Leather

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 16, 2006

All prices retail • In-depth stories on leather introductions will appear in Furniture/Today's opening-day issue

American Leather

Showplace-5th flr

• Additions include a modular group sectional that can be configured as stand-alone pieces or ratcheted together to create a square conversation pit. The sectionals are built in L-shaped configurations, with a square storage ottoman.

• New contemporary designs from Rick Lee include Zac, a square-back leather recliner, and its counterpart Jill, a rounded club chair outfitted in Ultrasuede.

• Also, new entries from designer Vladimir Kagan.

Aspenhome

IHFC M-604

• Three-piece Santa Rosa seating group features a motorized motion recliner.

• Other new groups include Sonoma (four-pieces) and New Yorker (three pieces).

• Additions to the leather chair/ottoman program include Liverpool, a big man's chair with extra-deep seating and an overstated wing plus storage ottoman. The sophisticated Monticello offers an updated Charles of London arm, off-the-floor carved high legs and storage ottoman.

• Leather recliners include Michael and Lounger, styled to match Aspen's popular chair and ottoman configuration.

Bentley Churchill

200 N. Hamilton

• The casual contemporary Gustav chair (No. 735) and ottoman (No. 335) sport worn copper nailhead accents. Dressed in hand-rubbed leather from Anthem.

• The Tennyson imported settee makes a traditional statement by matching a King Textiles tapestry with Ostrich ebony leather from The Leather Collection and accent pillows in a Swavelle stripe.

Bernhardt

IHFC D-601

The new Loft by Bernhardt program features up-to-date lifestyle frames in both leather and fabric covers highlighting a clean, fresh design aesthetic. The eight leather groups use a striking color palette of reds, blacks and off-whites, with a range of textures, including hair-on-hide and pebbled entries. A contemporary red leather club chair also is featured.

Bradington-Young

IHFC C-1057

• Highlighted introductions include an expanded Seven Seas imported club chair program as well as several reclining chairs starting at $799 retail and six sofas starting at $1,499. These are Chinese-made goods being built to Bradington-Young specifications.

• In the company's domestic line, it is introducing chairs that recline starting at $1,249, eight sofa groups starting at $2,199 for the sofa, along with a home theater group, motion sectional, swivel tub chairs and two decorative cocktail ottomans. The company also will debut about a half dozen leather club chairs as the official new leather upholstery licensee for the PGA Tour Home collection.

News: New showroom location is down the hall from parent Hooker Furniture (IHFC W-1047).

Breasley USA

PS 2-100

The North American debut of fine leather seating produced in southern China includes contemporary and transitional looks. The company represents the domestic distribution/marketing unit for Breasley Consumer Products, based in the United Kingdom. The container-only program offers strict quality control at its Chinese facility to ensure top quality. Retail pricing is mid- to mid-high on sofas, loveseats, chairs, ottomans, sectionals and chaises covered in Italian hides.

Broyhill Furniture

IHFC C-600

• Three leather/fabric collage frames join the line.

• Also adding a second leather choice to 16 existing styles to create a total of 32 SKUs.

Marketing programs: A direct-container, quick-ship program on leather with a $999 target. The quick-ship program will include four frames and 18 leathers. Also, the company is introducing an in-stock warehouse program for leather targeting retail price points of $899 to $1,499.

Calia Italia USA/Divextra

220 Elm 200

• Italian producer Calia Italia expands its transitional looks. New offerings include a rich leather sofa ($1,099), contemporary model ($999), transitional bycast leather frame ($899) and contemporary sofa, loveseat and chair group in bycast at $1,299.

• In addition, Calia Italia's Divextra subsidiary is featuring contemporary Italian designs made in China, competitively priced for the U.S. market. Offerings include Model 1527, a three-over-three transitional look. Available in a leather or microfiber cover, it is perched on a slim wood base with block feet. Offered in a choice of four finishes.

Strategy: Production of many best-selling Calia frames has been shifted from Italy to China to enhance competitiveness.

