Home entertainment furniture can be used in multiple rooms

For all their variety, casegoods such as dining sets and bedroom furniture tend to end up in dedicated rooms. Not so with home entertainment furniture, which can grace living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, home offices—even the occasional unfinished basement. Buyers who know where to look can find entertainment furniture for any room and every occasion.

	E50 tall entertainment console provides numerous storage solutions with its three drawers and six compartments. Part of Eagle Industries’ Metropolitan Collection, the unit is made from poplar face frames and birch plywood with veneers, and it is available with three painted and three stained finish options (Antique Black is shown). The Metropolitan Collection offers frosted glass for a contemporary kick.
	Kathy Ireland Home by Martin’s Hudson Street TV consoles offer hardwood solid construction with a black matte finish accented by satin nickel colored hardware. The 60-inch-wide stand is shown, which includes one adjustable component shelf behind each seeded glass door and a center compartment. It is also available in 40- and 50-inch-wide units.
	Ezzo entertainment wall unit from CF Oakton has a number of convenient features, including heavy-duty casters for easy mobility, sliding back panels for wire access, adjustable shelves and a built-in power strip. The piece is made from kiln-dried hardwoods and quarter-sawn cherry veneers with a red walnut stain and multi-step lacquer and sealer finishing.
	Part of Buhler’s International Series Collection, 486 Series Markham is perfect for the consumer who wants a lot of storage capacity in as small of a footprint as possible. The piece features solid oak construction and 10 oak and maple finishes, including the Western Oak finish shown here. The company will be showing many home entertainment consoles with electric fireplaces at fall markets, too.
	Fairmont Designs’ Concorde Suites Collection bedroom home entertainment dresser is made from Asian hardwood solids and Anegre veneers with a warm cognac finish, and it has flared, brushed steel legs. The collection was inspired by furnishings found in high-end international hotels and resorts.
	Part of the Carrington Hall Collection, Kincaid Furniture’s Double Vision media mirror and bureau features a very innovative mirror. The two-way mirror holds a flat screen TV, and becomes transparent when the TV is on. The bureau’s top drawer folds down to accommodate a DVD player. The piece also includes a jewelry tray.
	While mounted TVs have traditionally been spare in their aesthetic, Legends Furniture is experimenting with a large, wood frame that ships as a 58-inch-wide framed mirror. The mirror itself can be removed and placed elsewhere in the home, while a 37-inch to 42-inch flat-panel TV can be put in its place. The piece is constructed from ash solids and veneers, and it wears an oak finish.
	Sligh's modular Smart TV console offers the ultimate in versatility for consumers. Customers can “build” a unit from nine interchangeable components: three cabinet styles, two stackable open deck units, three tops and a pair of side panels. The collection includes burnished and distressed cherry veneers, a Candlewood finish, and aged, soft brass hardware. A minimalist configuration—single unit with double open deck and drawers—is shown.

Golden Wheat: Bedding Color Trends

This fall's color trends for top-of-bed introductions includes a multifaceted neutral: a golden tone that evokes the soft coat of a newborn fawn. Paired with white and bearing faint accents, such as metallic yarn, fringe and embroidery, fawn-colored ensembles suggest peace, relaxation and livable luxury.

	Wheat sheaves luxuriously graze the Egyptian cotton sheets in this set by Malaika, which is distributed by Luxe Brands Intl. Accented with rich ecru and natural linen, this golden grouping named Wheat is available in all standard bedding sizes and comes with an array of pillow options.
	Isabella duvet set and pillow combination by BlissLiving Home is cream-colored and made of 100 percent organic cotton. Delicate embroidered patterns of flowers and vines adorn the set, which is available in standard sizes.
	Designed by Eastern Accents, Aileen’s paisley pattern brings a neutral palette to life atop a flax-colored linen blend fabric. Decorative pillows enhanced with flange, ruching, ribbons and embroidery add distinction. The duvet cover, bed skirt and bed pillows are hem-stitched.
	Most of the pieces in the eco-friendly Organic Bed Collection by Peacock Alley are woven from 100 percent certified organic cotton. Shown: Adriana matelassé, which bears a geometric pattern and wears a tailored trim; Allegro sheets; Nantucket, a blanket that is yarn-dyed and features a bias stripe; and a decorative pillow named Fantasia.

Furniture Design Trends 2008/2009

What are the most interesting novelties in furniture design? Which trends from recent years have prevailed and which new design trends are emerging? In our red dot trend report we are introducing the most important trends and the most fascinating innovations in furniture design.

All in white
Possibly the clearest trend is: white – it is not new, but very dominant and nowhere near its peak yet. In 2001 Apple launched the first white MP3 player. The iPod has sold a million times and the non-colour began its triumphant climb. The trend has spread to all areas of life – be it fashion, accessories, high-tech or cars – everything shines in the colour of innocence. In Germany alone 70 per cent more white cars were sold last year than in the previous year and the trend is upwards. In the furniture sector white is omnipresent; whether it is tables, chairs or cupboards – white is the dominant colour also in this sector. White is above all associated with lightness and clarity and is regarded as timeless and easily combinable – with other colours or tone on tone with muted shades of white and beige, and also with different material combinations. The opposing trend to the colour white consists of bright, shining colours.

