Thomas Russell
AT THE MARKET — Occasional furniture resources here continue to coordinate new product to upholstery frames and home entertainment pieces in their lines.
 

Others have a variety of stand-alone items that give retailers something to talk about on their sales floors.
While they say traffic has been down from last July and even the January market, vendors are generally pleased with this market’s brisk order-writing.

Universal Furniture is having success in particular with several mixed-media occasional groups that combine wood and leather, glass and metal, and wood and metal components. That includes Hillcrest, a transitional group with textured faux leather on a wood frame and cast metal legs, and the more contemporary Eclipse, an oval-shaped tiered table with an inset smoked-glass top, walnut veneers and brushed metal frames.
With cocktails retailing around $299, these mixed media elements coordinate well with various upholstery groups.
 
Broyhill has new occasional products with case goods collections introduced here. These include Bennington and Chastain Park, with cocktails retailing at $249, and Carson Manor, with cocktail tables in the $399 range.

“We’re working really hard to create more of a synergy between the occasional and upholstery,” said Michael Delgatti, Broyhill’s executive vice president of upholstery and occasional merchandising. “It makes it easier for the consumer to buy.”

Other companies are having success with product tying in with existing wood lines. They include Somerton Home Furnishings, which is hitting $179 to $199 price points on cocktails that coordinate with new home entertainment units and existing bedroom collections. The line is getting a good response from mostly West Coast and Canadian customers, said Ed Roth, executive vice president.

Master Design is following a similar pattern with 13 new occasional groups that feature cocktails at $249 to $299 retail. Joe Elmore, vice president of sales, marketing and product development, said the response from dealers has been strong.

Kathy Ireland Home by Martin is doing well with Cape Town, a contemporary group with coordinating entertainment walls. And Flexsteel is scoring with Chamberlain, which ties in with entertainment, upholstery and game tables.

Companies also are offering a mix of stand-alone accent and occasional tables that are getting a strong response from dealers. They include Powell, Ultimate Accents, Magnussen Home, Master Design, Universal and Furniture Classics.