By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 28, 2002
Comfortable furniture — though by all means elegant — with casual elements in finish, fabric or feature was the name of the game at the April 2002 International Home Furnishings Market. Speaking of names, the presence of Kathy Ireland, Elvis Presley and other celebrities was key as several producers tied company brand to celebrity icon. From exciting introductions to stylish line extensions, producers at this market left no stone unturned.
BASSETT The Artisan group includes this cocktail table with hammered copper top. Exposing the top to high temperatures brings out the natural variances of the metal, creating a unique design to every piece.
HMHF rench looks inspired the country design of Square Dance with a striped jacquard, ribbon-effect weave and shaped exposed arms and legs.
CARTER Carter takes the vibrant blue approach with this upholstered daybed.
DREXEL HERITAGE A subtle blending of color and a dramatic silhouette make this sofa from the Lillian August brand a market standout.
E.J. VICTOR The Julia Gray collection won praise for its imaginative surface treatments, including the handpainting on the underside of the glass panels on the armoire shown here.
LEGACY LEATHER The Yorkville's clean contemporary lines are underscored by a track arm and contrast Eurostitch. Full aniline from Moore & Giles.
STANDARD The new Kathy Ireland licensed collection featured product across a range of case goods categories, including this girl's bedroom inspired by Ireland's 4-year-old daughter, Lily.
LANEVENTURE The Ibiza dining chair with water hyacinth seat cushion is from the Jacques Pergay collection.
PLATT COLLECTIONS The 1052 console has a leather top and base, hand-tooled gold detail, hand-wrought iron with antique brass accents.
MAGNUSSEN/PRESIDENTIAL Entering the entertainment category with five groups including Alexandra. The wall has faux leather, 24-ct. gold tooling, hand-carved crown with acanthus leaf accents, lightly distressed hardwood solids and cherry veneers with a Warm Tobacco finish and dusty wax application.
HAMMARY The Wiltshire collection is reminiscent of English antiques. Shown here is an oval cocktail table with a hand-burnished, multi-toned finish.
GLOBAL This solid wood importer stepped up quality levels and entered the dining category with Margate Hill, part of its new Heirloom Traditions line from northern China.
JOAL-JAMES LANGLEY This slant-front desk features cherry and jacaranda, a black rosewood. The piece also has a leather top, drawers and working locks.
FLEXSTEEL The company adds this low-leg reclining chair to its successful Christopher Lowell collection.
HABERSHAM A licensed collection with the Plaza Hotel included this grand credenza in a distressed painted off-white finish. The introduction also included wood stains.
SOFT LINE Florence (Style #2310), adorned with inverted arm treatments, is dressed in mottled aniline.
KAS ORIENTAL RUGS Bamboo is a hot-hot trend in wood flooring, why not rugs? The Lotus collection features a series of woven and slatted natural bamboo designs retailing at $299 in 5'3" by 8'.
RIVERSEDGE La Cruz, a traditional European bedroom, came to market with high enough expectations that it already has a July ship date lined up.
GIORGIO This chest from the Le Memorie collection combines cherry and Indian rosewood veneers for a shapely contemporary look that buyers rallied around.
STANLEY American View mixed a variety of materials, as in the leather bed bench in this group, in sourced pieces with domestic cases. The collection also included Stanley's first all-leather bed.
NATUZZI Inspired by designer Giorgio Soressi's desire to give space for generous relaxation, Model 2085 combines finely honed geometric lines with large seating comfort.
RIVERSIDE Priced at $299 retail, this enclosed laptop unit also features printer storage.
LEGACY CLASSICS Grand Manor's warm traditional European look in pine, complemented with decorative iron accents, included the dining room shown here and bedroom, as well as wall units, an emerging staple for case goods importers.
LEATHERCRAFT Leathercraft shifts from transitional to German-Euro looks with this architecturally styled frame featuring angular arm pillows and seat cushions. Retail, $3,299.
HARDEN FURNITURE The 802 serpentine chest, with four drawers and a finished back, measures 46 inches wide by 22 inches deep and 39 inches high.
BERKLINE HearthSide, a new collection of low-leg reclining chairs, was a market winner.
