Hickory Chair and Ray Booth Unveil Second Collection

Furniture World News Desk on 10/12/2022

Interior designer Ray Booth and Hickory Chair, a 111-year maker of custom furniture, unveil their second furniture collaboration at the Fall 2022 International Home furnishings Market in High Point, NC. Following the success of the first collection, the 39-piece introduction builds on a sophisticated foundation, adding more curvilinear forms, graceful silhouettes, and modern details.

“Over the last few years, I’ve been exploring the softer side of my aesthetic,” says Booth, who is known for tailored, curated and luxurious interiors. “I’m more attracted to rounded edges, rich, dark finishes, and swoon-worthy upholstery that lends quiet beauty,” he says. “And although so much of what I love and reference is historic and antique, I’ve been pushing myself—and the collection—into more contemporary territory.”

Pieces like the Adele Writing Desk reflect Booth’s style evolution:

Sinuous cabriole legs combine with thin steel rods for unexpected, modern materiality. The Emile bed is bold in its simplicity: “It’s not screaming for attention, but it’s gorgeous, glamorous and might be one of my favorites in the entire collection,” Booth says. Other highlights include the Serge Sectional, which he says is “big, comfortable deep seating that appears light.” He cleverly designed a modular table and a backless chair/ ottoman to break up the silhouette, preventing the sectional from becoming a “big, visual block.” A number of best sellers from the inaugural collection now have line extensions, like the Betty Banquette and Split Klismos Bench.

"Ray Booth's collection has quickly become one of our most important groups,” says Alex Shuford III, president of Hickory Chair. “The tremendous success of the initial launch has given us the confidence to add to it with a substantial second introduction this fall. The collection showcases our world-class craftsmanship while resonating with our discerning client base, striking the perfect chord of comfort, style and quality.”

New Collection Highlights...

Boden Sofa: The elegant Boden Sofa is both dynamic and subtle with its unique cantilever base and beautiful proportions.

The back is the right height to rest a relaxed arm, and the depth provides the perfect posture for settling in with a new book or engaging in conversation. Set on a trim I-shaped base that allows the sofa to appear floating, the piece brings a modern flair to any living space.

Cask Swivel Chair: Comfortable for one or cozy for two, the Cask Swivel Chair invites with its curved back, deep seat, and cushy upholstery. Set on a walnut base and made with tufted details, the lighthearted piece is perfectly tailored for a living room or primary bedroom.

Straight-Backed Betty Banquette: “Sit up straight was always our mother’s charge at the dinner table,” Booth says. Doing his Mama proud, the Straight-Backed Betty Banquette is upright and chic, providing a stylish, slouch-resistant addition to any rectangular dining furniture plan. The Betty is available Made to MeasureTM and available as an elegantly curved banquette.

Split Klismos Bench: The Split Klismos Bench, now available in both a right- and left- side facing orientation, is versatile and unique. The asymmetrical split-back design allows one or two people the flexibility to sit forwards, backwards, perch, or settle in for a meal. The inviting seating encourages conversation and activity at the kitchen counter or bar.

Serge Sectional: Wildly generous and supremely comfortable, the Serge Sectional also manages to maintain a lightness. “Sectionals can get blocky and bulky, especially large ones,” Booth says. “By mixing it up with the more open— and useful—ottoman or table sections, the sectional’s silhouette breaks up for a visual breather.”

Denis Sofa: With a deep, luxurious seat and soft, sculptural lines, the Denis sofa makes for an elegant seated experience. “Glamourous and gracious, Denis is a nod to French furniture of the 1940s,” Booth says. “Mais bien sur!”

Lindsay Lounge Chair: “With a lavish seat, cozy back pillow, and restful lumbar, the Lindsay Lounge Chair is undoubtedly the most comfortable and plush chair in the house,” Booth says. Visually, the masculine lines and wood details stand in compliment and contrast to surrounding upholstery.

Ferris Swivel Chair - Skirted: The Ferris Skirted Swivel Chair, with its namesake gentle spin, a tailored dressmaker skirt and exquisite upholstery details, is a sophisticated seat for any room. Its masterfully curved back with channel-back tailoring combine for comfort and beauty. The Ferris is also available as a fully upholstered swivel chair without the skirt.

