It's Time to Rediscover French Heritage

It's time to rediscover French Heritage. A fashion forward, environmentally conscience, european influenced furniture atelier that everybody should know about. I was SO excited to be sponsored by French Heritage for the spring Highpoint Furniture Market. I have to admit that in my ten years of traveling to Highpoint, N.C., I shamefully missed this amazing showroom which is tucked away off the main drag on 1638 English Road. 

We had the pleasure of a personal tour of the showroom by co-founder Henessy Wayser and Gary Edge, V.P. of Sales and Merchandising. Henessy pointed out to us that the goal of French Heritage is to create products that encourage "creative disruption" in a space. Passionate and emotional creativity at French Heritage leads to breaking the rules in the products they create.  This approach really spoke to me because I couldn't agree more that the best designs are born when people are not restricted by rules, categories and trends. 

Take for example the Elliant bookcase in aged oak with a black finish. So handsome I just stood and stared.

Admittedly, I had a vision in my head that French Heritage only sold heavy, drippy French furniture that my grandmother would love.  I stand corrected - French Heritage offers four categories of furniture that were all AMAZING.  

Let's drool over the Jacqueline chest in yellow lacquer with a zinc finish top (even the inside of the drawers are lacquered yellow - it's all in the details my friends).  This piece is part of the Avenue collection.  The Avenue collection is made in Europe and is totally customizable with a CAD drawing provided within 72 hours (just think of the possibilities!). Each piece is bench made in Europe, hand finished with all hardware in sand cast brass. 

Another favorite of mine is the Garden Party Table from the Maison collection. The Maison Collection is manufactured in Asia (mostly Indonesia) and is in stock in multiple finishes. So all you designers out there - if you can't wait 16-18 weeks for a customized, original piece and need a lower price point,  here's another option for you. Each product is still hand finished with the same quality hardware. 

New to the Maison collection is a table that I am ordering for myself. I'm so in love with the new Parquetry Dining Table.

Look at the artistry of this hand finished top.

Details like this hardware caught our eye every step of the way through the showroom.

The mechanism of this table was impressive - the table smoothly extended with one hand.

Another impressive note about French Heritage is that each of their wood pieces are forestry certified.  French Heritage has partnered with  Trees4Trees in Indonesia to help fund the replacement of wood consumed in the production of their products.

The Salon collection is French Heritage's upholstery collection. Each piece is bench made in North Carolina of solid wood and 8-way hand tied construction. Special designer note: each frame is exclusive to French Heritage, imported from Asia but hand finished and upholstered in North Carolina. The hand finishing makes a HUGE difference in the appearance of each piece. 

Of course we tested many and they were VERY comfortable!

While in Highpoint this market, we went to the opening Gala party of the Junior League of Highpoint Showhouse. Our friend Lisa Mende designed the kitchen and dining area. Lisa featured French Heritage's Sornin Dining Table in her space. The table is from the Urban collection and had a mid century vibe that mixed well with the contemporary design.

Our friend Kara Cox of Kara Cox Interiors cleverly designed the small upstairs dressing room featuring a customized blue chair by French Heritage. 

Photo courtesy of Kara Cox 

Seeing the beautiful French Heritage products in the showhouse reminded me of Henessy's mention of "creative disruption". Inserting pieces like these into a design makes you stop and take notice when you walk into the space.

I will definitely keep you updated on French Heritage as we incorporate these beautiful products into our designs. 

You can follow French Heritage on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

Thank you Henessy, Gary and the team at French Heritage for your wonderful hospitality!  ox Kelly