Upholstery sources find momentum at High Point
Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, October 26, 2011
AT THE MARKET—Feeling a slight upturn in the luxury furniture market, higher-end manufacturers are going all out here to lure buyers with new styles and details, details, details.
"It's been building. We believe in momentum and find the market a lot better - especially international, but all over," said Alex Shuford, vice president of sales and marketing for Century. "We've been very aggressive. It's a great time to get market share."
Several showrooms said their sales teams are staying busy, which could reflect a gradual improvement in business at retail. Some manufacturers said that while business was still up and down by the month, the downs weren't quite as deep and the ups were a little higher.
Shuford said retailers are reporting sales gains "almost in a whisper ... like they were the only one in class to get an A on their report," and were fearful that the increases might go away.
To answer the hint of enthusiasm for higher-priced goods, manufacturers have added detail upon detail to goods, from eraser-size nail head trim to tribal and ethnic
see Upholstery, fabrics to velvets that change color according to the light. And details included everything from hand-crafted leather flowers on ottomans at E.J. Victor to sofa arms and backs in a double waterfall design at Henredon.
"You have to do something to stand out. It's a very competitive world," said Denise Alala, vice president of design for Drexel Heritage.
One very different look at Drexel is a painted leather from Moore & Giles on a sofa that has a look somewhere between a rustic cottage paint job and birch bark.
Thomasville is going two ways in style direction with Spellbound, a Hollywood glam updated traditional, and Gizelle, a soft, flowing look with clean, exposed wood.
"Our upholstery business has continued to grow," said Jane Roberts, vice president of merchandising.
Henredon also is going a little Hollywood glam at the entrance of its showroom with companion exposed wood chairs in a velvet contemporary cover with a star-like design. In addition, Henredon has added Scene XI in its long-running series of classic contemporary.
Bondi Coley, marketing manager at Lee, said the company is focusing on getting fabric exclusives from mills in Belgium, Italy and the United States. One of the introductions this market includes the Lee Lux program, which features 10 heavy linens from Belgium.
Berber.Kammlah continues to add new fabrics to its collection of industrial and Victorian upholstery. It features exclusive fabrics, including deep velvets whose colors change according to the viewing angle and the light.
The collection, though Victorian with opulent fabrics, isn't overdone and is hip enough to be included in a book called "Steampunk Creation, New Victorian Fashion" by an author called Dr. Grym.
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