Category Archives: Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair, High Point Furniture Market, Lee Industries, Resources

Our Top 7 Trends from Furniture Market

We had a fabulous trip to High Point last week for Furniture Market, and we’re excited to share our favorite trends!  Below, our team gathers for a picture inside the Hickory Chair showroom.

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (5)

 Judy catches up with one of her close friends, Diane Gote from New Jersey, while (above) Hilaire poses for a picture with our dear friends, Nancy Gales and Nancy Bolen.

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market 2010 (2)

Our first stop on our High Point visit was Verellen, an eco-friendly company with a European flare. The light fixtures quickly grabbed our attention and the upholstery fabricated in shades of creams, charcoals, and browns.  This is where we noted our first trend for Fall 2010:

Trend #1. Organic Industrial

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010

Lauren and Judy enjoy the comfort of new pieces (above), while colorful cords accent the streamlined floor lamp below. What a unique idea!

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (3)

Trend # 2: Unique Furniture Shapes

As the morning continued, we headed to Modern History and Somerset Bay where we saw similar neutrals with a splash of color.  We love the cream cabinet with a jelly bean green splash on the interior! 

 Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (4)

Trend # 3: Applied Details

Fashion and interior design always influence each other, and I believe that’s what we’re seeing here.  Stop in J Crew or Banana Republic, and you will find appliques and embroidered details on their outfits.  We spotted similar concepts on drapery panels and even lamp shades!

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (6)

Trend # 4: Mature Graphics

Graphic patterns have been apart of a fabric trend we’ve seen over the last few years.  But this market, they found their way on a different color palette that seemed more thoughtful and mature.

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (7)

Trend # 5: Cream Finishes

Along with the organic neutrals, we saw warm and bright cream finishes that soften the pieces they are applied to.  We loved Suzanne Kesler new collection for Hickory Chair with it’s French inspirations. 

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (8)

Every time we tour the Hickory Chair Showroom, we run into some of the industry’s renown interior designers, Suzanne Kesler (left) and Alexa Hampton, who was promoting her most recent book The Language of Interior Design (right).

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (9)

Trend # 6: Linen, Linen Everywhere 

In nearly every showroom, linen was featured on furniture and pillows.  Five to ten years ago, chenilles were much more popular as upholstery fabrics, but the clean and fresh look of linen has now taken its place.

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (10)

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (11)

Above, Brittany and Judy in the Century Furniture Showroom at the end of the day.

Trend # 7: All Shades of Grays

As far as neutrals go, the taupe tans of the 90’s have been replaced with their fresh warm gray relatives. 

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market 2010 (12)

Gray can be pared with rustic finishes and textures or with high gloss metals for either an industrial or polished look.

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (15)

Natural Curiosities always has wonderful art and accessories to complete rooms.  We were particularly struck by the moody horse pieces below.

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (13)

Regina Andrew and Barbara Cosgrove shared their unique lamp and accessories.  We love the varied of shapes in the mirrored frames above! 

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (14)

We ended our day in the Centuryshowroom.  Above, Hilaire tests a leather chair.  Judy loved the unique lines of the McCrae casegoods in the Lee Industries showroom.  Also in Lee, we loved the punches of color, including purple!

Design Lines High Point Furniture Market Fall 2010 (16)

 

Current Projects, Hickory Chair

Current Project: This Olde Farmhouse Update

Design Lines Interior Design Farmhouse North Carolina

An update on the 1800’s farmhouse project! We want to share with you the most recent pictures from the furniture installation. The “farmhouse” themed furniture creates an inviting and restful space. The leather wing chair, country occasional chair, and burlap ottoman (shown in another picture below) came from Hickory Chair.

The country occasional chair (shown above on the left) is adapted from an antique rocking chair which is just perfect for the room.

Design Lines Interior Design Farmhouse North Carolina 6

Displayed in front of the TCS straight arm sleeper is a unique coffee table. What looks to be a coffee table is actually an incredible 80 year old find. This piece is actually a hand made flour bin with original hand-wrought-iron handles. With an addition of a custom iron base and hand-cut glass this Sarreid piece is also doubled as a display case for the antiques and mail found within the house during demolition. (Keeping all the artifacts from the house were important to the client.)

The other antiques and paperwork displayed throughout the house are framed by Bev’s Fine Art .

Design Lines Interior Design Farmhouse North Carolina 3

 

(Above left) We can’t do our job with out him, Lewis our installer hangs framed antiques on a wall just outside the bathroom door. (Above right) Ashley places old mail, newsletters, and receipts from the 1930’s, ’40’s and ’50’s into the flour bin coffee table.

 

Design Lines Interior Design Farmhouse North Carolina 4

 

The original door hardware is replaced with an almost exact replica. (Shown above).  The cream porcelain knobs give this farmhouse a touch of personality.

