LaVern Hershberger is the president of Abner Henry, an American luxury furniture brand specializing in Amish craftsmanship with a modern appeal. He has been in the furniture industry his entire life, starting at age 14 helping out part-time at the family’s on-site manufacturing facility. By 16, he was working full-time in the business, holding various positions and spending notable years in the color development lab. Under his direction, the color lab now offers over 3,000 finishes. Hershberger has held positions in multiple levels of the business and now runs Abner Henry, overseeing the creative side while managing the sales team, focused on creating high-quality products while pushing boundaries of design and innovation. Get to know LaVern Hershberger and his work in this week’s Maker Monday.
The Drake Bookshelf is an example of Abner Henry’s transitional look. This towering four-tiered shelf is crafted of maple finished in rural gray, while its handspun linear metal frames feature a geometric pattern of overlapping circles for added detail.
Andrew Joseph: What are you most proud of?
LaVern Hershberger: My wife and 2 boys. Carrie and I got married in 2013 after meeting up through mutual friends. My son, Andre, is 1 years old and already loves to constantly look at books, while my oldest is Evan and he has an extremely caring personality.
AJ: If you had one more hour in the day what would you do with it?
LH: Always get my run in. I’ve been training since 2015, mostly for fun and because it helps me keep my mind focused and my energy levels in check. Most of my ideas that I use come to me during a run. My favorite race is the 5K, however, one day I hope to run another marathon.
AJ: What’s inspiring you in life (in the industry) right now?
LH: The push of American Made products and the increasing value consumers are putting on made-to-order custom handmade products. This is something we believe in, my dad especially, and hope to continue to showcase through our work.
A quiet showstopper, the Calusa Console showcases an abstract, antique brushed brass base, inspired by the delicacy and flare of a pair of wings.
AJ: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
LH: My design style follows simple, clean lines and practical function, incorporating color that makes a major impact on the mood I want the piece to set. Envision a sturdy and practical piece with special detail and surprises in a range of colors and finishes, since that is my specialty. I have been involved in the development of over 3,000 wood colors in the last 10 years that have been curated to a beautiful range of hundreds of finishes available through the Abner Henry brand – and counting.
AJ: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
LH: I hope to see a continued movement toward consumers recognizing the value of handmade/crafted designer products.
The Loufante Dining Table is abstract and modern with a reverse bevel tabletop that contrasts a dynamic sculptural base. In this model, a black patina base elevates a red oak top with a light, sheen finish.
AJ: What would you like to be remembered for?
LH: Innovation. I enjoy pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in design and will never stop striving to innovate.
AJ: What’s a new hobby/skill that you have learned recently?
LH: 3D Pencil Art. This is simply a two-dimensional drawing, that when viewed from a certain angle, gives the illusion of being 3D.
AJ: What was your first job?
LH: I started at the bottom! My first job was mowing the lawn on our home campus and cleaning our factory. To this day, I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and do the dirty work when necessary!
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