About Willow Creek Furnishings

Crafting Heirloom-Quality Furniture in the Heart of Asheville, North Carolina

Our Story

Willow Creek Furnishings began as a small, passionate endeavor in a humble Asheville workshop back in 1988. Founded by master craftsman, Ethan Blackwood, and his wife, Clara Blackwood, the company's mission was simple: to create exquisitely handcrafted furniture that would stand the test of time, both in durability and design. Ethan, a graduate of the renowned Appalachian Center for Craft, brought his years of experience and unparalleled attention to detail, while Clara, with her keen eye for design and business acumen, ensured the company's success.

Initially, Willow Creek Furnishings focused on crafting custom pieces for local residents and businesses in the Asheville area. Word of mouth spread quickly, and soon, the demand for their exceptional craftsmanship grew beyond their wildest expectations. They expanded their workshop, hired a team of talented artisans, and began to offer a curated collection of furniture designs alongside their custom creations.

Today, Willow Creek Furnishings remains a family-owned and operated business, deeply rooted in the traditions of fine woodworking. While the company has grown, its core values and commitment to quality have never wavered. Every piece of furniture that leaves their workshop is a testament to their dedication to craftsmanship, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Our Core Values

Craftsmanship: We are passionate about the art of woodworking and committed to producing furniture of exceptional quality. Our artisans undergo rigorous training and possess a deep understanding of traditional techniques, ensuring that every piece is crafted with precision and care.

Sustainability: We are committed to environmental responsibility. We source our lumber from sustainably managed forests in the Appalachian region, minimizing our impact on the environment. We also utilize eco-friendly finishes and strive to reduce waste throughout our production process.

Integrity: We believe in honesty, transparency, and ethical business practices. We are committed to building lasting relationships with our customers, suppliers, and employees based on trust and mutual respect.

Innovation: While we honor traditional woodworking techniques, we also embrace innovation. We are constantly exploring new designs, materials, and processes to enhance the quality and functionality of our furniture. We strive to create pieces that are both timeless and contemporary.

Customer Satisfaction: Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring that every customer is completely satisfied with their purchase. We offer personalized consultations, custom design services, and a comprehensive warranty on all of our furniture.

Our Production Process

At Willow Creek Furnishings, we take pride in our meticulous production process, which combines time-honored woodworking techniques with modern technology. Each piece of furniture is carefully handcrafted by our skilled artisans, ensuring exceptional quality and attention to detail.

1. Lumber Selection: We begin by carefully selecting the finest hardwoods from sustainably managed forests in the Appalachian region. Our experienced lumber graders hand-pick each board, ensuring it meets our strict standards for grain, color, and quality. We primarily use hardwoods like Appalachian Cherry, Black Walnut, and Sugar Maple due to their beauty and workability.
2. Kiln Drying: The selected lumber is then carefully kiln-dried to reduce its moisture content and ensure stability. This crucial step prevents warping, cracking, and other issues that can arise from using improperly dried wood. Our state-of-the-art kilns are meticulously monitored to ensure optimal drying conditions.
3. Milling and Shaping: Once the lumber is dried, it is milled and shaped to the precise dimensions required for each piece of furniture. Our skilled machinists use a combination of traditional hand tools and modern machinery to create the various components, paying close attention to detail and ensuring accurate measurements.
4. Assembly: The individual components are then carefully assembled by our experienced woodworkers. We use a variety of traditional joinery techniques, such as mortise-and-tenon, dovetail, and rabbet joints, to create strong, durable connections that will last for generations.
5. Finishing: After assembly, the furniture is meticulously sanded and prepared for finishing. We use only the highest quality, eco-friendly finishes to protect the wood and enhance its natural beauty. Our finishing process involves multiple coats of stain, sealant, and topcoat, each carefully applied and buffed to a smooth, lustrous finish.
6. Quality Control: Before leaving our workshop, each piece of furniture undergoes a rigorous quality control inspection. Our experienced inspectors carefully examine every detail, ensuring that it meets our strict standards for craftsmanship, durability, and finish. Only pieces that pass this inspection are deemed worthy of bearing the Willow Creek Furnishings name.

Our Commitment to Quality and Craftsmanship

At Willow Creek Furnishings, our commitment to quality and craftsmanship is unwavering. We believe that furniture should be more than just functional; it should be a work of art, a statement of style, and a source of lasting enjoyment.

We stand behind every piece of furniture we create, offering a comprehensive warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. We are confident that our furniture will provide years of reliable service and become cherished heirlooms for generations to come.

We are also deeply committed to supporting our local community. We partner with local schools and organizations to provide educational opportunities and promote the art of woodworking. We believe that by investing in the next generation of artisans, we can ensure that the traditions of fine woodworking will continue to thrive.

We are proud to be a part of the Asheville community and are grateful for the support of our customers, employees, and suppliers. We are committed to continuing to provide exceptional furniture and service for many years to come.

Meet the Team

Portrait of Ethan Blackwood, founder and master craftsman of Willow Creek Furnishings

Ethan Blackwood

Founder & Master Craftsman

Portrait of Clara Blackwood, co-founder and head of design at Willow Creek Furnishings

Clara Blackwood

Co-Founder & Head of Design

Portrait of Elias Thorne, lead artisan at Willow Creek Furnishings

Elias Thorne

Lead Artisan