History of French Heritage
Though French Heritage is only twenty years old, the roots of the company began years
before, as part of a family passion for antiques. When co-founder Jacques Wayser was a
child in France, he, his sister Christianne, and his brother Alain, would follow their
parents on their weekly visits to the Paris antique market and throughout the French and
English countryside. There, Jacques and his siblings learned how to shop for and collect
antiques. Antiques, after all, were the family business. Jacques' grandfather opened his
first shop nearly a century ago.
Jacques recognized at an early age how beautifully made antique furniture was. The
delicate carvings and rich finishes held their splendor despite their age. This, he
noted, was the result of incredible craftsmanship, an art that seemed to be lost in the
modern age.
As a young man, he worked in the family antique business. But after meeting his
American-born fashion-model wife, Henessy, they decided to strike out on their own. Their
vision was to create a company that specialized in creating heirlooms for the future,
using the same techniques once employed by the master craftsman of Europe. These
reproductions would be better than ordinary mass-produced furniture. They would capture
the look and feel that can only be found in genuine antiques.
Together, Jacques and Henessy started French Heritage in Los Angeles in 1981. His
expertise was the furniture while she infused the normally stodgy furniture world with
the creative excitement of the fashion industry. His knowledge coupled with her sense of
style and her knowledge of the American market made them perfect partners.
The first collection introduced by the new company was Richelieu, in 1984. Richelieu
was a breakthrough in the furniture industry. Not only were the pieces elegantly crafted
using mortise and tenon joints, dovetailed drawers, and pegs instead of nails. For the
first time, the furniture was antiqued and distressed to look like genuine antiques. It
was an innovation that changed the way antique reproductions looked forever.
The 1990's saw great expansion. In 1993, the company debuted the popular Maison
Provence collection, a grouping of antique French country designs. The next year, they
introduced their high-end collection, De Bournais, beautifully handcrafted pieces with
beeswax finishes.
In 1995, two limited edition collections were launched: Camelot, inspired by the
French furnishings found in the White House and Country Club, reminiscent of the great
country manor homes.
The Schooner collection, fashioned from the furniture used on 19th century
schooner ships, was created in 1996. On the eve of the millennium in 1999, La Collection
de la Liberte' was introduced to celebrate the 200 years that France and America have
enjoyed close ties. These furnishings were reproduced from pieces owned by
Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, the famous designer of the Statue of Liberty, the symbol of
this international friendship.
In the new millennium, the company continues to expand with new showrooms, added
factory space and the introduction of French Heritage concept stores.
The story doesn't end there. French Heritage and its family will continue to grow,
with love for the joys of family life, a passion for beautifully made furniture, and the
delight of a sunny day on which to enjoy both.
