Made By Hickory Chair

Bruce Kading Interiors - Minneapolis, MN

Finding inspirational rooms furnished with hand made pieces from the craftsman of the 100 year old Hickory Chair company seems to be getting simpler every day!  Our friends at Bruce Kading Interior Design shared with us these beautiful rooms. 

Bruce Kading Interior Design is a full service studio specializing in high-end residential and executive office interior design. From a brown stone in Philadelphia to a camp in Montana to upscale beach front property in Florida we pride ourselves in the diversity of our style that allows us to design personalized environments in every region of the country.

Their expertise includes custom interior architectural design and space planning, lighting, cabinetry, furniture and detailing to create the perfect turnkey environment. Coupled with an infinite number of resources, the cornerstone of our business is fine quality design, dialoging with the home owner, architect and builder to create a cohesive, creative design team with impeccable details.

Recently Bruce and several of his design associates, Laura Hartman, Eric Kaufmann and Rob Edman (all shown right with Susan Thayer their Hickory Chair sales representative) participated in our HCC University program where they met our hundreds of artisans and craftsmen.  Rob Edman has opened his own studio, Edmanhill Interior Design.  For 8 years Rob worked with Bruce Kading and was involved in each of the projects displayed below.  With their new found inspiration of the one of a kind pieces that are made in America in our Hickory, North Carolina workroom, they can design for your home that our craftsmen can make we are sure they can create a very special home or office for you.

A Silhouettes leather sectional by Hickory Chair.

Thomas O'Brien King Size Lakehouse Bed by Hickory Chair.

From the James River Collection a 2121-30 Sideboard, 1801-21 Host Chairs and a Baltimore Dining Table Top and Base.

A 1271-55 Townsend Wing Chair from the James River Collection in leather.

A set of 9026-11 Louis XVI Arm Chairs add beauty and comfort to this dining room.

 

Do you have a special story to share?  Contact us at press@hickorychair.com!

House Beautiful's Kitchen Of The Year Featuring Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair is honored to be part of the 2011 House Beautiful Kitchen Of The Year project that began today.  A full kitchen was construction on Rockefeller Plaza for the great chef, Tyler Florence. All week Tyler will be demonstrating special recipes.  Hickory Chair provided a set of six Madigan Counter Stools that sit at the island where Tyler creates his delicious entrees.  This morning Lester Holt of The Today Show interviewed Tyler as he prepared a shrimp boil. 

Lori Yeomans created the kitchen which has been portrayed as an outdoor living room. Her interior design firm is USA Interior Design and is located in San Francisco, California.  The team selected the Madigan Counter Stools for their design and comfort.  They were made in Hickory, North Carolina by a team of talented artisans and craftsmen.  These Madigan Counter Stools are part of a series that includes dining chairs, bar and counter stools and a bench.  For 100 years pieces like these Madigan Counter Stools have been made by hand to order.  Focused on making one of a kind pieces in heirloom quality construction is our passion.  Hand made in America.

For this event the Madigan Counter Stools were finished in our Dark Walnut finish.  A family friendly leather was selected in a rich brown color. Lastly large NL-09 Antique Nickel nail head trim and a matching stretcher guard were applied.  Personalizing pieces to order is our artist's and craftsmen's passion.   In just a few weeks from order we can make and ship one of a kind furniture pieces.  We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the Kitchen of The Year with House Beautiful.  If you are in New York this week you can stop by and see this beautiful creation!

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!

I Spy Hickory Chair...

A North Carolina design firm, Barbour Spangle Design, was contracted to renovate the Serta Showroom in High Point for the fall 2010 market.  They created a beautiful modern space.  To furnish it, they turned to Hickory Chair for our residential look made with contract construction.  This allowed them to create a warm space that is comfortable and stylish.

A beautiful ivory aniline leather was selected and was paired with our Lancaster finish for each of the pieces.  Twenty-six of the Flair Side Chairs were selected for this dining area along with numerous Made to Measure Bistro Banquettes. These pieces are from the Mariette Himes Gomez Collection.  These comfortable pieces created a haven for the customers and company representatives.

In the showroom itself, three Fifth Avenue Queen Size and two Fifth Avenue King Size Beds were selected to showcase Serta mattresses.  These beds from the Thomas O'Brien Collection were upholstered in the ivory aniline leather with Lancaster finish on the legs. 

The integrity of construction is why so many Hickory Chair pieces become antiques.  It is also why so many pieces can be used in commercial installations.  The standard construction - 5/4" hardwood frames with triple dowels, corner blocks with 4 screws and lag bolts as well as custom engineered 8-way seat construction create timeless quality.  This is why Barbour Spangle Design could trust Hickory Chair for their project. 

 

I spy Hickory Chair... did you see Hickory Chair?  Share your story for an upcoming I Spy feature in 2011!

Wishes Coming True In The New Year!

Nothing is more special that getting exactly what you want.  At Hickory Chair we make 87% of our entire product line in Hickory, North Carolina.  We are proud to be an American company making furniture to order.  Since the pieces are made to order in Hickory, we can be flexible when you wish for something special.  This ability gives our company the ability to make wishes come true every day. 

