Our history
The most enduring legacies often arise from life’s simplest needs. Jeff Thurston, founder and owner, shares the story of how Thurston became one of Vermont’s well loved furniture brands.
For Thurston, it all began in 1960. When my mother, pregnant with me, asked my father to make her a footstool. My father’s passion found a new direction. Guided by love and practicality, he poured his heart into that first piece. It wasn’t merely a footstool; it was the beginning of a legacy that has shaped who I am and one I hope to pass down to my children.
My parents began by selling their handmade stools under the name “Furniture by Thurston” at local craft shows. A small advertisement placed in Yankee Magazine truly ignited their success. As demand grew, we moved to more extensive workshops, eventually settling into the current location in Forestdale, VT.
By the early 1970s, we supplied bedroom sets to Workbench stores in New York City, colleges, and military bases worldwide. In 1976, the name was changed to “New England Woodcraft.”
Ever since I was old enough to sweep the floor, I have been involved with every aspect of making high-quality wood furniture. After school, I joined the family business full-time, working on production, sales, and product design.
In 2003, I launched Thurston as a third leg of the stool, serving the retail market and returning to my roots. We soon began selling to several local Vermont retailers and, within one year, expanded to the Boston Market. In 2010, we moved into our 33,000-square-foot building located in Brandon, VT.
Our craftsmen produce the highest-quality furniture with their expertise and commitment to detail and quality. Thurston uses sustainably harvested North American hardwoods carefully selected for their unique character. Our craftsmen blend time-honored techniques with modern innovations, creating furniture built to last a lifetime.
By 2013, Thurston embraced direct-to-consumer sales, offering our Vermont-made artisan furniture straight from our workshop directly to your home.
From the time I was old enough to sweep the floors, I learned the craft and dedication it takes to turn wood into something meaningful. Discover Thurston and find the perfect Vermont-made furniture piece to add to your story.
