SMA members and industry professionals recently gathered for The Heirloom Companies Shop Tour, an experience that extended beyond the shop floor and into some of the most inspiring architectural spaces in the Asheville area.
The tour provided an inside look at Heirloom’s approach to stair and millwork production, highlighting how thoughtful design, material selection, and skilled craftsmanship come together to create refined, custom stair systems. From layout and fabrication to finishing and assembly, attendees gained valuable insight into the precision and consistency behind Heirloom’s work.
The experience expanded outside the shop with a visit to a private residence featuring the work of The Heirloom Companies. The homeowners graciously opened their home to a group of more than 55 attendees, allowing participants to experience Heirloom’s craftsmanship up close and in a real-world setting. Seeing the stair, custom millwork, and metalwork installed and lived in offered a powerful perspective that simply can’t be replicated in a shop environment.
Next, attendees visited the Biltmore Estate, drawing inspiration from the estate’s timeless architecture and iconic staircases. As expected, when a group of stairbuilders encounters a staircase of this caliber, attention lingered a bit longer than planned—prompting security to politely encourage the group to move along. The moment served as a lighthearted reminder of the shared appreciation for exceptional stair design. Transportation for the Biltmore visit was generously sponsored by Carolina Stair Supply, making this portion of the experience seamless for attendees.
The day concluded with a group dinner at Sierra Nevada Brewery, generously sponsored by House of Forgings. The relaxed setting encouraged meaningful conversation, peer-to-peer learning, and relationship-building among members of the stair industry.
The Heirloom Companies Shop Tour exemplified the value of in-person learning and shared experiences combining shop-level insight, real-world installations, architectural inspiration, and industry fellowship.
Thank you to The Heirloom Companies for their openness and hospitality, to Carolina Stair Supply and House of Forgings for their generous sponsorships, and to the homeowners who welcomed our group into their homes. This memorable experience would not have been possible without their support.