Recently we made this custom sectional.  Our Silhouettes Upholstery program is designed for flexiblity allowing you to chose your arm, back, base, height, depth and length.  These options were not enough for this client!  They wanted a plinth base.  Why not!  Our craftsmen reviewed the request and were able to say yes!  The result is a one of a kind piece that we may never make this way again! 

Why do we get so excited about these special construction pieces?  It is simple, when you do something you have never done before and you do it successfully, you have increased your talent as you have built new skills.  In other words, you are a more talented craftsman and better than before.  This allows us to perhaps say YES to something that was a 'NOT YET' previously.  Why settle for standard when you can get it made for you?

Making It Mine One At A Time

Every day at Hickory Chair we receive requests to personalize pieces from our vast assortment.  Sometimes a piece is almost perfect... if we could just make a modification or two the piece would be just right for the customer's room.  Some days we make just a few personalized pieces while other days we make close to a dozen.  It is our talented craftsmen that make this possible.  It is their willingness to say yes that makes it possible to create special pieces by request.  Pieces like this American Empire Tall Chest is a great example of the creativity of the designer from Israel's in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the ability of our artisans.  This traditional chest was ordered in a group of custom paint colors - each from Benjamin Moore.  The designer made a sketch with each finish identified.  We made strike off panels for each finish.  With approval from the designer and their client, we made this one of a kind piece to order.

Shay Geyer of IBB Design in Frisco, Texas who is known as the "Designer Detective" on the Dallas Morning News and her blog, ordered this custom sectional for her client - a tall professional athlete.  For this gentleman she ordered a M2M (Made to Measure) Silhouettes sectional that included a sofa and a corner sofa.  Both were ordered in custom lengths with wedge feet in a dark finish, extended depth and height, armless, weltless and box edged back pillows.  A combination of leather and flannel suede was used to create a modern luxurious sectional for his home. In addition, Shay asked that we cut the leather into panels, sew and topstitch them to create a sophisticated exterior.  The result is a completely personalized piece we may never make again this way!

A different designer searched to find a headboard for their client. The style that the designer proposed to the client was the right size and style but the customer wished that it was tufted.  The designer contacted their customer service representative with the special construction request.  We were happy to say yes.  The Candler Bed was made in a painted finish, upholstered and tufted in a neutral linen fabric and then was finished with nail head trim. 

We appreciate the opportunity to make one of a kind pieces like we have shared today.  It is because 87% of our enitre product line being made in Hickory,  North Carolina that allows us to personalize pieces to order.  Do you have a wish for a piece?  Give us the chance to make a special piece for you!

Why Settle When You Can Have It Made?

How many times have you searched for something and the best that you could find was not just right.  I think all of us deal with this as we shop for any product.  We either have to settle or keep searching.

When shopping for furniture this is especially true.  Stores do their best to provide a great representation of the products they carry that are appropriate for the homes in their area.  Typically the floor samples are only the tip of the iceberg of products the store represents. 

While walking through our Hickory Chair upholstery workroom recently I saw a piece that was a reminder of what imagination and creativity is all about.  On our web site and in our catalog is this picture of theLowell Chair and Ottoman.  It is upholstered in a beautiful brown leather.  It has a very traditional feel. 

 The Lowell Chair that I saw in our workroom stopped us in our tracks!  The designer had found a blue and white striped fabric and requested that we upholster it horizontally on the chair. (It is our standard to upholster stripes vertically.) As you can see, the chair now feels much more modern and fresh than in its traditional leather.  We hope that the family it was made for loves its comfort and how it looks in their home.

This is a very popular piece but we had some ask it it was available without the casters on the front legs.   We were able to make this wish come true by designing the Lowell Chair without casters with a longer turned leg.  We add an antique brass toe cap to dress the leg.  Sometimes we receive requests to leave off the antique brass toe cap. 

Need a companion Lowell Sofa?  The Lowell is available as a 80 1/2" sofa as well!  Of course, you can select the version with the casters or without.  Like the casters but wish they were silver?  We offer the casters in an optional Satin Nickel finish.  The choice is yours to make for what is right for your room.  The best part is that our craftsmen can complete your order in just a couple weeks instead of months like is typical. 

We are happy to make it just the way that is right for your home.  Like we say, why settle when you can have it made?

A Dream Home With Style - Tony Stavish, Chicago, IL

  Tony Stavish, a Chicagoland interior desginer, was chosen to bring his vision of an eco-friendly home office to the 2010 Dream Home at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois.  This is the latest honor in his 18 year career.  He is the owner of A. W. Stavish Designs.  We learned a bit about Tony from his web site, "Dubbed by House Beautiful Magazine as a rising star of Interior Design, Tony Stavish has, in the last eighteen years, created a unique voice in Chicago's design arena.

In the Fall of 2006, Andrew Martin selected Tony to be amongst the design elite in, "The Andrew Martin Interior Design Review". Additionally, Tony is now prominently featured on the Andrew Martin website.

