Dining Chairs Trimmed With Tape

Recently I have noticed dining chairs coming through our workroom with decorative tape trims. In each of the cases featured today, the designer contacted Hickory Chair with a drawing of how they would like these uphostered dining chairs made custom for their clients. Each of these chairs are distinctive and are hand made for the designer and their client. Our skilled employees enjoy the creativity of how pieces have been ordered and look foward to making one of a kind pieces like these! Don't be afraid to ask for something special. It is what we do best at Hickory Chair!


Suzanne Kasler's Amsterdam Side Chair is shown in Antique Ivory with natural linen with a pink groisgrain ribbon with NP-08 petite nail trim spaced every third nail in lieu of welt trim.






Albert Sack's Cabriole Side Chair is shown in Cappiccino finish with COM fabric and trim spaced approximately 12 inches apart across the seat, inside and outside back.




The Marlboro Side Chair from the Winterthur Country Estate Collection is shown in English Antique finish with red COM fabric and trim centered down the seat, inback and outback and then nailed in NS-05 natural nails.


What can we make for you today?

Suzanne Kasler Featured by All The Best by Ronda Carman

What a wonderful surprise it was when I visited All The Best by Ronda Carman this morning! She published a beautiful post today about the amazing designer and now author, Suzanne Kasler!

In Ronda's blog today she reviews Suzanne's new book Inspired Interiors by Rizzoli Publishers. She states that "I adore the way Suzanne layers color and texture into rooms, while keeping neutral backgrounds. The resultis a fresh mix of continental flavor, classic style and comfortable sophistication. Suzanne has a special way of combining art, antiques, contemporary pieces and custom-designed furniture , all adding to the feel of timeless interiors."

Hickory Chair is proud to be hosting a book signing during the upcoming International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina on Sunday, October 18th from 3-6 p.m. If you attend the show do not miss this opportunity to purchase this beautiful new book from Suzanne. Not coming to market? Contact Suzanne's office at inspiredinteriors@suzannekasler.com.

Full Size Beds

One of the things that I hear the most about client's homes is how difficult it is to find full size beds for the smaller bedrooms. Some designers have contacted us with a wish to make a full size version from a queen size. Our talented craftsmen took on the challenge and were successful! Now you can order, as a special construction, full size versions of the following beds!

Every day we receive requests to adapt pieces for client's homes. We love making one of a kind pieces. Why not ask today for something that is MADE not Manufactured?

Chelsea Bed by Thomas O'Brien

Chelsea is available in queen, king and california king. In addition, it is available as a headboard only!

Candler Bed by Suzanne Kasler

The Candler Bed is one of the most versatile beds we offer. Not only does it come in a queen, king and california king, but also as a twin size! It is available as a headboard only. The slip covers are optional as well!

Left Bank Bed

The Left Bank Bed is available as a queen, king and California king. The four posts are designed to be removeable so that if you prefer only posts on the headboard you can remove the footboard posts. You can also remove all the posts if you prefer it! The choice is yours! Why settle?

Beautiful Things

Today I found a wonderful blog, The Complete Prep, and their topic today was Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair. The author, Elle, chose to feature not only Suzanne Kasler and her amazing Alexandra Chair and Linwood Arm Chair but other Hickory Chair decorative chairs and benches. The Gothick Bench and the Gillow Bench from the Winterthur Country Estate Collection as well as the London Side Chair and Manor House Arm Chair by Mariette Himes Gomez.

She shares her love affair with chairs in her blog post. Her favorite is a side chair with a structure back with scrolled legs. She loved the Alexandra Side Chair that she found while reading Southern Living magazine. We love how she describes herself in her bio... "I am a Southern girl that loves interior design, vintage clothing, pink, pearls, and fresh flowers in every room!" As a Southern girl myself, I appreciate her kind words about finding beautiful things and the interest they add to your home. Isn't that really why our entire home furnishings industry was created?

Collins And Dupont Interior Design Blog: Trend Alert: Quatrefoil

Recently we had the pleasure of hosting two designers from Collins and Dupont Interiors from Naples and Bonita Springs, Florida at our HCC University program. Today Carol emailed to tell us that we had been featured on their blog! Their post by Renee Gaddis Trend Alert: Quatrefoil included our Alexandra Side Chair by Suzanne Kasler as a great example of how quatrefoil motifs have become popular in the marketplace!

