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BEREA

Appalachian heritage and contemporary lines

Brian Boggs built his first ladderback chair in 1982 and launched a career spanning over thirty years. A blend of Appalachian heritage and contemporary lines, the Berea collection embodies relaxation and homestyle comfort. At once stylish and nostalgic, ladderback chairs, barstools and rockers fill a unique space in our environment.

Years of research into ergonomic engineering have brought a genuine comfort to the traditional beauty of our ladderback chair. The woven seats cushion you while the slatted backs support your lumbar. Additionally, the chair is designed to be sturdy but lightweight for easy movement.

Each of our chairs are handmade in Asheville, North Carolina, using our fine selection of hardwoods and a variety of colors of shaker tape.

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Custom Solid Wood Dining Furniture

LADDERBACK SIDE CHAIR

This iconic chair sets any traditional dining room apart with its supreme comfort and craftsmanship. Choose from a variety of wood species and shaker tape colors to create the perfect complement for your home.
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LADDERBACK ARM CHAIR

This stately arm chair, most commonly placed at the head of the table, is light weight and very sturdy for easy moving. As the perfect companion to our ladderback side chair it shares in elegance and comfort.
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LADDERBACK BAR STOOL

In search for the perfect bar stool for either your counter or bar, our ladderback bar stool is made to order to fit your specific space.
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LADDERBACK ROCKING CHAIR

Not many pieces of furniture are as memorable as the iconic rocking chair. Subconscious memories of the rhythmic rocking as a child stay with us through adulthood and come back to us as soon as we sit in a flawlessly balanced one. Built to order and customized to fit. Come try this one.
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Testimonials

"We purchased six chairs from Brian in the early ’90s and they have been a pleasure to us daily. We have always found that one can sit in them comfortably for hours after dinner and the living room couches do not offer more comfortable seating. This always amazes us and we cherish them and the many memories of long hours with friends around the table on them. They have had no special care and are as robust and solid as the day we brought them home. Even at today’s increased prices we look forward to getting more chairs to match now that we feel able to do so."
Lynn Johnson
Lynn JohnsonBerea Ladderback Dining Chairs
"Our second Brian Boggs chair and another pure delight. The workmanship is superb (special thanks to Stephen James Zbornik for this) and the support it provides is a constant source of delight and astonishment – how do these craftsmen make a chair which fits so many differently-sized bodies so superbly? Problems? Yes, a couple. Firstly, one of these is not enough! Everyone is competing to use it – even our dogs seem determined to get in there. Secondly, my wife wants her own. Sadly, that is a wish which is competing with our desire for a dining table and more side chairs from Brian Boggs and his colleagues. We wish Brian and Melanie many more customers – we are certain that they will be as satisfied as we are. "
Karen and Benedict Sarnaker
Karen and Benedict SarnakerBerea Ladderback Rocking Chair
"Dear Brian: Just a note to let you know how much we are enjoying the chairs you made. They’re beautifully designed and, equally important, extremely comfortable. Like most classic designs, they fit in well with the furniture in our living room. They’re neat to have."
Paul Roman, Founder, Taunton Press
Paul Roman, Founder, Taunton PressBerea Ladderaback Side Chairs
"Now that I’ve had a chance to use the chair a while and to examine it closely, I need to congratulate you on a superb job of building it. Your attention to detail couldn’t be better. Fantastic joinery, super detailing and a great finish."
Roger K.
Roger K.Berea Ladderback Side Chairs
"We recently replaced our dining room chairs with the Classic Ladderbacks. I couldn’t be happier. They not only look elegant around the table, they actually fit our body. I didn’t know you could be comfortable in a dining chair but this design proves it. Thank you for your attention to detail."
Jane EudyBerea Ladderback Side Chairs
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Wood Species & Shaker Tape Options

While cherry remains the favorite option for most of our clientele, we build our ladderback chairs using any of our hardwood species. These include black walnut, Honduran mahogany, black cherry, maple, oak and ash.

Shaker tape comes in various colors to match any décor.

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Sustainability

We work with hardwoods which are sourced from sustainably managed forests. The majority comes from our region, including the occasional tree from property owned by one of our craftsmen. The lone exception to our regional sources is our Honduran mahogany, sustainably sourced from a trio of sawyer cooperatives in Honduras in association with Madera Verde and Greenwood.

FAQ's

Can I use one of your ladderback chairs on my porch?

Our ladderback chairs are designed and built exclusively for indoor use. Sturdy but light, these chairs can be blown away by a strong wind.

How long until I can receive my ladderback chair?

Currently, the lead time is five to six months from the placement of your order.

Do you ever use hickory bark for weaving the seats?

In the past, Brian’s chair design included a woven bark seat. However, his design now calls exclusively for shaker tape and we no longer offer a woven bark option.

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