The journey of Thèria began in 2013 when Justin Oltz and Lara Green returned to the U.S. after years abroad—Justin from Spain, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China, Lara from Europe and Australia. Their paths crossed in Honduras at the tail end of 2015, sparking a deep connection and a shared desire for adventure. They spent the following years traveling the world, discovering new places, cultures, and perspectives. Known as the "OGs," they describe Thèria as a fusion of their lifestyle, love of art and history, and commitment to conscious evolution. They have built their brand around believing in the power of creation stories, highlighting beginnings rather than endings.
In 2017, after a series of memorable adventures—including driving across Morocco and Patagonia, and a penguin-themed proposal at a penguin colony in Argentina—Lara and Justin married in a kaleidoscopic ceremony at Burning Man, then at The Biltmore House in Lara's hometown Asheville where they designed their wedding to be slightly unconventional in a conventional setting. Their marriage was a partnership in every sense, symbolized by Justin adopting the Green family name, and the couple began building a life focused on creativity, exploration, and community.
Their son Azla, conceived on the Amazon River after both parents silently wished to get pregnant, represents the core of their family-centric brand, which emphasizes perspective, creativity, and honoring individual expression. In 2020, the couple's hearts burst with his birth amidst the global pandemic while living in Los Angeles. This time of reflection deepened their commitment to creating something meaningful for their family and the world. In 2024, they moved to Asheville, NC, to be close to Lara's parents and give their son land to get dirty on. They start designing and building their dream home, where the vision for Thèria begins to crystallize.
The couple draws on their extensive travels and eclectic experiences including the influence of Salvador Dalí’s surrealist dinner parties to the Rococo period—to create products that bring joy and meaning to everyday items. They are particularly invested in the concept of "whimsical evolution," exploring the intersection of art, culture, and the human condition through Thèria’s designs. They wanted their home to reflect the stories they had lived, rather than being a sterile museum of things. Théria was born from the idea that home goods could be more than just objects—they could tell a story and spark curiosity.
The brand also aims to inspire thought and social change by partnering with organizations focused on meaningful causes while offering products that go beyond status symbols.
Creating Thèria
After a transformative trip to China, where Justin was encouraged to follow his own entrepreneurial path, and a wellness retreat in Bali, Lara and Justin connected the dots. The vision for Thèria was clear: to bring the extraordinary life they had built together into the future of home design. Upon returning to Asheville, they enlisted the help of Lara’s childhood friend, artist Brittany Brunken, who helped bring their ideas to life. With Brittany’s talent for translating Lara’s creative vision into tangible designs, Thèria was born. Once the stories and design took shape they brought on augmented reality artist Kayla Sliber to bring their designs to life.
Thèria Today
For Lara and Justin, Thèria is more than just a brand—it's a philosophical and artistic statement. They want to spark creativity, challenge minds, and provide tools for people to express themselves in their homes, much like how people express themselves through fashion.
Thèria is a celebration of life and the interconnectedness of all living things. It’s about living artfully and infusing everyday life with meaning. Thèria’s products are more than just functional; they’re conversation starters, designed to challenge perspectives, inspire new ways of thinking, and promote positive change. With each collection, Thèria rewrites the story of our world, inviting customers to join the narrative and become part of the transformation.
