Our Story
The A & B Behind the Work
A husband, a wife, two daughters, and a shop full of sawdust in northern Illinois.
Built from Scratch — Literally
It started the way most good things do: out of necessity and a little stubbornness. We needed furniture, we didn't want to pay retail prices, and it turned out we were pretty good at building it ourselves. What began as refinishing pieces for our own home grew into something we started selling to friends, neighbors, and eventually strangers who found us online.
Meet the LeFevre Family
Builder, Designer & Career Firefighter
Adam
The A in A&B. A career firefighter in northern Illinois, I've spent years serving my community on the job — and in the shop. My background in the fire service is what led us into custom retirement plaques, shadow boxes, and duty boards. I know what those pieces mean to a firefighter and their family, and I build every one of them with that in mind.
Co-Owner & Creative Eye
Brittani
The B in A&B. A teacher by trade, I bring the detail-oriented side to the business. Whether it's getting the layout just right on a retirement plaque or making sure a custom sign looks exactly how a customer envisioned it, I'm the one making sure every piece is something we're proud to put our name on.
Clara & Evelyn
Life happened — in the best way. Our daughters Clara and Evelyn grew up watching the shop evolve. As they got older and more independent, the business grew with us. What started as furniture and refinishing expanded into signs, plaques, and custom boards. The girls are part of the story too.
What We Believe
Every piece is personal
We don't do mass production. Every order gets our full attention from the first conversation to the final finish.
Craftsmanship over shortcuts
We use real wood, real joinery, and real care. If it's not something we'd hang in our own home, it doesn't leave the shop.
Community first
We're a small family business in northern Illinois. We take pride in serving our neighbors, our fellow firefighters, and the families who trust us with their most meaningful moments.
Ready to start a project?
Tell us what you have in mind — we'd love to build it.