Custom options give domestic bedroom an edge
Designed to move: Hot products at retail
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, November 30, 2009
But for those who look hard enough, there are plenty of viable U.S. bedroom sources left. These are companies that have weathered the shift toward imports and stuck to their passion and niche in producing solid-wood furniture.
To remain competitive, many of these companies employ a custom approach. This includes the use of different wood species and various wood and painted finishes. Some even tailor the dimensions of pieces to customer specifications.
They also tout their proximity to their customer base and control over their manufacturing as assets that give them both speed to market and unmatched quality. Below is a look at some of the products U.S. manufacturers have to offer.
 Classic Mission by Conrad Grebel |
Collection: Classic Mission by Conrad Grebel.
Where it's made: Goshen, Ind.
Key features: Launched in April 2009, this Mission-influenced group is made with quarter-sawn white oak. A four-piece set, including bed, dresser, mirror and nightstand, retails for about $6,000. Customization also includes multiple finishes and sizes.
Why it sells: Based on feedback from retailers, President Chad Gascho said customers respond to the smoothness of the finish, use of solid woods and features such as the depth of the drawers and full-extension drawer guides. “We design our furniture to be extremely functional. It's built like a tank — It's probably overkill, but then the product sells itself.”
 Aspen bedroom by Simply Amish |
Collection: Aspen bedroom by Simply Amish.
Where it's made: Arcola, Ill.
Key features: Introduced in 2002, the Aspen bedroom is made with cherry solids with ebony inlays. It is shown here in a Gold Dust finish. A four-piece group, including a bed, two bedside chests and the Santa Fe bench, retails for about $6,599.
Why it sells: Mark Fedde, co-owner of Fedde Furniture in Pasadena, Calif., said he likes the construction, shaping and overall craftsmanship and attention to detail that Simply Amish puts into the Aspen bedroom. He also likes the scale of the pieces and the clarity of finish that shows off the cherry solids.
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Collection: Manchester Cherry by Brown Street Furniture.
Where it's made: Whitefield, N.H.
Key features: In the line for almost 20 years, this transitional group is made with cherry solids and is shown here in a Concord finish. The bed has a low-profile option (shown) as well as a standard footboard. It also is available as a headboard only. A four-piece group, including a queen bed, dresser, nightstand and mirror, retails for $4,999. The group is also available in multiple finish options.
Why it sells: “The basic stains are tried and true. They offer clarity to the grain,” said Peter Branch, general manager of Endicott Furniture in Concord, N.H. “The beauty of the natural grain of the wood is enhanced by the natural stain. It's not muddied up.” Branch added that the clean lines also appeal to buyers who appreciate traditional looks as well as those who like contemporary.
 Richmond bedroom by Virginia Sterling |
Where it's made: Canfield, Ohio
Key features: This Arts & Crafts-inspired group is made with solid cherry and features solid walnut pulls and accents. A four-piece group, including queen bed, dresser, mirror and tall chest, retails for $3,999.
Why it sells: “We are a very traditional furniture store and this particular collection has worked,” said Mark Fedde, co-owner of Fedde Furniture in Pasadena, Calif. “In terms of features, it is a case of clean style and design. We bill it as a clean transitional unit. The difference we see with Virginia Sterling and a few other domestic manufacturers is in the clarity of finish. There is something about domestic product that when done right, the finish clarity is everything. Our customers look for that and comment on that about any piece.”
 American Classics by Linwood |
Collection: American Classics by Linwood Furniture.
Where it's made: Lexington, N.C.
Key features: Launched in April 2007, this is Linwood's best-selling bedroom. It is made with cherry solids and has American traditional design elements. A bed in the collection retails at around $1,399.
Why it sells: It is certainly a good value in relation to the quality,” said Keith Joyce, vice president of merchandise operations at Bowen Town & Country Furniture in Winston-Salem, N.C. “It has traditional styling and a nice hand-padded finish. There is some great import product, but you get a look with a hand-rubbed finish that you can't get with a spray or non-rubbed finish. It is substantial and you don't have to be a furniture expert to look at Linwood and see it's a cut above the average…The finish has a lot of depth and clarity and you can see the beauty of the cherry wood grain. They use quality lumber and don't have anything to hide.” He added that the group has a solid construction story, with deep drawers, dovetailing and wood-on-wood drawer guides.
 Alexander Julian bedroom by Vaughan-Bassett |
Collection: The Alexander Julian Cottage Colours collection by Vaughan-Bassett.
Where it's made: Galax, Va.
Key features: Launched in October 2008, this collection is made with pine solids and veneers and maple solids and cherry veneers and comes in several wood and painted finishes. A four-piece group, including a bed, dresser, mirror and nightstand, retails from $1,499 to $1,599.
