilation of Mark Hampton’s watercolors.  The Mark Hampton Collection has been continuously made since its launch in 1988.  

 
Mariette Himes Gomez is the author of the newly released book, Apartments.  This is the third in a series published by Harper Collins that began with Rooms, was followed by Houses and now finally Apartments.  These beautiful books reflect the beautifully appointed rooms, houses and apartments that Mariette has created for her clients.  A book case is also being made available to house the complete works.  The Mariette Himes Gomez Collection for Hickory Chair was introduced in 2002.  

 

Thomas O'Brien is the author of American Modern by Abrams.  This is the first book by Thomas O'Brien.  Abrams quotes "Important design principles such as architectural authenticity, color relationships, correctness of scale, and informed collecting are threaded through a practical narrative that reads like a master class in interior design. American Modern is an inspiring design volume that will redefine the way readers think about modern interiors."  
The first book signing for this beautiful book is being held today in New York.  We are proud to introduce his new furniture collection and host two book signings.  The Thomas O'Brien Collection by Hickory Chair was introduced in 1999.

Suzanne Kasler is the author of Inspired Interiors.  This beautiful book by Rizzoli was released in 2009 and is on its third printing.   
Hickory Chair held a book-signing during the October 2009 market and is proud to make this book available once more.  The Suzanne Kasler Collection by Hickory Chair was introduced in 2008.

Not coming to market?  These books are available through your local bookstore, online or from the publisher.

 

 

 

 

Hickory Chair is now an ASID Industry Partner!

Hickory Chair has just received notification that we have been accepted as an Industry Partner of ASID! Each of our sales representatives are now industry partners and will be eager to get to know the members of their local chapters in their territory.

Today I had the great fortune to speak at the Summer Education Series at the Washington, DC Design Center. They are holding monthly educational seminars that will allow designers to earn CEU credits. Our presentation was entitled "Tomorrow's Heirlooms - The Construction, Craftsmanship and Customization of High-End Furniture". We have not received our certification for CEU credits as of yet, but we are confident that the course will be approved and then the participants will earn their credit. Once the course is approved, we will be able to give it periodically for a three year period!

I would like to thank our friends at the Henredon Interior Design Showroom and the design center for their efforts to organize the event. I would like to thank the 60 designers that chose to participate as well!