The sign read: Littlebranch Gallery. “I wonder what this might be….”- I thought to myself. The rustic, hand-carved artisanship of the sign intrigued me. With a string of cars behind me, I made a quick turn into the parking lot.
Much to my delight, I entered a showroom of beautifully crafted furniture, lighting, and home furnishings. Within seconds, I was greeted by Kelly Maxwell, the founder and driving force behind this all-American made brand.
With much pride, Kelly shared the history of Littlebranch Farm. Kelly’s story is that of the classic American entrepreneur. Achieving success at local craft fairs, he soon expanded into taking orders for custom-built items of furniture. Before long, a career in the medical field was exchanged for one of artistry. Walking into the attached warehouse/workshop, my eyes widened at the sight of the abundance of beautiful slabs of wood and tree limbs.
All of the materials are of sustainable harvest. Every collected tree has fallen due to Mother Nature’s accord. No senseless greedy cutting! This is true respect for the environment. I began to puff with pride, too, as I realized I had met another artisan of like mind. VALOR American Home’s family of artisans must practice sustainable manufacturing as well.
Littlebranch Farm’s product is fresh, very organic, and has a true “bespoke” nature to it. The tables feature a live-edge character which makes each piece unique to the tree from which it was made. The finishes are exquisite. Clean and rich. The depth of the wood is simply amazing. In an industry that has been plagued by inferior imports, this is pure gold. You could just sense the pride attached to each piece.
The style is multifaceted. Although the gallery exhibited the furnishings in a classic “lodge” environment consistent with a mountain or lakeside home, the pieces could be very striking paired with the most contemporary furnishings as well. Being an interior designer, my wheels began spinning! I could easily see such a style blend beautifully with the neo-transitional furnishings of VALOR.
Just as I thanked Kelly for his time and sharing his beautiful workmanship, I asked him if he had found his dream in life. He replied, “My dream found me”. As I left the gallery, I could only smile.
This was A Moment in America.
(Stunning Fine Art Courtesy of JK Gallery.)
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