Most every piece of furniture has a story to tell -- but most of those stories never reach our ears. Furniture maker William Alan has changed all that by recounting the stories and histories behind nearly every piece in its exquisite line. Since 1958, the High Point, North Carolina-based furniture maker has crafted furniture of exceptional quality and lavished it with unique details, from crocodile leather trim to antique nailheads.

The result has been years of stunning collections that are stylish, yet timeless. From design to creation, each piece is unique in its own right. Each has its own special story -- the design, the name, the setting for every detail. Take, for instance, Slim Jim's French Smoking Chair. Inspired by a 17th-century French smoking chair at a private club on the Cape Fear River, this plush leather armchair carries the name of a distinguished, older bartender, Slim Jim, who worked at that club. It exudes comfort and tradition, while capturing a certain nostalgia that we all carry within us.