Accessories enjoy spotlight at market
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, January 18, 2009
ATLANTA — This month's market here offered not only new product, but also a wealth of merchandising ideas.
Most showrooms were highly accessorized, which helped attract gift stores seeking to grow their furniture offerings.
Exhibitors showed retailers how some products can serve multiple uses in various room settings, and how to merchandise items like wall art with seating and accent furniture vignettes.
Case goods importer Trade Winds Furniture showed how items such as hutch units or baskets can have multiple uses.
“We're making pieces as versatile as possible for the retailer,” said President Michael Feder. “These can be used many different ways for display. The consumer also can use the product differently over time as their needs adapt.”
A hutch shown sitting atop on a bachelor's chest, for example, allows the piece to be used as a bookcase. But the hutch also can be used on 15 other wood items in the Trade Winds line, giving it uses in dining, entertainment and home office.
Feder even showed how a triangular corner table retailing for around $329 can be bunched to create footprints of various shapes. It's also available in 10 finishes, which gives the piece a custom story as well.
Palecek showed several vignettes that integrated colorful wall art. The art's leaf patterns in bright greens and reds tied into the finish colors on furniture and accents, and even matched the fabric pattern on various pillows.
Wall art in the shape of flowers made from colorful pieces of aluminum and other metals were a hit at Roberta Schilling Collection. These can go in any room, complementing the company's heavily distressed, hand-painted case pieces with an eclectic flair. And use of the reclaimed metals also gives the company a green story.
Also seen in Atlanta:
u More brochures and other marketing materials to educate retailers and consumers about the styling, materials and finish of various collections.
u Greater efforts by domestic manufacturers such as Eddy West, Southern Craftsmen's Guild, British Traditions, Ashlen Mfg. and Seabrook Classics to tout their custom approach to manufacturing — a strong selling point for designers attending the show. Custom options include multiple finishes, and the ability to tailor the size of case piece to suit the customer's needs.
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Importers expand range of color options
Nov 2, 2009 -
Wood vendors offer range of styles, prices
Oct 17, 2009
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