If you were to walk into my home today, you’d find a very specific, slightly worn pillowcase tucked away in the top drawer of my dresser. It bears the initials JWP: my maiden monogram. My mother bought it for me before college, and it has followed me through dorm rooms, first apartments, and decades of marriage. It’s my "nursing home" pillowcase (I joke, but only halfway!) because it is a piece of my history that I simply will never part with.
There is something about a monogram that anchors a person. It says, "I was here, I belonged to this family, and this story is mine."
I’ve always loved a good monogram. But I never imagined that this lifelong love would lead me to start a furniture company at the age of 65. It sounds a bit crazy when I say it out loud: and trust me, my husband thought so too at first, but looking back at the journey of J. Wilkinson Chair Company, I realize it wasn't a choice. It was a calling to celebrate the things that matter most.
A Personal Note: The Christmas Gift that Changed Everything
The real story of J. Wilkinson didn't start in a boardroom. It started at home, with a bit of vision and a stubborn streak.
A few years ago, I realized that my daughters, Anne and Jane, and my daughter-in-law, Katie, were reaching a stage where they were building their own beautiful homes. My husband and I wanted to pass down some of our family furniture, the "brown furniture," as the kids call it, but I noticed they didn't really have a place for it. It was a little too "old-fashioned" for their bright, modern lives.
But I also didn’t want to let those family pieces be forgotten.
For Christmas, I decided to take three old family dining chairs and give them a complete makeover. I stripped away the dark finishes and replaced the dated floral needlepoint with a crisp, neutral linen. But the finishing touch, the part that made my heart skip, was the beautiful, traditional monogram I had embroidered onto the backrest.
I’ll be honest, part of the reason I put their initials on those chairs was so they couldn't give them back or throw them away! But luckily when they opened those gifts on Christmas morning, they didn’t just like them, they went absolutely nuts over them. They saw the history, but they also saw themselves in the design. Anne turned to me and said, "Mom, you should sell these."
Why I Chose to Start at Sixty-Five
Starting a business in your mid sixties isn't exactly the "quiet retirement" most people plan for. But I just couldn't shake the idea of sharing these monogrammed pieces with the world.
I wanted to create something that felt like a bridge between generations. We all want our homes to feel fresh and current, but we also crave the soul and character that only comes from past generations. I wanted to pair elegant, timeless wood with modern, artfully woven fabrics to create custom embroidered chairs that people would actually use and love.
I chose the name J. Wilkinson as a nod to that college pillowcase and my maiden name. It’s a reminder of where my story began and where it’s going. Revel in the process, I told myself. And so, in 2019, we officially launched. It has been a whirlwind of fabric swatches, wood finishes, and the most delightful conversations with families across the country.
Building Heirlooms for the Littlest Ones
One of my favorite memories from this journey happened in 2017, just before we officially opened our doors. I decided to make chairs for my granddaughters: Kate, who was nine at the time; Blair, who was four; and little Emily, who was just three weeks old.
Seeing those three chairs lined up, each with a unique monogram for a girl at a different stage of her life, brought tears to my eyes. Emily was too small to even sit in hers, but I knew she’d grow into it, and that one day she’ll look at that monogram and know it was made just for her by her grandmother. That is the power of monogrammed furniture. It’s a gift for the future.
Our Mission: Create, Gather, Revel
At J. Wilkinson Chair Company, we aren't just selling seating. We are helping you celebrate your family's unique story. Whether it’s a set of bespoke seating for your dining room or a single statement piece for a nursery, we believe every home deserves an heirloom.
We focus on:
- Legacy Craftsmanship: Pieces built to span generations.
- Bespoke Personalization: Your initials, your story, your style.
- Fresh Nostalgia: Traditional forms met with modern sensibilities.
My older daughter, Anne, is now our Director of Marketing (and our resident taskmaster — trust me, she keeps me on my toes!), and together, we are dedicated to helping you find that perfect piece.
Join Our Family Story
It is never too late to start something new, and it is never too early to start thinking about the pieces you’ll pass down to your own children and grandchildren. If you’re a homeowner looking for a way to celebrate your heritage, take a peek at our current collections.
And If you’re a designer looking for that perfect, personalized touch for a client, I invite you to explore our To the Trade program.
Create a home that tells your story.
Gather the ones you love most.
Revel in the beauty of a life well-lived.
With love and monograms,
