Leather

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 3, 2005

Aberdeen

CP 1111

Promotional leather-match sofa sets available via container direct or warehouse pickup.

AFECOM

SP 3415

Three midpriced groups feature a transitional sofa/loveseat; dressed in Brazilian leather, this Brazilian consortium mates Italian quality with American style.

American Leather

SP Fifth floor

• Five transitional introductions include Astoria, a sectional on a wood base with buttonless tufting; two-tone styling matches leather with Ultrasuede. Prescott, a roll arm, T-cushion, three-seat sofa with nailhead option; in new leather, Fifth Avenue Rouge. Manchester, a three-seat, T-cushion sofa design with welting on track arms. Bali, a thin arm, two-seat sofa with a higher wood leg, in leather or Ultrasuede. Diva, a tight seat/tight back sofa with buttons on the seat, set on wood base. Matching armless chairs in Ultrasuede.

• On the contemporary side, highlights include Posh, a tight seat/tight back armless sectional on metal legs with matching armless chair, and Odessa, a contemporary chair and recliner. Designer Rick Lee's contemporary entries are Heron, a two-seat sofa on a metal base, and Robin, also on metal legs, with coordinating recliner.

• Featured traditional intros include Fresno, a two-seat traditional sofa on a wood base with inset arm post detail. Also, Rafael, a two-seat sofa with exaggerated flair arm and nailhead option; eight-way hand-tied construction and down seating. And Marcos, a three-seat, rollarm sofa on a wood base, is shown in new leather; wide, thick thread and stitching techniques are featured.

Bassett

IHFC C-1200

A stylish assortment of upholstered leather club chairs and ottomans, including bycast covers, and an armless model, $599 to $750. Special-order leathers also available.

Bizzarri

SP 3618

This upscale Italian custom leather seat maker from Forli makes its official market debut with 20 contemporary models. Features include a signature arm cutout design and finely tailored full aniline European hides, cut by hand.

Bradington-Young

1709 King St.

• Expanding its Seven Seas Seating program. The six-month-old import line features products made in China, built to Bradington-Young specifications. The assortment is geared to midpriced dealers not buying Bradington-Young's existing higher-end line. Good-better-best pricing. Container direct and warehousing options.

• Showing new domestic products under the Bradington-Young label.

Calia Italia USA/Divextra

220 Elm 200

• Italian producer Calia Italia unveils Asian-based subsidiary Divextra, featuring Italian styles made in China, competitively priced for the U.S. market. More than 20 frames in contemporary, modern, traditional and transitional styles. Full aniline, corrected grain and microfiber covers. From $799 to $1,199 for sofas; $1,499 to $1,999 for multi-piece packages.

• The Calia Italia USA brand introduces 20 of its own Italian-made modern sofas and sectionals in full-grain leathers.

Century

Market Square 500

New exotic leather sofa, No. LR28170, combines well-tooled leather with modern animal print accents. Inside back and seat cushion covered in high-end, embossed, top-grain Italian leather. Hand-rubbed aniline finish adds depth and dimension. Fringed throw pillows are reversible, from fabric to hair-on-hide tiger leather. Outlined in rustic brass nails with classic oak finish. The exposed wood frame, offered in more than 50 finishes, features spool carving. About $6,000.

Chateau D'Ax USA

IHFC D-1224

Manufacturing stationary and motion collections in Italy, Romania and China to hit specific price points. Some 25 new models, featuring better goods in fashion colors from Italy, as well as bycast seating from China.

Chintaly Imports

PS 1-613

Expanded assortment of contemporary and traditional leather groups with fresh styles and colors. Top-grain leather groups offered for quick shipment from domestic warehouse; also expanded direct container offerings.

Classic Chesterfield USA

330 North Hamilton 304

In its American debut, the U.S.-owned marketing arm of Classic Chesterfield Mfg. Ltd., a leading Australian leather upholstery manufacturer, offers 16 upscale traditional stationary frames. All are dressed in top-grain vintage hides from New Zealand in 27 colors. Introductions include:

• Spencer, a 3.5-seat traditional Chesterfield button-tufted sofa with full coil base, premium foam, sprung back, 100% Australian hardwood, hand made in Australia, $7,211.

