By Nancy Meyer
HIGH POINT, N.C.–Spring will be in full swing when the High Point Market opens here in two weeks, as vendors have prepared fresh, new styles aimed at bolstering dreary sales.
From case goods, upholstery and ready-to-assemble furniture to lighting and accessories, there will be a plethora of new styles from which to choose.
Several high-profile, name-brand collections and licensed lines will be updated, including the Martha Stewart Lily Pond assortment—inspired by Stewart’s affection for the coastal lifestyle. New pieces will be unveiled by partners Bernhardt, Murray Feiss and Safavieh, and Stewart will give an invitation-only design lecture on Tuesday, April 8, at the High Point Theatre.
Television design personality Ty Pennington will be on hand Monday at Howard Miller, where he’ll unveil his storage solutions line, which addresses needs in the home office, entertainment area and kitchen.
Designer Nathan Turner has created a furniture line with Elite Leather of approximately 20 pieces to be unveiled this market. Global design inspirations will be seen in the sofas, chairs, ottomans and accent pieces that comprise the leather and fabric-covered furniture line. Highlights include vivid embroidered leather to accent pieces, and versatile and multifunctional designs.
Habersham is the latest licensee to join the Hearst Castle Collection roster and will unveil pieces inspired by that luxurious property.
Country Living’s fourth branded collection with Lane will be shown.
Bernhardt will add to its Smithsonian Collection by adding pieces in dining, bedroom, living/entertainment and home office under the Chesapeake family, inspired by the Victorian era.
In addition to new goods in its licensed collections, Lexington has updated its core line. Lexington’s new Hancock Park collection can be described as “classic with a twist,” as it’s a refined look that isn’t formal or fussy, using traditional forms with up-to-date details, with the “twist” being the surprising cognac finish. The line includes signature scalloped designs with custom-made hardware.
Some vendors aren’t only freshening their core assortments, they’re branching out into new areas.
Leather leader Natuzzi, for instance, will launch into the dining furniture category this market. Dining tables and chairs, like the Brera, in classic, solid-wood frame and Lancaster leather upholstery, can be customized in 16 colors. The modern Sofia metal chromed frame and all-around leather seat can also be customized in 16 colors. These are complemented by Natuzzi’s new Tribeca and Soho tables, in Tobacco and Makassar finishes.
Uttermost will enter the accent furniture category, aiming to capture add-on sales for its already well-established wall art, lighting and accessories business. The 50-piece accent furniture collection includes everything from stacking tables to tall chests to upholstered chairs and ottomans. It features different materials and styles, including some high-end pieces with eggshell detailing from Vietnam. Pieces are designed to work with Uttermost’s current line and give retailers opportunities for incremental sales, the company said. Later in the year, perhaps this summer, Uttermost is slated to launch a line of permanent botanicals to give customers a one-stop shopping experience.
In response to customer requests, Frederick Cooper has added wall sconces, with the same attention to detail for which its lamps are known, in grand-scale silhouettes with distinctive shades. This market, Frederick Cooper has also expanded its line of detailed, decorative lamps, including new pieces from designers Mario Buatta and Larry Laslo.