Made By Hickory Chair

Albert Sack, an American Visionary

This fall as we prepared for our Centennial celebration at Hickory Chair we caught up with Deborah Friedman, daughter of the late Albert Sack.  We were reflecting on the great talent and visionary that was Albert Sack and how we wished that he had lived to see his latest collaboration with Hickory Chair be introduced at the October 2011 Market.  It was not to be as he departed this life on May 29, 2011.  Fortunately, we had the honor of selecting a very special American Federal period sofa with him from his archives to introduce as a part of this special celebration.  As shown below our modern day interpretation of the original antique shares the crisp lines of the Federal Period.  The Albert Sofa and Chair are both clean lined, comfortable and have a timeless quality about their style.  Like the original antique, classic furniture with heirloom quality is our goal for all we create in our Hickory, North Carolina workroom.

As we continued to speak with Deborah about her Father and this most special way to honor his memory she shared with us this following letter.  We felt you might appreciate the love and respect between this father and daughter.  "On a balmy day in May 2010, I  videotaped my father, Albert Sack on my back porch.  He said, "You gotta have a dream.  My father's [Israel Sack] dream was the glory of Americana at its best." "You caught that dream?, I asked. My father replied, "I caught that dream".

 

With little interest and virtually no knowledge of American antiques, my father left college in the midst of the depression to help his father's ailing business.  His father, Israel was already considered a maverick for championing Americana at a time when European furniture was the favored trend.  And faced with the daunting responsibility of becoming Israel Sack's principal buyer at a time when people were standing in bread lines, he began to identify with and appreciate the early settlers who returned from battles to lovingly create American masterpieces.  As John Hays of Christie's said in The Magazine Antiques, "For Albert, American furniture was more than great art.  The virtues of each piece for him were a foil for America: the success of a piece depended on the strength and vigor of its design...and always the singular pride of its being American."

For Albert Sack to succeed as a buyer, he would face obstacles too, but he was certain he had to buy only the most extraordinary objects for Israel Sack even in the worst of times. Shortly after my father joined the firm, Israel Sack showed DuPont a newly acquired masterpiece. DuPont remarked about its high price tag during the Depression. To which Israel countered, "There's always room for special friends".  A passion was ignited in my father and he began to see Israel's vision. In 2004, I began a conversation with Jay Reardon, President of Hickory Chair about a collection bearing my father's name.  I viewed a potential line as relevant, a solution for families who inherited treasured antiques, but needed exceptional American pieces with character and personality (much like my father's) that could blend seamlessly into modern interiors.

Outwardly we appeared like an unlikely, unconventional couple.  I hadn't worked at Israel Sack so my background was in retail and manufacturing. What people didn't know was my entire life was spent looking at products and fashion and finding ways to refine them, to make them more beautiful. 

My father and I applied the same shared analytical approach to selecting, and translating design elements to recreate masterpieces for a 21st century customer.  What I didn't expect was to fall in love along the way with cabinetmakers, John and Thomas Seymour or to wax poetic about a hand painted table like my father did.  Apparently, I had caught the dream, too. Unexpectedly my own path's purpose converged with his and redefined  my aesthetic point of view.

As Hickory Chair introduces the "Albert sofa and chair", I am reminded of the many conversations my father and I shared traveling to Hickory and High Point.  He viewed his partnership with Hickory Chair as an opportunity to show a new generation the way he looked at furniture. He marveled at the way Hickory Chair met his standards for excellence by refining the tiniest detail to exquisite execution. He knew the multi-generational artisans at Hickory Chair would create "gems" for a generation that would value beauty as he had in his lifetime.  Hickory Chair honors Albert Sack's legacy by sharing his vision of the bold, American spirit. Thank you for catching the dream." - Deborah Friedman

Shown below is the Albert Sofa as a silhouette and as a room scene from the Albert Sack Collection from Hickory Chair.  Modern and Traditional...Timeless just like Albert Sack. For more about Albert Sack's life achievements click on the following posts:

