White x White was founded in 2010 by owner/designer Kristen White, who has owned a 10,000 sq. ft. retail store in Topeka, Kan., since 1987. Kristen has been traveling to Europe since l990 and her product designs are inspired by the homes, gardens and antique shops she sees on her antique hunting excursions. She launched a wholesale line at the winter gift show in Atlanta, and she will be exhibiting next month at the Dallas gift show.

In addition to being a product designer, Kristen is an artist and interior designer who saw the need for affordable home décor made of sustainable and natural materials such as willow, reclaimed wood, glass, iron and terracotta. The White x White mantra is “repurpose, reclaim, restyle.”

“We’ll offer buyers our entire line of home décor at the Dallas show, including furniture, lamps, baskets, statuary, lanterns, trays and mirrors, all with a hip vintage vibe”, said Kristen White, owner and designer, White x White.  “Our line was very well received at our first show in January and we’re excited to announce that White x White will have twice as many SKUs available to order at the summer markets.” 
 

The White x White space will feature a backdrop of brown kraft paper with aluminum grommets hung with heavy weight jute.  “Our booth in Atlanta was the talk of the temps.  We had so many positive comments about our booth including, not only the backdrop, but our cutting edge products as well.  Order response was tremendous,” White said.  
“I’ve been in retail for 24 years.  I know what other vendors offer, including their price points, and I have a good feel for what’s missing in the marketplace.  White x White is the start of some-thing huge and I’m so excited it’s finally off the ground”, said White.  “I’ve been a buyer at the Dallas Market Center for almost 25 years.  It’s a fantastic market and now I’m proud to be on the other side, as a vendor.”

Chairs and mirrors from Bobby McAlpine

Water Reed Pier mirror

The Water Reed Pier mirror is from the McAlpine Home collection of case goods and home accents from MacRae Designs. It takes its inspiration from the lines and textures of water reeds. Shown in weathered oak with an antiqued mirror, the design is also available in ebony, limestone or branch finishes. It measures 31.5 inches wide and 71.5 inches tall.
Known for high-quality, handcrafted antique reproductions that blend classic design elements with modern twists, Atlanta-based MacRae Designs launched the McAlpine Home Collection in 2009. The collaboration between McAlpine and MacRae Designs has resulted in a versatile furniture collection that redefines traditional English antique design. This partnership also represents the next growth phase for the architect’s McAlpine Home Collection, which made its debut in 2002 with the series of upholstered pieces he designed for Lee Industries.

Directoire dog bed console

Blount Chapel arm chair (a side chair is available)

Among the other introductions at the High Point Market were a Duck Club wing chair, a Fern Knuckle chair, the Blount Chapel arm and side chairs and the Directoire dog bed console.

Casual dining furniture in classic styles

John Thomas Furniture, a division of Whitewood Industries, specializes in casual dining furniture. Its "not-so-new" Dining Essentials collection, according to Bryan Sprinkles, sales and marketing manager, has consistently gained momentum among retailers over the past three years. At the High Point Furniture Market this month, the company added several new tables.
The 75-plus piece collection, made up of solid wood tables, chairs, stools and workcenters, in a variety of finishes, ranges from a 30-inch by 30-inch table top to a 36-inch by 54-inch table.
Retailers can choose sizes and finishes (Rich Mocha, Linen, Black, Black and Cherry, or Cinnamon and Espresso). A table top POP demonstrating the variety of options available will support the collection’s extensive offerings.

Baby and youth furniture seen in High Point

Samuel Lawrence Furniture’s newest youth introduction, named “Tiara,” is bejeweled with multifaceted finials and hardware. It was introduced under the Sammy brand at the High Point International Furniture Market in April. The collection will be available for shipment early this summer.

The company calls this a complete collection. In addition to standard bedroom furniture, it includes a make-up table with a little tuffet chair. The drop-down front drawer is ideal for a laptop. Each collection includes several bed options, including bunk-beds which can be configured in a number of ways. Media chest, nightstands and a tall chest are also standard with each collection.

SLF is a strategic marketing unit of Home Meridian International. Collections are available container direct or may be special ordered individually from bicoastal warehouses.

Selected works of Mexican artist Karla d’Lara

Phillips Collection showed 350 works of Mexican artist Karla d’Lara at the High Point market earlier this month. The company featured her sculptures, tables and accessories for 2011.

