Made By Hickory Chair

Luxurious Bedroom Retreats

A really comfortable bed in a beautifully styled room is one of the most loved parts of a home.  It is our retreat at the end of a long day.  It is the place where we linger on cool mornings.  It is a place where we tend to indulge ourselves with luxury.  In reviewing some photographs recently shared with us at Hickory Chair we found some really amazing bedroom get-a-ways that inspired us to share them with you!

 

Maybe it is a luxurious suite at the famous Cincinnatian Inn with the Candler Bed by Suzanne Kasler.

Or this luxurious bedroom at the Moraya Bay Club with a pair of Montauk Beds by Mariette Himes Gomez...

Maybe you would prefer this bedroom shared with us by David Fuller of Alyson Jon Interiors (photo courtesy of Merrick Ales Photography) featuring the Candler Bed by Suzanne Kasler.

Perhaps you would have to smile with a Simone Bed by Suzanne Kasler in an amazing room created by Tobi Fairley!

Our own Ron Fiore's master bedroom seen in the October 2011 issue of Traditional Home featuring the 1911 Collection Artisan Bed.

A night at Blackberry Farms in Cleveland, Tennessee might make you never want to return to your own bedroom without a Hickory Chair bed! Shown is the Calla Bed by Mariette Himes Gomez in this inviting room.

The Lakehouse Bed by Thomas O'Brien is inviting in this cottage at Blackberry Farm.

This luxurious bedroom in a Blackberry Farm cottage features the Chelsea Bed by Thomas O'Brien.

Whether your style is romantic, masculine, formal, casual, traditional, modern, country or coastal, with fabric, leather and finish options why settle for just a bed when you can have it made just for you at our workroom in Hickory, North Carolina!

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'!

Artist's Studio by Hickory Chair

An artist's studio is a special place where inspired ideas become works of art. At Hickory Chair we are fortunate to have an Artist's StudioTM where inspired ideas and talented artists make furniture items works of art. Our artists have had their studio at Hickory Chair for 30 years. Their talents allow you to personalize pieces to order. You can send us a design (if it is a logo you must provide written permission along with the request) or choose from motifs that we have created.  Pick from any of our paint colors or send us colors for us to match. These can be paint chips, fabric samples or other color sources.  Select the base paint or stain finish and then we will paint it with your approved strike off.  Lastly we will adorn the piece with either the standard hardware, your hardware or something selected from our Customer's Own HardwareTM program.  We thought you would enjoy seeing some of their recent pieces that were shown during the recent International Furniture Market.

 

 

7889-70 Havana Chest from the Mariette Himes Gomez Collection shown in optional Birch Paint with Random Stripe Motif in match panel paint colors to coordinate with Hickory Chair fabric number 3707-97.

189-71 Artisan Curved Front Chest - Mahogany from the 1911 Collection shown in Espresso finish with Birch paint drawer fronts with Stripe Motif in match panel paint colors to coordinate with fabric 3724-95 with Customer's Own HardwareTM in Antique Bronze finish.

2348-70/2349-70 Fretwork Cabinet from Thomas O'Brien Collection finished in optional Weathered White paint with Trompe Loeil Motif with Antique Rub technique to coordinate with fabric 3538-98.

 
2108-70 Tricia Chest also from the Thomas O'Brien Collection finished in Rustic Silver paint without the crackle or release techniques applied in the Modern Chinoisserie Motif with decoration in Antique Rub Ivory.

These are just a few examples of what we can make for you in our Hickory, North Carolina workroom.  Why not allow us to make something special for you?  

 

Belle Maison Interior Design - Short Hills, NJ

My travels took me to New Jersey recently.  I had the pleasure of visiting a design firm by the name of Belle Maison Interiors.  Owned by the very talented Catherine and Mitchell Engelmeyer, Belle Maison Interior Design is known for inspirational interiors created from fine furniture mixed with timeless antiques.  This design firm is located in Short Hills, New Jersey.  Their beautiful interiors have been published in a variety of magazines such as Design NJ and New York Spaces.

When I returned to Hickory Chair I was greeted by some photographs of interiors created by Catherine for her special clients.  We thought you might enjoy seeing them as well!

 
Shown in this comfortable living room is the Sutton M2M Sofa, Edward Chair and Charles Hassocks from the Hickory Chair Upholstery collection.  Also shown is the Gilded Lily Cocktail Table from the Mariette Himes Gomez Collection.

