Unusual choices are a common thread in the life of this insightful woman with big blue eyes who has fallen in love with Chinese and Tibetan furniture. She likes to say that these pieces are alive. “They have a soul,” she says with a smile.

She started out as model, and then started a newspaper with one of her brothers, all the while diligently learning how to fly a hot air balloon. In the process, she met Charles Dollfuss, the first European to cross the Atlantic in a blimp, the Graf Zeppelin. She then became a member of an airline’s flying personnel, slaking her thirst for travel on a daily basis. Then her dreams turned again towards Asia, whose presence infuses her furniture universe. Each piece is unique and deeply authentic. Not surprising, since it is Laurence herself who goes overseas to find them.

“I was raised in the middle of sumptuous furniture and I’ve always loved wood—it’s alive. Antique furniture pieces are always the most interesting, they’ve lived. It was during my many retreats and trips to Tibet that I started to create a network of acquaintances and learned Tibetan, it’s easier than Chinese. When I go there, I go from village to village, I meet people, and I come across magnificent pieces and furniture that they wouldn’t have shown to just anybody. When someone walks into my store, what interests me is having a dialogue with that person and telling them the story of the piece of furniture that they are interested in. Each piece is an encounter. I primarily show armoires and buffets, that’s the most frequent request. Some pieces are over 100 years old. Nothing comes from a factory, and for more recent pieces I have an in-house cabinet-maker who uses traditional methods and works exclusively with old wood. People often forget their bags in my store, coming back a few minutes later saying that our conversation made them daydream. It’s just because I like people. Would you like some more tea?”

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