LauralCreek

Our Story

"Out on a Limb"
The furniture industry crashed, I was out of a job I loved as were many. I was working for Holiday Inn at night as a manager and had been since 1977. I started creating pastry delights for added income, when I was approached by "Elegant Bride Magazine" to do a spread in the Spring issue. From there Gary (my best friend) and myself started "Creation of Distinction Bakery" in 1984. That lead to floral Wedding design's, and I drifted from pastry. Closing the Bakery in 1996.
I resorted to selling my Paintings on consignment for income. There are not a lot of jobs for untrained Artist. In 1998 a Business women saw and purchased one of my wall hangings and my world changed again. With the proceeds from that sell I opened "Willow Branch" in Asheville, NC.
I had always considered myself a Renaissance man. When the opportunity came I ask my long time friend Gary if he was interested. He left his job and we opened Willow Branch. It was a design concept, with the store acting as a showroom for Louie's talents. This is where LauralCreek was born. The result an eclectic showcase for antique furniture, stained glass, paintings, tromp-l'oeil, custom floral, and vintage clothing. I have a since of wonderment about antique or vintage items, like who owned it what was there like like? I did some work for a local farmer, instead of pay he gave me this hutch I admired, it was the focal point in our shop. We sold the hutch circa 1760 for $16,000.00. Later we saw it on Antiques road Show valued at $230,000.00. That piece in its 300 year life has made many people happy and am sure it will in the future. As we hope all our items do.
If you could lay me out on a piece of paper this concept would be me. Stepping into the shop you immediately get the fill this was a different kind of shop. Every item was lovingly placed and arranged in vignettes so you could imagine them in your home or office. Vases and baskets filled with colored floral arrangements, as well as wreaths that accent the diverse furnishings, and glorious vintage decor. This shop was a gift and we intended to use it, and use it we did. I am a traditionalist myself but I will create what ever you want.
We drove 1 hour there and 1 hour home everyday for 7 years, and found it a labor of love. In return my art work was featured on Biltmore Forest Homes on Parade. Showcased in 3 Museums, Government Buildings and numerous written articles. I now work from my home here in the Foothills of the beautiful NC. mountains. I could not be happier with my life..