New design twists create excitement in entertainment
By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, February 16, 2009
HIGH POINT — HIGH POINT — In recent years, entertainment furniture has evolved almost as quickly as the flat-panel TVs that most were built to accommodate.
While the credenza-like console continues to be the staple of the category, other pieces with high styling and unusual design flair have emerged.
These off-the-beaten-path looks are from companies that are not household names, and many of the resources are not even well known within the industry. However, their efforts keep the category vibrant and give retailers fresh ideas.
The Phillips Collection, for example, is bringing more than two decades of experience in home accents into the furniture arena by unveiling several ultra-contemporary consoles made of bamboo, while importer C.F. Oakton is trying to make its mark with consoles with an Asian styling flair.
“We're focusing a lot of our effort on the e-commerce sector,” said Jonathan Fu, CEO of C.F. Oakton. “It's not recession-proof, but many retailers in that sector are doing OK.”
Under-the-radar producer California House, meanwhile, is touting the “Made in USA” moniker as it rolls out a line of entertainment furniture that includes a bedroom armoire that will accommodate a flat-panel TV.
Such armoires have been left for dead by most producers, but vice president David Start says the piece, and the rest of the company's new entertainment lineup, has been well received since its introduction last year.
“It's going over real well,” said Start. “I'm getting the feeling that 'made in USA' may be coming back.”
California House's line had been limited to gaming tables, home bars and related game room items, but Start said the company felt the time was right for domestically produced entertainment furniture.
“We just saw a huge void in the marketplace,” he said.
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