The magazine that defined modern design for a generation of readers is extending its brand into the furniture realm. Following in the footsteps of publications such as Country Home and Better Homes and Gardens, Metropolitan Home is launching their own line of contemporary furniture called--appropriately enough--the Unveiled to the media at the Fall 2006 High Point International Furniture Market and scheduled to hit retail stores in March 2007, the contemporary furniture collection features more than 65 upholstered pieces and case goods marked by understated lines and rich--occasionally surprising--finishes. (Full disclosure: I occasionally contribute to Metropolitan Home.)
To create the collection, the magazine turned to renowned interior designer Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz. Long a fixture on Met Home's pages, Noriega-Ortiz brings not only name recognition to the contemporary furniture line, but a sleek, sophisticated sensibility that's modern but understated enough to allow pieces to be mixed and matched at ease. To encourage this, the designer eschewed traditional suites of furniture in favor of "lifestyle groupings" that can be combined together as the consumer sees fit.
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Helps lower price points for similar leather offerings
AT THE MARKET -- Leather upholstery producers are working with a variety of new covers here, including fabric, leather/fabric combinations and what's called bonded leather -- a new, somewhat controversial leather-like material.
Higher-end manufacturers including American Leather, Elite Leather and Palliser have launched full-fledged fabric programs.
At the promotional end, companies like Klaussner and Catnapper have added bonded leather, which contains 10% to 17% leather.
As bycast -- polyurethane-coated leather splits -- was viewed with skepticism when first introduced about five years ago, bonded leather -- a layered mixture of polyurethane, cloth, glue and leather scraps or shavings -- is perceived by some as a threat, a falsehood and a fraud.
Ashley is urging buyers to "be aware" of bonded leather.
"We just want people to be aware of exactly what they are buying," said Tom Leon, president of Ashley's Millennium division. "We are not taking a stand either way, but we do want dealers to know what it is and that it is not leather."
Leather suppliers are selling the product, however, displaying it in leather-designated showroom areas. Leather upholstery companies categorize it as a leather SKU. It is as flexible and supple as a leather cover and can be processed to carry a flat, grainy or two-tone patterned effect. It also affords an almost waste-free yield of nearly 100%.
Klaussner has built a program around bonded leather.
"It has the same polyurethane face as bycast but it's less costly than leather," said Chuck Welch, leather product manager for Klaussner. "We've created a new category for it, like bycast or microfiber."
With bonded leather sofas retailing from $699 -- compared with $1,199 for similar leather frames assembled domestically -- Welch predicts the alternative material will take away from leather on retail floors.
And bonded leather isn't relegated to mainstream merchandise only. Simon Li/Trayton America has introduced a reconstituted product, producing a textural Nubuck effect.
"It's bycast with a suede top, not a polyurethane top," said Peter Pilgaard, sales and marketing director. Simon Li calls the product "suede leather."
"It is like leather to work with because 65% of its thickness is leather," Pilgaard said. "It is a good way to control price points in the wake of leather hikes."
Ashley, Flexsteel, Universal, Nicoletti and Natuzzi are among those companies that don't carry bonded leather in their lines.
Source: Joan Gunin -- Furniture Today
In every category there are true classics that will not be defeated by time, changing, trends, or fads. In a very design oriented market such as home furnishings, only the truly great designs will make the cut generation after generation. If you were to ask someone currently shopping for furniture who is Ludwig Mies van der Rohe or Charles Eames they would probably have little or no idea. Only after having seen their timeless creations would it be obvious that these great visionaries combined excellent quality withsuperb design.
The 1920's spawned a multitude of designers, whose work is still much sought after including the Barcelona chair, the Le Corbusier chaise lounge and Eero Saarinen's collection of tables. I love the look of a classic modern piece in just about any environment, and most of the styles are simplistic enough to be a perfect compliment without dominating the theme of the room. One of my personal favorites is Isamu Noguchi's rounded triangle coffee table. Designed in the 1940's it looks great with even the latest modern sofa designs.
As with anything, you get what you pay for. The originals as well as the current productions by the licensed manufacturers will cost you. It is important to realize that long after your other furniture has worn out or become outdated, the true classics will not only be around, but still in style. I talk with consumers all the time that brag about the Eames chair they have had for 40 years, or the Marcel Breuer black and chrome club chair that looks as good today as it did in 1925. Do be careful when shopping for these timeless beauties as there are a lot of knock offs and cheaper reproductions. The price is often enough to entice the consumer but know you are not getting the real deal and often the materials as well as the construction have been compromised. I have visited some resale stores specializing in the old classics and they do hold their value, but this may be an alternative to buying new if the cost is prohibitive. One company specializing in a complete collection of the classics is Alivar Museum. They consider the entire line to be a true "part of the history of furniture design" and "everlasting". I have seen some of their items in person and can vouch for the quality. No matter which way you go, enjoy your furniture and make the design an extension of your personality!
Interior decorating and furniture is usually a serious topic. You literally "live" with the decisions that you make often for some time. I thought about having some fun this morning. Besides, it is a Monday!
I found some furniture examples that I think you will enjoy looking at. This is what is called theme furniture and is not for everyone. Even if this is not your taste, I think you will enjoy looking at it. I ask you this question, "Would you decorate your house with this furniture?" I look forward to reading your comments.This furniture can be found at: http://www.cocktail.uk.com/
The retrospective exhibition "Bruno Mathsson: Architect and Designer," opening today at The Bard Graduate Center, consists of approximately 150 examples of furniture, photographs, architectural drawings and models installed chronologically on three floors. It's a show that starts strong but peters out halfway through, a strikingly accurate metaphor of Mathsson's own unstable projection as a designer over the course of the 20th century.
For the most part, Mathsson's designs are solid, though far from ground breaking. They split the difference between inspired form and dutiful function, between a traditionally trained cabinetmaker's desire to tinker and perfect, with design ideas distilled from more radical pioneers such as Marcel Breur, Alvar Aalto, Le Corbusier and the earlier example of Thonet. Mathsson was one of the main proponents of the Swedish Modern style that emerged in the 1930's, and his pieces incorporate its distinctive characteristics, such as lightweight organic materials, use of clean simple lines, and a lack of overstyling -- qualities echoed in the restrained, well-balanced, uniform nature of Swedish society itself. However, most of his designs fail to transcend the innovation of their construction, and are held firmly in the realm of technical prowess, disallowing them to become more essential design statements.
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