Case goods win on great looks, variety
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, January 20, 2003
Toronto — Price took a back seat at the winter market here to case goods with great looks that could stand the test of time. Many styles proved popular, including traditional, contemporary and cottage. Casual, relaxed touches were evident everywhere.
Durham Furniture found success with Manhattan, the solid-wood bedroom producer's first foray into contemporary. The collection was received warmly both here and at the October High Point market, said John Scarsella, president and chief executive officer.
The company debuted English Harbor last April in a red-tinted antique mahogany that shipped in August. Here, Durham showed the collection in a new warm, brown mahogany finish called Espresso.
Shermag had success with contemporary and transitional groups, such as Notting Hill, which has silver-finish hardware, a look that has grown more popular as it lends itself to a transitional feel, said Larry Beasley, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
In addition, Shermag showed off a new point-of-sale display, stacking a number of headboards behind a bed to show off alternate finish options.
In home entertainment, Shermag married five new entertainment centers with top-selling bedroom groups. The offerings focused on a free-standing armoire and a "side-by-side" design of an entertainment center with one built-in side pier.
The company stepped up its casual dining offerings with Expresso, which will retail between US$1,499 and US$1,699. It also added dining to its Provence collection.
Case goods maker Bogdon & Gross entered the home entertainment arena here. Building on the success of a Mission occasional group, it added a short three-piece wall with bridge and a corner cabinet with optional bifold front doors. The biggest hit at market was a formal dining addition to its award-winning Diamond Anniversary collection.
Bogdon & Gross aims to offer product options and attention to detail that imports can't match and most big producers don't have, said Adam Hofmann, general manager. The company's growth rate has doubled in each of the past three years, and he expects that to continue as the 75-year-old producer enters the United States for the first time in its history, offering the Mission occasional in the Northeast.
Sales growth is nothing new to Magnussen Home, which reported a strong market. The company's space here, now at 6,500 square feet, has doubled in the last two markets. Traffic was good right through Tuesday, said Christa Albrecht, vice president of Canadian and international sales. Written business was up about 50% over last year, she said.
Albrecht said differences in taste between Canadian and U.S. buyers seem largely to have disappeared over the last three years. She believes this is due to consumers learning more about decorating through shelter magazines and TV shows.
Retailers in both countries are buying more contemporary styles now, said Jeff Cook, Magnussen president.
Palliser focused on fresh, new designs with its occasional offerings. Don Loewen, merchandising manager for occasional and home entertainment, said many of the company's successful introductions in those categories have a contemporary look that goes well with its upholstered suites.
The focus is on value, combining good looks with a great price, said Derek Dupley, Palliser's merchandising manager for master bedroom.
The new twist at casual dining giant Canadel was a distressing option for all 60 of its finishes, featuring marking of the wood and rub-through effects. Those could be readily seen on a rotating point-of-sale kiosk Canadel offered. By the end of the year, Canadel expects distressed finishes will make up 10% of its business, or about $15 million, said Jean Deveault, vice president of sales and marketing.