Chateau D'AX USA

IHFC D-1224

Manufacturing stationary and motion collections in Italy, Romania and China to hit specific price points. Stationary entries include a transitional linear chesterfield and a sofa adorned in Italian chenille as well as new motorized motion options.

Classic Leather

309 N. Hamilton

This domestic leather specialist's latest offering from Berry and Clark Designs is the Lloyd Hall (No. 3038). A Deco-inspired parlor sofa, it features a hand-tufted diamond motif back with contrasting welt and buttons. Shown in Town Square Carriage from The Leather Collection. Chair and ottoman also available.

Coja Leather

HS main level

• The Urban Expressions collection of sectionals outfits all models with inclining units, as well as full curved sectional corners in all styles, giving the group more versatility. Sonice, in a Euroleather cover, is among five frames being offered with reclining ends and newly shaped and curved sectional SKUs. Retail, $1,895.

• The premier, eight-way hand-tied line, American Traditions, adds four frames enhanced with sofa-sleeper and sectional options as well as inclining sofas. Selections include Manitoba, a shapely traditional with petite nail trim, down seats and backs, dressed in a Moore & Giles leather cover for $1,995. Eight-way hand tied springs; also offered in sofa-sleeper and sectional versions.

• Three new styles join the LaPoz collection, include Magali, a dual reclining sofa in a Friitala cover for $2,499.

Marketing programs: Coja offers its entire line in a quick-ship program with 21-day delivery to retailers. Plans are underway to shorten delivery to 14 days by mid-summer for fall 2006 selling.

Dan-Form

220 Elm 312

• The Danish chair, table and cabinet company adds such upholstery as a snake chaise lounge, a modern frame on a chrome swivel base.

• Also, a curve swivel chair sports a choice of walnut or cherry veneer with black leather upholstery. Also black, brown, white or red leather. Modern accent chair on chrome swivel base.

Marketing programs: New U.S. warehousing.

Decoro

IHFC H-1147

• A range of new silhouettes and new leathers join the line, addressing stationary, motion, sleeper and microfiber categories.

• Some 60% of DeCoro's showroom presentation will be dedicated to motion, including the debut of motorized components, while its stationary assortment emphasizes downsized, contemporary European profiles enhanced with correlating pillows.

Strategy: Value-oriented product line is produced in China.

Designers and Makers

Showplace 2547

With its United States debut, Vietnam-based Designers and Makers fills a void in the high-end market by offering more than 2,000 upholstery, case goods and accessory pieces. Competitively priced classic designs. Leather offerings include:

• Oversized club chairs outfitted in top-grain buffalo leather. Various sizes, styles and finishes. Retail, $1,500 to $1,960.

• A tufted sofa in top-grain leather on an acacia wood frame, finished by hand. Various colors, styles, sizes. Retail, $4,100 to $4,800.

Diamond Sofa

208 E. Green St

Continues to explore contemporary style directions with imported leather/leather match seating.

Distinction Leather

IHFC H-1120

New offerings and new leathers from its domestic line as well as its Chinese import line, Distinction International.

Doimo Elite

IHFC D-1102

Ratchet-back seating offerings include the X-Sofa, available as sofa or sectional in a variety of leather or suede covers. Italian quality and design.

Elite Leather

135 S. Hamilton

Line additions include Hillsborough, a sophisticated traditional stationary chair outlined in hand-pressed nailheads, and Gemini, a sleek, contemporary recliner.

El Ran

FP 523

Expanding its stationary and motion categories across all price points.

Emerald Home Furnishings

243 S. Main St.

• Featured seating imported from China includes three stationary groups and three motion sofas.

• Two new colors will be offered for sofa-sleepers.

• Also, a sectional combining red leather and microfiber, and a brown three-piece leather/microfiber grouping inspired by a successful chair introduction in Las Vegas.

• Stationary groups priced from $400 to $600; sectionals, $800 to $1,000.

Marketing programs: Warehouse programs based in Tacoma, Wash., and China.

Excelsior Designs/Casa Novalia Leather

IHFC D-1110

Expanding its contemporary leather upholstery program with the Fiesta sectional.

