Vermont Woods Studios was founded on two core principles- a desire to protect the world's forests and a reverence for high quality craftsmanship. Over the years, we've added a handful of Vermont craftsmen to our offerings, all of whom design furniture and decor that is beautiful, high quality, and uniquely their own. However, it's hard to ignore the influence that some of America's most prolific designers have had on the furniture designs produced today.
As Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Here are a few legendary American furniture designers whose work continues to inspire today’s craftspeople— especially those designing and building in Vermont.
Here are some of the most renowned American furniture designers of all time, which continue to inspire craftsman all over the world today:
Frank Lloyd Wright
Our Modern High Back Chairs mirror the High Back Chairs that Frank Lloyd Wright designed back in the early 1900’s.
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is one of the most well-known architects of all time. He is often referred to as the “father of organic architecture” for his work to pioneer and define the concept. Throughout his career, Wright designed more than 1,000 structures, many of which remain historical icons.
Although he was best known for his work in designing buildings, he also made significant contributions to the field of furniture design. Inspired by the mission & craftsman movement of the early 1900’s, many of Wright’s designs included the vertical rectangular cuts seen so often in the furniture of that period. However, Wright went beyond the established designs of the American Craftsman era, infusing his own signature style into chairs, tables, and more.
During the later stages of his career, Wright’s furniture designs would evolve from distinctly craftsman into what would help to define the style now known as mid-century modern.
Gustav Stickley
Our American Mission collection is as close to pure mission and craftsman design as it gets. Stickley was one of the driving forces in establishing this design philosophy.
If the name Gustav Stickley sounds familiar, it may be because Stickley is one of the most recognizable names in American furniture. Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) was a furniture maker, visionary designer, and influential publisher that was a key driving force in bringing the Arts and Crafts movement to America in the early 1900s. His furniture designs largely included what has become known as mission style furniture—although, Stickley detested that term and preferred the name “Craftsman Furniture.”
Adrian Pearsall
Adrian Pearsall may not be as widely recognized as other furniture designers like Frank Lloyd Wright, but his contributions to the world of design have not been forgotten. After founding Craft Associates in 1952, Pearsall went on to become one of America’s most prominent furniture designers during the “Atomic Age” of mid-century modern stylings. Pearsall was perhaps most known for his glass top tables with walnut wood bases.
Lawrence Peabody
Lawrence Peabody was an architect, interior designer, and furniture designer who made significant contributions to the world of design during the mid- to late- 1900’s. Most known for his use of walnut, Haitian influence, and innovative designs, Peabody’s work was sold by nationwide brands like Sears and Kohler, as well as notable retailers like Richardson-Nemschoff and Craft & Associates. He was well known for armchair design (above), now known as the "Lawrence Peabody Mid Century Modern Arm Chair."
Charles & Ray Eames
Charles & Ray Eames were a married couple who designed one of the most iconic pieces of furniture ever made- the Eames Chair. The pair had a ~30 year career designing and building furniture in the mid-1900's, roughly from 1940-1970. They were perhaps best known for their use of plywood, and specifically the way they molded it into chair designs.
At Vermont Woods Studios, we’re proud to continue the tradition of American furniture design by offering heirloom-quality pieces made right here in Vermont. Our makers honor the past while forging new paths in style, sustainability, and craftsmanship. Whether you're furnishing a modern home or restoring a classic space, you'll find inspiration rooted in design legacies like these.
