# 1

It was September 2016 & our current employer was moving in a different direction with their company. My husband, Nick, had an extensive background in refinishing & I had a long history of sales, social media & marketing. We thought about our options and the thing that made the most sense was to start our own business! And so it began...
 
We were pleasantly surprised (and overwhelmed) at how fast our business was growing! Not that we didn't think we would be successful; it all just happened so quickly! Before we knew it, our workshop was piled floor to ceiling with furniture to refinish for clients and for our inventory. We were full! It was time to start looking for a storefront. 
 
Our workshop is in Huntersville & we also live in Huntersville (super close to the Charlotte border). It was a Monday or Tuesday while running out for a bite to eat when we came across a sign on the back of a strip of buildings. All it said was "available" with a number. I called & made an appointment to see a building on Thursday- wasn't even sure which building but we had to start somewhere, right?! We pulled up to a strip of old brick buildings. The man meeting us there to show the building tells us that they are over 100 years old and part of the original Main Street in Huntersville – the railroad track runs right in front. The outside wasn’t the most inviting thing you have ever seen but as soon as we went inside we fell in love. Don't get me wrong - it needed some SERIOUS work but especially being in the line of work that we are, we saw the potential through the scary-ness. The high original pressed tin ceilings, exposed brick in the back, & cool story... We knew it was the building for us.
 
This building needed lots of love. LOTS OF LOVE. We started with a little (who am I kidding – I mean a lot of) cleaning & came up with a game plan. To brighten things up, we decided to go with white walls and a cement gray floor. Outside paint would be charcoal gray with black doors & trim. We started painting and soon realized these walls were thirsty. Like 20 gallons of paint thirsty. Of course I took pictures constantly during this process and the before & after pics are more fantastic than I even imagined they could be. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do!

 
Stay tuned for lots of fantastic-ness in our store & let us know if you need any furniture restoration help! We are very blessed & beyond thankful to be on this journey as business owners! I look forward to sharing regularly on our blog page. Let me know if there are things you would like to hear about!
 
-A