Marketing programs: A new quick-ship program features six styles, all crafted in Italy. Parent company, Excelsior Designs, will feature Casa Novalia Leather in its national ad campaign through the end of year.

Ferguson Copeland

300 E. Green Dr.

• New occasional chairs include the Italian Provincial lounge chair in a new silver leaf platinum finish to complement black leather and faux leopard chenille mix.

• The Gloucester tufted lounge chair, with narrow arms on front casters, offers deep seating comfort. Subtly outlined in star-shaped nailhead trim.

• The stately Petite slipper chair with rolled back is a scaled down armless chair on four casters. In antique leather cover.

Fjords (Formerly Hjellegjerde USA)

220 Elm 214

Market highlights include two motion frames from award-winning Norwegian designers Jarle Slyngstad (who will be present at the market) and the design team of Frode Myhr and Steiner Hindenes. Introductions include:

• Height-adjustable headrest model (Alfa 520) joins the Scandinavian recliner line. The luxe recliner offers steel frame construction, cold-cured foam seat and bent beech wood veneer base for $2,495.

• Also, Fjords 610, Jarle Slyngstad's contemporary recliner. Steel construction, polished aluminum base, cold-cured foam seat, $2,495.

• Fjords 410, a contemporary recliner from designers Frode Myhr and Steiner Hindenes. Steel frame construction, cold-cured foam seat, $2,395.

Marketing program: The launch of new Fjords branding is supported with a 30-second TV commercial, newspaper ads, circulars and direct mail.

Flexsteel

IHFC C-558

Six new stationary sofa frames join Latitudes, Flexsteel's Asian-built import line. On the domestic side, four new frames will be featured.

Fusion Home

IHFC D-705, 707, 709

Swedish contemporary leather seating source expands into new product categories with new collections. Highlights include the Legend loveseat ($3,000) and the lower-priced Soflex sofa and loveseat ($5000).

G & J Styles

212 N. Main

Recently launched vintage leather line constructed of top-grade Italian aniline hides includes two sofas, wing chairs, recliners and dining chairs. The leather has undergone an antiqued application to create a vintage look. Leather upholstery offerings emphasize traditional English vintage styling. They include the Oxford button back sofa and armchair, Hastings reclining chair, Knightsbridge wing chair recliner and Canterbury wing chair.

HTL International

FP 611

Asian-based line adds additional frames, including motion and Euro-influenced stationary styles, as well as promotional and casual/contemporary looks.

Halo USA

MS 251-253

Chesterfield sofa in top-grade vintage Georgian style leather on solid-wood frame ($2,500) is featured.

Marketing programs: Offering a container program and reduced lead-time for container shipments.

Hamilton & Spill

CP 118

• New seating collections include Brighton (No. 5601), a contemporary group offering curves, comfort and sewing detail, in warm Palomino.

• Dimaggio (No. 5545), a transitional contemporary design, sports rounded retro arms, kidney roll pillows and a cappuccino finish on a full wood base with off-the-floor legs. Dressed in tri-tone, top-grain leather with contrast welting. Sofa, chair, ottoman and freestanding chaise.

• The generously proportioned Northpoint (No. 5556) features high back, plush cushion seating. Sofa, loveseat, chair and ottoman.

• Salerno (No. 5543), a casual contemporary statement, offers two-over two styling with wide cushion seating for greater comfort. Sewing detail on outside arms and backs and contrast welting.

Italsofa

130 W. Commerce St.

Style i-218, a straightforward two-over-two design, offers simple styling with a slight curvature of the arms, an headrest for added dimension and comfort and block feet. Marketed under Natuzzi's promotional brand.

Jaymar

IHFC D-1220

• The Euro-inspired, sculpted contemporary Porto sofa features a custom wood base. Dressed in heavyweight bubble grain leather with waxy finish and soft hand. Retail is $3,495 for both sofa and loveseat.

• The new Ecco collection of sectionals and sofa/loveseat groupings forms the foundation of Jaymar's good-better-best offerings, with sectionals offered at $2,495. In-stock for immediate delivery, as well as special order.