• Spencer wing chair, featuring traditional button-tufted Chesterfield styling, $4,687.

• Captain's chair on swivel base, with gas lift and adjustable tilt, $3,209.

• Executive office line includes a high-back chair with gas lift and adjustable tilt, $4,687.

Classic Leather

309 North Hamilton St.

Now showing in High Point only once a year, Classic Leather features the Chadsworth sofa, No. 3018, an exclusive design by Berry and Clark Designs. Traditional elegance with a twist, $2,499. Chair available.

Coaster

Coaster WrennCom Building 101

Introductions highlight better leathers on step-up products, as well as a greater concentration on motion seating groups. All imported from Asia.

COJA Leather

HS Main floor

• The Urban collection is being expanded with Allegro, a sumptuous open-end sectional or sofa configuration in soft semi-aniline leather. European sourced in multi colors.

• New 6,000-square-foot Hamilton Square showroom celebrates the Dutch-owned, Canadian-based company's 20th anniversary in the North American market.

DeCORO

IHFC H-1147

New models and leathers join the line, addressing stationary, motion, sleeper and microfiber categories. This value-focused line is manufactured in China.

Diamond Sofa

208 East Green St.

Addressing trendy themes, introductions include a contemporary leather/leather match sofa at $999. Company is gearing up for a West Coast warehouse expansion in May.

Distinction Leather

IHFC H-1120

Offerings include additions to its domestic line as well new products in the Distinction International line, imported seating from China.

Eleganza

SP 4220

This consortium of three high-end upholstery manufacturers based in Italy's Forli region adds models in leather or fabric. Quick-ship available.

Elite Leather

135 South Hamilton St.

The company's first licensing venture, Lulu DK for Elite Leather, features leather designs conceived by Lulu de Kwiatkowski, founder and chief designer of New York-based Lulu DK Fabrics. Color is highlighted, drawing from inspirations gleaned from Lulu's international travels. The collection, underscoring feminine, masculine and Asian motifs, complements Elite's core line; $2,000 to $3,000.

Emerald Home

243 South Main St.

• No. U1270 group in brown bycast leather is enhanced with white contrast stitching. Coordinating pieces include sofa, loveseat, chair, long rectangular ottoman with storage drawers, and ottoman cubes.

• Microfiber introductions include a new sectional.

• Also featuring several freestanding cocktail ottomans in leather.

• Warehouse programs based in Seattle and China.

Excelsior Designs/Casa Novalia

IHFC D-1110

Six-month-old upscale Italian line expands with new frames and leathers in ultra-contemporary to transitional designs.

Flexsteel

IHFC C-558

• Creating a three-level pricing strategy for its domestically made leather seating, with step-up charges of $100 each for special-order, good-better-best leathers, as an alternative to its cut-and-sew entries. Within this program, the 72-inch Digby, a contemporary loft frame, is available as cut-and-sew or dressed in step-up custom leather choices.

• The in-house domestic program is augmented by selections from Latitudes, the company's year-old offshore line.

• Wrangler Home by Flexsteel expands into bedroom and casual dining, in addition to new leather entries.

Four Hands

Union Square E201, P202

• The new Logan collection presents the Carlton bed, a tufted contemporary leather upholstery bed frame. Two sizes, two colors.

• The existing Whitmore collection adds Pierce, a bycast sofa with track arms, visible contrast stitching and block legs. In eight colors, $1,670.

• The Metro collection gains a Eurostyle occasional chair with attached neck roll on metal disc pedestal, and high-back tufted Grace dining chair, $288.

HTL International

FP 611

Asian-based line bulks up with additional frames, including motion and Euro-influenced stationary styles, as well as promotional and casual/contemporary looks. Style No. 1011, a one-armed, two-piece contemporary sectional with chaise option, offers design flexibility; with aluminum sled legs, $1,699. Also, better, softer leathers spotlighted.

Incanto Divani

PS 131

Italian-based company launches its first motion group, Elba, a generously proportioned 93-inch frame, manufactured in Brazil and sold under the Sofitalia promotional brand, $1,499.

