Stationary upholstery trends toward simplicity
By Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, March 19, 2007
High Point — Stationary upholstery styles are still tracking toward simplified transitional looks, if the small number of premarket exhibitors here last week was any indication.
England, with 10 introductions in stationary and motion, has gone "a little more contemporary and probably a little more young," said Tim Tull, vice president of sales. "We're a little less traditional than last market."
England has two camelback traditionals in the $799 and $899 price points, but otherwise will have new contemporary/transitional looks from $599 to $899. At the starting price, the company will offer two silhouettes with flared and curved arms made possible by the company's router technology, and will have 200 cover options. England also will offer a stationary sectional starting at $1,599 and two motion sectionals.
Bernhardt is concentrating on its casual contemporary Area program, and will add leather and leather/fabric combos, according to Heather Bloom, director of brand development. But she added, "We'll have a couple of nice casual traditionals."
Three frames are targeted for $1,199 retail and include a curved-back sofa in a mushroom polyester velvet, a stretcher frame in a butternut cord, and a track arm in a microfiber latte. A two-piece sectional in a chocolate velvet, with knife arms and hound's-tooth pillows, is targeted at $2,199 retail.
Two frames in the Bernhardt lineup have a deep-seat design. A bench seat, washed-cotton transitional with a double band of nail heads across the back and apron is 41 inches deep; a casual traditional in a brown/tan chenille with paisley pillows is 50 inches deep and designed for lounging.
Southern will spotlight its Hollywood-glam casual contemporary Grand Luxuries in linens, velvets, cottons and silks, with sofas running from $1,299 to $1,699 retail. Jim Telleysh, vice president of sales, said the 30-piece collection is a softer, modern upscale look.
"It's oversized, over-scaled and something not being done in China," Telleysh said.
The 30-piece collection will include armoires, etageres, consoles, buffets and occasional to complement a neutral upholstery color palette.
Bauhaus also is concentrating on clean contemporary/transitional looks and will have about 15 new frames in the $599 to $799 price points.
The company will add two or three new sectionals, some leather/fabric combos, and details to include clean track arms, tufting on some pieces, fun ottomans and faux animal prints.
"We're showing more velvets and chenilles and less microfiber because that's what our customers are asking for," said Greg Morgan, director of merchandising.
Not at premarket but also planning contemporary/transitional introductions are Décor-Rest, Advantage by Fraenkel, and Lexington.
While early indications are that clean transitional looks will be abundant at market, a number of manufacturers are set to introduce what they call "casual traditional" — a less gussied-up look that exemplifies the drive to simple lines and less fuss.
Clayton Marcus' B.Smith collection from TV host and lifestyle diva Barbara Smith includes rolled-arm, turned-leg sofas bordering on transitional. Hickory Hill goes softer and more luxurious in transitional with its Tahoe Group, with down-blend seating and feather down pillows.
