By BONNIE BRITTON
Gannett News Service
Ethnic-influenced offerings may represent a minimal segment of the $78.5 billion home furnishings and
furniture industry, but diversity in consumers and their preferences mean lines that go global are gaining visibility.
“The appeal of ethnic furniture is derived from manufacturers really taking a serious look at the customer base they’re serving,” says Jaclyn C. Hirschhaut, spokeswoman for the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
According to a 2013 U.S. Census report, one-third of the U.S. population is part of an ethnic minority group. New lines this year play to this demographic:
v Spanish-language TV superstar Cristina Saralegui’s new Casa Cristina home furnishings collection, which includes everything from comforters to tablecloths, is now available nationwide at Kohl’s.
Syndicated TV host B. Smith, a black former fashion model whose home textiles are carried by Bed Bath & Beyond, is expanding into upholstered furniture by Clayton Marcus. The At Home with B. Smith furniture collection debuted in March at the International Home Furnishing Spring Market in High Point, N.C., and will be available this summer in stores that carry the Clayton Marcus line.
Johnson Publishing Co., parent of Ebony magazine, plans to unveil a five-pattern bedding collection with Dan River Inc., this year.
Target on board
Target hopped on the international bus last year with limited-run Global Bazaar collections of home decor and furniture spanning Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America. The collection of pillows, tables, lamps and other furnishings only appears seasonally in stores, but items are available for purchase online.
California-based Cost Plus World Market, in business since 1958, continues to offer moderately priced furniture and home goods influenced by Asian cultures in 286 stores nationwide.
Vendors in India, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries assist in furniture design, modifying ethnic designs to appeal more to American tastes.
Spokesman Derrick Meyer says the company’s furniture often contains surprises, such as accents or panels made from pieces of ceilings from palaces in India or cabinet door panels made from antique Chinese headboards.
New Ebony line
Ebony magazine, a 60-year-old publication based in Chicago, is “one of the most trusted brands among African Americans,” says Debra Turner, CEO of Turner-Patterson, the licensing and marketing agency representing Ebony. The magazine’s bedding products by Dan River are expected to be in stores later this year.
Dan River is no stranger to ethnic influences. The company makes home lines for Baby Phat (Kimora Lee Simmons), Phat Farm by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and El Chavo for the Hispanic market, says Neil Mandell, senior vice president of marketing and licensing.
Saralegui, known as the Latin American Oprah Winfrey, already offers furniture made by Pulaski and home decor from CBK under her name.
She sees the move toward more ethnic furnishings as “part of the globalization of everything. The products are not just made overseas, but you’re seeing their own designs creep back in.”
The influences in her furnishings come from nearly two dozen countries.
“You can see some Mexican, but you can also see some African, but in different products, not all mixed up together.”
Saralegui’s background — she is a native of Cuba, and some of her family still lives in Spain’s northern Basque region — is evident.
Her collection includes everything from a black-and-white Barcelona bedding set that “looks like one of the gates from the Alhambra (palace)” to a brick-red and gold Palomas bed-in-a-bag.
“Product has no language,” Saralegui says. “When you see something beautiful, it’s just beautiful.”
Span the world on the Web
Latina talk-show host Cristina Saralegui’s new home furnishings line, Casa Cristina, is at Kohl’s.
www.cristinaonline.com/casacristina.
B. Smith, a black talk-show host, offers her “B. Smith with Style Home Collection” at Bed Bath & Beyond.
www.bsmith.com, www.bedbathandbeyond. com.
Target’s Global Bazaar items such as accent tables, lamps, chairs, vases are available for purchase online.
www.target.com.
Cost Plus World Market offers Asian-influenced furniture and accessories nationwide.
www.worldmarket.com.