Ferris Swivel Chair: The Ferris Low Profile Swivel Chair, with its namesake gentle spin, is fitted with an exposed wood base and exquisite upholstery details, is a sophisticated seat for any room. Its masterfully curved back with channel-back tailoring combine for comfort and beauty. The Ferris is also available as a fully upholstered swivel chair with a skirt.

Questa Skirted Sofa: Soft and genteel, the curved Questa Sofa sits sculpturally and beautifully in a room. An integrated lumbar in the seatback provides unparalleled comfort, and an expertly tailored tall kick-pleat skirt allows for customization through unique textiles. The Questa is also available with exposed legs.

Questa Sofa with Exposed Legs: Soft and genteel, the curved Questa Sofa sits sculpturally and beautifully in a room. An integrated lumbar in the seatback provides unparalleled comfort and sits upon elegantly tapered legs. The Questa is also available with a beautiful kick-pleat skirt.

Aldrick Arm Chair: The high-backed Aldrick Arm Chair is an elegant option for a dining room or wherever you need an attenuated chair—its slim profile is deceivingly comfortable. Packed with details that add handsome character, the chair features padded arms held by hand-finished Browned Steel rods, finely tapered legs with Browned Steel metal sabots, and the perfect pitch for lingering over meals.

Aldrick Side Chair: The Aldrick Side Chair is a high-backed and elegant addition to the dining room or wherever you need an attenuated chair—its slim profile is deceivingly comfortable. It stands on finely tapered American Walnut legs with Browned Steel metal sabots, and offers the perfect pitch for lingering over meals.

Peg Chair: “With Peg, I wanted a super straightforward, versatile, and accommodating chair to use at the breakfast table, a desk—but with some novelty,” Booth says. “Set on three legs and mixing wood and steel takes the classic saddle-seat chair to a new level.” Perfect for adding a spot of interest to a space, the Peg Chair balances its form-fitted wood saddle seat and steel bar supports beautifully.

Finback Side Chair: The Finback Side Chair is welcoming at any table. Its cradling, curved back is comfortable during a long dinner, and its signature square opening offers visual lightness. A complement to the accompanying Axis Swivel Counter and Bar Stools, the seating group is a stylish option for both casual and dressier environments.

Emile Bed: “The Emile Bed gathers its strength of design in quiet ways,” Booth says. “The sinuous curve of the back, the American Walnut wood details and tapered legs are all subtle, but together create an elegant form that’s also a very comfortable place to rest your head every night.”

Petite Plaited Buffet: A smaller scale option to the original Plaited Buffet, the Petite Plaited Buffet is the perfect server or storage piece for the dining room. The square pleated front, which gives visual texture to a space, is offered in a variety of finishes, and the top can be specified in either stone or wood, allowing for customization to fit any dining room look or function.

Gaston Double Chest: The Gaston Double Chest is a handsomely detailed piece. Book-matched American Walnut veneer gives simple beauty to the design, and the Browned Steel pulls provide just the right grip to open the deep drawers, which offer generous storage in a bedroom or any living space. The chest is capped with a choice of a durable, timeless stone or a beautiful walnut wooden top, as shown.

Block Cocktail Table: The Block collection expands with the new Block Cocktail Table. Set on three poetically-placed marble legs with Browned Steel dowels, the asymmetrical, material-driven piece resonates with a contemporary yet timeless aesthetic. The chevron patterned American Walnut top is the perfect surface for serving and entertaining.

Weir Console: Celebrated for its simplicity in form and quality of materials, the Weir Console is now available in two sizes, with the addition of the 72” size and the original 93.25” size. Classic and elegant, it’s a versatile piece that can work in nearly any room of the house.

Cadence Center Table: Concrete legs with Browned Steel rods and a triangulated American Walnut veneer top combine for a stunning juxtaposition in the Cadence Table. The sculptural table works well as a breakfast or game table, but especially as an entry center table, where it can be admired from 360 degrees.

Clipse Dining Table: “It’s a softer take on a rectangular table,” says Booth about the Clipse Dining Table. “The clipped corners give more graceful lines than the sharp rectangle.” The fresh silhouette is realized with mixed materials for even more visual interest: an American Walnut veneered top and rectilinear Browned Steel base with block wood feet.

