Style stays hot in home office, entertainment

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, March 11, 2013

HIGH POINT - European contemporary is not only hot in bedroom and dining. For years, it has also had a presence in office and home entertainment, categories that continue to help drive business for some resources.
     Home office and home entertainment specialist Jesper Office has incorporated Danish Modern styles from the 50s in its line for years. More recently, it has evolved and grown into Italian contemporary designs.
     The Italian designs can be seen in Jesper's 300, 400 and 500 home office collections. These offer looks similar to what is being sold in Europe right now, said Joern Skarregaard, CEO.
     The 300 is a laminate line available in espresso and walnut finishes, and offers desks retailing from $600 to $750. The 400 line is in zebrano veneers or in a white UV lacquer finish. An 85-inch desk and return retail at $1,500, placing it at the highest price point of all three.
     The 500 collection comes in white and black lacquer finishes and offers desks with an open base with metal accents.

"It has a clean, crisp design to it," Skarregaard said. "There are very few players at wholesale or retail selling this type of look unless you live in Miami or Los Angeles. Even in New York, it is hard to find these places."
Meanwhile, ready-to-assemble specialist EuroStyle has European - particularly Italian-inspired - design in its DNA. For retailers and consumers, this translates into trendy looks in a host of categories including home office, occasional, home entertainment and dining.
Today the low to midpriced line is selling well in Florida, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, not to mention Canada and Latin America, said Judith Ets-Hokin, vice president of sales and marketing.
The line is sourced mostly in Asia, with the exception of a division called Ital Modern, which is made in Italy. But even the Asian-made goods are created by Italian and Danish designers, which officials say gives authentic looks at lower price points.
Upper-middle-priced home office, occasional and home entertainment resource BDI also specializes in contemporary and modern designs with European influences.

	This desk is part of Jesper Office’s 500 collection. It is available in white and black lacquer finishes.
The contemporary Gilbert desk by EuroStyle is shown with the Low Back office chair, the High Back office chair and the Robbie shelving unit.
	The Format office line by BDI is shown here in a two-tone satin white and natural walnut finish.

          "The clean lines and architectural details incorporated into our look have a flavor often found from European manufacturers," said Steve Feldman, director of sales. He added that the mobile and diverse population today has created many "modern design aficionados all over the U.S. There is also a resurgence of mid-century modern inspired design that has led a younger audience to appreciate the furniture styles their parents or grandparents were comfortable with in the 1950s and 1960s."
     He said contemporary also is seen more often these days on television shows, movies and even in ads in public spaces, factors that he believes are raising awareness and interest.
     "Our hope is that American consumers continue to embrace the looks that we are committed to," Feldman said.