LV Wood was founded by master refinisher Jim Caroll, who built a name for himself restoring antiques and millwork in the historic Gilded Age mansions in his home town of Buffalo, NY. 

His deep respect for wood materials - something he often called a “reverence” - inspired both his work and the name of his first company - paying homage to “A Reverence For Wood” - one of the greatest books ever written on wood, its uses, and its ability to warm the body and the soul.

In 1985, Jim and his wife Carolyn (“Pops and CC”) opened Buffalo Hardwood in a small North Buffalo storefront – the predominantly Italian area of Buffalo. With talent and tenacity, they quickly rose to the top of the wood flooring scene in Western New York, winning numerous “best of the year” awards from the NWFA for their high-end craftsmanship and commitment to the craft.

As the business grew, the Carolls expanded into a larger showroom and warehouse. By the mid-1990s, their travels in Italy sparked a new passion for European design and a desire to bring that aesthetic stateside. 

After selling the Buffalo operation, they struck a deal with a prestigious Italian wood flooring manufacturer to represent them in North America. Thus, Legno Veneto was born—its name a nod to both the Italian word for wood, and the Veneto region of Italy where the new firm was based.

In 2000, Jim’s son James joined the venture, immersing himself in Italian culture and business. Together, they built strong relationships with boutique Italian mills and developed trend-driven materials for the U.S. market – becoming among the first companies in America look at European Oak as a viable material.

By 2005, Jim & James returned stateside and restored an old industrial building as their national hub, and added a line up of American-made woods in wide planks, hand-scraped textures, and hand-applied finishes. This marked the beginning of what would eventually become LV Wood. 

With James focusing on product development and branding, and Jim leading the charge on relationships and growing business, the duo pushed the company and the industry forward with their unique style and approach to the market.

In 2006, James moved to NYC to open LV Wood’s flagship showroom in the Flatiron District, which opened in 2008 and remains a staple of the NYC design community. In 2023, LV Wood expanded west with a second showroom in Bozeman, Montana, serving clients across the Mountain West with its signature wood flooring and wall materials.

LV Wood’s story and philosophy is ultimately rooted in the values Pops and CC lived by—kindness, courage, and generosity. These principles continue to guide the company today, shaping not just its products, but its purpose.