All in gloss
Clearly dominant is also the trend towards high-gloss, lacquered fronts. Smooth, shiny surfaces dominate – regardless of whether its cupboards, chairs or tables. Chairs are covered with lacquered leather. In the field of upholstered furniture the combination of high-gloss elements and matt upholstery fabrics creates an attractive contrast.

The play with tradition
The borders between professional production and technical ornamentation are blurring more and more. Things that are not handmade nevertheless appear to be. Braided patterns and braided structures are reminiscent of traditional craftsmanship techniques. Sitting furniture with braided leather sides and mesh-like seating surfaces thus receive a three-dimensional effect.
Furniture designs which refer to traditional techniques and which are combined with new materials show new ways of using a material and finding a new visual language.

The play of the materials
Generally, combining materials is still a hot trend. Harmony and softness of fabrics and upholstery meet austerity of braided leather, lacquered woods and metal. These give furniture a haptic and at the same time visually interesting look.

Completely classic?
This year, the tendency to use ornamental patterns alternates with a clear purist language of forms. New interpretations and re-editions of tried and tested classics combine the familiar with the new. Just as in the automobile industry, which has combined striking designs with modern manufacturing techniques with new editions of old classics such as the Mini, the Fiat 500, the VW Beatle or Scirocco, many furniture manufacturers borrow familiar forms from the past and combine them with innovative production techniques.

Herman Miller Capelli Stool

The Herman Miller Capelli Stool was envisioned by designer Carol Catalano. It is made up of two identical laminated wood pieces with undulating “fingers” molded at the top that interlock without the use of tools or fasteners. As the surfaces between these fingers meet they turn into stops that hold each half of the stool firmly in place for an cleverly stable and strong structure. It looks fantastic. The stool separates into two halves that stack conveniently together for easy storage.

Dramatic design trends on Merchandise Mart showroom

Emily Ursini of Interior Crafts was one of nine design professionals who collaborated on The Merchandise Mart’s DreamRooms: Luxury Living Spaces exhibit, which was open to the public April 25-July 12 and features the latest in interior design trends. Her space — the Deco-inspired foyer — was filled with pieces and materials that offered texture and movement.
	A chandelier cast light on a starburst Macassar ebony tripod table positioned in the center of the foyer. Willem Smith's Hibiscus table — made with offset, book-matched, fiddleback makoré and mottled makoré petals floating on a redwood burl background with ebony shadows and burl center — would look similarly striking beneath a stylish showroom light fixture. The table is available with any size top, in a variety of leg configurations and in five finishes.
	Ursini's foyer included a leather-covered ottoman situated in front of a wall-mounted console and mirror — the perfect place to sit and touch up makeup or tidy wind-blown hair. At 24 inches wide and 20 inches deep, 0073EL ottoman from Best Home Furnishings offers a seat for young visitors. It’s available in the company’s more than 700 upholstery fabrics and leathers, and with a choice of an espresso (shown) or medium maple finish on the legs.
	A pair of dark-framed, oval-back chairs upholstered in green silk velvet flanked the doors in Ursini’s foyer, inviting visitors to sit while waiting for an imaginary homeowner. Bradley Hughes' similarly shaped Remy French oval-back dining chair would be an appropriate stand-in in a showroom vignette, especially if purchased with a dark finish and velvet cover. The chair is shown in Chocolate velvet with a white gloss frame.
	A wall-mounted console provided storage and display space in the DreamRoom foyer. A sleek, dark console table, like Selva America’s Opera console, can be used to achieve a similar look in a showroom vignette. It's crafted of European cherry; highlighted with exotic silver- or gold-finished accents; and available in three finishes. The piece measures approximately 47 inches by 24 inches by 31 inches.

Solar energy influencing home furnishings color trends

Solar Energy, one of the eight Pantone® View Home and Interiors color palettes for 2009, captures the vibrancy and liveliness of the sun. Shades of orange, gold and greenish yellow are paired with wine, fuchsia red and electric blue for added dimension, while gray brings a calming influence to the color trends.

The fresh turquoise and glowing orange backgrounds of Marimekko’s Kevätjuhla fabric emulate Pantone's Mandarin Orange and Blue Radiance color trends. The fabric, which was designed by Miina Äkkijyrkkä, features calves rushing through fields in springtime and pays homage to spring and freedom. www.marimekko.com

Shine Home's Essex medium table lamp in Sterling Silver evokes a color value similar to Solar Energy's Ash hue. Made from lacquer resin and topped with a silver silk shade, Essex's design was inspired by architectural elements found on a building in Hong Kong. www.shineeveryday.com




Surya's LUX1007-4107 hand-tufted area rug was inspired by popular fashion and features a young, hip colorway — the background shade is similar to Pantone's Celery tone—that appeals to today's teens. It's part of the Luxe Collection, a licensed line by Cosmo Girl and Seventeen magazines. www.suryarugs.com




Slink retro chair in Wine & Roses Ultrasuede® fabric evokes a color value similar to Fuchsia Red in Pantone's Solar Energy color trends palette. This low-slung seat from American Leather features a comfy, hammock-style design detailed with a diamond-stitched pattern. www.americanleather.com

Wealthy furniture consumers still want traditional furniture style

When the economic going gets tough, the wealthy remain relatively unaffected, say home furnishings retailers and interior designers who cater to affluent clients. The style of choice for these consumers: traditional with European influences.

