Upholstery focuses on details, nostalgia
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, January 27, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO — A return to the past and attention to detail were driving elements in stationary upholstery introductions at the winter market here.
Manufacturers were ready to fill the needs of consumers still nervous from Sept. 11 with nostalgic styles and fabrics. Not related but in plentiful supply from California manufacturers were enough wood and nail accents to keep a case goods factory running.
"Nails are the new jewelry of furniture," said Golden Oaks President Tony Ocampo. "Anything with nails will sell."
Golden Oaks featured at its showroom entrance a sofa and loveseat detailed with nailheads and scalloped bun feet, one of seven new frames.
On the nostalgic side, Lazar Inds. expanded its Vintage Collection with rolled arms, chenilles and leather, diamond tufting and plenty of nailheads.
"After Sept. 11, cocooning and looking to the past is becoming more important," said Dana Bigman, Lazar's director of marketing communications. "Where we were once luxe and more glamorous, we're now very comfortable and warm."
Cisco Brothers, with six new frames and 30 new fabrics, had its own Vintage Collection of old weaves and prints inspired by Europe, especially Paris, according to showroom representative Charles Mayfield. One new "collage" piece was a traditional frame covered in a cotton/rayon woven tapestry to retail for about $4,000.
Mayfield described Cisco's offering as "new but nostalgic," and noted that cocooning had emerged as a strong trend. The Los Angeles-based company's new line "gives you that sense of wanting to nest," he said. "The fabrics are soft, supple and comfortable…. We showed a large number of mid-grade fabrics and dealers liked that."
Vicky's Furniture showed sofas in silk with fringed skirts at $799 retail, and pieces with upscale chenilles and intricate hand-carved wood bases from China and Vietnam. "Silks are going to be coming in strong," said Andrew Perez III, general manager.
The company also is experimenting with new cushioning to add value but remain price-competitive. "We want the department store look at moderate prices," said Perez.
Fairchild of California introduced 10 frames and 35 fabrics and leathers, including two frames in imported leather to retail at $799 to $899. "This is a category not addressed by us," said President Scott Haigh.
Fairchild also struck hard at the $599 price point, with a traditional frame in a plaid cover and a contemporary frame with wood legs. "We really made a good effort to expand back down to the $599 price point," Haigh said, "but we extended upward too."
Another popular offering at Fairchild was a $799 transitional frame covered with an upscale imported chenille. "Everyone's saying there's too much chenille, but it still has great acceptance from the consumer," Haigh said.
Guildcraft of California, with four new frames, was emphasizing "better covers and a little more high fashion, which we marry to our lamps, rugs, etc.," said Vice President Larry Quilling. The company added two dining rooms in finishes designed to complement its upholstery. Quilling said the company was trying "to put more look" into its bread-and-butter price points of $699 to $999.
John Charles Designs, sticking to designs introduced in High Point, was emphasizing wood, found in abundance at the show here. "For us, it was a natural evolution," said Vice President John Genoa Jr. "We started with the bases and now we're doing arms."
| In the Flexsteel showroom, designer Christopher Lowell finds himself surrounded by friends from retailer Flexsteel Gallery/The Home Comfort Store, Redding, Calif., which will debut Flexsteel's Christopher Lowell Home Collection in March. Lowell and Jan Feasel are seated in front. Others are Sandra Wilson, Kathryn Mattson, Jodie Jones, Delores Rainey Barker and Linda Wagner. |
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