Jim grew up on the coast of South Carolina. His major in college was psychology. After marriage and college he moved to New York City to study art. While there he obtained a position as an apprentice in the restoration division of Hyde Park Antiques, Ltd. He was trained not only in restoration and conservation of period British furniture, but also in general cabinet making and French polishing. Later he recieved several grants to study Southern American furniture through the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He moved his family to Nashville, Tennessee in 1983 and established his own furniture restoration firm. Jim has since become one of the most respected and sought-after antique furniture restorers and consultants in the country. In 1990 he began to seriously design custom furniture. His shop currently employees from one to five other cabinet makers and restoration experts, depending upon demand. He continues to consult and restore fine antiques from across the United States, and his original work has been shown across the east coast.