Here are some examples of furniture with a luxurious style for various rooms in a home.

Anywhere: Romantic and graceful, Marguerite French lounge chair from Marge Carson has a distinctive Louis XV silhouette. An intricate, handcarved floral design adorns the exposed wood grame, which is treated to a deep, distressed Old World Sumatra finish and accented with aged Medici metal leafing and antique brass nailhead trim. Marguerite is shown covered in Tigon Brass velvet and Ole Cappucino silk.

Master Bedroom: Luberon bed from French Heritage exudes French Country elegance, with its tall, inward-curving headboard; gently sloping, carved footboard; and rich, distressed wax finish. Part of the company's Maison Provence Luberon Collection, the bed measures 64 inches wide by 65 inches tall by 86 inches long.

Living room: Part of C.R. Laine Furniture's Jessica McClintock Home Collection, JM4150 sofa has a curved, rounded back and lots of McClintock’s signature dressmaker details, including plump, down-filled pillows with tassels and fringe, and gimp tape on the hem of the box-pleat skirt. The piece is shown covered in a soft chenille jacquard called Paulina Raisin with Raisin gimp.

Home Office: Habersham’s sturdy Governor’s desk offers consumers a masculine look and functionality. An ornate, intricately detailed border around the base softens the desk’s hard lines and blunt edges, while hidden storage space keeps personal items safely out of sight. The piece is shown here in the company’s Empire Studio finish.

Anywhere: Belle Meade Signature’s Richelieu demi-lune takes a unique approach to the apothecary chest. The generously scaled piece has faux drawer fronts on doors that open to reveal ample storage space and adjustable shelves. The drawer fronts are made with ovankol veneer treated to a matte, transparent Madeira finish. A starburst inlay top adds further interest to the piece.

Living room/media room: Architectural carvings; seeded, historic glass pier doors; and a medium clear finish with an antique glaze give Hooker Furniture’s three-piece Castellane home theater a rich Country French feel. Combined, the center console and hutch stand 101 inches tall and accommodate up to a 55-inch flat-screen TV. Used alone, the console accommodates up to a 60-inch, flat-screen TV.

Bedroom/Living Room: Barclay Butera looked to the large-scale, classic chairs found in Paris in the early 1900s when designing Marseilles chaise, part of the Barvlay Butera Home Regency Collection. A rounded back, petite curved arm, turned legs and casters give Marseilles a decidedly feminine look. It measures 31 incehs wide by 64 inches deep by 35 inches tall, and is shown in a fabric called Chenonceau Jewel.

Dining Room: For those who like to entertain, Continental dining table offers ample space at 72 inches wide, for stately gatherings. Two fancy-face, 20-inch leaves expand the table to 112 inches wide, perfect for holiday gatherings. Inspired by a Smithsonian Castle Collection library table acquired in the late 1800s, the piece has a smooth top surface that shows off handcrafts, hand-finished, fancy-face primavera veneers and a border made from quartered walnut with black in-lines alongside white ash burl. Statesman arm chair – with its double curved arm, carved backsplat and upholstered slip seat – is the perfect seating companion. Both pieces are part of Chesapeake, a new furniture series in the Smithsonian Collection by Bernhart.

An 18^th Century English table, Elizabeth from Design Solutions Inc. features delicate, turned legs; a scalloped, beaded apron; classic molding; and a frame shelf. The table shown here measures 50 inches wide by 21 incehs deep by 34.5 inches tall, perfect for accommodating a sink. Custom sizes are available.

Living room furniture design trends: Tables with copper tops

Tables with hammered copper tops meld this year's top design trends of metallic materials and artisan craftsman-like quality.

Gold and silver metallic finishes—matte or shiny—have been in the spotlight for the past few seasons, due, in part, to the increased popularity of contemporary furniture. Chunky, tapered or U-shaped silver legs stylishly support sleek, leather sofas and trendy accent chairs, while shiny gold accent tables add a touch of elegance to living room furniture.

Now, as economic conditions prompt people to spend more time at home, family-friendly furnishings that look gently used and exude warmth are catching consumers' eye. Living room furniture such as tables with hammered copper tops, for instance, bring visual interest and textural appeal. Hooker Furniture's Copper Key dining group pairs lightly hammered copper tabletops with hardwood solids treated to a black finish.

Copper Instincts’ Patricia rectangular dining table features a hand-forged, solid iron base with an antiqued copper finish that complements the hand-hammered, recycled copper top. Also available in occasional tables for living room furniture and round dining tables, Patricia is sold in custom sizes.


