*Photo credit: Robert Radifera for Stylish Productions*

July 4th is upon us, and as usual it’s taking me by surprise. Wasn’t it just New Year’s Day a few weeks ago? I try to head into this annual mid-point with a bit of zen and gratitude, thinking about who and what I am thankful for, and adjusting my “life sails” as necessary to make sure I stay on my best course.

In honor of Independence Day, I also want to take a moment to give a shout out to our very appreciated “Made in the USA” suppliers. When I work on design projects, it feels good to buy home goods that are locally manufactured. When you make this choice, you are supporting local economies while often lowering your carbon footprint thanks to reduced shipping distances.

The handcrafted nature of these pieces also helps ensure that you’re buying long-lasting, quality furniture to fit your specifications versus “fast furniture” that will be disposed of in a short time. This investment may be more expensive on the front end, but in the long run it will lead to future savings and an heirloom that will last for generations of Independence Days.

In our latest blog, we’re celebrating five of our “Made in the USA” suppliers.

CHADDOCK FURNITURE WORKROOM

We loved the warm welcome when visiting Chaddock’s Morganton, North Carolina, showroom which is “home to more than 200 talented craftspeople, many third and fourth-generation furniture makers.” Remarkably, 90% of their products are made to order in their Morgantown workroom, and 100% are domestically finished, providing a significant boost to the local economy.

Their catalog is also filled with unique designs, many of which stem from their partnerships with top designers like Larry Laslo (known for his innovative use of color, scale and proportion), Benjamin Johnston (a classic, curated, cool design esthetic), and Mary McDonald (based in California, with designs rooted in classic forms). Still, and perhaps most importantly, Chaddock is known for their “impeccable details and craftsmanship” and will tailor nearly any piece to meet your exact needs, while still ensuring that comfort and quality aren’t sacrificed.

*Photo credit: Chaddock Furniture Workroom*

Favorite Piece #1: Larkin Side Chair

This Larkin Side Chair is so comfortable, and it’s so easy to have fun with the upholstery as you can see from the floral fabric backing the chairs in our project below! The chairs are nestled around Chaddock’s Byron Table, too.

Favorite Piece #2: Ermes Dining Table

Pedestal tables offer great function with plenty of space for multiple chairs and no one gets stuck next to a leg! This Benjamin Johnston-designed table also offers beautiful form with its two halves of a large sphere playfully stacked to support the impressive wood top.

Favorite Piece #3: Studio C Custom Upholstery

Studio C is a “custom upholstery options program” at Chaddock. This convenient menu of design elements allows you to tailor the upholstery to your space.

CHARLESTON FORGE

Here is another great example of an American company willing to go the customization distance. Charleston Forge manufactures high-end steel, wood and upholstered furniture and is “highly regarded for its fashion-forward designs and its commitment to unrivaled quality...” On the fun side, there are so many options to choose from when working with Charleston Forge to create unique furniture pieces, including the glass, stone, upholstery and metal details, such as hammered metal.

We can easily tailor each of these items to fit homeowners needs. Each piece of furniture is one of a kind, and you can choose your preferred dimensions, colors and edging. Think tables, consoles, side tables, dining chairs and so much more!

“Manufacturing in the United States ensures superior quality, ethical labor practices, and sustainable sourcing. It also means quick and responsive customer service, shorter production times, and the ability to easily customize our products. It also supports local economies and skilled artisans who uphold our tradition of craftsmanship.”

- Charleston Forge

Their furniture is handmade in Boone, North Carolina, and the wood used is sustainability sourced from the surrounding Appalachian region. I appreciate that they’ve also set out a number of other sustainability commitments, including their promise to “use recycled steel to create our furniture and recycle any remaining scrap.”

Favorite Piece #1: Jasper Gathering Console

This piece is perfect for adding extra seating behind a sofa in a media room.

Favorite Piece #2: Amalie Bar Stool

I haven’t had a chance to use this yet, but I love the unique look and it’s super comfortable!

Favorite Piece #3: Spa Small Drink Table

This little table has great scale and adds just the needed function without taking up too much space. And the glass top is so distinctive.

