Occasional sources seek to stand out from crowd
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, October 19, 2008
HIGH POINT — For occasional sources, this will be a market where sources seek to stand out from the crowd.
Whether it's a new charcoal finish that draws on the black that has been so popular in recent years, animal prints at sources such as Pulaski and Maitland-Smith, or creative touches of function, exhibitors are aiming to give retailers fresh looks and features that will help them draw consumers into stores.
According to Dallas George, vice president of accent development at Pulaski, two trends from fashion are having an impact on occasional this market — metallic colors and animal prints.
“At Showtime, we were surprised at how much metallic was hitting leather,” said George. He added that metallic fabric offerings inspired a multi-faceted mirror chest and reverse-painted glass construction on new accent pieces at Pulaski.
Animal print motifs can transform a traditional shape with few adornments into a transitional look, George said.
A focus on shapes is also meant to help finishes stand out, George said. Among Pulaski's exotic offerings this market are a dramatic zebra-stripe treatment, and a black stripe on a flat black finish for a textured look, he said.
“The animal prints are really prevalent and so are metallics — silver, bronze and copper tones. What we've also done is come in with some nice animal prints and incorporated that into metallics.”
Platt Collections is introducing several standout accent pieces this market that feature textured finishes, including the No. 4598 accent chest with three drawers. To create an eclectic look, the company also incorporates color touches into textures — such as an eggshell pattern on a classic wood bombé chest.
The emphasis is on taking traditional silhouettes and contemporizing the look with bold, monochromatic colors, said Lisa Strong, director of design for Platt.
“(These are) really interesting eclectic and contemporary ideas — things that aren't traditional,” Strong said.
Ultimate Accents is hoping to draw dealers' attention with the flashy new Bling group, whose occasional pieces feature glass and “bangle,” simulated diamond motifs and dramatic black-and-white treatments.
“It's our opinion that retail consumers are just tired of merlot black and sherry, or another brown set of end tables, so this market we've worked very hard on developing lots of nailhead trim and simulated diamonds,” said Ray Steele, vice president of sales for Ultimate Accents.
Steele said the company hopes retailers see the benefit in separating themselves from the competition.
“I think everyone in the furniture business realizes that when everybody's got what everybody's got, nobody makes money,” Steele said.
Steele said at this point, the hope is also that retailers' inventories are depleted enough to write orders and make this market successful.
“With a few thousand dollars with us, they can spruce up the floor and give the customer something to be excited about,” Steele said.
This market, Twin Star is paring back its use of carvings in favor of a more transitional look. The company is unveiling mostly transitional looks and emphasizing quality, hand-rubbed finishes, said Jody Baade, a furniture designer for the company.
“It'll draw people in — you want to touch it and feel it and run your hand over it. It really catches your eye,” Baade said. “They're really fantastic finishes. Oak is popular, darker colors are still very popular, (and so are) the espresso and warm cherries.”
The company also aims to be more mindful of style and function by adding items like hidden casters to mobile fireplaces or fireplace media mantles.
For Magnussen, much of the focus this market is on function. To spread the word about its functional features, the company is putting I-Function hangtags on its occasional pieces that explain features and benefits that sometimes go unnoticed, said Nathan Cressman, vice president of merchandising and marketing.
New functional items include the Ebony cocktail table with a fold-down drawer front for laptop and keyboard storage. In addition, the Mackenzie occasional set features a cocktail table with a lift top and casters for mobility, and a chair side table features pull-out printer shelf and wire management.
“The big thing for us in terms of this product is scale and function,” Cressman said.
“We're trying to think ahead in terms of technology. People are still buying gadgets.”
The company is also featuring more transitional lifestyle designs with flowing lines. And finishes this market are clearer so that the veneer patterns are more visible, Cressman added.
At Safavieh, some introductions feature reclaimed wood. The company's Chris Square cocktail table combines an iron base with 300-year-old elm wood.
“It really gives a classic element. Mixing reclaimed wood in a contemporary form with the rusticity of old wood is really looking fresh right now. And we hope other people think so, too,” said Joe Murphy, merchandise manager.
The company also has a new charcoal finish that puts a fresh spin on the mainstay black.
“We wanted to step out in the color direction, but didn't want to do black. It's kind of a nice medium (that shows) wood and color,” Murphy said. “You see knots in the wood and imperfections.
“We've kind of stepped away from basics and are trying to engineer unique product that stands on its own. And we hope the marketplace is going to appreciate things like that.”
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