Interline Italia

IHFC H-541

Newly focused collections address voids in the marketplace.

• Cleaner, more dramatic promotional looks, $599 to $799. The products at $799 will serve as a step-up price beyond the basic starting point models.

• Sofa-sleepers with smaller frames and some matching chairs to allow for aggressive dealer promotions with higher average tickets. European mechanism with wood slats, high-viscosity foam mattress, $799 to $1,499.

• The bulk of the company's market introductions are in the top-of-the-line Premier Italia collection. Sophisticated, full-grain, quality Italian aniline leathers, imbued with value. Quick-ship and special-order capabilities. No restrictions on the number of leathers or styles per container, $999 to $1,699.

Italsofa

130 West Commerce St.

Model i206, a transitional three-over-three sofa on a wood base, favors simple lines. Marketed under Natuzzi's promotional brand.

Jaymar

IHFC D-1220

• New collection of sofas and sectionals covered in upscale aniline leather. Offered on both a stocking (factory inventory) and custom basis, with three-week shipment on special orders.

• The successful Metro collection expands with timeless styles built for a more casual lifestyle.

• Sofa additions include Linea, a blended mix of mid-century and Euro-continental styling, and Cosy, a basic American contemporary look accented with neatly shaped arm and chrome-trimmed wood leg, dressed in Italian leathers, $1,595.

Lane

IHFC C-800

New leather sofa offerings include:

• Sonic, No. 226, a contemporary padover chaise with bustle back and double-padded arms. Leather match, $1,199. Sectional available.

• Summerlin, No. 214, a traditional padover chaise with rustic nailhead treatment; velvet and leather match, fabric, $899; leather, $1,299.

• Stallion, No. 232, a contemporary padover chaise with pillowtop seat cushions and double-pad arms; padded suede and leather match, fabric, $899; leather, $999.

• Cosmic, No. 602, a small-scale contemporary sofa with pillowtop seating and back-within-a-back styling, in ultra- soft apparel-weight leather, $1,099.

• The licensed Eddie Bauer collection features the Carlson, No. 604, a traditional camelback sofa in hand-rubbed antique leather with distressed wood base with serpentine front rail and nailheads, $1,499; and the Dalton, No. 609, a scaled-down transitional frame with unique saddle shape arm in hand-rubbed leather, $1,199.

Largo

Center Theater Tower 100

• Houston-based importer of Chinese-built, all-leather-covered frames expands six-month-old category with five stationary sofas in traditional and contemporary styles, three traditional occasional chairs and one contemporary sectional.

• New ottomans include three contemporary models and one traditional piece.

• The leather collection is a freestanding offering under the Largo umbrella, independent of the licensed Jaclyn Smith Home by Largo collection. Texas-based warehouse operation.

Leathercraft

117 North Hamilton St.

Continuing to add items to its lifestyle categories with an emphasis on detail and uniqueness. Leather and fabric covers complemented by an assortment of trim options.

• The Country Lodge collection includes a highly detailed settee-style sofa, No. 2150, on exposed wood-turned stretcher base. Feather and fiber buttoned single seat cushion with 100% down and goose feather back pillows, $4,995.

• Moderately scaled transitional-modern sofa, No. 965-00, sized for urban living, features track arm, loose pillow back, high-leg styling and eight-way hand-tied spring cushioning; sofa, $2,995, plus loveseat, chair and ottoman.

• Transitional-contemporary high-back track arm chair, No. 2922, highlights flat seam sewing detail and uniquely shaped block feet. Eight-way hand-tied spring cushioning, $1,795. Matching ottoman available.

Leather Italia-USA

305 South Hamilton St.

New imported sofa frames include Eden, a three-over-three model on wood block feet. Stationary introductions feature memory foam on hardwood frames.

Leathertrend/Leathermart

PS 300

Convertibles by LeatherMart collection presents nested shelving as part of a high-end fashion look. Sectional seating is highlighted with walnut/veneer table accents. Chaise option can be placed at either end with alternative seat cushion stored in ottoman. Some 70 frames join the line across all upholstery categories.

