Several manufacturers feature new intros
LAS VEGAS –  The excitement surrounding the


opening of Building B in the World Market Center translated into heavy traffic Monday for home office vendors.

“Traffic is up. We saw our first customer at 7:20 a.m. and it’s been nonstop since then,” said Vanessa Martinez, brand manager for Kathy Ireland Home by Martin.

Martin is introducing an expansion of its contemporary Tribeca Loft collection in eggshell finish, in addition to the earlier black and cherry finishes, with satin nickel finish on the hardware. The company expects the colors and scaled-down size of the desks to do well with smaller home and condo shoppers.

Also new from Martin is the upscale Abbey Lane, a traditional home office with detailed walnut inlays and ash burl and cherry veneers. The executive desk retails for $1,599.

Traffic also was heavy at O’Sullivan, where each of the introductions in the company’s new 1,800-square-foot showroom in Building B is imported, not made at its Lamar, Mo. facility. All pieces incorporate Ledalock, a no-tool, snap-lock assembly system, part of a new O’Sullivan partnership with fellow ready-to-assemble producer Leda.

Introductions include the formal and stately Kingsley collection in vintage chestnut with antique bronze hardware, hand-turned solid-wood feet, framed wood drawers and keyboard management; and Piedmont, a transitional piece in golden cherry with satin nickel hardware and hollow core tops.

All hardware is pre-assembled into pieces.  

“We want consumers to be able to purchase case goods —quality furniture from us at an RTA price,” said Keri O’Connell, product manager.

Vaughan-Bassett is showing two 27-inch-deep youth office pieces, a size that allows them to cross over to smaller home uses.

The Lifestyle desk retails for $699 while a Cottage desk retails for $799. Showroom traffic was busy Monday morning, especially after 10 a.m., according to Doug Bassett, executive vice president. He said some retailers had difficulty getting through the parking and drop-off rush in front of the WMC buildings.

The company continues to promote its Vaughan-Bassett Express program, with seven-day delivery for East Coast dealers and 14-day delivery to the West Coast. Bassett said the company hopes to pick up new central time zone accounts here, in addition to more from the West.

“If we see 600 people during this show we expect half will be existing customers and the other half will be prospects,” he said.

HomElegance’s home office offerings this market include a new black finish for a popular cottage styled office collection, an October market introduction. A corner and two 40-inch-top side units retail for $999. The company also features the style in a 69-inch-top desk with hutch, retailing for $799.

HomElegance also has a new contemporary style desk with Asian accents and almost no hardware.

“We’re expanding the category to offer more function and a better look for furniture dealers,” said Jamie Collins, vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re seeing everybody.”