About Custom Home Furnishings

The CHF Academy – The Academy began in 1995 and was formally known as the Professional Drapery School. Founded by Cheryl Strickland, the school was purchased in 2005 by Margie and Andy Nance. It is the only Career Training School of its kind for this industry and is endorsed by other well established industry associations such as Window Fashions Certified Professionals (www.wfcppro.com) and the Society of Decorating Professionals (www.thesdp.com). Students come from all over the world to attend this prestigious establishment. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CHF Academy is a 10,000sf facility with three state of the art classrooms and an in house video production studio. Students get hands on experience with most of the tools and equipment found within the industry.

Margie Nance –President - Margie began in this industry in 1992 as a drapery workroom owner. She started as a small one person workroom and grew to a 7 employee wholesale only business. In 2000, Margie began working for Cheryl Strickland, previous owner of the Academy, as an instructor and was soon promoted to Director of Education. In 2002, she sold her workroom and turned her attention to training. When the opportunity came in 2005 to purchase the school her and her husband Andy purchased it and moved it from Swannanoa, NC to Charlotte, NC.

Andy Nance – Vice President – Andy worked with Margie in her workroom as the company installer. He remained an installer even after the sale of the workroom in 2002. When the opportunity came to purchase the Academy, he retired his installation job and became the Vice President of the CHF Academy. Andy is responsible for many job duties including class prep and student services.

Peggy Brewer – Academy Administrator – Peggy previously worked as the event coordinator and student administrator at the Custom Home Furnishings School in Swannanoa. Peggy was immediately hired by Margie and Andy and now works at the campus in Charlotte . Peggy is responsible for student inquiries, enrollments and maintaining student data.

Drew Nance – Video Production - Drew is the video production specialist. He films and edits the professional videos produced here at the Academy. He also maintains the CHF webstore.

Steve Nance – Graphic Artist, Website – Steve designs and edits the CHF Academy brochure, student handbooks and catalogs. He also maintains and updates the company website.

Michael Cody Nance – Video Production Assistant – Cody is a part time employee and assists Drew with video reproduction. He is a full time student and works mostly during the summer.