Ideal living room furniture for spaces with Lodge or Southwestern furnishings, Copper Creek rectangular cocktail table from Broyhill Furniture has a hammered and veined solid copper top with an aged patina that sits on twisted metal legs. It measures 48 inches wide by 28 inches deep by 19 inches high.

Furniture design trends: Well-worn finishes

Finish fashion continues to favor well-worn effects. Some of the markings are achieved in the finishing department, while others are earned naturally over time. What's new now? Powdery colors, reclaimed woods and lustrous gold touches.

Striking gold
	As on fashion runways, gold will continue to add sparkle to home furnishings this year on upholstery, casegoods and occasional pieces. "Gold will be trending up,” said Leslie Harrington, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Color Assn. of the United States. "Especially with the popularity of yellow, which continues be so strong in fashion and the home. And metallics are now regarded as a staple—you simply have to have them." Constructed from alder solids and white cherry veneers, Marge Carson's Les Marches display cabinet wears the company's new Taupe Gold finish.
True blues
	Newly introduced blues are likely to captivate accent furniture shoppers, especially since Pantone’s Executive Director Lee Eiseman has dubbed blue to be the eco shade du jour. Century Furniture’s Barcelona Blue credenza wears a Bluebell finish on its base and a Driftwood finish on its top. Part of the company’s Spanish-inspired Barcelona Collection, the piece is crafted with deeply distressed ash and Colombian walnut veneers and comes in Bluebell, Green Apple, Buttercup, Vanilla, Driftwood and Aged Amaretto, as well as 60 custom finishes.
Reclaimed fame
	When casegoods manufacturers began introducing environmentally friendly home furnishings several seasons ago, they touted their use of sustainably harvested woods and natural finishes that emphasized the woods’ grain. Now, more companies are looking to reclaimed wood—imperfections included—to create casegoods with a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind look. Take Butler Specialty Co.’s #4026035 two-drawer, chairside chest. It takes green and Asian inspiration to the next level through the use of heavily distressed, reclaimed wood.Arin Intl.’s Irish Coast Collection, meanwhile, features case pieces handmade from reclaimed timber and reclaimed metal. Arin’s writing bureau is shown here in the African Dusk finish.
The right white
	Styled for beach houses, traditional cottages or spaces that lack natural light, home furnishings wearing skillfully distressed summer white finishes bring the requisite dose of Coastal charm to an interior. A two-tone treatment completes the effect. Sporting Habersham's Classic White and Honey Connoisseau finishes, Madison four-column table and Harvest fan-back side and arm chairs were inspired by architectural elements found at Madison Inn, a seaside getaway on Martha's Vinegard. The pieces are part of the company's Grand Cottage Collection.

Design by the numbers for greater comfort

Here’s a big word for you to spend 30 seconds trying to pronounce: Anthropometrics. 28, 29, 30. OK, now what does it mean? It is the study of human dimensions.

Who cares? Well, furniture manufacturers and interior designers, to mention some. If you’ve ever wondered how much space is needed between the sofa and the cocktail table, you have touched upon an anthropometric question. I’m sure you’ve run across a dining table base that hits your knees because it was not "anthropocentrically" proportioned.

How long has this study been going on? For a long, long time. In the first century B.C., a Roman by the name of Vitruvius wrote about proportions of man and, later, Leonardo Da Vinci created his famous drawing of the human figure, based on the Vitruvian norm-man. Here are some interesting Vitruvian statistics.

• The measure of the open hand from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger is one-tenth the size of the height of the body.

• The length of one foot is one-sixth the height of the body.

• The distance from the sole of the feet to the top of the head is the same measure as the breadth of the body when measuring fingertip to fingertip when the arms are stretched out.

Paradoxically, a chair that is anthropometrically correct may not necessarily be comfortable as well. So, you ask, much ado about nothing? The answer is an emphatic no! All the fuss is worthwhile. We know that when sitting, about 75 percent of the total body weight is supported on only four square inches. That’s a heavy load distributed over a relatively small area. We also know that the center of gravity of the upright-seated body is located outside the body — about one inch in front of the navel.

With this knowledge, we create thick, supportive cushions for the tush. We also design chairs that make you sit back or sit upright, depending on where you want the center of gravity to be located. For lounging, you will want the gravity to pull you back, so the seat is slightly inclined in that direction, and for dining or working at your desk you will want gravity to work with you in a slightly forward motion.

If the seating surface is too high, the underside of the thigh becomes compressed. Further discomfort appears if the soles of the feet do not touch the floor as body stability is weakened. If the seat is too low, the legs may extend forward which is fine for lounging but not for dining.

Here are some figures that should help you when choosing furniture:

• Seat height for dining chairs should be at least 18 inches.

• Seat height for lounge chairs and sofa should be at least 16 inches, though some European styles are 15 inches high.

• Knee space under a dining table should be a minimum of 12 inches, though 14 inches is better.

When arranging furniture in your home, you should be aware of these minimum spacing requirements:

• Allow at least 24 inches between the side of the bed and the wall so you can get in to make the bed and change the sheets.

