Grand scale looms large
Deco's also in the cards for case goods
By Powell Slaughter -- Furniture Today, October 10, 2005
High Point — Case goods buyers at premarket last week saw renewed interest in big scale at the high end, attention to clean contemporary looks, simpler traditional, and another big round of Art Deco-influenced collections.
After a couple of years addressing consumers with big incomes but moderately sized homes, several high-end suppliers sized up again to fill voids — figuratively and literally — with product for large houses.
Henredon's introduction, inspired by furnishings in dressy island resorts, has a rich, dark finish on large, fairly simple cases, predominantly in cerejera veneers. The look is reminiscent of British Colonial but more formal than typical West Indies plantation looks. It also throws eclectic curves with Karellian birch veneers and mixed media, as well as a strong Campaign element.
Century's Italian- and Spanish-influenced Marisol in heavily distressed radiata pine from South America — a tighter, clearer-grained, harder wood than North American pine — and ash burl accents, is 25% larger than most of the line.
At E.J. Victor, additions to its Randall Tysinger antique-inspired line tend toward the dramatic in terms of scale, including a tall Regency china in mahogany, and a Louis XV chest with massive hardware mounts.
Stonebrier, one of three new collections from Bernhardt, returns the company to the large-scale traditional looks that were its hallmark, this time in relaxed English style and pin-knotty cherry. Solid-wood drawer fronts accommodate shaping on case fronts and add heft.
Capitalizing on the attention contemporary has received of late, Excelsior Designs, a specialist in sleek Italian goods, has its first licensed collection with apparel and accessory designer Nicole Miller. It features an assortment of high-sheen veneers, including zebrano, canaletto, California walnut burl, tanganika, frozen birch and ribbon mahogany, as well as a variety of lacquer treatments.
Mainstream case goods players took on contemporary as well, such as Fine Furniture Design & Marketing with Mid-Century Moderne, in elm hardwoods and Mozambique veneers in contrasting cognac and ebony finishes.
Kincaid's Highland Park, a clean urban collection that could be its most contemporary to date, incorporates solid alder in a satiny finish. The bedroom includes Kincaid's first true platform bed with drawer storage in the base, and dining includes modular storage pieces.
At Bernhardt, Illumina, in clean ash burl and European figured ash veneers with walnut trim inlay, features floating cases and a large, low-profile bed on a plinth base.
Hickory White returns to fashionable contemporary looks with Skyloft, a dining room, occasional and upholstery group in American premium walnut veneers and clear maple solids. Bedroom will follow in April.
American Drew's Bryant Park is a contemporary-leaning addition to the company's Profiles program from April in a washed oak finish.
Art Deco, meanwhile, has become the new Louis Philippe — a look everyone seems to need. "Reminiscent of Hollywood glamour of the '40s," or words to that effect, pop up on page after page of romance copy for October introductions.
At Henredon, a new Ralph Lauren lifestyle called Modern Hollywood highlights walnut veneer and solids, with a parchment element and nickel hardware with leather stitching. The collection includes an extended panel bed with wing nightstands.
Hooker's Modern Classics abounds in soft edges, cloverleaf posts and pilasters, and includes the supplier's first wall bed in at least 15 years.
Deco influences also are evident in the Modern Elegance addition to Lexington's Liz Claiborne brand; Universal's Hollywood, updated Art Deco in primavera with some walnut burl veneers; and American Drew's Sophisticate in Mozambique veneer.
While rustic lodge looks have been popular of late, several collections looked to achieve a getaway tone with a more elegant touch.
Cresent's Crossings, the first round of a licensed collection with New York interior designer Rick Shaver, includes about 30 pieces in okoume veneer inspired by the sleek furnishings of early 20th century ocean liners — a look that's almost a precursor to Art Deco.
Along with its upscale resort introduction, Henredon also offers another Ralph Lauren lifestyle, Villa America, including a table based on an original in Lauren's Jamaica home, with a geometric base and woven seagrass under a glass top.
There's also a move to clean up cottage for a more refined look, including Lexington's Bob Timberlake Salt Aire collection in black, and Universal's Point Harbor Back Bay in a pine finish.
Traditional continues to move toward cleaner lines a la Bernhardt's Market Street in pin-knotty cherry and myrtle cluster burl veneers, with Continental influences including Louis Philippe and Empire, and Precedence from Pennsylvania House, reminiscent of a less formal New Standards.
After the opulent Mediterranean debut of Casa Cristina last year, Pulaski came back with Casa Cristina Urbana in pecky pecan veneers, simpler and more architectural than the original.
Stanley jazzed up classic Louis Philippe with Louis Louis in cherry, black or white finishes. The look is hard to pin down, with familiar silhouettes contemporized through finish and function.
