It is not a Factory... it is a Workshop!

Every day we have the honor of making one of a kind requests come true at Hickory Chair. Our craftsmen and artists embrace these requests. They are happy to make pieces standard but they love the challenge of making custom pieces. They believe that a factory worker can make standard furniture but it takes a really talented cabinetmaker to make custom furniture. This is one of the reasons so many call Hickory Chair home and have forged careers that span twenty, thirty and even forty years!

A great example of this dedication and skill involved one of our occasional tables. The customer loved the form of the Milo Table (shown left). They were excited that they could pick the height and then we could make it the width and depth that was just right for their room. They chose the veneer species for the top and then the Sable finish. The only drawback was that they really wished the Milo Table was made with a drawer.

The designer knew that they could ask for a special construction and contacted their Customer Service Representative. Within 24 hours of requesting the special construction, we had an answer of yes and a price. The designer was thrilled because they were able to find a table that met the customer's needs without wasting time searching through catalogs or the web. The customer was thrilled because they not only got exactly what they wanted, but it is a one of a kind piece personalized and hand made especially for their home. The cabinetmakers were thrilled because they had the opportunity to please someone and hone new levels of skill.

So, my question is "Why settle for standard when you can have it made special for you?"

Amazing Milo M2M Tables

Every day it seems that the Milo Made 2 Measure Tables are multiplying! Shown here are two of our craftsmen working together in our workroom making a Milo table to order. Available in 4 heights, with 4 veneer species and by the inch from as small as 16 inches square to as large as 72 by 52 inches! The Milo M2M Table gives you the flexibility to design the size you need for your room! After selecting the height, the width and depth, the veneer and finish, we will make your custom table in just 2-4 weeks from order!

Shown is a group of Milo M2M Tables that range in size from the smallest size and height up to a full size dining table! The graceful saber legs add beauty to their practical options.

Next is a special Milo Table ordered in a Benjamin Moore paint color as a match panel finish. The designer selected the finish to match the customer's color scheme. We were happy to purchase the paint and apply it to their table.

The last Milo M2M Table shown is in a combination of Cerused Ash finish on the top and Kohl finish on the base. It was ordered as a pair destined for Washington state. It is one of a pair of 34" console height that is 66 inches long and 18 inches deep.

What table would be perfect for your room?

"Toto, I Do Not Think I Am In Kansas Any More!"

I ran into a retired long time employee this week. We had a great opportunity to catch up on all the things he had been doing since he retired about 6 years ago. He commented on the state of the furniture industry and I quickly started telling him about the things Hickory Chair could do to make one of a kind pieces and that has allowed us to grow and be successful in a difficult time for the furniture industry. I quickly shared with him how in 2007 and 2008 we had record years! He was surprised as his mind was filled with all the news of plant closings in our area over the past few years.

I shared with him that today if a customer wants a 120" sofa we say No Problem...and we ship it in 14-21 days from order! I shared with him that if a customer wants us to remove the wood door panels on an armoire and replace them with glass we say No Problem. If that customer then asks if we could change the wood shelves in that piece for glass shelves we say No Problem. Then if they ask us to stain the outside of the cabinet in a Hickory Chair stain but want us to paint the inside in a paint color to match their room we still can say No Problem. Then if they prefer a different Hickory Chair hardware or want to send us their own hardware we say No Problem... and we can ship it in 14-30 days from order!

Today I was in the factory and noticed a Milo Made 2 Measure Table. It was 30" dining height, was 24" deep and 60" long with the top in Maple veneer. The amazing thing was that it was finished in a Benjamin Moore high gloss lacquer as a match panel! This is definately a one of a kind piece that we likely will never make again! This caused me to think about my friend that I had spoken with the day before. In the years since he retired we have worked hard to allow flexibility in size, finish, construction, hardware, etc. We have moved the wood products factory to share the building with the upholstery factory. This has allowed us to streamline and become even more nimble. We do make most of the furniture that we made when he was here but we certainly have evolved from only one finish and standard hardware. We have evolved from one size of a sofa. Surely he would have felt like "I do not think I am in Kansas any more" with all the things Hickory Chair can do today!