• A dresser and the foot of the bed should be at least 42 inches apart so you can open the drawers easily.

• 16 inches to 18 inches between the sofa and the cocktail table will give you enough space to get around the table as well as be able to reach it for access.

• A hallway created by a wall and the back of a sofa should be 30 to 36 inches wide.

• Give yourself 36 inches from the edge of the dining table to the wall for easy access in and out of the chair.

All right, now go "anthropomize" your home.

Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, a Naples interior designer, is the author of "Mystery of Color," available at www.amazon.com and at www.barnesandnoble.com. For design inquiries, write to Rosemary at DsgnQuest@aol.com.

Interview with West Coast Furniture designer Eric Pfeiffer

Eric Pfeiffer of 10 Grain

West Coast design firm 10 Grain recently teamed up with fashion industry veteran Paul Frank Industries to launch the Small Paul Furniture Collection by 10 Grain. Here, 10 Grain Design Director Eric Pfeiffer discusses his partnership experience and offers his take on the modern youth furnishings market.

Pfeiffer has been a fan of the acclaimed Paul Frank brand for awhile. “My wife has a furniture and fashion retail store for kids called Modern Seed. They sell the Small Paul clothing line and do well with it,” Pfeiffer said. “I like their sense of humor.”

Committed to creating a youth line with “play potential,” Pfeiffer called Paul Frank to strike a deal. Little did Pfeiffer know, however, that the company was pursuing him, too. “Ironically, they were looking to get into furniture and had my name in the stack of people they wanted to talk to,” he said. “It was a total coincidence.”

From there, Pfeiffer and Paul Frank created the Small Paul Furniture Collection by 10 Grain, which debuted in December 2007. Furniture Style spoke with Pfeiffer about his inspiration, his partnership with Paul Frank and modern youth furnishings, in general.

Furniture Style: What was your inspiration for the line?

Eric Pfeiffer: The idea came out of the concept of “play potential,” creating furniture that has multifunctionality: [for example,] it’s a chair and also a rocking stool. People design products for kids that kids never use in the way they were intended to be used. I tried to design something that was really open-ended—that kids could bring their imagination to and interpret how to use.

FS: Did you collaborate with Paul Frank on the line’s design?

Pfeiffer: From the very beginning, I wanted to apply graphics directly onto wood. It’s kind of like skateboard technology applied to furniture. The artwork that [Paul Frank] generates is fantastic; so, they worked on the graphics, and I designed the furniture.

FS: What advice would you give designers interested in partnering with a brand?

Pfeiffer: The most important thing to consider, when partnering with a brand, is to fully understand the brand and the culture of the company. It is critical that your design approach and sensibilities align with the company that you’re partnering with.

FS: Do you plan to add more pieces to the line?

Pfeiffer: More functional storage pieces are next. It’s a response to what we’re hearing out in the field: people want great storage solutions for kids.

FS: How do you see the modern furnishings market changing?

Pfeiffer: For me, it never changes fast enough. Furniture is slow-moving. It’s certainly much easier, though, to sell modern furniture now than it was five years ago, especially kids’ stuff. I can’t tell you how many customers we have who are focused on this one little niche.

FS: Are consumers changing, too?

Pfeiffer: People are more willing to experiment with modern things in the kids’ world because it’s not as big of a commitment as buying a contemporary sofa and making a statement about who they are.

What we find is that, in traditional kids’ stores, customers with a more traditional taste [often] buy modern kids’ stuff, and they like it … it’s like training wheels. Then, they’ll buy a side table and [see that they] are able to mix these styles together. It’s not like people have to have everything traditional or everything modern; they’re getting much more sophisticated in their taste and are willing to try different things. That’s the biggest change that I’ve seen.

10 steps to becoming a greener furniture retailer

On April 7, the Sustainable Furniture Council held a market seminar titled “Going Green: A 10-Step Program” for manufacturers and retailers. The seminar was presented by SFC board member Jeff Hiller, who spoke about issues surrounding carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation. The session concluded with the following 10 steps for making a business greener.

1. Ask suppliers questions. From where were these materials sourced? What’s the chain of custody?

2. Buy good wood. Manufacturers should try to use at least 5 percent FSC-certified wood. Retailers should pressure manufacturers to do so.

3. Use less energy. Perform an energy audit. Use compact fluorescent bulbs when applicable (for instance, in the back office, if not on the showroom floor where, Hiller admitted, such energy-saving lights might not show product to its best advantage).

4. Recycle packaging. Packaging accounts for 30 percent of all waste in U.S. landfills, according to Hiller. Currently, only 30 percent of packaging is recycled.

5. Sell less leather. Leather, which usually ships from South America to Italy to China to North America, entails huge transport costs.

6. Use/carry recycled/bio-based materials. These include soy foams, latex and water-based finishes.

7. Use less/better paper. “Better” paper, according to Hiller contains at least 30 percent post-consumer recycled material.