The Phillips Collection provided this statement about the artist:

Making use of her memory, Karla d’Lara recreates a universe of atmospheres touched by the mystery of that which is poetic. Her work is an expression of genuine character which reveals itself as a powerful wave of technique, color and vivid movement.
Memories…to create atmospheres, defines Karla’s intuitive sense of art. Memory is the storehouse for abstractness which may materialize during a walk on a summer’s evening, like a voyeur in a faraway place. Its unstated goal is to discover the essential aroma of emotions resulting from a process of seduction. Expressed through the hands of an artist, its immense power is revealed for all to see.

She began to study photography as a teenager during summer trips abroad, and it became her first great passion. After taking advanced courses and accumulating plenty of experience, she traveled through Europe, Asia, and the Americas capturing the images of different cultures.

Karla is able to amalgamate her ideas with the help of skilled and exacting craftsmen, who have shared their homegrown techniques from workshops in Tonala, Jalisco, a hotbed of artists and great authors. A case in point is artist Salvador Rabelero, an expert in ceramics, glass, pigment combinations, acrylic paintings and mixed techniques. Today he is Karla’s inseparable partner in artistic creation.

Contemporary buffet, cocktail tables

The Palito buffet

The Moderna collection from Roberta Schilling uses smooth metal, exotic woods and delicate fibers cut into clean lines and striking shapes.

Biondina cocktail table

Bioanda cocktail table

American-made bedroom furniture in cherry

With the introduction of 20 new pieces at the High Point furniture market, Harden redefines one of its strongest-selling case good categories. The company’s popular Classic Cherry collection has been updated with  more transitional variations.

The new product line features clean lines, elegant details and dramatic shapes. One of the signature pieces of the new collection is the 780 Door Chest. With solid cherry drawer fronts and figured cherry veneer top and door panels, this highly-styled piece is also accented with a dentil string maple inlay.

The 705 Panel Bed is classically transitional and features a dramatic cluster maple veneer in a burl pattern. Supporting bedroom cases have bow fronts, multiple foot choices, and new satin nickel hardware to complete this new, updated look for the Classic Cherry group.


Fifth generation, family-owned Harden Furniture is said to be the oldest furniture manufacturer in the Northeast. The company uses sustainable practices in its 10,000 acres of forested lands in New York State, where native black cherry hardwood is harvested.

Sligh Furniture has new website, social media apps

press release

SLIGH ADDS SOCIAL MEDIA APP; LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

April 2011, Holland, MI—Aiming to stay at the cutting edge in its use of technology to deliver information, Sligh Furniture is introducing several new digital tools for consumers and retailers. These tools include two enhanced Web sites, an expanded social media presence on Facebook and Twitter and the launch of the company’s first iPad application.

“We want to provide retailers and consumers with simple, immediate access to all the information they need to make informed decisions with regards to their furniture purchases,” said Rob Sligh, president of Sligh Furniture.  "Our new iPad application, and the enhancements we’ve made to our Web sites and Facebook and Twitter pages, provide an easy way to explore our product line and get the answers you need whenever and wherever it’s easiest.”

Sligh’s iPad app, to be rolled out at the April High Point Market, will provide the company’s sales representatives and retail salespeople with a powerful new tool. The app includes complete information about the company’s products, including key features, sizes and photos along with information on Suggested Retail pricing, inventory and shipping times.


“If a consumer is interested in a particular Sligh piece, a salesperson can use the iPad app to show them lifestyle photography, other pieces in the collection, pricing and availability,” said Sligh. “They won’t have to run back to the resource room to jump on their computer, because all that information will be right at their fingertips.” The app will include details about every piece in the Sligh line as well as Loft 102, a special line created by Sligh for the young and young at heart.


In addition to the new iPad app, Sligh has completely redesigned its Web sites at www.sligh.com and www.loft102forthehome.com, adding new functions and features. The Web sites include a rotating series of bold new graphic images at the top of the home pages that position the company as a leading source for stylish home office and home entertainment furniture.

Well-designed and stylish housewares from Mexico

At the Housewares show in Chicago this month, Sogbo will present 25 new products in what it calls "A Revolution of Home Products.” The Mexico-based source offers housewares, furniture, textiles, barware, kitchen accessories and furniture. Catalogs are available on the company's website.

Download the catalog at www.sogbo.com.mx

Contempoary-style accent tables in brushed aluminum

Koba 2 cocktail table

Nova will introduce a collection of new accent table designs at the  High Point Market, April 2 to 7. The Lucky 7 Pedestals and the Koba Collection will be on display in the company’s showroom in IHFC Commerce Building showroom C403 alongside many new lighting and wall designs. The Koba 2 Cocktail table (left) has a brushed aluminum base and a root beer finished table top with  beveled glass top. It measures 15 inches tall by 37 inches wide by 37 inches deep. 

