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Classic or contemporary, creating a hit takes right match of fabric, frame

Savvy sofa merchandisers balance color and shape with price and pattern for maximum appeal

Susan M. Andrews -- Furniture Today, April 2, 2006

Steve Beeker, Kincaid Furniture, director of upholstery sales and merchandise
Jeff Zimmerman, Jeff Zimmerman Collection by Key City Furniture, designer

High Point — Putting a stunning textile or leather in a great color on a well-proportioned frame doesn't guarantee a beautiful result. All the elements are there, but they don't necessarily combine to create a winning look. Why not? When they do create a winning look, what's the secret?

The secret is in the "eye" and experience of the merchandiser who makes fabric-to-frame choices based on the manufacturer's strengths, product and price niche and style aesthetic.

On this page, Global Textiles Today presents two stylish upholstery pieces featuring happy marriages of fabric and frame, with insights from the merchandisers on what makes the marriage work. This is part of an ongoing series about fabric-to-frame design and merchandising.

Steve Beeker, Kincaid Furniture, director of upholstery sales and merchandise

Steve Beeker dressed the Chandler sofa and its companion chair to complement Kincaid Furniture's Colonnade collection of dark-finished, mid-century-inspired case goods. Retail price for the Chandler sofa as shown is about $1,195; for the chair, about $895.

Why this marriage works

Chenille fabric inspired by designer Coco Chanel's iconic tweed suits from the 1950s and '60s.
Updated spa palette of pale seafoam blue and green, tan and cream.
Light fabric colors contrast with dark wood finish.
Bolster pillows in same fabric and envelope arm treatment continue the clean, modern lines.
Updated damask print on chair ties in with tweedy chenille.

Fabric sources

Sofa: David Rothschild Co., Neiman.
Chair: Waverly, Essence.

Jeff Zimmerman, Jeff Zimmerman Collection by Key City Furniture, designer

The work of 19th-century German-American designer George Hunzinger was Jeff Zimmerman's inspiration for the Paige Settee showcased at Key City Furniture. Hunzinger often incorporated pared-down geometric shapes like knobs and pinwheels in his designs, which Zimmerman translated as ball-turned legs that are mirrored in the circular arm panels and buttons. As shown, the sofa retails for $2,899.

Why this marriage works

Cleaned-up collage. Although still clearly vintage, it's not over the top.
Crewel on a velvet base, rather than the typical linen, adds interest.
Expensive fabric used judiciously as panels on back, seat and pillows, instead of all over.
Ball-turned legs echoed in circular arm panels and buttons.

Fabric sources

Red velvet: J.B. Martin.
Velvet crewel: Kravet Couture.
Trim: Gelberg Braid and Bomar Trim.

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