Neville Nightstand: The Neville is an ideal bedside or sofa side table, with its handy shelf, drawer, and railed surface. In a play of materials, an American Walnut drawer and case, delicate Browned Steel posts, and Antique Brass cylindrical feet combine to strike a balance. Decidedly modern, the Neville can complement a contemporary interior, or provide a clean-lined contrast in a more traditional environment.

Tee Cocktail Table: Stylish, clever, and endlessly useful, The Tee Cocktail Table features a Browned Steel base that is fitted with Antique Brass feet and showcases a generous American Walnut veneered tray tabletop.

Cadence Console: A stunning piece of sculpture, the Cadence Console is an elegant, bold statement in any entry or dining space, behind a sofa, or bedside as a small desk. The asymmetrical legs of white concrete with Browned Steel rods hold a generous, thick American Walnut top for a luxe look.

Treble Side Table: “I have such an affection for small, simple, little tables,” Booth says. “You can never have enough of them.” The Treble Side Table takes inspiration from the strongest form of physics: the triangle. A book-matched American Walnut veneered top in three sections echoes the three legs and a Browned Steel base. The shape, Booth says, is perfect between a pair of upholstered chairs set on an angle.

Brace Drink Table: “You always need a place for a cocktail in my house,” says Booth. “Little cocktail tables are approachable and indeed very comfortable to have around. The Brace is a new favorite.” The table has a stone stop for durability and a cool, hidden opening for discrete storage and sits upon an American Walnut and Browned Steel base.

Tilda Side Table: The Tilda table takes heirloom furniture to the 21st century. A traditional figured American Walnut veneer top has a small gallery rail detail to keep things in place, while an elegant central dowel and thin Browned Steel rods add stability. The Tilda is a welcome round shape when a room can use some classic curves.

Campaign Cocktail Table: Inspired by the Campaign furniture of the 18th and 19th centuries that was designed to move with ease, the Campaign Cocktail table, although large, has an attractive weightlessness. The Browned Steel frame is fitted with Antique Brass feet, and its thick, Starfire clear glass top and shelf is the perfect surface to style books and accessories.

Adele Writing Desk: “I absolutely love the Adele Writing Desk for its unexpected combination of graceful softness and the strength of steel,” Booth says of the new piece. “It’s a balancing act. I wanted the legs to have very fine curves, almost animated, and finished with pieds-de-biche feet. We needed the steel rod to support the delicate curves practically, but visually it’s such a stunning juxtaposition.” Crafted in American Walnut veneers and solids with Browned Steel leg posts.

About Ray Booth: Ray Booth is a renowned interior designer and principal partner at the esteemed firm McAlpine. Based out of offices in Nashville and New York City, his innovative approach to design infuses spaces with a keen sense of place and tranquility as well as layered and bold details, speaking to each individual client and setting. As an Alabama native and alumnus of Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Ray's love of house and home was nurtured in the American south. His best-selling book, Evocative Interiors, was published by Rizzoli and showcases luxury residential projects on both coasts and throughout the U.S. Ray’s acclaimed furniture collection for Hickory Chair incorporates a contemporary spin on classical design in its refined forms and detailing, and a decorative lighting collection with Visual Comfort & Co. is imbued with a signature appreciation for historical reference in modern shapes. As an AD 100 Designer, his work has graced the covers and pages of Architectural Digest, Veranda, House Beautiful, Hamptons Cottage & Gardens, and many others. With an undimmed passion for beauty, Ray shares his life and homes in New York and Nashville with his husband John Shea.

About Hickory Chair: For more than 111 years, Hickory Chair has been crafting custom wood and upholstered furnishings in a wide range of classic styles. Inspired by such historical sites as Winterthur Estate and the estates along the James River in Virginia, as well as by noted furniture authorities such as Suzanne Kasler, Ray Booth, David Phoenix, Susan Hable, Mariette Himes Gomez and the late Albert Sack, Hickory Chair’s hallmark is luxurious yet livable furniture that’s made to order and made to last. Please visit hickorychair.com for product information, or contact us with special requests. Hickory Chair, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Rock House Farm Family of Brands.