NY Times, Antiques & The Arts 1, A Lucky Daughter, Antiques & The Arts 2, Design Source, AFA News,  Prices 4 Antiques,

Nights At The Round Table

As summer begins to wind down we begin thinking of indoor entertaining.  In the world of dining table shapes a simple round is the most friendly to your guests.  Wonderful times with friends and family sitting 'a round' the table so that everyone can see each other.  This is in contrast to an oval, rectangle or square table where it is impossible to see everyone's faces.  Shown is the Sheraton Dining Table which is a 60" round table with perimeter leaves that create an 84-inch dining table.  The Boston Side Chairs complement it beautifully.

Finding the right size table for your room is somewhat of an art.  The balance struck between the number of guests and the size of the room can be made.  A 42-48" dining table seats 4 easily.  (Shown right is the Collier Dining Table which is a 48" dining table and below is the Hudson Dining Table at 44"). A 54-60" dining table seats 6 easily (shown below is the Kimball Dining Table which is a 60" table with a 24" leaf).  A 72" dining table seats 8 comfortably.  (This size will be new at the upcoming market!) We entertain at Hickory Chair and one group from Georgia set a record of 11 sitting at one 60" round dining table!  A banquette was used on one 'side' while dining chairs and a hassock or two were pulled up for new friends to enjoy dinner and conversation.  The morale of the story is that sitting around a table is engaging to everyone!

Not sure of the style that is right for your room? We try to make it easy for you.  Most of our round dining table tops may be ordered with a wide variety of pedestal bases.  We have 16 round dining table tops and 18 pedestal bases that may be interchanged to create just the right combination for your room and style.  We have a tool on our website that will allow you to not only pick a top and base, but also will allow you to choose the finish(es) and hand striping so that you can visualize your creation!  Once ordered our talented artisans and craftsmen in Hickory, North Carolina will make and finish your custom table in just a couple weeks.  We take great pride in making furniture in America for your home.  Why wait when you could be entertaining in your home?

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!

The Inspirational Suzanne Kasler Collection

      At the October 2010 International Home Furnishings Market Hickory Chair celebrated the second anniversary of the Suzanne Kasler Collection with beautiful bedroom, dining room and living room pieces.  These new additions almost doubled the size of the original collection. Suzanne loves all things French and her new collection is no exception.  She was inspired by pieces she found in a French Moderne villa she visited in Kenya.  These ideas became reality as we have crafted these forms into relevant pieces that are available now.

     This beautiful room features the Dalton Library Table.  It is was inspired by the French Moderne library table Suzanne had seen in Kenya.  Our version is crafted from ash solids and veneers.  The wonderful textural ash grain adds contrast to the sleek lines.  Available in over 70 finishes, the Dalton can be persoanlized for a library, den or any other room where a statement piece is needed.  A pair of Marais Benches are the jewelry for this roomscene.  They were adapted from a pair of antique stools from Suzanne's own living room.  In the foreground is the Laurent Side Chair.  Its sleek lines, reeded apron, tapered legs with antique brass ferrules are accentuated by the comfortable tub shaped back.

                       In this luxurious bedroom scene is featured the new Simone Upholstered Bed which was finished in Birch paint and upholstered in a linen fabric.  The bed is also available without upholstery.  You can choose from Twin, King, Queen and California King sizes.  It is flanked by two new Augusta Chests.  If you look carefully you will notice that they were thoughtfully designed as a set - the  chest to the right of the bed has the knob on the left while the chest to the left of the bed has its knob on the right making it very easy to access from the bed.  The Augusta Chest is also available without a door with open storage and a single adjustable shelf.   The new Virginia Chair and Ottoman are located in the foreground.  This sleek chair has luxurious comfort.  An Amsterdam Side Chair is pulled up to the new Julien Desk.  The desk and its companion game table are crafted in beautiful anegre veneers.

Stay tuned for more exciting new pieces from Suzanne Kasler and Hickory Chair!

 

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!

