Thomas Russell
AT THE MARKET — Metal bed vendors have a small presence here, but those making the scene say they’re pleased with attendance and dealer interest.


“It’s starting to pick up, so we’re encouraged,” said Stephen Sczubelek, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Fashion Bed Group, part of Leggett & Platt. “We are starting to see a lot of good customers, and they’re spending a lot of time here when they come in.”

Fashion Bed Group is showing a line of ornamental metal beds called the Regal Collection, with five models retailing from $699 to $1,099. They feature detailed castings, finials and grillwork as well as plated and multi-step finishes.

“It really is a step up from what we have been doing and is designed for our customers that are looking for a really nicely detailed and more ornamental metal bed,” said Sczubelek.

He said the company has gotten positive responses on the line with presentations in the field in the past 30 days, and also at market.

Fashion Bed also is showing three new daybeds here, styled after an Arts & Crafts-influenced collection of metal beds, at retails from $399 to $699.

Hillsdale Furniture is showing six of the top-selling beds it introduced at the April High Point market, ranging from $299 to $499 retail. It also is displaying photos of about 100 other metal and wood-and-metal models in its showroom.

Hillsdale would like to show additional beds, but can’t fit too many into its 3,500-square-foot space here. It will be able to show more in the 20,000-square-foot showroom it will occupy in Building B in January, said Dann Glick, executive vice president of sales.

The same goes for Fashion Bed Group, which will have a 16,200-square-foot showroom in Building B, about three times its current space. That will likely drive more product development efforts for future markets here, Sczubelek said.

Some metal bed resources simply don’t have space to show the category in their Las Vegas spaces. That includes Coaster, whose showroom here focuses on its case goods, youth and upholstery line, and Powell Co., which devotes most of its space to youth, accents and case goods.

Some metal bed vendors, including Hollywood Bed/Jay Michael Designs, and Benicia Foundry & Iron Works, are showing in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Metal bed manufacturer Elliott’s Designs is showing some of its line at the Las Vegas Furniture Show at the Sands Expo Center. Company officials there reported strong opening-day traffic and were optimistic about seeing more people by the end of the show Wednesday.