The Kova end table (below) is a squared wood design featuring a brushed aluminum base and a 24-inch by 24-inch beveled glass top. It is 24 inches tall.

Kova end table

Lucky 7 Pedestals (below) are made of  brushed aluminum and come in three sizes:  small (30 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches), medium (36 by 14 by 8) and large (42 by 14 by 8).

Leather and upholstered furniture

Chaise style 498  in St. Thomas Cinnamon red

Upholstered furniture manufacturer Massoud showed its latest fabrics and frames at the Las Vegas Market earlier this winter. Massoud has a growing collection of sofas, chairs, ottomans and benches in traditional to transitional styles.

The Savvy Amaretto base cloth fabric is shown on the curved sofa (below). The furniture maker also works with premium quality, pure aniline, full‐top‐grain domestic and Italian hides. Customers can mix and match textures and colors, combine leather and fabric, and choose from countless details like nail heads and other trims, to create the look they seek.

Round-back sofa with Savvy Amaretto fabric

Nottinghill Platinum leather on loose pillow back sofa

Wing chair with Monte Cristo Cigar
cover and animal print

Custom headboards with mirrors

 

At the Las Vegas furniture market, Howard Elliott Collection featured a new headboard concept in low and in tall profiles. It combines a mirror, headboard and CTC Pixels. (CTC is a sister company.) Pixels are upholstered panels that come in a variety of colors and textures and used to create soft and elegant surroundings.

The Low profile measures 47.5 inches tall, 70.25 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep. It fits two rows of four CTC Pixels. The Tall profile is 63.5 inches tall and fits three rows of four pixels. The headboards are available with 20 different colors of CTC Pixels™.

Two good chairs from Las Vegas

Two chairs were named winners in the third annual “One Good Chair” competition, sponsored by World Market Center Las Vegas and the Sustainable Furnishings Council. An awards ceremony was held Jan. 26 at World Market Center.

Eric Tong and his Zpine chair

Eric Tong’s Zpine chair received the grand prize and Juan Mercado’s RE_Flex chair won in the People’s Choice category.

The grand prize winner, Tong, from London, England, created his chair using a honeycomb core (also known as “cellular structure”). The piece converts seamlessly between a chair and a chaise, collapsing with ease. Tong said he chose honeycomb for its magnificent strength-to-weight ratio and because it’s inexpensive, sustainable and biodegradable. He received a $4,500 cash prize that he says he will apply towards the manufacturing and marketing of the chair.

Juan Mercado and his RE_FLEX chair

Juan Mercado of Jackson, Mich.,  created his chair from a standard 4-by-8-inch wood sheet. The chair can be used as a sleek modern desk chair or a comfortable reading/rocking chair, depending on the owner’s mood. Its design is simple yet sophisticated, and requires minimal packaging and space for shipping.

The goals of the competition revolved around minimizing material, production, shipping and assembly while maximizing comfort, utility, durability and beauty. Sustainable Furnishings Council members, including The Phillips Collection and Handy Living, created prototypes of some of the finalists’ designs. More than 360 participants submitted entries in the competition, representing both professional and amateur designers. Five finalists mastered the seeming paradoxical challenge of celebrating abundance while doing more with less.

The final jury included television host, writer and producer Sarah Backhouse of “Planet 100” on the Discovery Network’s Planet Green, Shashi Caan of Shashi Caan Collective, Kira Gould, director of communications with William McDonough + Partners and Zem Joaquin, founder and CEO of ecofabulous, the online source for the “well-lived eco-life.” The jury selected the grand prize, or “Judges’ Choice” winner, while the public voted for People’s Choice.

Other finalists for the competition include the following:

• Helena Bueno, Brazil, Broom Chair: This simple yet whimsical chair is made from nine sticks of birch wood that fit easily into a bright plastic seat. It’s playful, yet remarkably efficient to mount and collapse—all of the sticks can be removed and requires no glue, nails, screws or metal components.
• Tom Fereday, Australia, Allt Chair: This linear-framed chair is reminiscent of classic handcrafted Danish furniture, with a mesh and fastening system that are 100 percent contemporary. Made from recyclable birch plywood and stainless steel components, the chair uses non-permanent fasteners and can easily be disassembled, reducing its environmental footprint on a number of levels, from beginning to end.
• Klaus Peter Berkemeyer, Germany, ELXE: Elegance meets functionality in the ELXE. The backrest and seat are made of two molded wooden shelves, which merge with two wooden legs that also form the armrests. With two light front legs of stainless steel, ELXE can be dismantled into just four components for easy moving or storage.