 

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

Keeping Up With Thomas O'Brien

 

Ten years ago when the groundbreaking Thomas O’Brien Collection was introduced at the October 1999 market, a new definition of what is considered classic furniture was created by Hickory Chair.  Thomas O’Brien’s signature style of warm modernism was immediately embraced as the new collection was introduced.  The thoughtful and careful selection of classic pieces from various eras and places executed in a diverse variety of materials including metal, stone, leather and a variety of wood species along with jewelry-like hardware immediately created excitement as the new collection was introduced and has flourished in the years since. 

  

Today we celebrate O’Brien’s 10^th anniversary with an important new American Modern introduction, The Library Collection by Thomas O’Brien.  This new collection is an amalgamation of items that are reproductions or adaptations of pieces Thomas has collected for his home and library.  This is a very special and eclectic group, assembled as a collector’s pick of memorable pieces, each one designed to be a touchstone that can define a room. Like the Hallings Secretary and Emma Chair from previous introductions, most pieces are modern rethinking of antiques: some imagined out of favorite details; others modeled directly on the unique, often early furniture that O’Brien mixes with modernist classics in his own home. Further selections are adapted from the fine custom designs that O’Brien has created for client residences.

 

This group 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.

Though many items here adopt the romantic, especially English legacy of a vintage library, O’Brien adds inventions of scale and fabrication to make them chic and new – and usable as a style for every room. In this approach he also builds on Hickory Chair’s impressive personalization program; presenting entirely different frame options for his upholstered pieces and different hardware options for his wood products, so that there is an intensified custom feeling available on almost any item in the collection. These choices exhibit the duality between more refined, distilled continental profiles and the early, heavier cabinet-making details of English furniture that O’Brien loves. In the combining of pieces from these different perspectives, O’Brien shows the modern point of view that can come out of traditional design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We appreciate Thomas’ many contributions over these past ten years of collaboration with our employees and customers.  We are proud to introduce this very special collection of timeless, classic pieces that embrace not only the foundation of the existing Thomas O’Brien Collection but our entire line,” says Jay Reardon, president.  He continues “Because of our talented craftsmen in Hickory, North Carolina, we can create one of-a-kind pieces from these timeless forms through finish, hardware, size and special construction that allow you to create very personalized pieces for your home."

 

Want to learn more?  Thomas also published his first book, American Modern, this year.  It is a beautifully written book filled with inspirational images of his work. 

Traditional Modern by Thomas O'Brien

Is the new Veneto Hall Chair by Thomas O'Brien traditional or modern?  One might argue that it is both. This striking design combines an unlikely pair of modern and ancient inspirations. The narrow, exaggerated high-back seat is based on the form of 1960s-era hall chairs that O’Brien has long wanted to add to his Hickory Chair collection. The legs were drawn from a much-admired image of a bronze Roman tripod table with classical paw feet. The feet are carved in intricate detail, adding to the opulent proportion and exotic historical drama of the chair.

 

The fabric, 3414-88,  was introduced at the spring market.  It is a beautiful velvet stripe in chocolate tones.  The pile is chocolate and the base cloth is a golden tone with a herringbone design.  The finish over the hand carved mahogany is Dark Walnut.  The nail head trim is NS-08 Old Antique.  The mix of finish, fabric, nail over this newly created timeless form has created a modern classic!

Durning the market Thomas spoke to us at Hickory Chair about how he plans a room or a piece that he is designing for one of his licensees.  He likes contrasts and suggested that "I likes mixing tall pieces (like the Veneto Chair) with short pieces, formal and casual, masculine and feminine, light and dark, modern and traditional - these contrasts create balance.  These contrasts make it feel fresh and new.  These contrasts keep it modern over time as trendy things go in and out of style."  

I think the room scene below illustrates this idea perfectly!  Want to learn more from Thomas?  His new book American Modern is a beautiful book filled with Thomas' thoughts on design, collecting and creating modern traditional spaces that are beautiful, personal, livable and timeless.

 
   

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!