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!

Napa Valley Film Festival

Hickory Chair is very proud to be part of the upcoming inaugral Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) on November 9-13, in Napa Valley's picturesque communities of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. In collaboration with Traditional Home magazine and Saint Dizier Home, we are honored to make special pieces for this event.

 

Not to be missed by film buffs, food and wine lovers alike, the 5 day "extended weekend" will feature the best of new independent films, studio sneak previews, and conversations with actors, directors, producers and writers. Join us for unforgettable parties, Tribute and Awards programs, culinary demonstrations, wine tasting and late-night lounges. VIP and invited guests will enjoy receptions and dinners with Napa Valley's own celebrity chefs and winemakers.

Designed with a 1940's Hollywood feel, our Hickory Chair craftsmen are making the following pieces for this exciting event:

 

• 2) 114-55 Elliott Wing Chairs
• 1) 1514-29 Auburn Large Stool
• 1) 2686-10 Fyn Metal Base with 1) 2686-18 Fyn Shagreen Box Top
• 2) 2802-48 Brooks RA Chaise
• 4) 122-24 9th Street Chair
• 2) 122-29 9th Street Ottoman
• 2) 100-08 4- Panel Screen
• 2) 5700-23 Gunnison Chairs
• 1) 7635-56 Bistro Banquette
• 1) 7635-50 Bistro Corner Chair
• 1) 7635-77 Bistro Long Banquette
• 1) 2878-70 Morgan Media Cabinet
• 1) 7887-11 New Yorker Pedestal Table Base
• 1) 2445-40 Sutherland Dining Table Top
• 2) 2105-70 RSF Studio Bookcases
• 2) 2106-70 LSF Studio Bookcases
• 4) 2107-70 Narrow Studio Bookcases

We will share pictures after the installation is complete.  We are sure that this will be a great way to spend the weekend and enjoy walkable access to the best of the Napa Valley Film Festival!

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.

 

 

Round Robin - Dining Style

After spending a wonderful weekend with friends, my thoughts turn to the wonderful dinner that we prepared with fresh late summer vegetables with herbs from the garden and flavorful meat from the grill.  We gathered around the round dining table with this sumptuous meal.  We  laughed and shared stories for hours as we lingered around the table.  None of us wanted our perfect evening to end.  It made me think of the previous blog post on Made By Hickory Chair where the benefits of round dining tables were expressed.  I had to smile when the post came to life over the weekend!

Shown above is Tobi Fairley's kitchen where she chose the Kimball Dining Table from the Thomas O'Brien Collection, the Amsterdam Side Chairs and Counter Stools from the Suzanne Kasler Collection.  Tobi shares this love of a round dining table as well. During the holidays she has slipcovers that bring the cheer of the season to her breakfast room table.

 Roger A. Bills created a fresh look for his client with the Sunderland Dining Table from the James River Collection and the Adam Arm Chairs from the Mark Hampton Collection.  He selected our Light Walnut finish for the top of the table and Weathered Linen paint for the base of the table and the chairs which were upholstered in a variety of colors of silk. 

  At Blackberry Farms luxury hotel and resort in Tennessee you may choose to stay in one of the cottages.  In this particular cottage, the Sheraton Round Dining Table is surrounded by the Samantha Chairs from the Alexa Hampton Collection.  This vintage farmhouse has a fresh, modern attitude with the mix of art, painted chairs and wood stain table.  These guests have an inviting dining room to enjoy during their stay at the number one small luxury hotel in America!

It is easy to find just the right round dining table for your room with the flexibility our Hickory, North Carolina workroom provides.  Select from the many sizes ranging from 40-inches to 84-inches that we make each day.  Modern, Classic and Contential forms can be personalized with over 70 paint and stain finishes and a dozen striping colors for additional decoration.  Our ability to create a one of a kind table does not end there!  Go to www.hickorychair.com to our Online Design Center and there you will be able to visualize changing the base to a different style or change the top.  Once you select the top and base our tool will allow you to apply the finish(es), distressing and striping that will make your table perfect for your room! When you print your final design a list of your specifications are listed so that your Hickory Chair dealer can order your custom table for you! 

Are you ready for holiday entertaining?

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?

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!