 
A pair of Eton M2M Sofas flank the Bristol Cocktail Table in hand applied gold leaf finish.

 
A luxurious Devon Sofa with COM bullion fringe is surrounded by French antiques.

 
A Suffolk M2M Love Seat sits at the foot of a Left Bank Bed with low posts finished in a luxurious painted finish.

 
From the historic Winterthur Country Estate Collection Catherine chose the Marlboro Side Chairs and the Newburyport Server (now retired) to complement the Sheraton Perimeter Leaf Dining Table from the James River Collection.  While Hickory Chair is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, our James River Collection is celebrating its 70th anniversary which is the industry's longest continuously made collection.

 
A pair of Paris Swivel Chairs from the Mariette Himes Gomez and a Bristol Cocktail Table create a luxurious sitting area.

Each of these beautiful rooms by Catherine Engelmeyer are a have a calmness and are reflection of the client's personality.  We appreciate the opportunity to make special pieces for her clients in our Hickory, North Carolina workroom. 

Do you have pictures and a story to share?  Send them to press@hickorychair.com for an opportunity to be featured on MadeByHickoryChair.com.

 

 

Roger Bills Interior Design - Ocala, FL

Roger A. Bills is a talented interior designer in Ocala, Florida.  We at Hickory Chair have enjoyed working with him for over 15 years.  Recently he shared some photographs with us of some inspirational rooms he created for a client.

Show left is a picture of the master bedroom.  The rich colors in the rug provided the direction for the color palette.  He selected the rich orange from the rug as a punch of color to accentuate in accessories.  Over the pair of Jasper Dressers from the Mariette Himes Gomez Collection is an Upholstered Dauphine Mirror in a rich orange toned leather.  The Eton M2M Sofa at the foot of the bed is upholstered in a neutral fabric with throw pillows in two-toned silk as well as a print fabric that picks up the orange tones of the rug.  Show right is a portion of the Avon Chair that has been upholstered in an orange silk.  Its standard nail head trim adds interest to the room.  A pair of Charles M2M Hassocks sit in front of the Eton Sofa.  They were upholstered with a solid fabric on the sides and a luxurious print on the top.  The room has great color, form and pattern due to the pieces Roger recommended to his client.

In the dining area, Roger continued his thoughtful use of color.  From the Mark Hampton Collection Roger selected the Adam Arm Chairs.  Our Weathered Linen paint was selected and then a combination of  blue, brown and gold silk fabrics made each chair have its own personality.  These Adam chairs surround the Sutherland Dining Table.  Its top features Light Walnut finish over the Olive Ash Burl top.  The Olive Ash Burl veneers are applied in a sunburst pattern.  The base of the table as well as the Duchamp Sideboard were also finished in Weathered Linen paint.  The top of the sideboard also was finished in Light Walnut stain.  The resulting effect is warm, inviting, luxurious and textural. 

We appreciate the opportunity to become the workroom for talented designers like Roger Bills.  Our artisans and craftsmen in Hickory, North Carolina enjoy making each piece to order personalized for a home.  It makes us feel proud to know that families all over the world gather together with our pieces.  For 100 years we have had the honor and as we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to making pieces hopefully for another 100 years for families. 

Please share your Hickory Chair story with us.  Contact us at press@hickorychair.com . You may also visit our facebook page and learn about our Centennial Design Challenge where your design could win a $10,000 prize!

Perfect Partners - June 2011 Architectural Digest

The updated Architectural Digest is a treat to enjoy with each new issue!  The June 2011 issue is no exception.  Our friend, Alexa Hampton, teamed up with architect, Joel Barkley, as "Perfect Partners" to create a home with a mix of English-style architecture with Swedish charm.  The result is calming and fresh.  We at Hickory Chair are honored to have created many of the furniture pieces included in this inspirational environment. 

Shown below is the L-shaped home.  Its rich black exterior with crisp white trim complements the cedar shake roof - classic and modern.  From the inviting exterior the interior welcomes you.

Shown in the foyer are a pair of quatrefoil chairs - the Alexandra Side Chair from the Suzanne Kasler Collection - by Hickory Chair.  They are finished in a dark stain and flank a stool - the Pleasant Street Ottoman from the Thomas O'Brien Collection - also by Hickory Chair. 

