Family Tree

Style is relative among the designers at long-time local furniture store

By: Alison Fields

Yesterday’s Tree has been an Asheville institution for more than 37 years. From its beginnings as an unpainted-furniture store, it has expanded to become one of the region’s premier hubs for home furnishings and accessories, design elements, and window treatments while staying a family business. A recent 1,500-square-foot expansion with displays of wallpaper and fabric samples, plus the acquisition of bed-and-bath specialty shop Porter & Prince’s inventory, has only increased Yesterday’s Tree’s capabilities as a comprehensive resource for home design. 

On-site interior designers Heather Milner and Cortney Wilkinson — wife of Nick Wilkinson, who is the son of owner Peggy Yarborough — strive to create an environment where their customers have access to a full range of superb products as well as the dedicated, warm-hearted service one might expect from a business built on family and community. 

These days, “the store trends toward an eclectic, transitional style,” notes Nick. “We can go extremely traditional to a little bit modern.” He adds that “having our designers in house keeps the prices lower.” Those designers recently spoke to Carolina Home + Garden about how all the pieces fit.

What can Yesterday’s Tree offer its customers design-wise?

Heather Milner: We can help as little or as much as people need. Whether it’s helping to come up with fabrics, wallpapers, window treatments or individual pieces of furniture to a full redesign, our primary goal is supporting families and individuals at whatever point they are in the process. 

Cortney Wilkinson: It helps that Yesterday’s Tree has been in business for 37 years. We have a lot of resources at our disposal, as well as the lines we carry — many of which are top-tier and far beyond what customers might expect to find in Western North Carolina.  

Heather: Having the store at our disposal is huge for us. We have the space to display such a variety of lines and styles. It helps people visualize possibilities to see them in context. 

Cortney: Customers are able to browse while they shop, as well as work one-on-one with a designer. 

You went near and far to gain experience, but it all comes back to local roots …

Heather: I studied design at Western Carolina University. When I needed to do an internship, I came to Peggy at Yesterday’s Tree. After college, I came to work here full time. I love it. It’s a family business, and I feel like family. 

Cortney: I’ve always loved color and texture My background is in textile design. I studied in Europe with a thought I might end up in fashion. I spent some time in the needlepoint industry and eventually went out on my own as an interior designer. When I married Nick, I came to work for his family business, and the rest is history. 

Do you implement the same process with every job?

Heather: It usually starts with a tour of [the clients’] home. They tell us what they’re looking to achieve and we determine whether we’re a good fit.  Sometimes they need just a little help getting out of a design corner. Sometimes it’s a much grander job.

Cortney: What we most want to find out is what people want to accomplish in their homes — and what their homes need to accomplish. We pull together a plan and put together a list of options. It’s important to remember that clients hire us for a reason. The process of working together is supposed to be fun. 

Heather: We love what we do. We’re all very passionate about it.

But what do you wish more people knew before starting a design or renovation project?

Cortney: A budget. Everyone has one. And it’s important to know your limits, financially and otherwise. Big design projects can be stressful. We may be good at color and texture, but we are not therapists. 

Heather: They need to start with the things they love. Pin pictures of places that inspire them. We want them to share their ideas — even if they seem unrefined. We want people to love where they live. Even if it’s not our style, it’s what the client loves. 

Best measure of success?

Heather: I love our relationships. We have repeat customers. And it’s especially gratifying when someone asks you to do their living room and 12 years later comes back to you when they want something new. 

Cortney: I love being referred friend to friend, and when those friends become my friends. Our customers become like family. They bring baby gifts. We wish them happy birthday. 

Yesterday’s Tree Furniture and Design, 780 Hendersonville Road in South Forest Shopping Center, Asheville, 828-274-4296, yesterdaystreefurniture.com, info@yesterdaystreefurniture.com.