Contemporary uph. overtaking cottage
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, March 9, 2003
High Point — Retailers can expect to see less in cottage-style seating and a lot more contemporary upholstery at the April market.
Contemporary was the main thrust of upholstery introductions at last week's premarket. While there was attic chic from Highland House, and relaxed transitional from Century, retailers saw a river of contemporary in every shape and size.
The look is relaxed and loose. Even where tight seats and angular lines are emphasized, pieces still are a little more laid back.
Colors are bright, with plenty of cinnamons, pumpkins and red-based hues, nice uptown greens (pear green, sage, etc.), blues, grays, slates and, at the upper end, blacks.
Chenilles are still popular, but were less talked about than the extremely popular microfibers. Natural and textured fabrics such as raw silk also were much in evidence.
Arms are taking on new shapes, becoming smaller, and feet are getting added details, like bun feet with spiral carving. And a number of producers are upgrading seating comfort with down blends.
Slipcovers still are part of the action, with some companies taking the pull-off-and-wash (or dry clean) look to new heights. Alexvale, for instance, has a five-silhouette collection of upgraded slipcover sofas with styling elements like camel backs, ruffled and scalloped skirts, cabriole legs and exposed wood.
Broyhill showed pieces in faux slipcovers, part of its longstanding Hues program, which merchandises by color to make it easy for a consumer to mix and match pieces. In addition, the company expanded Hues with its version of casual contemporary — 11 styles that include four sectionals, with retails ranging from $599 to $1,999.
Rowe added a starting slipcover program in the $599 to $699 retail range to its Jamie L division, but its big push was in contemporary.
Bernhardt is adding more slipcovers to its Basics collection, emphasizing covers in microfibers, linens, nubby boucle and seersucker.
Ashley had a number of contemporary styles in its 23 introductions, and was getting good mileage out of its Dura Pella microfibers and its denims. But what was really generating steam in the Ashley space was a continuation of sofa, loveseat and three-table packages that hit $799/$899/$999 retails.
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