Marketplace at The Abbey is custom furniture. It’s casual design. It’s considered beautiful finds.
Laura Wilson is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her fine furniture and lifestyle boutique in Manchester at 14334 Manchester Road. She says it’s become one of the best places in St. Louis for beautiful, unique items for homes.
The Abbey is known for home décor and custom furniture made in the United States. But it’s also popular for its baby, garden and charcuterie sections, lamps, accessories and artwork that all blend elegance with functionality. The shop offers the grandest in home furnishings, accents, florals and housewares, alongside realistic pieces that each tell a story, Laura says.
“The Abbey is a truly unique shopping experience. It’s a place you can come in and just wander. People who come in say, ‘This is my happy place.’ They just get lost,” Laura says. “They come in for a lamp and think, ‘Oh, I forgot. I need a baby gift.’ They leave with things they didn’t know they were looking for.”
From a candle that burns well, to a blanket that has a nice weight to it, everything is unique at The Abbey. “We don’t have a lot of anything. That’s why we call them beautiful, unique finds,” Laura says. “From our family to yours, we put lots of love and careful attention in selecting each and every item we sell.”
The Abbey specializes in hostess gifts. “They are a huge part of what we do,” Laura says. “You might pair a charcuterie board with a beautiful spreader and a jam we might sell.”
Christmastime is a favorite of Laura’s and a wonderful time at The Abbey. So much so, she starts decorating in mid-October. With a life-size reindeer singing Michael Bublé songs and a dozen Christmas trees situated perfectly about the store, Laura says The Abbey is particularly “magical and special at Christmastime. It’s almost like a little FAO Schwarz, where you can escape the hustle and bustle and just get lost in the beauty and creativity.”
Shoppers can come in with a photo of a place or item in their home they want to improve or redo, and Laura or one of her associates will suggest décor to complement or completely remake the space. The Abbey also offers design services where an associate can go to a customer’s home to see their spaces up-close and personal. Laura also offers Christmas decorating with her clients' own decorations or new ones purchased from the store. Bridal and baby registrations are also available.
“Home is truly a special place. It's where life happens and where your family's story is written,” Laura says. “At The Abbey, we can help people turn their house into a home with custom furnishings and beautiful finds."
Marketplace At The Abbey also offers CR Laine Custom Furniture, thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted. “Handmade in the United States, this completely customizable furniture is created by the hands and hearts of North Carolina's finest artisans with unmatched style, comfort and color,” Laura says.
Laura invites her customers to “be inspired and explore the craftsmanship” of CR Laine Custom Furniture, whose motto is “made for generations by generations,” where style means relaxed, refined, classic and comfortable, and where colors are deeply personal and endlessly inspiring.
Founded in 1958 by Clarence Roseman, CR Laine has always been family owned and operated. For more than 60 years, the CR Laine family has thoughtfully designed and meticulously crafted everything they build, making customized, bench-crafted upholstery in their hometown of Hickory, NC. The company delivers classic style with a modern perspective to The Abbey.
According to CR Laine’s website, while the company utilizes new processes and equipment, they've held true to time-tested premium construction features, such as eight-way, hand-tied springs.
The company says color is the primary method of self-expression in a person’s home. So, they curate an eclectic yet cohesive collection of textiles from artisans around the world. Their hands-on approach gives their products unmatched style, comfort, and color.
The company is also committed to preserving the resources of the world for future generations. They say it is “their goal to minimize the environmental impacts of our company through the continual improvement of waste reduction and use of sustainable practices.”
“We're proud to offer the highest quality, most unique furniture and home décor in the Saint Louis area,” Laura says. “From our family to yours, we put lots of love and careful attention in selecting each and every item we sell. We hope you enjoy our shop as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.”
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MarketPlaceAtTheAbbey.com
“The Abbey is a truly unique shopping experience. It’s a place you can just wander."