8. Procure materials locally. Hiller recommended obtaining raw materials within 250 miles of the point of use.

9. Have a plan. Large operations should create a green team with an executive-level position. Despite the seminar’s title, Hiller recommended not trying to do too much at once. “When you focus on a few things,” he said, “you will complete them all. When you focus on 10, very often you won’t complete any.”

10. Buy American. This supports the U.S. economy and, like step #8, requires less fuel, relative to importing product from overseas.

At 2008 Milan furniture fair, top designers trade flash for class

Franco Forci / For The Times

Konstantin Grcic’s design for the Myto cantilevered chair is made of a new synthetic material called Ultradur, which is good for indoor or outdoor use and is recyclable. The piece was made for Plank.

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In tune with economic woes in the U.S. and beyond, the gilded looks that ruled Salone Internazionale del Mobile last year are yielding to spare shapes and modest materials.

MILAN, ITALY -- POINTING OUT features of his lean new coffee table Amerigo, L.A. designer Sami Hayek channeled his inner Armani. "It's lined with suede," he said, caressing the open shelf. "You barely see it, you rarely touch it, but you know it's there."

The same could have been said for truly inspired design at this year's 47th annual Salone Internazionale del Mobile, the world's most prestigious furniture trade show, which ended its six-day run Monday. More than 2,500 exhibitors showcased their latest home furnishings to 250,000 visitors, and though four convention halls were dedicated to over-the-top stuff that looked like Bobby Trendy decorating for Tony Soprano, sophistication could be found elsewhere. Here, the biggest news was the way in which luxury played second fiddle to form and function.

In tune with economic woes in the U.S. and beyond, the gilded looks that ruled Salone last year yielded to spare shapes and modest materials. The Italian firm Plank showed the Myto chair, whose cantilevered design by Konstantin Grcic was made possible by a new synthetic material called Ultradur. Karim Rashid's Isis chair, which anchored a display of cleverly updated ancient Egyptian designs, consisted of a simple, folded metal sheet. Designer François Russo pressed Corian into service for Poltrona Frau, whose chic version of the director's chair came with X-shaped legs made of the countertop material.

Leather transcended its customary bachelor-pad look at MatteoGrassi, where it was cut into a structural fishnet for a chair back reminiscent of Harry Bertoia's classic 1950s wire seating for Knoll.

Other designers made statements with silhouettes. Right angles seemed suddenly wrong, as Alias and other firms built outdoor furniture sets composed of skeletal shapes and irregular grids. Ligne Roset's Lines collection of cabinets featured trapezoidal and rhomboid shelves and doors. The Jirafa floor lamp by the German firm ding3000 stood on slanted legs, like some carefully balanced creature on the savanna.

At the Arco booth, Dutch designer Bertjan Pot fiddled with proportions. He fashioned wooden Arc benches that were shaped like hefty boats but sized to slip under his Slim dining room table, with its skinny legs and an ultra-thin top. Like much of the season's best new pieces, Patricia Urquiola's large beveled wood Log chairs for the French company Artelano had the clean lines of Danish modern and the heft of Brazilian furniture.

FOR the Italian firms that still dominate the show, one challenge is balancing the minimalism for which they are famed with colorful midcentury modernism or the resurgence of Baroque ornamentation.

Some designers nailed it with surprising simplicity: Casamania's Twine table had hairpin wire legs that passed through four holes in the top, creating an occasional table that was as cute as a button. Carlo Scarpa's Rialto shelving for Estel mixed sky-blue trim with lilac shelves and boxes to create an architecturally unimpeachable storage unit that was also thoroughly hip.

Paola Navone, the artistic director of the 126-year-old firm Gervasoni, blended IKEA-like simplicity with a helping of Italian refinement, turning out a collection of beautifully crafted spindle-back silhouettes painted Gustavian gray. For accents, there were ornate candlestick lamps topped with vibrant orange shades and pillows made from Marimekko-esque textiles in huge dots and checks.

Few pieces achieved the modern-classic fusion as well as two takes on the Mies van der Rohe leather daybed. Zanotta supplied its Vogue Divano with rococo lines -- a curved backrest created from four carved wooden chair backs. Perched on Fabio Novembre's daybed was a larger-than-life-size black rubber figure that recalled a Henry Moore sculpture.

Such surprises were few and far between in the main halls of the Salone, but originality reigned at its Satellite annex for young designers. Although many pieces relied too heavily on computer-generated modular designs or looked like uncomfortable origami, there were charming exceptions.

Pianeta Sud Est created I Like Grass, a carpeting system made of green-painted rattan pieces placed in an aluminum frame, all cushioned by recycled sponge. Brooklyn woodworker Paul Loebach created a Colonial American-influenced tabletop with docks for wooden vases.

THE show turns Milan into a citywide design extravaganza, with galas in showrooms and the free-spirited Fuori Salone event in the Tortona district. There, the kind of progressive and provocative designs that Angelenos often find at Beverly Boulevard stores were shown to the public in a bazaar of interior design. University-sponsored student exhibitions and a group of Berlin designers housed in a geodesic dome bumped up against deep-pocketed corporations.

