To borrow a quote from Louis Nizer:
That is what we discovered upon our recent trip to Richmond, Virginia.
As part of the 2019 Fall Designer Retreat, we had the opportunity to spend some quality time with McKinnon and Harris, a luxury furniture company specializing in high performance aluminum furniture for estates, gardens and yachts. These custom pieces are never mass produced. Committed to creating furniture of exacting standards and timeless design, they hand-craft at every stage so that the pieces are truly unique and can remain outdoors year-round…. guaranteed.
The two-day retreat held many memorable visits, including a tour of the workshop within the Richmond headquarters where we learned the details behind the craft. Interestingly, the coating treatment offers the highest level of corrosion resistance – even when left under water! Both the showroom and warehouse were stunning. Having been completely remodeled in 2017, they are located in an old factory building in Scott’s Addition, an historic neighborhood in the heart of Richmond.
The showroom itself was bright and airy, and the workshop meticulously clean and organized. We had the chance to see up close how the pieces are crafted by hand.
After having dinner with William McKinnon Massie, Jr. and Annie Harris Massie in their lovely home, we learned how family-focused this company is. Many of the craftspeople employed by the company have been with them for decades. They are true artists who spend years becoming masters at this craft. They focus on the little but essential design details for the most discerning clients.
In addition to the showroom and workshop tours, we had the opportunity to visit some of the local sites. Walking the Westover Plantation and the Virginia House, followed by a tour of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, we were able to appreciate the glimpse into Richmond’s artistic community.
We invite you to check out their latest designs and see what true craftsmanship is about.