• The Etc. collection, a year-old, in-stock/custom program for sofas and sectionals, expands.

Marketing programs: Expanded quick-ship program offers 20 styles at three price points ($2,495, $2,995 and $3,495) for custom sectionals or sofa/loveseat groups at blended prices for either stock or special orders. Two-day, in-stock warehousing program gains both lower price points and more traditional designs.

Kincaid

IHFC H-1204

Seven-frame assortment from China includes sofa, sectional and high-leg recliner choices, geared to dealers as well as Kincaid's 19 freestanding stores nationwide.

Marketing programs: The direct-container program allows for mixed loads, including case goods.

Klaussner

405 Lewallen Road, Asheboro

Featuring a two-over-two tailored frame with slightly splayed arms on slim wood base, with coordinating fabric pillow accents.

Largo International

CTT 100

• Leather club chair program expands with a new swivel/rocker, as well as three traditionally styled club chair/ottoman sets sporting antiqued leather treatments.

Premium top-grain leathers, eight-way hand-tied construction, imported from Asia, approximately $1,200 each.

• Freestanding ottoman collection features button-tufted rectangle on brass casters and other contemporary looks suitable for end-of-bed positioning. Cocktail ottomans, too.

Marketing programs: Has a warehouse operation in Houston.

La-Z-Boy

FP-103

• Introductions include the Benton sofa (No. 357) featuring a neatly tailored arm with a side panel showcasing a well-proportioned patchwork of leather squares. The low-profile track arm is reminiscent of Retro styling. Available as sofa, loveseat or chair/ottoman.

• The contemporary Larson motion sofa (No. 528), offered in leather or fabric, offers individual relaxation because each end seat moves independently.

• The Baylee reclining chair (No. 549) offers four channeled, pub-like cushions for total wrap-around comfort. Available in leather or fabric.

Leathercraft

117 N. Hamilton St.

New entries featuring eight-way, hand-tied spring base construction over solid hardwood frames include:

• Traditional armless sofa (No. 2220) on turned legs in rope motif, with feather/fiber seat cushions and back pillows. The piece mixes leather articles from Friitala and Universal, with pillows covered in Fabricut. Retail is $3,995.

• An updated transitional wingchair and ottoman (Nos. 2002/03) with hardwood stretcher base and solid-brass nailhead trim. Feather/fiber seat and back cushions. Dressed in Americraft Leather and Fabricut. Retail, $2,699.

• Traditional chaise (No. 1108) with right/left arm on turned legs, with pillow accents and feather/fiber cushioning. Covered in The Leather Collection and Fabricut to retail at $3,499.

• Moderately scaled, traditional French deco occasional chair (No. 2802) features flowing lines and carved legs. Marshall unit spring cushion. Embossed leather from Hulshof. Retail, $1,599.

Leather Italia-USA

430 S. Main

The Santaramo collection bulks up with Montego, a sectional on a slender dark wood base ($1,495); Benson, a four-piece traditional grouping edged in nailheads ($799); Boston, a traditional frame; and three contemporary two-over-two entries, Astro, Chino and Omero.

Marketing programs: Expanded quick-ship program and N.C. warehousing.

Leathertrend

PS 300

Some 70 frames join the line across all upholstery categories, including motorized motion options.

Lee Inds.

108 S. Lindsay

An authentic reproduction of a 1920s club chair is enhanced with spaced nailhead trim. Retail, $2,200.

Legacy

518 N. Hamilton

• The new Combi collection of collage looks features the Bach sofa, a contrasting texture story with carved wood legs in Nicopel leather ($1,999), and Apache, an eight-way hand-tied traditional frame with Moore & Giles cover for $1,699.

• Sofa line additions include Mozart, Old World charm on an eight-way hand-tied frame adorned in Nicopel leather ($2,499); Broadway, a well-tailored 48-inch deep cuddle sofa with nailheads in Nicopel ($2,499); and Tucson, showcasing Jaco's embossed exotic leathers ($1,999).

• Mason, an overscaled recliner with deep down cushioning for $1,499, is dressed in Nicopel leather.