Legacy Leather

518 North Hamilton St.

• Sofa intros include Boston, dramatic leather/fabric collage on traditional camelback frame edged in nailheads, with turned legs. Accent pillows in fabric and leather covers.

• Kenya, a three-over-three transitional curved frame, is enhanced with multi-tone alligator print leather, block feet and shirred arm treatment.

• Offering two-week shipment on 70 leathers.

Max Divani SPA

NFM 502

Following its October debut, Italian producer highlights new leathers in addition to a new comfort seating system. Some upholstery introductions offer loose seat and back cushions filled with foam/feather combination, wrapped in thick leather with contrast stitching. Also, new Anteprima and Austin sectionals. Offers quick-ship.

McKinley Leather

310 Hamilton Court 304-395

Committed to domestic production; all product manufactured in Claremont, N.C.

• Focusing on high-end contemporary selections with clean, crisp lines. Featuring new leather colors such as citrus pear, sky blue, bone, coconut, mint and apricot.

• More traditional offerings include a feminine crescent- front sofa featuring off-the-floor styling, turned legs and black/red wipe-off leather. A more masculine frame, enhanced with carved knuckles and ball and claw legs, is among the carved pieces.

• New leather applications simulate leathers that look old, not worn.

• Special orders with three- to four-week turnaround.

Michelangelo Designs

118 West Commerce St.

• New contemporary designs include Ikos in top-grain leather with adjustable seats and headrest, wide armrests and metal frame.

• Transitional sofa, No. 356, is a simple yet stylish frame with wide flap arms. Loveseat, chair also available. Multiple colors. Made in Italy.

• Model No. 363 sports European contemporary design and Italian leather.

• New Cirasola USA collection, Italian designed and made in China, features contemporary upholstery pieces and complete seating groups.

Natale

400 English Road

Italian manufacturer offers better all-leather seating with value. Revamped selection of hides emphasizes full-grain aniline-dyed leathers from its own tannery in northern Italy. Price points from $899 to $1,499.

Natuzzi Americas

130 West Commerce St.

The sleek, well-scaled model 2306 addresses the growing popularity of sectionals in the marketplace. Upholstered in Dreamfibre-branded microfiber.

Niroflex

MOG 303

• Brazilian producer adds model 5110 in pigmented Tizza leather, and model 4816 in Super M seashell leather; $699 and $799, respectively.

• High Point-based Giovanni Leather warehouse program expands its in-stock sofa selections.

Omnia Leather

HS 128

• Highlights include Mercedes, an ultra-contemporary, full-grain sectional, available in multiple sizes and configurations, $5,995.

• Kingsley is a transitional sectional in pebble grain pull-up leather with nailhead detail, $4,995.

• These and other selections are available in more than 150 leathers and colors.

Moving to larger production facility in California this summer. Also, new Hamilton Square showroom.

Palliser

220 Elm 400

• Elements modular seating collection now has nine arm treatments with the addition of Viceroy, sporting a traditional bombe arm, and Austin, a track arm. New price points, new leathers and new textural microfibers for Elements.

• The modular frames gain a new piece, "The Nest," a half-hexagonal- shaped end piece that creates less than right-angle seating.

• Other debuts include Lucy, a tuxedo-style sofa with button-back bench seat, and Hepburn, a tuxedo style with plain back individual seats. Both with narrow arm, coil seat with memory foam.

• The Euro Modern style category adds Milano, a small-scale, geometric freestanding sofa with bite arm. Modular pieces available.

Polaris USA

IHFC D-1011

The Myto frame's electronic remote option moves seats forward to convert to a single bed. Also, debuting a specially detailed "rachet" back. Container purchases or individual items available. Factory direct to store (warehouse delivery). Italian design, Italian tannery.

Prime Resources/Pacifica Leather

220 Elm 106

Sofa additions include an oversized transitional tufted leather sectional with microfiber accents, $1,599.

RODI

CP 202

Refreshing its stationary line with model SX6100, a contemporary look. Features include high arms, elegant curved design and tall wooden legs. Top-quality Italian leather. Sofa, loveseat, chair.