ROCKFORD FURNITURE Richmond Heights, a Jacobean-leaning mix of European plantation and English styles, featured this grand, 90-inch high canopy bed.
BUTLER SPECIALTY Its best finish this market was Plantation Cherry. Part of that group was this lingerie chest standing 57 inches tall and designed in a curved pyramid shape. Details include hand-carved rosettes and seven felt-lined drawers.
BERNHARDT While on the more formal side of this market's introductions, Georgian-inspired Collingwood made liberal use of more casual mahogany swirl veneers in addition to stately crotch mahogany.
EMERALD HOME FURNISHINGS At $1,499 retail for a table and four, the Cambridge dining group takes Emerald to a stepped-up price point in the category.
CLASSIC GALLERY Classic Gallery uses a leather seat and arm and woven fabric back in this sectional.
FOUNDERS FURNITURE Founders wanted to try something different and earned great interest in its new Expeditions camouflage collection created through a partnership with apparel and sporting goods producer Mossy Oak.
DÉCOR-REST The Vintage Treasures collection has opulent curves, comfort and "built-in wrinkles" for a comfy feel.
TEMPLE Bright, vibrant colors provide a botanical feel for this sofa.
NICHOLS & STONE Buyers commented on the retail potential of the new finish and dramatic headboard on the barrister bed, shown here, from the new Westport collection.
JOHNSTON CASUALS The company's leading casual dining collection this market is Broadway, a contemporary group with powder-coated steel and stainless steel. The center back panel can be customized with a stainless steel panel that works well with similarly styled home appliances, or it can be finished to match the decor.
HOOKER In cottage styling, the new Faith Popcorn home office collection is aimed at smaller spaces, apartments and urban professionals.
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE American Traditions could be this company's most successful introduction ever out of the blocks, with many retailers choosing to floor bedroom, dining and occasional two different ways each.
MARY KAISER LTD. The Madeline group includes this sofa covered in blue and crème toile.
FRAENKEL The 229 bedroom suite's rococo embellishments and rich detailing with hand-applied gold highlights was well received in Fraenkel's master bedroom introductions.
CHAIRWORKS Microfiber covers hit office chairs in a big way this market, with ChairWorks among the companies featuring the suede-like look.
BRADINGTON-YOUNG Thick, richly rubbed leather combined with inherent styling imbues this frame with authenticity.
LARGO Dealers loved Antiqua, which offered a low-profile footboard and an abundance of decorative accents to make a strong new style statement.
HEKMAN The new Chartwell collection, designed by John Black, harkens back to the English Arts and Crafts movement of the mid-19th century. Hekman has mixed refined alder with rogue cherry woods and added a hand-rubbed walnut finish also called Chartwell. Many pieces also include burnished iron and brass accents.
HICKORY CHAIR Modernist designer Mariette Himes Gomez has teamed with Hickory Chair on a 32-piece collection. Shown is the Chinatown table in both red and black finishes. The shaping is inspired by Chinese pagodas as echoed by the curved edges on the tray top as well as the gently flared legs.
RICHARDSON BROS. Weathervane Hill's dining room won buyer acceptance with this 54-inch dining table in dark chocolate-finish solid birch.
LEA INDS. The biggest youth introduction at market came from Lea Inds. for its licensed line Jessica McClintock Home – The Romance Collection for Young Ladies. Included in the 54 pieces is this entertainment armoire.
CLAYTON-MARCUS Leather seating, such as this sofa accented with exposed wood, were among the market highlights.
BUSH Billed as the entertainment center of the future, the Universal collection video base and audio tower feature a silver finish and futuristic V-based design.
SERTA The company makes its entry into the growing futon category with this branded futon and frame produced and marketed by Wolf Corp.
HOWARD MILLER Incorporating crotch mahogany into the locking front door on this Grand Cayman grandfather clock, part of the Tradewinds collection. The clock has Tradewinds Cherry finish and Antique Platinum accents as well as a herringbone cane pattern around the oval glass exposing the pendulum.
LEE INDS. This comfortably traditional chair in a soft, wearable velvet is inspired by 18th century elegance.
FASHION BED GROUP The Westland collection includes a classic open-toe bed with matching nightstand, bench and cheval mirror. The finish is called Aged Gold.