Meta, which is bankrolled by the British auction house Mallett, made its much-hyped debut with seven pieces created by high-profile designers. Tord Boontje created a cabinet that was covered in glass leaves and fitted with a bronze coat tree inside fashioned by master craftsmen from around the world.

A multi-room dream house for the Dutch collective Moooi offered a little Marcel Wanders-lust. The designer showcased Couture, his line of wallpaper for Graham & Brown, and Wanders-designed carpet tiles sported tartans and flower prints. Upholstery even bore his likeness.

Around the corner one could find Maarten Baas, who gained acclaim with his collection of charred antiques. He now has Chinese woodworkers carving elm in the shape of those cheap plastic chairs on so many patios.

Holding court in an auto repair shop, he displayed one of his newest pieces for the British firm Established & Sons. Looking like a Ms. Pac-Man had morphed into a dresser, the design is defiantly odd and cute, like a piece from the 1970s movement Memphis had been fished out of the dustbin and rehabbed.

"Perfection is smooth and symmetrical and straight," Baas said, sipping a highboy as reggae music blasted around him. "I really believe in the opposite, using intuition and having room to play. Spontaneity is missing in so many rationalized products that go from a sketch to a drawing to a computer rendering to a prototype, and at the end there is no heart and soul anymore."

By David A. Keeps, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
david.keeps@latimes.com

Design notes from the 2008 Milan furniture show

Cool colors: Orange and red aren't quite dead, but the trendiest hues -- purple, green, silver, even pale magenta -- have a blue streak. The color of the season falls somewhere between turquoise and cobalt, as shown on the Fly chair by Arco.

Spring awakening: Antlers and wintry forest creatures have been replaced by trees, butterflies, mushrooms and daisies, often rendered with "Brady Bunch" cheeriness. The motifs can be found on rugs, clocks and lighting fixtures. One cute example: Donna Wilson's TreeHug, a tall beanbag trunk and branches covered in knitted lamb's wool, available through Case Furniture.

Ethnic diversity: Just when you think you've seen every native pattern interpreted for home décor, Edra rolls out Francesco Binfare's platform cushions in Korean fabrics and Moroso showcases a Nanook collection that takes its inspiration from the geometric graphics of the Inuit culture.

Surrealism:Zana’s Dama bedroom suite includes dressers and nightstands with drawers that evoke Man Ray's famed eyes. British designer Jake Phipps’ Jeeves & Wooster pendant light shaped like a black derby was a tip of the hat to Rene Magritte; available through Hidden Art Shop.

Lighting with less: Over-the-top crystal chandeliers also lightened up. Brand van Egmond’s Floating Candles are metal fixtures cast as melting wax chamber sticks, and Meta’s lantern is one giant crystal made with 24 glass panes set in a silvery metal called paktong.

Gorgeously Green Furniture

On Tuesday, April 22, I attended the press preview for the second annual edition of DreamRooms, Luxury Living Spaces, held at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart. (The exhibition will be open to the public April 25-July 12.) Before arriving, I noticed that the sitting room, designed by Susan Fredman Design Group using Kravet products, was a green-designed living space. I was immediately intrigued.

Upon entering the sitting room, called Green With Envy, I was amazed at the new heights green design has reached. Most elements of the room were environmentally friendly, from the green Kravet fabrics on the chairs (see right) and dangling ceiling panels to the low VOC Benjamin Moore paint on the walls to the fabulous leather floor tiles (see below), which were made from scraps from an automotive seat manufacturer.

This innovative room setting reminded me that green truly isn’t a trend anymore, but a way of living—and designing and manufacturing. Since there isn’t a standard for what qualifies as being “green,” store owners and employees can start with small changes in their stores to make their environment greener.

For example, Raffia, the gift and home store where I work, used purple plastic bags, for as long as I can remember, for customers to easy tote their purchased treasures. When I walked into the store two weeks ago, those old purple bags had been replaced with new (and more eco-friendly) brown-and-green-patterned bags made with less plastic. Every little bit counts!

Also, don't forget to check out Editor Romy Schafer's Eco Essentials feature in the upcoming May issue of Furniture Style for more fashionable eco-friendly products!

Interest in green furniture continuing to grow

I’ve always been a bit of an environmentalist, even before it became fashionable. When my friends were driving gas-guzzling muscle cars in the 1970s, I was getting from point A to point B in a fuel-efficient Datsun. I continued to request paper grocery bags when plastic bags became the norm. (I now keep reusable bags in my car.) And I’ve always tried to find new homes for gently used clothing and furnishings, rather than discarding them.

So I’ve been heartened, this past year, to see more green products—everything from laundry detergent and compact fluorescent light bulbs to area rugs and home furnishings—entering the marketplace. Hopefully, easy access to eco-friendly products will prompt more consumers to start going green, even in small ways.

And maybe increased product availability will encourage retailers of home-related merchandise to give green goods a try, too. Many of the trade shows covered by Furniture Style’s editors just this year devoted floorspace to green products and/or technologies.

