Thierry Choppin was born and raised in the beautiful and world-renowned Loire Valley. A creative person by nature, all his life his passion has been to use wood as the medium through which he could express himself. Thierry studied cabinet making and furniture design and graduated as an "Ebeniste" (Cabinetmaker) in 1985. He then chose to perfect his craft and further pursue his passion and love of wood by joining the "Compagnons du Tour de France", a journeymen’s confraternity. This confraternity is an old Guild Society that dates back to the 12th century and is famous for the integrity of its members’ work ethic, a traditional approach to furniture making, state-of-the-art techniques, and extraordinary craftsmanship. Studying as a journeyman required Thierry to travel throughout France and its neighboring countries. Working with other members of the cabinetmaking profession, Thierry completed his journeyman duties over a 10 year period, gaining knowledge and experience from all areas of Western Europe.

The opportunity to live and work on a new continent intrigued Thierry and in 1996 he decided to bring his craft to America. He had always nurtured a curiosity about the United States, with its different customs, cabinetmaking techniques, and most importantly for Thierry, its different varieties of wood!. Thierry practiced his craft at various shops in the United States before deciding to open his own atelier, ART & TRADITION