In this era of big business, finding a successful family-owned company can be like hoping for snow in July. Then again, not every business can be Nichols & Stone. The oldest furniture company in the U.S., Nichols & Stone began life in 1762 as the Nichols Brothers Chair Manufactory in Westminster, Massachusetts. Since 1968, Carlton E. “Tuck” Nichols, Jr. has been at the helm of the company, making him the eighth-generation of Nicholses to join the family business.

More than 200 years later, what began as a local chair maker has grown into one of the most highly regarded furniture manufacturers in the country. Of course, the craftspeople at Nichols & Stone still make many fine chairs. But over the last two centuries, the company has expanded its product line considerably. Now the company offers over 60 handcrafted chair designs, including its signature Windsor chair, which has been a Nichols & Stone favorite since the 1930s. The line also includes a series of traditional, handmade rockers, some featuring decoratively hand-painted back panels.

As if the variety of chair designs weren't enough, the company’s extensive collections also feature cabinets, dining and occasional tables, benches, beds, entertainment centers and home office furniture. There are many table designs, from large dining room tables and eat-in kitchen tables to drop-leaf tables and occasional tables, offering style and practicality all in one elegant package. Each table has a protective finish to guard against spills and water rings. The line also boasts myriad cabinet styles, including baker’s rack, sideboard, buffet & deck and formal display china cabinets. The numerous bed styles include sleigh beds, spindle beds and the unique pencil post beds.