The 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show, for instance, debuted a TechZone dedicated to environmentally and economically sustainable technologies. For a look at the power-saving TV that won Best in Show in CNET’s Best of CES awards, turn to “21st Century Home” on page 36.

Las Vegas Market teamed with the Sustainable Furniture Council and Design Green Alliance to again offer the Living Green Pavilion during the winter 2008 market. The display featured sustainable furnishings. Programming and seminars focusing on environmental responsibility also were offered during market. A number of mattress manufacturers also unveiled eco-friendly products at this January event. Some of the new models can be seen in Sleep Shop on page 24.

The International Builders’ Show held its first-ever Green Day, which celebrated all things green in the building industry. In addition, the National Assn. of Home Builders officially launched the NAHB National Green Building Program and the Certified Green Professional designation.

The International Home & Housewares Show in Chicago featured “Design Directions: Going Green,” a display that focused on eco-friendly materials in product design and sustainable packaging. Among the products showcased were picture frames, cutting boards, soy candles and eco-friendly, nonstick cookware.

And the list of trade events at which to learn more about and shop eco-friendly home furnishings is sure to grow this year. So, like consumers, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to become as green as you (and your customers) want.

By Romy Schafer [at] FurnitureStyle.com

Furniture retailer Josh Dorfman talks about going green

Josh Dorfman

Furniture retailer Josh Dorfman is passionate about the environment. First and foremost, he is the founder and CEO of Vivavi, a contemporary, sustainable furniture store in Brooklyn, NY. Along with running the successful—and expanding—furniture showroom, Dorfman wrote his first book, “The Lazy Environmentalist,” in 2005. It offers readers easy, eco-friendly tips on how to incorporate green into their lives.

Now, Dorfman hosts a Sirius Satellite Radio program five days a week, spreading his message about how going green can be both hip and practical. “It’s a dialog that feels accessible for people,” he said. “No one gets a guilt trip, and they learn something.”

Managing Editor Stephanie Mitchell spoke with Dorfman, in a telephone interview, about his interest in sustainability, his furniture store and eco-awareness in the home furnishings industry.

Furniture Style: How did you get started in green activism?

An example of the company’s home furnishings offerings is Modern Bamboo’s Spring chair

Josh Dorfman: In 2003, I really started thinking, “How can I influence consumers to make more environmentally responsible purchasing decisions?” There was a lot of research emerging saying that a large number of Americans wanted to make their purchasing decisions based on their values about the environment. I thought that combining environmental responsibility with great design would be a way to take away the pain and make going green something that could become something really attractive and desirable.

I started Vivavi in December 2003 in Washington, DC. About a year into the business, I realized as much as we are fully committed to the environment, we also are a design company. And if we’re a design company, we probably need to be in New York City.

FS: What is Vivavi’s mission?

Dorfman: My philosophy is that we are going to offer some of the best design available and demonstrate that the best design can be green. We want to offer it at the most accessible price point we can, but will not sacrifice design to try and make things affordable. We’ve seen it before; it’s not a good way to grow a business.

FS: How do you choose product for your store?

Dorfman: The first thing we evaluate is the material choice. Is [the manufacturer] using materials that are green—sourced responsibility, reclaimed, recycled? The next thing we look at is the glues, finishes and chemicals. Is there toxic stuff in this furniture? Then, we look at the manufacturing process. Is [the manufacturer] using renewable energy? Less material? Then, we look at where it’s shipped from and what the footprint is.

FS: Who are Vivavi’s customers?

Dorfman: We sell to parents with young kids—that’s a core demographic for us. We get smart, hip professionals who are concerned about the health aspects of what’s going into their homes.

We also sell to Baby Boomers who may be moving into a second home, downsizing or just moving out of the home they’ve been in for a long time. These folks expect quality and design, but sustainability, too. The subtext is, “I now have grandchildren. What kind of world am I leaving behind? What choices am I making here, especially because I have a lot more disposable income?”

But people don’t buy our furniture just because it’s green. If people don’t love the design and the quality first and foremost, there isn’t going to be a sale.

FS: In the home furnishings industry, do you think sustainability is a trend or will it eventually be a lifestyle change?

Dorfman: The furniture industry, in general, has been pretty slow to change. You can walk trade shows and see some green home furnishings, but these are huge trade shows and most of the companies there are not interested and don’t want to talk about it. They are crossing their fingers and hoping it’s going to go away—that’s not going to happen. It’s a trend manufacturers and retailers would be wise to embrace because it’s being driven by so many factors, and one of them is that consumers want to do this.

I think, [as a retailer], that there’s an opportunity to look at it as a new lifestyle for customers and say, “We can offer you something that really resonates with who you are: you value great design and quality. We want to help you naturalize that.”

FS: As you continue to get busier with media opportunities, will you keep the furniture store?

Dorfman: Absolutely. The furniture store is the core. We’re expanding now, and we’re hoping to open our first major retail store in Manhattan later this summer.

We’re expanding our product lines, integrating home furnishings with tabletop, bed and bath—Vivavi’s going to be a great demonstration of what’s possible.

By Stephanie Mitchell [at] FurnitureStyle.com