HIGH POINT - When it comes to home entertainment, consoles and media walls have several ways to fit and accommodate TVs of various sizes. Those features are often the drivers for a sale. As consumers shop for home entertainment furniture, they might want a group that enhances not only the television, but electronics and media components, like those offered at BDI. Or they might want a wall unit that frames a television well, like those offered by Tradewins. And if they want all the function they can find, they will turn to a company like Kathy Ireland Home by Martin. Some buyers want a grand look and scale to their entertainment wall but still need to get them in a standard size home, which is a feature offered in Parker House units.
What's selling: Tradewins Cherry Expressions entertainment center Features: The Cherry Expressions entertainment center delivers functionality to meet the multi-tasking demands of everyday life. Constructed of solid cherry, it includes matching twin piers featuring wood-framed doors and shelving behind, flanking a space for a TV up to 60 inches. The bottom section includes two drawers and two doors for convenient media storage. Price: $1,900 Why it sells: The piece frames more popular television sizes ranging from 50 to 60 inches and has side piers linked by a bridge, said Josh Underhill, president and owner of Josh Underhill's Family Furniture of Lynwood, Wash. Underhill, whose father, Tom, is the owner of Tradewins, has been carrying the piece since he opened his store about two years ago. "It's not just a TV stand. It's a full wall unit, and it kind of accommodates that TV that most people are shopping for," Underhill said. "It really frames the piece in well and just shows it off rather than just a TV stand.... It's just an appealing piece."
What's selling: Kathy Ireland Home By Martin's Park View 363 entertainment console Features: Cinnamon finish on hardwood solids and veneers, two medium drawers with dividers to fit media, a center channel speaker compartment, adjustable shelves behind glass doors and easy wire access. The console can be used with piers. Price: $799 Why it sells: This unit sells because of the features, according to Michael Capasso, category manager for entertainment furniture for online retailer CSN Stores. "More and more of our consumers are moving toward pieces that have functional elements to them. Most households now have much more than a TV - including receivers, speaker systems and DVRs among other components - so they need units that can house all of their equipment," Capasso said. Ventilation to keep electronics cool, adjustable shelves to make sure components will fit, easy storage options and the ability to access wires and easily hook up electronics without having to move the unit around sell this piece, Capasso said. "Add these all up and it's a pretty attractive package for a customer," he added.
What's selling: Parker House Venezia Estates wall Features: Heavy crown moldings, full wrap base moldings and fluted pilasters. It is made of poplar solids and birch veneers and has a vintage black color with distressing and a built-in power center. Price: $2,599 Why it sells: Parker House is one of Salt Lake City, Utah-based R.C. Willey's best selling companies in home entertainment walls, according to buyer Brett Hiatt. Two of R.C. Willey's top five walls are from Parker House, including the Venezia. "I think they like the scale of it. It fits on a standard eight-foot height ceiling but it gives you the look of a big wall," Hiatt said, adding that the 65- inch console allows for a larger TV. "So it can add a big presence to the room, but it's not so big that you have to have a vaulted ceiling to get it in." The finish, a black rustic with a rub through, also is popular with customers, Hiatt added.
What's selling: The Avion II Collection 65-inch No. 8927 media console by BDI Features: This home theater cabinet has an integrated center channel speaker and media storage areas and is available in a chocolate stained walnut, espresso oak or natural cherry finish. Price: $1,800 Why it sells: In a disposable culture where furnishings solutions are sometimes uninspired, BDI's design is always thoughtful and the Avion console is no exception, according to Peggy Burns, co-founder and owner of Boston area-retailer Circle Furniture. Burns said she reminds customers focusing on price alone that when they've just spent thousands on a good television and they ought to display it well. "I say, ‘You've just spent how many thousand for that TV, you just want to put it on a box?' " Burns added that customers are attracted to the mesh, the glass, the wire management feature and the drawers. "I think the reason it's selling and still sells well is that they've really carved out a niche for the real audiophile or the techno-savvy person because their pieces are so well engineered. It's for someone who really appreciates the media," Burns said. "Someone who is really proud of their electronics would be proud to have this piece."
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NAPLES, Fla. — Industry executives and guests took the opportunity to network and play golf during down time at Furniture/Today's 13th annual Leadership Conference here this month.
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