 

Design Lines Interior Design Farmhouse North Carolina 2

 

(Above) Are several other pieces of framed artifacts the clients found during demolition.

The master bedroom is a great retreat for guests or even the out-of-town grandparents. The poster bed and beautiful arched armoire from Hickory White  were finished in distressed woods, while the client’s mother saved a stunning floor length mirror and rocking chair to help complete this cozy bedroom.

 

Design Lines Interior Design Farmhouse North Carolina 5

 

The exterior of the house, the kitchen island, and landscaping  are still under construction, but as soon as these items are done this farmhouse project will be complete! We will continue to update you on the progress.

Click on the dates to read previous posts on the unique story and history behind this 1800’s farmhouse – July 28, 2010,  July 9th 2009,  and August 20, 2009.

Current Projects, Hickory Chair

Current Projects: Lake Boone Trail Master Bedroom

 Interior Design Raleigh NC Design Lines Ltd. 2 copy

 A bedroom fit for the lady of the house. The combination of the chandelier and bed frame gives this room so much character. The mercury lamps on either side of the bed, were actually created from vases. Judy wanted to use these somewhere in the room and took the vases to Thompson Lynch in Cameron Village and made them into lamps.

What a clever idea!

Interior Design Raleigh, NC Design Lines Ltd.

Having a fireplace in a bedroom creates a warm and cozy feel. What do you like about your own bedroom?

Interior Design Raleigh, NC Design Lines, Ltd. 3

Designer Inspiration/Trends, Hickory Chair, High Point Furniture Market, Lee Industries

2010 Spring High Point Market Trends & Favorites Part 2 of 2

And the crew returns for part 2 of High Point Furniture Market Trends and Favorites. Within part 2 you will find our remaining trends and also a few pictures of some iconic people: Thomas O’Brien and Mariette Hines Gomez. Lets begin!

 

Trend #4 – Neutrals and browns will never go away.

Below are shots in the Lee Industries Showroom of

some classic pieces that scream versatility and style.  

Lee High Point 2010

 

Market wouldn’t be the same without testing the comfort-ability of recliners and sofas. Ashley is lounging in one of the relaxers from Lee Industries.

Design Lines at Lee

 

The bed has a classic and romantic feel while the sofa and coffee table display invites a family for a cup of ice tea on a Sunday afternoon.

Shots below are from the Hickory Chair  Showroom.

Design Lines at Hickory Chair 2010 Highpoint

A pillow line we saw in Inner Hall called Ankasa. Ideal for bedrooms, sun-rooms and/or family rooms.

Wall of Pillows-Ankasa

 

We also had a chance to check out some lamp companies:

Jamey Young (left) and Barabra Cosgrove (right).

Jamey Young Lamps

 

Trend # 5 Purple is still around! All the way from grape juice to wine colored tones.

Shots below are from Hickory Chair Showroom.

Design Lines Purple Trends 

Below: Judy admires the nail head detailing on an upholstered cabinet in the Hickory Chair Showroom.  Need a dining chair, take this cream one below, one of Hickory Chair’s most popular choices (right).

Design Lines at Hickory Chair 2010 Highpoint 2

Often times when the team goes to High Point, it isn’t unusual to run into  interior design icons. Hickory Chair had Thomas O’Brien on hand as he signed copies of his first book, called “American Modern.”You might have seen Thomas’s name on collections in Target, a lighting collection with Visual Comfort and  his interior design studio called Areo in SoHo which he opened in 1992. Here is an article on him in the New York Times.

 Thomas OBrien at Hickory Chair 2010 High Point

The team also stopped to take a photo with Mariette Himes Gomez. Mariette has a design studio  in New York City and also a designer collection with Soicher Marin.  Mariette and Thomas both design furniture for Hickory Chair. Along with Alexa Hampton and Suzanne Kasler who were also in the showroom showing off their collections with Hickory Chair.

It was nice to see you again, Mariette! Thanks for taking a picture with us.

Design Lines with Mariette Himes Gomez in Hickory Chair Showroom 2010

 

Trend 6# Floral sofas are a breath of fresh air.

Below: is a shot from the Lee Showroom of a banquet with a Duralee print.

Floral Sofa at Lee High Point 2010

 Design Lines Trends florals

Left Above: Lee Industries and Right Above: Hickory Chair.

 

Trend # 7  Trellis is popular.

What is a trellis ?  A lattice like pattern inspired by a lot of cultures, they can sometimes be graphic and organic. Below the bed in fabricated in a trellis fabric giving the room life.

This is taken from the Century Showroom and also seen on Apartment Therapy’s review of High Point Furniture Market. 

Market 10 - Century Showroom Pic

 Design Lines Trellis Trends

Above are shots from Hickory Chair Showroom.

