By BOBBY SISK / WCNC
TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — At a plant in Taylorsville, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams furniture creations come to life. They

employ more than 750 workers and see sales of $100 million a year. The company has seen growth, when some other companies in the furniture industry have struggled.

Gold says, “Our business is not just based on having pretty furniture. It’s about shipping to customers much more quickly than other furniture companies do.”

Gold and Williams decided years ago to focus on more specialized upholstered products. “We’re constantly looking and thinking and trying stuff. There are some things that we have done that have not been so successful. But the majority of the things are things that we really push after,” Williams says.

Gold feels fortunate for his company’s success, but he says the struggles of the North Carolina furniture industry probably aren’t over. He says, “It’s going to be difficult because of the case goods… the chest of drawers… bedroom furniture and stuff like that is going overseas.”

Despite changes in the industry in the 18 years since their business began, Gold and Williams agree that people’s obsession with their homes is as strong as ever. Therefore, it was a perfect time to take what they’ve lived and breathed and put it on paper.

The duo’s first book is launching this week. Gold says “Let’s Get Comfortable” is a long time coming.

“For years now, people have been asking us if we’d put something together to help them get the kind of look that we’ve created,” Gold said. “And publishers have been approaching us over the years, and finally it was just the right time for us.”

The book focuses on how to furnish and decorate a welcoming home.

“Bob and I feel strongly about people being comfortable,” says Gold. In the book, readers will see pictures of the pair’s personal homes along with a how-to guide to shopping and finding items you love. For example, there is a section just on how to go to flea markets.

Bob Williams’ best advice is to think before you buy.

“One of the things that we say in this book is to think about how you want to live. What do I want in this room? Is it a place where I’m going to sit and watch TV? People don’t have anytime to themselves, so I think when they come home and get away from those things. They want a place where they can relax and take a deep breath and just be comfortable,” said Williams.

The long-time business partners are now setting off on a nationwide book tour, just before the 2014 Furniture Market gets underway later this month in High Point.

One staple of this Taylorsville company can also be seen in “Let’s Get Comfortable.” Lulu is an English bulldog who’s been featured in ad campaigns over the years. As the company mascot, it appears she likes her “comfort” as well.

Watch for Gold and Williams next Tuesday morning on the Today Show. They’re scheduled to set up a room on the set, and show viewers how to mix and match different styles at home.