Fine U . S . Furniture Production Thrives With Imported Species
Hickory Chair ’ s American Made Heirlooms
Fine U . S . Furniture Production Thrives With Imported Species
Given all of the changes the American furniture industry has been through in the last 100 years , Hickory Chair is unique in that it has thrived by staying true to its original vision : to combine the authenticity of classic craftsmanship with the efficiency of modern manufacturing .
The company was founded in 1911 on the production of a single item , a made-to-order dining chair . Since then , the company has grown to 560 employees , and production has expanded to include many pieces that embrace timeless design drawn from significant periods and places . Their creations combine input of some of the world ’ s most respected designers with the world ’ s most striking woods .
Much of Hickory Chair ’ s production is still made-to-order . With up to 44 different finishes available , in combination on some pieces , their clients are truly getting very unique furniture . This is what president Jay Reardon refers to as “ last-stage customization ,” and it relies on careful selection of domestic and imported wood veneers , and components .
“ The consumers we appeal to take a lot of pride in their home , and they don ’ t want their homes looking like everyone else ’ s . They work with their designers to build a collection of pieces of furniture . They ’ re discriminating in the sense that they really look at each piece individually for its attributes , its functional capabilities , scale , and its proportion . However , they like to have it in a modulated finish so it looks like they ’ ve been collected over time rather than purchased all at once .
Left : Hickory Chair ’ s Continental Demi-Lune Cabinet , made from toog and white lauan veneers with mahogany solids . opposite : The Drake cabinet is made of solid African mahogany and mahogany veneers , featuring crotch cerejeira doors and drawer fronts .
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