As I read on, I was thrilled to see the Gothick Bench from our Winterthur Country Estate Collection was also featured! The quatrefoil motif is incorporated into the back of this classic bench from the museum in Winterthur, Delaware.

These pieces inspired me to think about the other pieces in our offering that include the quatrefoil motif. The Collier Dining Table by Suzanne Kasler was designed to have a large quatrefoil as the stretcher. The shape of the legs with the quatrefoil stretcher create a beautiful shape.

From the San Marino Collection, is the Quatrefoil Book Table. Available in over 60 finishes and Customer's Own HardwareTM, this table is both functionable and fashionable!

TRADITIONAL HOME - Body & Soul: Blackberry Farm

The current issue of TRADITIONAL HOME features a 16 page article on the beautiful Blackberry Farm resort near Walland, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains. A 4,200 acre working farm owned by Kreis and Sandy Beill, the Blackberry Farm resort is considered on of the finest small hotels in America.

Shown right is The Farmhouse, one of the many luxurious houses and cottages you may choose for your getaway. It, like many of the buildings at Blackberry Farm was thoughfully designed with calm luxury in mind. Paraphrasing from the article, Kreis directs the design of each guest room and facility often with her friend, Atlanta based designer Suzanne Kasler. Sandy, a highly trained culinary chef that has worked also in the wine business in California.

The living room of the Farmhouse is peaceful and elegant. Timeless pieces from Hickory Chair were selected to create this beautiful setting. A Townsend Wing Chair from the James River Collection, the Kate Cocktail Table from the Alexa Hampton Collection and the Lili Slipper Chair from the TOB Collection by Thomas O'Brien accentuate the fully upholstered sofa and lounge chair from the Upholstery Collection.

A group of Samantha Chairs by Alexa Hampton surround the Sheraton Dining Table from the James River Collection dining room at the Farmhouse. The dining room, like the other spaces, feature classic architecture, timeless furniture forms from various styles and periods and are adorned by modern art and accessories. The result are modern interiors that are both relaxing and inspiring.

For more information contact info@hickorychair.com.

Part 2: Something Special Just For You!

On Monday, August 10th we posted Something Special Just For You! where it shared the amazing order being placed for a group of Carlyle Small Cabinets by Suzanne Kasler for four sorority houses in the midwest. Our artists have enjoyed working with the designer and the official licensed artwork from the four sororities to create these one of a kind pieces. We hope the designer from Nell Hill's enjoyed the process as much as we did to create these one of a kind pieces!

In this first image, the designer selected the Classic finish along with A3 and H3 Antique Silver COH hardware from our stocking hardwared program to accentuate the Alpha Delta Pi sorority crest. This sorority is the oldest in existence - founded in 1851. This Hickory Chair cabinet has these same timeless atributes. If cared for, it too will become an heirloom that will be tomorrows antique!

For the Zeta Tau Apha sorority, Weathered French Grey finish was selected along with the A3 and H3 COH hardware from our stocking program are the perfect complement to their crest! This sorority was begun in 1898. It too has a long legacy.

The Delta Zeta sorority is the new owner of the third Carlyle Small Cabinet. Weathered Cream was selected as the perfect background for the Delta Zeta crest. The standard hardware picked up the colors in the crest.

The last in the series is for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. The Cappuccino finish was selected along with the standard hardware to create the canvas for the Alpha Gamma Delta crest.

Each of these four sororities now is the proud owner of a timeless heirloom quality piece. Hopefully these pieces will become part of the heritage of the of the sororities and the university itself.

What design obstacle do you have that we can provide the solution to?

Chic Coles: Nail Head Extravaganza

We just discovered a wonderful blog, CHIC COLES - Design And Style Tips From A Mom And Her Daughters. The four of them are spread across the country but create the blog together. We were very proud to be included in a post on July 23, 2009 named: Chic Coles: Nail Head Extravaganza. In this post they celebrate the fashion and creativity that working with nail head trim allows!

In this image, the 1552-02 Amsterdam Side Chair , by Suzanne Kasler shows her love of couture-like details where she has instructed our artisan to use the pink grosgrain ribbon with NP-08 old antique petite nails spaced every third nail. She has also requested, as a special construction, that we fill the welt groove so that it has an authentic French look.