 
The living room features a grouping of Hickory Chair pieces.  From the Alexa Hampton Collection, the Gabriella Chair, Kate Cocktail Table, Ian Bench and the Nadine Side Table were selected.  A pair of Tilden Chairs were selected from the Thomas O'Brien Collection.  Beautiful Cowtan & Tout fabrics were selected for each piece of upholstery.

 
In the dining room a set of vintage Camille Side Chairs by Hickory Chair are shown.  In the den a Made to Measure Charles Hassock in a rich blue upholstery and the Roberts Made to Measure Sofa by Alexa Hampton is shown.  The sofa is availalbe made from as small as a chair to a lengthy 120 inch sofa.  The hassock is made in one inch increments from as small as 18 inches square to as large as 60 inches square or as a rectangle. 

In Hickory, North Carolina for 100 years the talented artisans and craftsmen hand made each piece to order.  We appreciate Alexa turning to Hickory Chair for pieces for this beaufitul home.  We appreciate the Pollack family entrusting their home to Alexa and the craftsmen of Hickory Chair.  As each piece is custom made, we can take the time to personalize these pieces.  With time each should become a family heirloom. 

A Moment In Time For Our Very First Chair - The Surry Chair

Ever wonder how Hickory Chair got its name when we make so much more than just chairs and none of them are made from hickory wood?  We have to turn back over 100 years to brothers George and WaldronBailey who moved to Elkin, North Carolina from New York to begin a chair factory.  Their family owned a Pin or Dowel factory and the young entrepreneurstook their knowledge and began a dining chair company named the Elkin Chair Company in 1900. Within a year George purchased the rest of the company from Waldron and the George Bailey Chair Company was established.  In a few years George invited local Elkin businessmen to join him and the company became the Surry Chair Company.  

In 1911, George learned of Hickory, North Carolina's interest in replacing woodworking jobs lost to the demise of the wagon industry with furniture.  Hickory investors unanimously voted and invested their own money in the fledgling dining chair company that had only one style that it made.  Hickory Chair Manufacturing Company was established on September 19, 1911. 

It is unfortunate that we have no catalogs prior to 1930.  From the picture in this ad and this photograph from ebay, we knew this was the first chair.  Even then we made this chair with a pitch of the back that provided lumbar support and a top rail that was curved to fit the natural contour of ones shoulders.  Queen Anne styling was popular in the first decades of the 20th Century.

As we prepared our new collection to honor 100 years of furniture making we began with this chair.  What made it relevant for today?  Certainly the Queen Anne styling is not currently the rage today, but the benefits of the features did!  It was the comfort of the shape of the back and the practical scale of the chair.  From this inspiration our team created the new Surry Chair to launch the 1911 Collection.  Its quality has allowed the piece to become a modern day antique. 

Our modern version incorporates the comfortable back splat and contoured top rail.  Unlike the antique that inspired it, we created a custom engineered 8-way hand tied spring system that provides great comfort and support.  The Queen Anne styling was made clean with tapered legs with stretchers.  Our modern version is made in your choice of mahogany or ash wood with endless fabric, nail, leather and finish options.  It is crafted in this Hickory, North Carolina workroom where the vast majority is made... in fact over 87% of our entire product line is made in this American workroom.  We do not make fabric, leather, hardware, stone, glass, mirror or metal and have to purchase these materials as well as intricately hand carved pieces.  The rest is made here by almost 500 talented artisans and craftsmen.

We were very excited about this transformation when an email arrived from Jill Thomas.  Jill lives in California and was considering parting with her Grandmother's dining set that she had inherited.  She wondered who made the pieces and turned over a chair to see.  The labels were torn on each chair but she quickly knew they were made by Hickory Chair.  A simple search on her computer and she learned that Hickory Chair was in business still making chairs.  She contacted us and we were thrilled!  She had no idea that Hickory Chair was a 100 year old company.  Her grandparents were married in 1928.  Her father remembers the set as a boy.  He remembers that they always had them versus being purchased as he was a boy.  She is researching to find out, if she can, if the set was a wedding gift or handed down to them.  The set is in great condition.  We hope that IF she ever decides to part with them she will give us the opportunity to purchase them for our archives.  The set is heirloom quality which has made them sustainable.