Why it sells: “We show a lot of color here,” said Jim Cerza, co-owner of Outer Banks Furniture in Nags Head, N.C., adding that the collection is among his top-selling bedroom groups. “People want happy furniture because they are happy to be here. The colors are fun and that attracts people.” He added that people light up when he tells them the collection is made in the U.S. “It is an issue when we say it is made in Galax, Va. You command some interest from that standpoint as well as the appearance of the furniture. He also said that from a pricing and value standpoint, the collection stands up well to comparable imports he has seen in the marketplace.
 Coastal Living by Stanley Furniture |
Collection: Coastal Living by Stanley Furniture.
Where it's made: Stanleytown, Va.
Key features: Launched in October 2008, Coastal Living by Stanley Furniture includes the Sugar Cane poster bed shown here in a Sand Dollar finish. The bachelor's chest is shown in a Morning Sky finish, and the Lakeside chest and TV entertainment cabinet is shown in a Sea Mist finish. A four-piece bedroom with a queen bed, dresser, mirror and nightstand retails for about $4,000. The collection also includes other wood and painted finish options.
Why it sells: “What I like best about it are the finish options,” said Barry Ambrose, owner of Ambrose Furniture in Kitty Hawk, N.C. “It allows the customer to be more creative. Options are great in our business…they have done a real good job with the finish and color selections. They are not loud or garish. They are pretty tasteful. It's also fairly distressed, which is fairly popular here at the beach and has an old style cottage look that people really like.” He said the collection does particularly well with people who have nicer rental properties and those who put it in their personal homes at the beach. “It's definitely an upscale purchase.”
 Cavendish bed by Vermont Tubbs |
Collection: Cavendish bed and Woodstock open-drawer nightstand and Woodstock six-drawer double dresser and mirror by Vermont Tubbs.
Where it's made: Whitefield, N.H.
Key features: Made with solid ash, this group is shown here in a honey finish and has been in the line at least 15 years. The bed comes in twin, full, queen and king sizes and with a low footboard or as a headboard-only option. The suggested retail for a queen bed, dresser, nightstand and mirror is $5,199.
Why it sells: “We've been running the Cavendish bed along with the Woodstock case pieces for over 10 years,” said Josh Tatelman, vice president of merchandising at Jordan's Furniture of East Taunton, Mass. “I think the longevity of the collection on our showroom floors clearly speaks to the success we've had with the group. Solid wood is very important to many of our New England consumers and Tubbs provides a great option for many of them. In addition to the solid-wood quality story, the ability to customize their furniture is also an added benefit. Made in Vermont is also a very comforting (story, with consumers) knowing that they are supporting not only a domestic manufacturer, but a New England producer.” He added that the furniture is appropriately scaled for homes in the region and is very durable. “For a domestic manufacturer, the consumer gets what they pay for,” Tatelman said. “It's a hefty price tab, but I believe Tubbs does an excellent job exceeding the customers' expectations.”
 Catalina bedroom by Copeland Furniture |
Collection: Catalina by Copeland Furniture.
Where it's made: Bradford, Vt.
Key features: Launched in May 2009, the Catalina bedroom has a mid-century modern design influences and is made with solid black walnut and walnut veneers. It also is made with maple hardwood solids and maple veneers. It is designed for a mattress only and comes in two heights. It is shown here in a natural finish that complements the walnut grain patterns. A walnut four-piece group including a queen bed, six drawer dresser, nightstand and wall mirror retails for about $4,960.
 Melrose bedroom by Guy Chaddock |
Collection: Melrose by Guy Chaddock & Co.
Where it's made: Morganton, N.C.
Key features: Launched in April 2007, the bed shown here is part of the Melrose collection. Made with alder solids, it is shown in an umber finish and has an upholstered headboard. The bed retails for about $6,940.
Collection: Vineyard Bedroom by Caperton Furnitureworks.
Where it's made: Berkeley Springs, West Va.
Key features: Introduced in 2001, the Vineyard bedroom is made with solid black cherry or solid white oak. Each wood has multiple finish options, ranging from natural to black, and each piece is signed and dated by the builder. A four-piece group made with solid black cherry retails for $4,995 while the white oak version retails for $4,250.
Why it sells: Zeke Cox, vice president of sales at Classic Furniture in Charlottesville, Va., said he likes the solid-wood construction, including the half-inch drawer bottoms and sides. Even the backs of the cases are solid wood. He said the styling is a classic form, but that multiple finish options put a modern or traditional twist on the group. Like other retailers, he said the quality of the finish is key in that it highlights the wood grain. "The grain just jumps out at you," he said, noting that imports account for only about 2% of hits store's offerings. "Gat (Caperton, the owner of Caperton Furnitureworks) is really focused on quality and value. A lot of times, companies import product in these dark finishes because they cover up inferior wood."
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