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Options, functions drive occasional

By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, June 8, 2009

HIGH POINT — In the occasional category, consumers are looking for style that fits their own tastes or, better yet, their needs.

For Peters-Revington, the story on one strong-selling piece is functionality. Laminate top tables aren't as prevalent as they once were, but for those still producing them, they're a strong seller — especially if they have storage or other extra twists.

At Cisco, a bench is not always a bench — sometimes it's a sofa table. And a reclaimed teak story helps grab consumer interest, too.

For Hooker's large Seven Seas occasional program, variety is the spice that drives sales at retail. The long-running collection features a broad range of styles that gives consumers plenty of options.

What's Hot: Hooker Seven Seas occasional

Key features: Seven Seas debuted in 2003 and is known for its broad assortment of exotic nesting tables, accent chests, carved writing desks and lighted curios. Shown here is the collection's Zebra Nest of Three Tables featuring black stone and brown penshell tops with turned, tapered mahogany legs.

Why it's selling: Andrew Crank, president of Henrico Furniture of Richmond, Va., said the Seven Seas collection offers customers a good mix of eclectic pieces and the opportunity to find a piece that fits their own style.

Crank said customers more often are pulling items like an end table from the Seven Seas group and pairing it with another glass-top piece rather than purchasing a group.

What's hot: Peters-Revington's Triston table.

Key features: The Triston collection features a medium-brown oak finish with lumber banded edges, laminated tops and engraved hardwoods.

Why it's selling: Jerry Sommers, co-owner of Furniture City in Chicago, said the big selling feature for these tables is their Formica tops. “Nobody makes a Formica top anymore. You can put hot things on it. We've been selling it for about 10 years. It's a kind of contemporary style and a great line.” The table retails for about $200, or $300 for a lift-top version.

Rob Halston, vice president of product development for Chromcraft-Revington, said the company's Peters-Revington division is one of the few sources that still offer high-pressure laminate top tables. “We currently have at least five tables in the line with high-pressure laminate tops and just introduced one in January that's had tremendous placements called Kiel. They're indestructible.

“Going way back, you had (a number of) manufacturers who had high-pressure laminate tables. Like everything else, the trend went from high-pressure laminate to solid wood and the same thing is true with occasional. There haven't been many occasional offshore suppliers that are good with laminate tops.”

What's hot: Cisco Brothers Block Bench.

Key features: Made of 100% reclaimed teak, this bench is sturdily constructed with clean lines and attractive wood grain.

Why it's selling: Nicholas Greene, who manages the Eco-terric shop in San Francisco's Green Home Center, said the piece's use of reclaimed teak from Myanmar is a key selling point.

“The (wood is) taken from knocked down teak homes that used to be owned by the British, so there's (some) history that works for the pieces. It's old growth wood, so there's a lot of detail. A lot of the woods today are harvested too early, so you don't get the grainy look of the wood that is in (our) pieces. They're one of a kind right now.”

Greene said the bench can serve as a sitting place or a coffee table. “The length is 62 inches wide and 18 inches deep so it's great for in front of a sofa.”

The line works well with Cisco's Basal Living collection of eco-friendly custom upholstery. The Block Bench retails for $1,175, Greene said.

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