Style range expands in casual dining
Fresh colors, materials creating excitement
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, November 26, 2007
High Point — Whether it involved offering new colors or materials or taking a whole new approach to the category, casual dining producers expanded their style range this year with a variety of fresh designs that met with success from dealers.
Early in the year, Calligaris scored with its contemporary Jam chair series, which applies bright splashes of color to sleek and glossy polycarbonate chairs and barstools.
Seats featuring a mix of solid red, orange or green on one side mixed with white on the other joined with basic tables to create one of the company's most popular styles in 2007, said Dina Nasreddin, marketing coordinator.
The Jam items fit the casual dining category well, especially for smaller homes where color can really make a statement at a bar counter, Nasreddin said.
"I think people are looking for something different," Nasreddin said. "With a lot more open-space homes, (consumers) are looking for more design. The whole thing with city living and lofts (means that) people don't necessarily have as much room for formal dining."
Color also was a big part of the success story this year for John Thomas Furniture, said Brian Sprinkles, sales and marketing manager.
"At the (October) market, the excitement (started with) the new custom finish program, John Thomas Select," Sprinkles said. The line, which hit retail shortly after market "does well across the board. It doesn't matter what size the retailer is, (the program) seems very adaptable."
The personal touch
Individuality and personalization seem to be a driving theme for American culture these days, Sprinkles said, with consumers getting used to choosing the color of hot products such as the iPod music player.
John Thomas' Select program offers 36 custom color options. The company paints the items in the United States.
Greens and reds are very popular, Sprinkles said, adding that choices that may at first glance seem like strange combinations are very appealing when they're finished.
"We see many (consumers) gravitating toward contrast. (They want) something that really pops — a more bold statement."
Sprinkles said a new look currently in development at John Thomas involves smaller, more compact coffee shop and café styles that accommodate two to four people. Such sets would provide a handy place to check e-mail or enjoy a quick cup of coffee in the morning, Sprinkles said.
Douglas developed a hot café look this year with its Old Hollywood group. The 36-inch bistro table, reminiscent of classic Art Deco styling, features exotic imported hardwoods and fancy faced birch veneer.
"There is a rise in the popularity of the café-height, 24-inch barstools and the functionality of the table base that provides storage for glass stemware and wine bottles," said Tom Gates, vice president of merchandising for Douglas.
A very dramatic style from Saloom that's caught consumers' attention this year is its new K-base table in a chocolate finish. The clean-lined contemporary look was featured in a number of retailers' promotions this year, Gould said.
The K-base design is part of Saloom's American Contemporary collection, which was introduced at the spring High Point Market.
"American Contemporary has a clear contemporary position but we use warm materials, soft lines and dark finishes (Harvest and medium brown) to present a more comfortable contemporary," said Becki Gould, director of marketing. "People like that clean look."
While a number of companies had success with contemporary dining this year, Saloom also found a receptive audience for its move into a higher price point — New Castle, which it brought out at the October market.
"New Castle, a new niche, was extremely successful," Gould said. "Lots of higher-end dealers could see the value, with the styling, multi-step finishes and a price significantly lower than some of the high-end manufacturers."
Solid-wood success
At A-America, dealers this year responded to the company's solid-wood story, and all of its top sellers were solid wood. The company had particular success this year with its Country Hickory collection, a lodge design made of solid hickory.
The company also had a lot of success with a new line of granite-top dining, which includes four designs. Crystal Nguyen, director of product development, said the line is doing so well that A-America plans new groups in the style for the January market in Las Vegas.
"Granite is perfect for growing families for its easy care and durability," Nguyen said. "It also adds depth and a higher-end look at very affordable price points.
"In this age of massive, disposable furniture, we are proud to make furniture that can one day become heirlooms."
At Pastel, known for its metal dining, 2007 marked the year that wood sets became a more important part of its mix.
"This year, we introduced a few wood sets at the July Las Vegas Market, and the response since then has been extremely positive," said Brandi Slankard, a marketing assistant.
Slankard said the company plans to respond to growing dealer requests for wood contemporary by bringing out additional groups at the January market.