The 2860-10 Lakehouse Bed by Thomas O'Brien, the edge of the headboard is outlined with old antique brass NS-08 nail trim. This is Thomas's favorite Hickory Chair nail head trim! The original antique bed came from his Grandmother's lake house in upstate New York. He loved it so much that she gave it to him. His Hickory Chair version has an upholstered headboard with standard nail head trim. The original antique had a wood headboard. Thomas loved the idea that you could personalize his Lakehouse bed with finish, nails and upholstery to create a one of a kind piece!

Lastly, this reproduction wing chair from the 1283-55 Sherwood Forest Plantation in Virginia looks updated and very modern with the treatment created from Antique Ivory paint, teal gimp, spaced every third NS-02 pewter finish nail head trim and if that were not enough, even the ball and toenails have hand applied silver leaf! Do you not love what can be done to update a classic form?

Made in America

In an age of imported products, it is comforting to know that Hickory Chair is still hand crafting one of a kind pieces in Hickory, North Carolina. Since 1911 we have enjoyed the results of highly trained artisans and craftsman that have chosen to make furniture as their vocation. They take such pride in their ability to make pieces that no one may every order that same way again.

In fact did you realize that 87% of our entire product line is made in Hickory? Over the past 5 years our employees have worked diligently to remove the wasteful processes and materials from our facility. The result is that they have more time to invest in each piece that has been ordered for a home. Five years ago only 80% of our product line was made in Hickory.

Because we make it here we have flexibility that offshore manufacturers just do not have! Our employees will work together to try and modify or create one of a kind pieces for our customers. For example, a designer that visited us at market and was excited to see how we had personalized Suzanne Kasler's Piedmont Dining Table to be counter height. (Refer to our They Made It For Me story for more details). Her client needed a very large casual cocktail table. The search ended when she asked " If you can make it taller, can you make it shorter? I need a 20" cocktail table!" We checked with the factory and it was a quick yes!

Asking for special construction requests are easy! Just email your customer service representative a detailed request. If possible print out a picture of the piece from the web site and draw/label it with the instructions. Then fax or scan and email this drawing. Our team meets every morning to review the requests. Our goal is to say yes to every request but if we can not accomodate it we will not only offer a suggestion but will use this to push ourselves to figure out how to be able to say yes next time!

in Awe in Atlanta!

Our friend, Suzanne Kasler, has been invited to participate in a "Be Inspired" event at the Atlanta Mart. She was invited to put together a room at the Atlanta Mart's upcoming market event. Shown is the 1543-70 Choate Dining Table in Antique Ivory with custom striping to match our Weathered Swedish Gray paint color. Then the table was lacquered over. Also shown is the 1505-24 Nanette Chair with slipcover, 1585-70 Antoinette Side Table, 1515-30 Frederica Bench, 1516-23 Alexandra Side Chair, 1552-02 Amsterdam Side Chair along with a few antiques from Suzanne's personal collection.

Suzanne Kasler's collection by Hickory Chair celebrated its first anniversary at the spring 2009 market. We were able to make a frequent wish come true at this market! The Leigh sectional was originally designed to be armless. Our HCC University alumni have wished that she would design an arm version for customers that prefer arms. Suzanne was happy to honor the request by designing this sleek track arm for not only the chair shown but all of the other pieces that are part of the Leigh sectional group. In addition, we have added many more companion pieces to the grouping so that you now have the flexibility to create just the perfect grouping for your room!

Habitually ChicTM Shares Our Story!

We were very honored to have Heather Clawson, author of the renouned blog, Habitually Chic, attend HCC University last week! She has just completed a wonderful series of posts that illustrates her HCC University experience! We hope that you enjoy her wonderful journey told through pictures and stories.

The first post was entitled "Not Your Grandmother's Hickory Chair!" For those of you who have visited The Mezzanine at Hickory Chair or the showroom in High Point, you know that we make much more than 'red mahogany 18th Century furniture"! (We proudly make that too because we have a very loyal following for this specific era).

The next day she was inpired to share her experience touring the wood products facility in a post entitled "Hickory Chair Factory Tour: Day One". In this tour she showcases not only the tedious steps we take to make not only heirloom quality pieces but also personalized pieces for individual homes.

