Gary Evans
TUPELO, Miss. — Davis International and designer Laura Orsborn are teaming up to launch the company’s first line of imported upholstery at the October market in High Point.


Orsborn and Davis merchandise manager Bruce Hartman said the line will include 15 collections of coordinating upholstery and occasional tables — six in a light finish, six in dark and three fully upholstered.

Sofas will retail from $999 to $1,399. Features include carved showwood, eight-way hand-tied construction and down-blend cushioning, plus fringe, tassels and upscale fabrics.

“This is designed to appeal to the female buyer with all the bells and whistles and high style,” said Orsborn, whose trademark is layering fabrics, colors and textures in a collage approach to traditional design.

She said the collections are designed to make purchasing simple for the consumer. “We wanted to create a trusted brand, and put a room together so that the customer could take it home and it would look exactly as it looks in the showroom,” she said.

Eventually, the line may add other products like rugs, Orsborn said.

A video featuring the designer will be available to help the retail sales force pitch the product, and could be used in a continuous loop for consumers.

“We want to put rooms together that will drive retailers’ sales tickets through the roof,” Hartman said.

The product will be available in container quantities. Davis will back up the line in its Mississippi warehouse to prevent flow problems between China and the United States.

Davis currently sells sofas that start at $499 retail and top out at $799. The new line will expand the upper end and is expected to allow the company to pick up customers it hasn’t had before, Hartman said.