We are trying to research the dining table for her as well.  We are not sure but are still researching it.  Since we do not have catalogs prior to 1930 it has been difficult to research.  If you have any pictures or catalogs from 1911 to 1930 we would love to have them for our archive. 

Do you have a story from our 100 years?  Please share it with us at press@hickorychair.com!  Interested in learning more about our history?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hickory Chair Is Featured In The New TRADhome Online Magazine

Today the first issue of TRADhome online magazine was launched!  This beautiful new online magazine is filled with fresh stories featuring 20 New Trad Designers and other inspirational stories.  We feel very fortunate that pieces made by Hickory Chair are included in their work. 

On page 50 the 5420-23 Regan Chair from the Alexa Hampton Collection is featured in the "Of Worldly Riches" story.

Shown on page 164 – 5405-88 Roberts Sofa from the Alexa Hampton Collection is the centerpiece in the room created by Tilton Fenwick.  A luxurious green COM fabric was used on the sofa along with a susani type fabric on the additional throw pillows. 

The dining room by Patrik Lonn photographed on page 254 features a combination 2062-01/02 Chelsea Arm & Side Chairs, 2050-10 Hickory Modern Dining Table both from the Thomas O'Brien Collection and a 5469-10 Renata Stand from the Alexa Hampton Collection.  Page 258 also features the work of Patrik Lonn.  He selected the 2255-10 Soho Upholstered Bed from the Thomas O'Brien Collection in a soft blue COM fabric.

Ron Marvin selected  2108-10 Tricia Chest and the 2897-10 Hallings Secretary both from the Thomas O'Brien Collection for the room photographed on page 260.

Kim Winkler chose the 6172-11 Marlboro Side Chairs from the Winterthur Country Estate Collection for the dining room pictured on page 329.  She comments that 'the new dining room chairs are upholstered in ivory linen with nail-head trim that accents the furniture's curves.'

We appreciate Kim, Ron, Patrik and Tilton selecting pieces made by Hickory Chair for their clients and homes.  Each of these pieces shown were made in Hickory, North Carolina by a team of talented craftsmen.  Their support, along with countless others, have allowed Hickory Chair to reach its 100th anniversary this year.  As a part of our celebration to kick off our next 100 years, we placed an ad on page 36.  In this ad we feature the 2802-45 Brooks Left Arm Sofa from the Thomas O'Brien collection, the 2606-24 Kit Chair, 2490-51 Milo M2M Cocktail Table, 2491-51 Milo M2M Side Table, 2492-51 Milo M2M Dining Height Table and 2686-77 Fyn Wood Box.  Each of these items are made to order with diverse options for personalization. 

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!

Dean Farris Interior Design - Naples, FL

In yesterday's post we mentioned one of Dean Farris's favorite places - the Pink House in Zillionsville, Georgia that featured vintage Hickory Chair dining chairs.  Some of our favorite places include Dean Farris's client's homes where he has turned to Hickory Chair for inspiration!

Dean Farris Interior Design is based out of beautiful Naples, Florida.  Dean has been a fan of Hickory Chair for many years and recently sent us some pictures of his work. In this client's sun filled room, Dean chose a white fabrics with a touch of pale blue and pink to keep the room light and airy feeling.  He needed a large wood piece for storage and function, Dean turned to Hickory Chair.  He knew that he could turn to us for a piece personalized for the room with a painted finish. He chose the Toscana Sideboard for its French styling and asked that we paint it Antique Ivory paint.  While the Toscana Sideboard is now retired from Hickory Chair, the timeless style and heirloom quality construction will allow it to become a family keepsake.

In the bedroom, the Left Bank Bed was the perfect solution.  With its upholstered headboard and footboard Dean could select just the right fabric and finish for the client.  Since the bed is made here we can make it to order. 

In the dining room Dean chose the Adam Arm and Side Chairs from the Mark Hampton Collection.  He chose a beautiful graphic print in a damask type pattern in a coral on white and then asked that we finish the chairs in Antique Ivory paint.  The brown stained dining table and other pieces are brightened by the chairs painted in the Antique Ivory finish.  It is this flexibility that make Hickory Chair's workroom in Hickory so different that a factory.  When Dean ordered these pieces for his client we built and finished the pieces for him. 

 
Follow Dean on his blog, DeanFarrisStyle for more inspiration.