After a good nights rest, she entitled the next post "Hickory Chair Factory Tour: Day Two" and shared her experience touring through the other side of our factory that houses the upholstery shop. Her enthusiasm for hand made upholstery echos throughout her post.

The first post she had planned to post was postponed when she decided to attend HCC University. This blog post was focused upon Suzanne Kasler's collection for Hickory Chair! We celebrated the first anniversary of this collection at the April Market in High Point. Habitually ChicTM's post, Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair, is beautiful created showing the muse, her sketches and the Hickory Chair final reproduction or adaptation of that piece. Shown here in this picture is Heather and Tobi Fairley that attended HCC University along with our friends from Utah, Maryland, South Dakota, Arizona, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana,Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas.

In today's post Oh Baby Update, she shared with all of us to see one of her installations for a family with a new baby on the way. In the post she shares the sources from the paint to the furniture. We appreciate her post regarding the Chair that says "I wish that I had visited Hickory Chair before we chose a glider from another retailer who shall remain nameless because then the beautiful Meredith fabric from Schumacher would have matched on all four sides! It still looks great though and can be moved to the living room in the future."

We appreciate everything that Heather has shared about her Hickory Chair experience. We hope that it is just the beginning of a long friendship. As she is a designer as well as a blogger, we hope that our craftsmen in Hickory are able to assist Heather in providing solutions for her client's homes in the future!

Suzanne Kasler & Hickory Chair In The News!

Ellen Gefen of Industry Update and thehome.com visited the Hickory Chair Showroom during the Spring market. She is a great supporter of Hickory Chair and we can always count on her to come see our color and style trends.

She recently shared on thehome.com a story about using color and accessories to create a fresh new look. She interviewed Suzanne Kasler in the Hickory Chair showroom during the Fall 2008 market. The message is as relevant today as it was when she captured this beautiful room inspired by a trip to Africa by Suzanne and her family. Most pieces were upholstered in natural linen or neutral prints but with a punch of yellow linen and an ethnic woven on the armless chairs, her African accessories created a dynamic room!

Enjoy the full interview by clicking on the link:

http://thehome.com/2009/05/01/suzanne-kasler-use-interchangable-accent-pieces-for-an-easy-new-look

They MADE It For Me!

"I wish that you could make the Piedmont Dining Table counter height for me" asked Suzanne Kasler. The craftsmen at Hickory Chair received the request and within 48 hours responded YES!

Shown in the Hickory Chair showroom at the April 2009 market is the personalized 114" Piedmont Dining Table with a Scrubbed Ash top and the base in Birch painted finish made counter height! She chose a set of the Amsterdam Counter Stools to accompany this one of a kind table!

Literally every day we receive requests for special constructions to adapt our timeless pieces for clients homes. Our employees have great pride in their abilty to make one of a kind pieces. They enjoy being custom craftsman you!

Suzanne Kasler - Traditional Home March 2009

Suzanne Kasler is featured in the March 2009 issue of Traditional Home in a story named "Young at Heart". The mix of antiques and new pieces from her collection at Hickory Chair results in a fresh, liveable place for an active family. The complete story can be found by clicking hte link below!

http://www.traditionalhome-digital.com/traditionalhome/200903/?pg=121

Suzanne Kasler - In The News!

Yesterday the Atlanta Journal Constitution featured a story about Suzanne's signature motif - the quatrefoil. The article "Ancient Motif: In The Now" speaks to the quatrefoil as a symmetrical Medieval symbol that explored the influence of nature in architecture. Suzanne is quoted, “I’ve always loved its symmetry; it is curved, yet has some strength to it,” the Atlanta-based designer said. “I thought it is such a classic in design and architecture and brings a lot of style and personality to a space.” The article goes on to show great examples of quatrefoils and how they can be used to accentuate great interiors. For the complete article click on the link: ttp://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2009/03/01/quatrefoil0301.html?cxntlid=inform_artr

Suzanne Kasler Collection was launched by Hickory Chair at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina in April 2008. Known for her love of all things French, it has been written that it is a "A collection to inspire". To learn more about the collection, visit:

http://www.hickorychair.com/see_furniture_designer.aspx?c=29

To learn more about Suzanne Kasler, visit:

http://www.suzannekasler.com/