 

Trend # 8 Animal Inspiration

Animal influences were in every showroom that we visited. Here are some of the things we saw.

Shots Below are from Hickory Chair Showroom.

 Design Lines Animal Inspiration

 

And last but not least, we had to share one of the coolest discoveries that Marty from Lee Industries showed us. Lee did an experiment putting one of their chairs they manufacture into a lake for two weeks. The actual chair is below on the left and you should definitely click on the YouTube video to see for yourself. We were amazed at how clean the chair looked after being in the lake. It was amazing!

Lee Chair In Lake 2010 High Point

Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair University: Stephanie’s Perspective

One of the things that struck me most about our tour of Hickory Chair was the truly jovial disposition of all those that worked there. As we meandered from station to station, in awe of the bustling activiy all around us, it quickly became clear that each employee geniunely enjoyed his or her job and took great pride in improving the company and its products in any way possible. President Jay Reardon has done an excellent job entrusting and empowering his employees, and his respect for them is clearly reflected in their attitudes and commitment to excellence.


As a result of this positive corporate culture, the amount of care that goes into the creation of each piece of furniture at Hickory Chair is absolutely unparalleled. I no longer view Hickory Chair as a manufacturing plant, but as a guild of skilled craftsmen that collaborate to create beautiful heirlooms for those fortunate enough to own them.


Hickory Chair

“Hickory Chair University: Ashley’s Perspective”

After visiting Hickory Chair University I was amazed to actually witness the term we all have heard, “8-Way Hand Tied.” But really, is it better than the other companies? I was very surprised to see why this system works and why this quality is better than the rest. As quoted by others, “8-Way Hand Tied Springs are the Cadillac of upholstery.” Wonder why your grandmother’s sofa is still around to be pawned off to you?

8-Way Hand Tied is a traditional style of support. The springs are laid over webbing, sewn in place, and then the springs are compressed to the desired firmness. They are then tied, with jute twine, to the webbing in the compressed state, and then lashed and tied one to the other. Of course it is tied eight times, twice vertically, twice horizontally, twice at one angle, and then crossed twice and the other angle (that adds up to eight). This technique provides a very firm, solid base for the padding that comprises a fully upholstered seat. This technique, if done right, can cost more but it is worth it. Hickory Chair does not cut corners on this technique which allows for the quality to out last many others.

As labor becomes more expensive and the buying public less willing to pay for it, substitutions are being made. These substitutions can be costly to you if you are not aware, and you will be buying a new sofa in the next 5 years. The jute twine that Hickory Chair uses is being substituted by other companies. Some substitutions include wires and hot rings. This is faster, requires less skill on the part of the upholsterer, and is ultimately cheaper to accomplish.

Being in the plant and seeing the gentleman above do a 8-Way Hand Tied application was amazing to see. It took about 15 minutes to do a full upholstered chair with only the seat being applied. It can take double the time for a sofa or sectional, but it is well worth it. It was great to see how this support effects the way a sofa or chair can sit. Well worth the money in my eyes.

So next time you got to by a sofa, get the facts. Make sure it is a true 8-Way Hand Tied application. It is not entirely uncommon to hear of an 8-Way Hand Tied sofa holding up for several decades, in fact, some can last as long as 50 years. Don’t you want to be able to pass your Hickory Chair or Sofa down to your grandchildren?


Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair University: Molly’s Perspective

On our tour of the Hickory Chair Furniture Manufacturer – late in the day I found this beautiful wing chair in their Mezzanine Showroom. At first glance – it’s just a great wing chair – but a closer look reveals the smoothest curves and shape that creates this chair. Possibly no other chair design has been reproduced over time as the wing – but so often it is poorly done. THIS is perfection. Hickory chair purchased the original chair by John Townsend from Rhode Island and copied it with precision. The wooden frame itself is carved and shaped to capture those curves without relying on the upholstery to shape it. Check out the movement of the curves across the back. This Townsend Wing Chair could easily fit into many interiors – and hopefully one that can showcase it’s beauty from all sides.

Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair University

We’re back in the studio and can’t wait to share our Hickory Chair University experience with everyone (as promised).

I’ve asked the designers to answer the following questions with words & images. “What was the highlight of the trip for you? What will interest your client about Hickory Chair?”

Over the next week they’ll disclose their perspectives & what they learned.

Enjoy!


Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair University

Judy, Molly, Stephanie, Ashley, Lauren and I are off to Hickory, North Carolina this afternoon for a short excursion to tour the upholstery & case good factory of furniture manufacturer Hickory Chair . All of their products are beautiful, with collections from designers Alexa Hampton, Thomas O’Brien, & Suzanne Kasler.

We’ll be back on Wednesday evening to write about our experience (with pictures, too). Until then, feel free to salivate over these gorgeous images from their look book.