Schillig USA

220 Elm 316

• The Fillmore Harty collection adds El Sies, No. 51650, a contemporary melding of sculpture and architectural design; fatigue-resistant, dual-spring system. Also, Pluma, No. 51850, a sequel to the Kashmir group, featuring the "high modulus" suspension system pioneered by W. Schillig. Curved, padded arm adds to its transitional appeal.

• The smartly tailored Havana chair, No. 51581, sports a uniquely curved arm, suited to relaxing with a book. Distinctive curve is available on left or right arm.

• The Ergoline collection's "Hometainment" group offers a high level of flexibility. Unlike most cinema seating, each seat is a single seat that also can be grouped together to create a multi-seating unit. Adjustable seat, back and headrest. Detachable footrests and tables, with hidden storage. Available in leather or microfiber.

Shadow Mountain

MS 251

N.C.-based importer of rustic/casual bedroom, casual dining, occasional and lighting adds competitively priced accent chair and leather seating programs, $799. The line includes both rocking chairs and stationary wood frame chairs of solid birch with top-grain leather and nail trim for rustic appeal. Married program: one leather/one finish. Made in China, shipped container-direct from China or from distribution center in Statesville, N.C.

Sharut

305 South Hamilton St.

High-end contemporary leather seating, assembled in the United States, joins the lineup of entertainment units, bedrooms, home office and curios. The new stationary and motion line encompasses sofas, loveseats, recliners and home theater seating. Many of the 100% leather motion pieces feature advanced lumbar support, contoured leg rest and wall-hugging designs. Can integrate complete home theater and living room collections.

Sklar Peppler

FP 101

Strengthening its leather category with innovative covers, including bycast, and aggressive price points in patented spring seating construction.

• Lemans, a three-seater sofa in charcoal leather, is enhanced with special foam arm construction. Matching leather/wood cocktail ottoman, $1,099.

• Boston, a three-seat bycast sofa. Matching oblong footstool, $999.

Sofa Art by Giuseppe Nicoletti

IHFC D-824

• New frames, including Ibis and Manila, feature Italian-designed seating manufactured in the company's six-month-old, 80,000-square-foot Chinese production plant. The starting price points for three-piece groups in the Chinese program are $799 to $899 landed to the retailer. The sofas will carry the Nicoletti brand as well as Sofa Art.

• The contemporary Kalidria frame, made in Italy, contrasts rigid arms with the softness of a feather-filled quilted back treatment. Various configurations.

Style-Line

FP 411

Expanded assortment of Chinese-made, eight-way hand-tied stationary, motion and club chairs in traditional and transitional looks. Ten motion sofas are offered among more than 20 new frames. Tri-color leathers are featured.

Trindi Furniture

101 South Main St.

New residential upholstery division of DeNovo Leathers features in-stock warehouse Asian import program. Stocked in Hickory, N.C. Stationary leather seating intros include upholstered chairs, seven sofa groups and cigar chairs. New showroom location.

Universal

2622 Uwharrie Road

Leather upholstery category, introduced in October, expands by 50%, following its success at retail. Eight new groups highlighting upper-end styling and better colors and leathers, address 21st Century Modern, Urban Casual and European Romance themes, from $1,199 to $1,499.

• Offerings include three-over-three traditional sofa, No. 1217, with tufted arms, exposed-wood legs and toss pillows. In semi-aniline, tri-color burgundy and chocolate brown. Pocketed coil-spring system, $1,499.

• The Cowboy Couch offers a rustic theme in a collage of real suede and leather, with toss pillows, antique nailhead trim and exposed-wood cabriole legs, $1,399. Cowgirl version offered in blonde leather.

• Modern mission style sofa, No. 983, features exposed oak base trimmed in steel nailheads in deep brown semi-aniline cover. With correlating occasional tables, $1,499.

• All seating features 100% top-grain leather and blend-down seat cushions with tie-downs. Made at Universal's dedicated facilities in China. Exposed wood designs correlate with new/existing occasional pieces. Leather and fabric collections offered in mixed container loads.

Zocalo

HS 300

• The Fusion ottoman debuts in five colors and two sizes.

• Expanded 37,000-square-foot showroom to mark company's 10th anniversary.