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Stickley Furniture in Knoxville, Tennessee
Over 120 years of American craftsmanship, built with mortise-and-tenon joinery and quartersawn white oak. Come see and feel the difference at Braden’s showroom in Knoxville.
Over 120 Years of American Craftsmanship
Gustav Stickley didn’t just start a furniture company in 1900—he started a movement. Working out of Syracuse, New York, Stickley rejected the ornate, machine-made Victorian furniture of his era and championed something radically different: honest construction, natural materials, and designs that let the beauty of the wood speak for itself. He called it the Craftsman style, founded The Craftsman magazine to spread the philosophy, and built furniture with the kind of joinery that had been used for centuries but was rapidly disappearing from American workshops.
More than 120 years later, Stickley is still building furniture the same way. Their factory in Manlius, New York uses real mortise-and-tenon joinery—the same joints Gustav insisted on—at every critical connection point. They hand-select quartersawn white oak for its distinctive ray flake pattern and dimensional stability. Finishes are applied by hand in multiple steps, sanded between coats, and inspected at every stage. Each piece is signed by the craftsman who built it. In an industry that’s moved almost entirely to engineered materials and machine assembly, Stickley is one of the last standing.
At Braden’s, we’ve been proud to carry Stickley for years. We know the line inside and out, and we love helping customers understand what makes these pieces different. Whether you’re drawn to the original Mission collection, the clean lines of Stickley Modern, or their Fine Upholstery program, you’re getting furniture that’s built to be handed down—not replaced. Come see it in person at our Knoxville showroom. Once you feel the weight of a Stickley drawer and see the way light plays across quartersawn oak, you’ll understand why people have been choosing this furniture for over a century.
Built the Way Furniture Was Meant to Be Built
Stickley’s construction methods haven’t changed much since 1900—and that’s entirely the point. While the rest of the industry moved to particleboard, cam locks, and spray-on finishes, Stickley kept doing things the hard way. Every joint is a real joint. Every board is solid hardwood. Every finish is built up by hand. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Mortise-and-Tenon Joinery
Stickley still builds furniture the way Gustav intended—with real mortise-and-tenon joinery at every critical joint. This is the same technique that’s held timber-frame barns together for centuries, and it’s one of the reasons a Stickley piece can outlast just about anything else in your home. Each joint is cut, fitted, and assembled by hand. No dowels, no cam locks, no shortcuts. It takes longer, but the result is a joint that actually gets stronger over time as the wood settles.
Quartersawn White Oak
Quartersawn white oak is Stickley’s signature material and the defining wood of the Arts & Crafts movement. The quartersawing process cuts the log radially rather than tangentially, revealing the distinctive ray flake pattern that gives Mission furniture its character. It also makes the wood more dimensionally stable—less likely to warp, cup, or twist over time. Stickley selects and grades every board by hand, matching grain patterns across panels so each piece has a cohesive, natural look.
Hand-Applied Finishes
A Stickley finish isn’t sprayed on in one pass. Each piece goes through a multi-step hand-applied process that builds depth and warmth into the wood. Stains are wiped on by hand to control penetration and highlight the grain. Multiple coats of catalyzed finish are applied, hand-sanded between layers, and inspected at every stage. The result is a surface with real visual depth—you can see into the wood, not just at it. It’s a finish that protects the piece for generations while letting the natural beauty of the material come through.
Stickley Collections at Bradens
From the original Mission designs through Hudson Valley, Walnut Grove, and the full contemporary line, Stickley offers 16 collections of American-made solid-wood furniture. Browse a collection, or come see them in person at our Knoxville showroom.
Why Buy Stickley at Braden’s?
- Authorized Stickley dealer — the largest selection in East Tennessee
- Try before you buy — sit in, touch, and compare pieces in our showroom
- Expert guidance — staff who knows the full Stickley line inside and out
- Custom ordering — access the full Stickley catalog with custom wood and finish options
- 12-month financing — flexible payment options to fit your budget
- White-glove delivery — professional in-home delivery and setup
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Stickley furniture made?
Stickley furniture is proudly made in America. Their primary manufacturing facility is in Manlius, New York, just outside Syracuse—where the company has been based since the early 1900s. They also operate a production facility in Archbald, Pennsylvania. Every piece is built by skilled American craftsmen using traditional joinery methods, and each piece is signed by the craftsman who built it.
What wood does Stickley use?
Stickley is best known for quartersawn white oak, which is the signature wood of their Mission and Craftsman collections. The quartersawing technique reveals a distinctive ray flake pattern and creates an exceptionally stable board. They also build extensively in solid cherry and walnut, depending on the collection. Every board is hand-selected and graded to ensure consistent quality and beautiful grain matching across each piece.
Is Stickley furniture worth the investment?
In a word, yes. Stickley furniture is built to be handed down, not replaced. Their mortise-and-tenon joinery, solid hardwood construction, and hand-applied finishes create pieces that hold up through decades of daily use—and actually improve with age as the wood develops a richer patina. When you factor in the longevity (we’re talking 50+ years of regular use), the cost per year is often less than furniture you’d need to replace every 10 years. It’s an investment in quality that pays for itself over time.
Where can I buy Stickley furniture in Knoxville?
Braden’s is an authorized Stickley dealer serving the Knoxville, Tennessee area. You can see and experience Stickley furniture in person at our showroom at 11105 Turkey Drive in Knoxville. We carry a wide selection of their Mission, Modern, and Fine Upholstery collections, and our team can help you explore the full catalog and place custom orders with your choice of wood species, stain, and finish. We also have a location in Maryville for your convenience.
Experience Stickley in Knoxville
There’s something about Stickley furniture that you just can’t get from a screen. The heft of a quartersawn oak table. The way a hand-applied finish catches the light. The satisfying precision of a dovetail drawer sliding closed. Stop by our Knoxville showroom and spend some time with these pieces. Pull open a drawer, run your hand along the grain, sit in a Mission rocker. Our team knows the full Stickley line and can help you find the perfect piece—or walk you through the custom ordering process if you want something built to your exact specifications.
Knoxville Showroom
11105 Turkey Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934
Mon–Sat 10am–7pm
(Tue–Thu until 6pm)
Maryville Location
119 Airbag Way
Maryville, TN
Select models on display
Est in 1956
With nearly seven decades of experience, we’ve built our name on craftsmanship, care, and a deep understanding of what makes a house feel like home.
Designed for Life
We choose every piece for its lasting quality, timeless style, and ability to bring comfort and character to everyday living.
People first, always
From the way we design to the way we serve, we put people at the heart of everything we do.