Nichols & Stone is one of the oldest furniture companies in the United States; although the original company shut down for good in 2008, the rights to the company’s name and designs were purchased and continued by a second company.
During its 150 years of business, the company became well-known for producing heirloom quality furniture created by expert craftsman. Today, antique and contemporary Nichols & Stone pieces are prized by collectors and tasteful homeowners alike.
When did Nichols and Stone Furniture go out of business?
Sadly, Nichols and Stone Furniture Company went out of business in 2008. Before that, the company enjoyed a robust business for 150 years. Thankfully, the company was purchased by Stickley Furniture.
Is Nichols and Stone made by Stickley?
Currently, yes, Nichols and Stone Furniture is produced by its parent company, Stickley Furniture. In years past, Nichols and Stone held its own as an independent manufacturer of fine furniture. Originally, Nichols and Stone had manufacturing plants in Gardner, Massachusetts and other parts of Massachusetts.
About Nichols and Stone Furniture Company
The modern Nichols & Stone Furniture Company was purchased in 2008 by L. & J.G. Stickley Furniture; the owners recognized the importance of the company’s long history and asked the previous owner, a descendant of the original founder of the company, to work with them as they transitioned to become the new owners of Nichols & Stone. (Of course, Stickley Furniture is recognized in its own right as a fantastic furniture company.)
The company, both under its original ownership and post-2008 ownership, is best distinguished by their exceptionally high quality furniture pieces which are each branded or stamped with the unique Nichols and Stone shield.
Nichols & Stone Company History
The original Nichols & Stone company has roots that go back to the 18th century. In 1752, a descendant of the Nichols family opened a Nichols Brother Chair Manufacturer; by 1857, the chair business has become so successful that the family decided to re-brand as the Nichols & Stone furniture company. This version of the company operated out of a new wooden factory and, by the 1930s, the factory had expanded to become one of the largest in Massachusetts state and one of the largest of New England.
The high density forests and cold weather of New England gave the company an incredible resource for furniture making. Of course, hard woods like maple and cherry became the basis of their success. Like other New England Furniture Companies, such as Ethan Allen and Willett Furniture Company, Nichols and Stone aimed to create incredible products using the large and plentiful forests of the land.
Unfortunately, the company fell on economic trouble during the 2000s and was forced to announce its closure in 2008. This was when L. & J.G. Stickley stepped in to purchase the company. In addition to purchasing the rights for the name and catalog, Stickley has worked to produce many of the popular Nichols & Stone pieces while allowing for new designs to carry on the Nichols & Stone legacy.
Nichols & Stone Company Products
Nichols & Stone is best known for their heirloom quality chairs, which include dining room chairs as well as rockers and living room chairs. Some of their most popular pieces include their rockers, which were produced in a variety of styles throughout the company’s history. Today, these vintage and antique rockers can sell for several hundred dollars on the secondhand market.
In fact, dating a Nichols and Stone Chair can lead to a higher appraisal value than one might think. If the chair, particularly an antique Windsor Chair by Nichols and Stone dates to the 1800’s, you may wish to have it appraised. It is not unusual for an early Windsor Chair by Nichols and Stone to sell for more than $500.
Additionally, Nichols and Stone dining tables fetch quite a few dollars. Of course, you will find several features on Nichols and Stone dining tables that make them extremely desirable. For one, most use solid cherry or maple tops, typically 1 full inch to 1.5″ thick. Many feature self-storing leaves, and beautiful turned pedestal bases.
Tips For Purchasing Nichols & Stone Company Products
If you are interested in purchasing Nichols & Stone products, you should consider the following tips to help you make an educated decision.
Tip: Check the maker’s mark to get an estimated date
Since the company has been producing furniture for 150 years and counting, they have changed their maker’s mark several times. Nichols and Stone makers mark is the best way to date Nichols and Stone Chairs.
You can use this mark to get an estimated date for your furniture piece. If the logo is a “NS” surrounded by a shield, it is from the later half of the 20th century; if the logo is is an “N” over an “S” surrounded by marks resembling a chair back, then it is from the 1930s or later.
Remember to keep the above guide in mind when you want to purchase Nichols & Stone pieces.
Where to Buy Nichols and Stone Furniture
Sadly, unless purchasing with Stickley Furniture, your best bet to find high quality furniture at an affordable price is through vintage furniture dealers.
Of course, you can score a bargain, and get incredible high quality solid wood furniture by the brand for much less than Stickley’s prices.
Find the best prices on Nichols and Stone Furniture, Don’t hesitate! Or someone else will snag your beautiful Nichols & Stone furniture from you today!