Strategy: Zip-ship in 14 days; quick-ship on 75 leathers.

Loftgoods

220 Elm 105

Doubling its popular Go Anywhere RTA leather program with new frames and covers. Well-crafted and competitively priced.

Luana Living

325 Russell Ave., 2nd level

New import source specializes in coordinated collections of leather and leather/fabric "mixed media" upholstery, wood frame chairs and leather cocktail ottomans in upscale modern, transitional and vintage looks. Hair-on-calf, hand antiqued leathers and fashion-inspired metallic leathers are featured. All upholstery is outfitted with coil spring seating and feather/down/fiber/foam cushioning. Highlights include:

• Isabella, a leather/fabric sofa dressed in hand-antiqued, full-grain leather with vintage roll arm and button-tufted camel back.

• Paloma, a transitional three-over-three roll arm leather sofa with fabric pillows covered in large pebble grain leather with pearlized tips.

Strategy: Container-direct exclusive designs manufactured in China.

Luke Leather

PS 2-340

Tailored married programs, priced from $999 to $1,299, emphasize casual and traditional looks.

Marketing programs: Importer of midpriced leather upholstery from Southern Italy expands container program to complement in-stock warehouse service.

McKinley Leather

310 Hamilton Court 304-395

Continuing to emphasize customization options on all product offerings as well as its own finely tailored looks. Also, growing its chair program with:

• A sleek, clean-lined contemporary chair (No. 231) offering deep seating plus space efficiency within a room setting. Heller leather cover, $1,200.

• Barrel-back Library vintage tub chair (No. 251) with high arms, nailhead outline and spool legs in Moore & Giles cover, $1,200.

• Barrel-back tufted vintage tub chair (No. 252) with high arm, hand-tufted back and wipe-off Leather Miracles cover in burnished red/black, $1,300.

• Kalahari sling settee has evolved into a love seat ($2,400) or western style novelty sling chair with hair-on-hide center back panel and embossing ($1,400).

Strategy: Firmly committed to domestic production, all products are manufactured in Claremont, N.C. Quick three- to four-week turnaround.

Michael Thomas

1690 English Road

British barrel chair, LX 9240, is dressed in Absolutely Red from Moore & Giles with Buckingham finish. Retail, $1,999.

Natale

400 English Road, Level 3

• Italian manufacturer addresses contemporary and transitional style categories with eight new stationary frames, three motion sofas and three sectionals.

• New aniline-dyed, full-grain leather from its own tannery in Northern Italy joins the line. More than 20 new colors.

Natuzzi Americas

130 W. Commerce St.

The Diagonal delivers a modern modular statement with oversized square cushions that can be arranged in various sizes and configurations.

Niroflex

MOG 303

Continuing to reinforce its $599 to $999 retail values, this Brazilian manufacturer introduces 12 frames along with new leathers.

Marketing programs: Six new frames in a limited choice of leathers will be available for quick-ship delivery, six weeks from ordering date.

Palliser

220 Elm 400

• Camden, a transitional sofa/loveseat/chair group, has gallery back and generous T-cushion seating. Shown in a natural leather at $1,799.

• The urban-oriented Riverton sofa, loveseat, chair and sectional offers semi-attached lumbar support for deep seating comfort. Pocket pouch on outside arm to store TV remote and magazines. Retail, $1,699.

• The Montgomery sofa/loveseat/chair/sectional, with picture back and unique arm design, suits transitional or contemporary looks, for $1,699.

• The contemporary two-over-two Enzo sofa/loveseat/chair group in heavyweight two-tone leather, has a bite arm with soft curve, padded top cushion. Priced at $1,299.

• Pushback Companion chairs, in urban casual to transitional themes, to complement Palliser's stationary upholstery. Priced at $999.

• Madden, a bycast and padded microfiber combination, offers a console loveseat complete with drop-down table. Available as sofa, matching recliner and sectional with corner cuddler. Priced at $1,999.

