About Us

Farooq Kathwari Portrait

Welcome to the unique combination of personal service and technology that sets Ethan Allen apart.

Read a message from our Chairman >

a legacy of
QUALITY & INNOVATION

1932

in the beginning

Nat Ancell

Nat Ancell and Ted Baumritter found a housewares sales agency in 1932. They sell plaster gnomes, trellises, and garden swings—all made by someone else.

Ted Baumritter

1935

viva vermont

Wood worker in 1935 fall in the hills of Vermont

Determined to take control of their destiny, Nat and Ted purchase a bankrupt sawmill for $25,000 and start manufacturing home furnishings. “We fell hopelessly in love with Vermont and with what New England represents historically.“

Beecher Falls Factory

1939

a style is born

Ethan Allen statue

At the 1939 Chicago Housewares Show, we debut a 28-piece line of colonial-style furniture. It’s named for a son of Vermont and an American hero: Ethan Allen.

1940s

innovation instigated

1940s Ethan Allen bedroom

No more one-and-done furniture intros; we invent “open stock” furniture styles. Even when some of our furniture is discontinued, new pieces are made in finishes that play well with existing styles.

1940s Ethan Allen dresser

1950s

one million and counting

Eisenhower Chest

Growing rapidly, we expand our operations to include three sawmills and eleven manufacturing plants. We create our millionth piece of furniture—a beautiful chest crafted from solid maple—and present it to President Eisenhower.

1950s Ethan Allen collections

1960s

name it, claim it

1960s Ethan Allen logo

We officially change our company name to Ethan Allen in 1969, and we begin marketing directly to consumers rather than to furniture retailers.

1960s Ethan Allen living room

1970s

deal me in

1970s Design Center

The Ethan Allen Showcase Gallery concept gives independent furniture dealers a recognizable storefront supported by the Ethan Allen name—and brings our complimentary design service front and center.

1970s ad

1980s

bold moves

Farooq 1980s

Farooq Kathwari becomes Chairman, President and CEO. To ensure that Ethan Allen can control its own destiny, he leads a management buyout and takes the company private in 1989.

1980s sofa

1990s

modern makeover

1990s Design Center

We reinvent our entire furniture line, stepping away from our colonial origins and embracing fresh looks. With our new priorities firmly in place, we once again return to trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

1990s magazines

2000s

we're an American brand

2000s factory

As many American manufacturers outsource production internationally, we firmly commit to the skills of our American workers. We invest in new technology and state-of-the-art equipment throughout our manufacturing facilities, continuing to make about 75% of our products in our North American workshops.

2000s dining room

2010s

for the home we all share

We take our place as a world leader in environmentally responsible manufacturing. We also establish our corporate social responsibility vision, ensuring all who work with and for us are treated with respect.

2010s bedroom
beautiful waterfall

2020s and beyond

We design it. We craft it. We deliver it.

earth in a water drop

We’ve embraced 21st-century technology, like laser-guided tools and 3D design software, but some things will never change: the pride and the passion that we have poured into our craft for nine decades, and our ever-innovative journey of American style.

2020s living room

exceptional craftsmanship

almost a century in the making

See the quality behind our craftsmanship >

see what its like to

work with an interior designer

Discover our complimentary interior design service >