The Smithsonian Institution is a powerful brand recognized by 94 percent of adult Americans, according to recent surveys. That's what brought a design team from Bernhardt Furniture to Washington for a treasure hunt through the museum's displays and storerooms looking for historical pieces to adapt for a licensed collection to begin in September.
Licensing has been lucrative for Bernhardt, makers of the Martha Stewart line. In signing with the Smithsonian, the North Carolina company is looking for yet another hook to entice mid- to high-end customers in a market increasingly laced with designer names.
"The Smithsonian consumer is typically very well educated, they spend a lot on their home, and they like the prestige associated with the brand," says Heather Bloom, Bernhardt's director of brand development. The first collection of 50 pieces includes bedroom and dining room pieces and home entertainment units. Most are drawn from 19th century designs.
One of the signature items is the Keeper's Bookcase ($2,000), inspired by an American Empire Revival piece in a curator's office at the Smithsonian Castle. Check www.bernhardt.com for availability this summer.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
I found this interesting article that is similar to yesterday's post about furniture imports and the fact that much more furniture is being imported from China. In the last few years, much of the furniture manufacturing has been moved over to China and Taiwan. Both countries have made huge strides over the last few years in product quality. Likely every furniture store, perhaps with the exception of a few specialty stores, has some furniture products made from these countries. Their manufacturing costs are much lower than in many traditional countries where furniture was manufactured. Lower manufacturing costs offer great price points for final consumers. No longer is "made in China" necessarily a negative reflection on product quality. It is just and indicator that the item may have a lower cost to the consumer.
The huge irony was not lost on Kevin Sauder.
As president and chief executive of Sauder Woodworking Co., the $700 million ready-to-assemble furniture giant in Archbold, Ohio, he made tough calls in recent years to move some production to Asia to cut costs and stay competitive.
Then, last July, who should show up on his corporate doorstep but Ikea officials, who had a similar problem. The Swedish retail giant had to cut costs - and planned to do so by moving cabinet frame and shelf production from Europe to America.
"Ikea designs in Sweden, runs the costs of shipping, resources, materials, and labor, and found that it was cheaper to make furniture in Archbold for distribution than to make it at its Poland plants and ship it to the U.S.," Sauder said.
Continue reading "Overseas competition rattles furniture business" »
Imports from China top $12 billion
HIGH POINT -- Sluggish retail conditions and a good deal of reshuffling in where importers are sourcing their product kept growth in imported furniture and furniture parts in the single digits last year.
U.S. imports grew 7% to nearly $22 billion in 2006, up from $20.6 billion in 2005.
The still-healthy gain compares with an 11% expansion in 2005, which came largely because of China's 18% surge. A year later, it was still China leading the way -- managing an improbable 14% growth despite a mature industry, duties placed on wood bedroom furniture and Chinese government concerns about its record-breaking trade surpluses.
Continue reading "U.S. furniture imports up 7% in 2006" »
NORFOLK, Va. -- Accent and occasional furniture specialist Furniture Classics has told its customers that it will no longer distribute the Morgan Hill furniture line.
Jotario Saito does not only design kimonos, but does the interior design as well. In 2007 his new furniture line will be launched. His slogan is 'New in tradition'.