GAT CREEK

Gat Creek has been one of my go-tos for casegoods since our earliest days in business. With a “contemporary simplified approach to traditional furniture forms,” they hand make furniture for homes. This includes solid-wood dining room, bedroom and living room furniture built in their Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, shop and through their domestic partners. I love that they are also one of their local county’s largest private employers.

Their furniture is built to customers’ exact specifications and uses sustainably harvested lumber from the Appalachian Hardwood Forest. Each piece feels like it was made with extra care when you see it is signed and dated by the artisan who builds it. Their furniture oozes heirloom vibes too as it is “handfinished in a careful board-by-board process to bring out its natural beauty.” When there is pride, there is quality. And once again, there are plenty of choices, with a selection of over 400 designs in a wide variety of wood tone and paint finishes.

Favorite Piece #1: Tomlin Media Cabinet

The shape is classic and timeless, while the details have been cleaned up just enough to make it feel more “current”. This is a perfect storage piece for a TV room.

Favorite Piece #2: Linea Lateral Storage Unit

The Linea Lateral Storage Unit is a perfect accent for behind a sofa, in a bedroom, or even in an entryway. The offset vertical divides give it a more modern edge. It’s also great for book storage or decor.

Favorite Piece #3: Oxford Desk

We love the lines of this piece and the versatility (above), and recently used it in an office project (below).

THE URBAN ELECTRIC COMPANY

*We recently featured Urban Electric in our monthly newsletter (visit casamillie.com and scroll down to the bottom to sign up!) Below is an excerpt…

When I was offered the chance to visit The Urban Electric Company’s factory in Charleston, South Carolina, post-COVID, I jumped at the opportunity. It isn’t often that we get to see artisans in action, and seeing such meticulous attention being paid to each piece of each fixture was incredible. There’s so much pride that goes into the work. The below passages go to the heart of what The Urban Electric Company represents.

Their Core: They have “...an uncompromising commitment to innovation and industry...fusing sophisticated design with impeccable craftsmanship in a way that’s relevant to our modern world and sustainable for generations to come…”

Original Design: Their pieces are “...Inspired by art, fashion, history, architecture and pop culture, each of our original designs is bench-made and hand-finished…using a blend of traditional and modern techniques…”

Heirloom Quality: Their products last because, “Our craftsman, artisans and engineers work hand-in-hand with each other to continuously improve our manufacturing processes. The result is impeccable craftsmanship using the finest materials and built to endure for generations…”

*Photo credit: The Urban Electric Company*

Favorite Piece #1: The Yves Hang

I’ve loved this fixture for as long as I can remember. It’s ideal in modern and transitional spaces and has just the right amount of edge to it. Perfect for a foyer/entryway, too!

Favorite Piece #2: The Chiltern Quad

The design is timeless and it’s spot-on for the larger kitchen islands we see in today’s home design. I’ve used it in multiple projects.

Favorite Piece #3: The Kronam

If there’s a client out there who likes this as much as I do, please let me install it. It is a work of art!

MORGAN PECK

I’ve been closely following L.A.-based ceramicist Morgan Pecks’ work for years. With a collection ranging from mirrors and lamps to sculptures and vases, her pottery is so eye-catching! All of her work is made in her backyard studio and made by hand without the assistance of molds. Her influences range from Bauhaus to Art Deco, with her own modern touch.

I’ve collected a few of her pieces and installed her pottery in clients' homes. It adds the perfect finishing touch!

Favorite Piece #1: Glassy Green Globe Vase

I used this piece in a recent project (below) and featured it on the end of the console table to add some warmth and character to the cool grays dominating the space.

Favorite Piece #2: Double Stretch Vase

I love Morgan Peck’s Double Stretch Vase so much I bought one for my own home. It’s “watertight and ready for flowers” and when in its full flower-filled glory often triggers compliments and questions from our visitors.

Cheers to you, and wishing you a safe, restful Fourth of July!

P.S. - If you're looking for more local inspiration and actionable advice, don't forget to sign up for our newsletter! Visit casamillie.com and scroll to the bottom for the sign-up prompt.

Made in the USA: Our Favorite American Companies for Home Goods of Every Kind