TRANS-OCEAN Tribeca is a Tibetan weave hand-knotted rug in a formal geometric design. Made in China, retail is at the $499 level in approximate 5' by 8'.
JESPER OFFICE In addition to an innovative sit-stand desk, the Zen collection features some stylish storage pieces in maple.
CASA NOVALIA This division of Excelsior Designs kept growing business here with introductions like the Casa Cristallo dining table, also available in cocktail and console designs.
BRAXTON CULLER A tropical flair comes through in this design featuring a molded wood base and wicker accents.
SLIGH The center cabinet of this entertainment wall functions alone or can be joined by these side cabinets with interchangeable beveled glass, wood or speaker cloth panels. Shown in Candlewood finish, the group also comes in Alexandra and Cola finishes. The top of the new line, as shown retails for about $6,200.
LA-Z-BOY Seeking a standout look, this sofa marries embossed crocodile leather on the cushions, accented while solid leather plays it straight on outside arms, back and sides.
CLASSIC GALLERY GROUP Elegant burl veneers and prominent carved front posts and feet highlight an armoire from the Mark David Home series, part of a complete bedroom suite.
BROYHILL Portfolio gave buyers a huge collection made digestible by its division into three contemporized styles, including the dark merlot, Art Deco-influenced Tribeca flavor shown here.
SAUDER In American Cherry finish, Sauder showcased this home theater unit featuring side and bottom storage as well as interesting attention to details.
PREVIEW Vladimir Kagan's Catapult swivel chair sports an airy side vent and jaunty squared off arm.
HURTADO USA French country looks inspired this Hutcheson cocktail table of beechwood with oak and maple burl in the top and festoon carving on both sides of the apron. Shown in Antique French finish and also available in Dark Walnut with gold gilding.
KIMBALL Matching its Victoria Passage II collection, this entertainment wall comes with or without a television cart and has side library piers and a floating bridge and shelf. The pull-out storage racks hold up to 200 VHS tapes or can be used for CDs and DVDs.
MOMENI Large-scale, bold geometrics in natural tones are part of the sleek, urbane looks coming to mid-market price points. Hand tufted in China, suggested retail is $499 in 6' by 9'.
ELITE LEATHER With its scaled back frame, the Mulholland Drive frame with roll arm is suitable for urban/apartment living. Pull-up leather cover.
LEXINGTON In addition to a strong licensed introduction with Susan Sargent, Lexington updated its original Bob Timberlake series with new, re-scaled pieces.
NOURISON The Madison Row collection is a power-loomed interpretation of high-end Tibetan looks. Machine-made of 100% wool, the graceful contemporary design retails at $399 in 6' by 9'.
PALLISER This leather silhouette stood out from among Palliser's range of leather offerings.
TAYLOR KING The Koran sofa uses an aqua, rose, periwinkle and wheat fabric to provide a woodland feel.
WESLEY ALLEN Wesley Allen scored with the Sheffield iron bed, which featured a popular finish called Old Copper and offered a fresh interpretation in the dynamic sleigh bed arena.
UNIVERSAL In its first full market cycle under Lacquercraft ownership, Universal stepped up to the next level with a range of styles, included the elegant Louis XVI-inspired Grand Chateau collection, which featured this eight-leg dining table.
KINCAID Buyers liked the functionality of the sliding doors on a china buffet from Brookside Cherry, the traditional side of a one-two punch this market that included the contemporary-leaning transitional collection, Sierra Country.
LEATHERTREND The Old Brompton sofa defines a true hand-rubbed look in waxy oiled Italian aniline.
CATNAPPER Catnapper scored a hit with its Brentwood II group, which features a reclining chair and sofa.
VAUGHAN-BASSETT Reception of the Elvis Presley collection was such that introductions in all wood categories and leather upholstery are in the works for the October High Point show.
FERGUSON COPELAND Introducing 30 items in the Ad Lib collection, most retailing for less than $1,000. Part of that is Palm Court, which incorporates the palm theme with leaf carvings and bark-like legs. This table comes with matching palm-designed chairs.
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NAPLES, Fla. — Industry executives and guests took the opportunity to network and play golf during down time at Furniture/Today's 13th annual Leadership Conference here this month.
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