Early in 1960, Douglas R. Dimes became fascinated with the furniture designs of 18th century craftsmen, so he studied period furniture in museums and books, and with no experience and few tools, he began to make Windsor chairs. He made and sold chairs for 14 years before leaving his full time job in 1976 to form and incorporate his present company. Thomas Lavigne, now Vice-President and General Manager, was his first employee/apprentice and was hired in 1968, while Dimes’ son, Douglas P. Dimes has joined the company more recently as Marketing Director.

Many of these chairs and pieces are offered in his "Branded Reproductions" and "Benchmark Collection" catalogs. For thirty plus years, the Whippoorwill has put authentic design and excellence of craftsmanship ahead of sales, profit and growth. He still makes all of his furniture in the old manner, for instance, steam bending chair bows and fans and hand carving ears and knuckles. Seats are carved from Eastern white pine, the bendings are oak and the leg turnings are maple. The Dimes’ Windsors are amazingly comfortable and functional. The first American Windsors date between 1730-1740 in Philadelphia, the distinctive style of the Colonial craftsmen resulting in a lighter weight, more flexible chair. In the early 1980’s, customers’ requests for tables and cabinets equal to his signature chairs led Dimes to further study and mastery in multiple forms of furniture production, demanding enlargement of his shop as well. His philosophy of continuous improvement has resulted in the availability of a large selection of useful, truly beautiful, historically accurate reproduction furniture.

The Whippoorwill has been a retailer since the mid-1980’s and offers the "Branded Reproductions" and "Benchmark Collection" furniture.

The "Branded Reproductions" catalog offers furniture with a variety of wood species, including pine, cherry and tiger maple. Pine tops are hand planed, while hard wood tops are scraped, most table bases being maple for strength. Mortise and tenon and pegged joint construction is utilized. Generally, furniture is not excessively distressed (aged), although some pieces are offered with mild distressing. Stains and plain and crackle paint finishes with wear, (unless otherwise specified), allow the reproductions to blend well with fine antiques. As time passed, Dimes’ design selection broadened from New England to include furniture "native" to New York, Pennsylvania and Canada.

Dimes’ "Benchmark Collection" is a line of finely crafted cherry and tiger maple Country Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture which is true to its’ heritage. Construction details such as dovetail joints, hand planing, shell carving and hand shaping cabriole legs are time-consuming details requiring considerable effort and skill, making a "Benchmark" piece an investment that will last longer than a lifetime.

We will be happy to explore your furniture needs with you and assist you in any way we can.

Sincerely,
Carolyn