On Friday, June 26th, the furniture world lost a real rising star.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Christian McCreary, founder of Tru Designs, based in Conover, NC. We mentioned Christian to you in our May 6th High Point follow-up blog post.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Christian McCreary, founder of Tru Designs, based in Conover, NC. We mentioned Christian to you in our May 6th High Point follow-up blog post.
Christian was the son of talented & sharp upholstery manufacturer Bob McCreary, founder of McCreary Modern, a well-respected line that LaDiff has enjoyed representing for over 25 years.
Christian 'cut his teeth' in furniture manufacturing with his dad's business, then took it to a new level with Tru Designs. Tru's pieces were inspired by Italian and European seating but were made in the USA (and, frankly, were much more comfortable!).
With the help of mentors like Joe Johnston of Johnston Casuals and veteran seamstresses and welders who came out of retirement to get him started, Christian was developing a manufacturing process in the United States that was innovative and new. He was especially proud of his 100" long sofa with a solid steel frame that required NO center leg support ... in the furniture world, that is an amazing feat!
Christian was only 37 years old.
He was truly a rising star.
We'll miss his ingenuity, his ambition, his talent... and him.
post script: Christian went to Randolph Macon College in nearby Ashland, VA. We first met him over 15 years ago when he walked into LaDiff (in our former Tobacco Row location) with a friend who was sofa shopping. Sure enough, he sold his friend on a McCreary Modern sofa right on the spot.
great blog......thanks!!
ReplyDeleteSteve
Christian and I were Childhood friends ... We've shopped at LaDiff for our companies chairs in the past ... its a tiny, tiny, world and I never knew that Christian had made it to Richmond from time to time. Last I saw him was 10 years ago in Charlotte. We, sadly, lost touch throughout the years, I remembered him fondly. He was a good guy. God bless him and his family ... May he rest in peace and enjoy running with his childhood German Shepperd, Kara.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you, Christian.
Thanks for posting this. Many of his fraternity brothers from R-MC still live in the Richmond area. I have forwarded this tribute to them. We are truly saddened to have lost Christian. He will be missed by many!
ReplyDeleteI'm touched that you all have commented to this blog about Christian, and I will pass your thoughts on to his family. - stp
ReplyDeleteI only worked with Christian for the April 2009 Market, which was the first High Point Market for Tru Design. I was inspired by his passion and creativity. I am truly sorry that I won't be able to share advice and ideas with Christian for his showroom at 220 Elm for the upcoming October Market.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences to the McCreary Family.
Sincerely,
Heinz Kattenfeld
christian, you were an angel who came into my life when i needed you most. if not for you and one random evening of conversation, i would still be lost. my soulmate finally found me and strangely enough, he had been living on the coast of north carolina. synchronicity brought you into my life and i will never forget you.
ReplyDelete