House Beautiful featured three of his rooms in their 2004 Chicago Showhouse. www.housebeautiful.com, (keyword: 2004 Makeover Showhouse). In addition, Tony's work has appeared on the cover of numerous shelter magazines and, the book "Unmistakably French". ; Most recently, his own home graced the pages of, "Villa Décor", published by Gibbs Smith. His work has also been featured on HGTV's, "Small Spaces Big Style"."

He was chosen as the designer to create the Home Office portion of the Dream Home.  Each designer was challenged to make their room the ultimate in sophistication and comfort while being eco-friendly. Tony turned to various fabric companies whose fabrics were either linen, cotton or made from recycled plastic milk cartons. The Hickory Chair Camp Chair and Ottoman were upholstered in leather.  Their wooden frame was made from certified sustainable American hardwoods.  They were made in Hickory, North Carolina by a team of talented craftsmen and artisans.  The Hickory Chair-Pearson Interior Design Showroom at the Merchandise Mart assisted Tony with this project. Tony was selected to share his inspiration and story on the WGN TV station in Chicago.    

 The Dream Home will be open for the remainder of the year at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. 

Making The Gunnison Chair Mine

A few years ago our product development team at Hickory Chair were inspired by an antique Jean-Michele Frank chair. Jean-Michel Frank (February 28, 1895-1941) was a French interior designer known for minimalist interiors decorated with plain-lined but sumptuous furniture made of luxury materials, such as shagreen, mica, leather, metal and intricate straw marquetry. This inspiration lead them to create the Gunnison Chair.  With its distressed leather seat, back and arms are fitted to its angular metal frame. Exposed stitching and an unfinished leather exterior add to the design's rustic character, while natural variations and markings on both the leather and the frame add one-of-a-kind interest.

Recently several designers have shared photographs of how they have incorporated the Gunnison Chair into their projects. 

Suzanne Kasler was commissioned by Blackberry Farms to design the dining room at The Barn.  She also selected the Marlboro Side Chairs to complement the more casual style of the Gunnison Chairs.

The Elk River Lodge 038 was recently furnished for their members.  The antiqued leather chairs complement the rustic architecture of the room.  The stone fireplace and antler chandelier make the Gunnison Chairs feel right at home.

In reading the online issue of Country Home magazine, we found the Gunnison Chairs as a feature in their "Summertime Designs" story.  In this photograph the dark leather chair's character is in tune with the vintage occasional table in the worn ivory painted finish.

Timeless forms like the Gunnison Chair transcend time and fads.  Do you have a Gunnison Chair story to share?  Email your story and pictures to press@hickorychair.com for a future post on Made by Hickory Chair.

 

My Hickory Chair Home - Urban Country Design, Bethesda, MD

Cass Key of Urban Country Design, Ltd., recently shared some picture of a client's homes that featured many pieces of Hickory Chair furniture.  Urban Country Designs is a boutique store with talented interior designers and sales associates.  Cass, her husband, brother-in-law and several members of their staff have participated in HCC University this year.  We appreciate how Cass and her associates have embraced Hickory Chair for special pieces for their client's homes.

One client has a home in Potomac, MD and another at the beach.  These two very different homes allowed Cass the opportunity to select from various collections and use a variety of different finishes.  The client did not want their beach house to look like the city house.  They wanted an escape.  Cass was able to make this happen!

In their city house, the Maria Center Table by Alexa Hampton was selected.  As it is a rather formal table in its standard finish named Oxford, they selected the Ebony finish to make it less formal. Ebony is dark grey finish with brown undertones that has a light gray layer that is applied and then rubbed off.  The light gray finish remains in the pores of the wood as well as the carvings and moldings.  A pair of Eliza Chairs from the Thomas O'Brien collection were also selected for the city house.  Their choice of COM along with the Modern Oak finish complement the other pieces in the room.  In addition a pair of Gunnison Chairs were selected.  Inspired by a classic Jean Michele Frank design, the Gunnison Chairs are architectural, rustic and comfortable all at the same time!

For the beach house in Delaware, Cass and her client chose a lighter color palette.  They selected the Piedmont Dining Table by Suzanne Kasler for the dining area.  They selected the artisanal Scrubbed Ash finish for the top of the table and Chippy White painted finish for the base of the table. 

In the living room of the beach home is the Bennington Cocktail Table from the Archive Collection. Cass wished that the stone topped rectangular cocktail table was square with a wood top.  She contacted Hickory Chair with her wish.  Our talented craftesmen were able to make her wish come true!  We hand made a 42" square cocktail table with a wood top finished in Chippy White paint for this home.  It was the perfect solution for the room and we are proud of this one of a kind piece.  We love the fact that we may never make another table like this again.  

Working with designers to create custom pieces like this table sharpen our skills.  We look forward to making one of a kind pieces to order.  These requests have allowed us to grow our ability to say yes to even more wishes in the future.  Do you have a wish for a piece for your home?  We wish you would give us a chance to make a piece for you!