Parker Southern

103 N. Hamilton

Strengthening western style themes with new looks in leather, hair-on-hide and leather/fabric combinations. The Ponderosa collection mixes it up with four leather articles from The Leather Collection and Carroll Leather, and two fabrics from Penelope/High Five Textiles and Cone Jacquards.

Rowe

IHFC C-1058

Top-quality imported leather seating adorned in South American hides, in two colors and espresso wood finish, include:

• The Elton chair, a modern club frame with thinner profile and stylishly flared legs.

• The tufted Crosby settee, an armless, button-back and button-seat bench.

Simon Li Furniture/Trayton

101 S. Main St.

Participating in its second High Point market, this Chinese-based, Scandinavian-owned upholstery maker introduces more than 30 value-oriented leather, fabric and mixed media upholstery groups. Pieces feature solid, kiln-dried, heavy-duty pinewood frames; cornerblocked, finger joint frame base; and high-density, high-resilience foam core seating wrapped in polyfiber.

• Style No. 8673 is a pushback recliner in heavy pull-up leather for $899.

News: New 7,000-square-foot showroom location.

Sklar Peppler

FP 101

• Introducing the No. 900SV series to strengthen its position in the value category. The new program complements existing No. 1800SX and No. 1200SL series.

• New leather upholstery includes the Bellagio, a contemporary casual frame with back button detail and cylindrical bolster pillows. Retail, $1,299.

• The Clark, a contemporary three-piece modular sectional in a microsuede, combines wedge, armless chair and ottoman for infinite combinations. Retail, $1,499.

Marketing programs: Newly launched Sklar Peppler private-label credit card provides financing to consumers. Also, a new licensing deal with Canada's Designer Guys from HGTV.

Sofa Art by Giuseppe Nicoletti

IHFC D-824

Additions include Cristoforo, combining a leather frame with fabric cushions and armrests. Down feather-filled seat and armrests. Wood feet available in dark brown or wenge finish. Offered in sofa ($2,899), loveseat or chair configurations.

Spagnesi USA

MS 228

Specializing in exposed wood frames, this Italian leather upholstery producer's additions include:

• Gabin, a modern group with optional occasional table. It is offered as either a detachable two-piece 107-inch sofa or as an 87-inch seat.

• Gauthier, a contemporary sectional featuring steam-bent wood side panels.

• Rondo, a modern design with elliptical-shaped stuffed arms.

Statesville Chair

309 N. Hamilton

Classic Leather's sister company features the richly turned-out Rosebank, an updated Duncan Phyfe-inspired sofa. It incorporates both an inverted camel back frame with leather/fabric upholstery collage styling. Features include rolled arms, down-filled cushioning and exposed decorative wood accents.

Trindi Furniture

101 S. Main

Residential upholstery arm of DeNovo Leathers expands its in-stock program of Asian imports warehoused in Hickory, N.C. Stationary leather seating intros include upholstered chairs, sofa groups and club chairs.

Union City Imports

IHFC M-239

Furla, a three-over-three with diagonal tufted back motif, is further enhanced with honey finished wood trim. Imported from China.

Universal Furniture

2622 Uwharrie

Following up the success of The Loft Collection introduced last market to target youthful fabric upholstery consumers with Loft Leather. Entries include the No. 5526L sofa, dressed in a semi aniline with light savage treatment. The two-over-two stationary frame has an offset roll arm, decorative nailhead trim and exposed wood legs. Eight-way hand-tied springs, blend-down seat cushions, toss pillows and cushion tie downs. Retail, $1,199. This group is also available as a two-piece piece home theater sectional.

W. Schillig USA

220 Elm 316

• Curvaceous wood borders characterize the sweeping San Marco sectional from designer Fillmore Harty. The smartly tailored upholstery has separated back pillows, squared-off back corner and stitching contrast.

• The Aurora's timeless architectural appeal is suited for contemporary or transitional decors. Pillow top cushioning, wide arm treatments and slotted back enhance the look.

Zocalo

HS 300

Featuring Color Cubes of bycast leather on chestnut-toned legs in bone, pink, tangerine, autumn, turquoise or kiwi. Priced at $149.