HIGH POINT—Martha Stewart said she loves designing furniture and wants to make it usable for the average homeowner as she unveiled her new Martha Stewart Fine Furniture collection in the Miles Talbott showroom Saturday.
Martha Stewart's Prentiss sofa by Miles Talbott is one of 25 upholstery pieces introduced in the line this market.
Many of the collection's pieces are updated classics,but some pieces,including the Thompson cocktail,move toward clean and modern.
Stewart appeared briefly at the company's English Street showroom,where she walked into a packed house of fans and well-wishers.She appeared surprised to see so many people waiting,disappeared momentarily to see the finished product for the first time,and reappeared to say she was happy seeing people sitting comfortably on some of the upholstery pieces.
Her goal,she said,was"to make upholstery proportional to a sensible-sized home-not oversized-for suburban and urban housewives"and at an affordable price.She said she was inspired by things she has in her own homes,items from around the world,and beautiful homes everywhere.
With the upholstery made by Miles Talbott and case goods imported from Colombia by Lefa,the new collection includes 25 upholstery and 55 bedroom,dining and occasional pieces.All will be available to retail locations and trade showrooms in North America,South America and some other international markets beginning in this fall.
In a news release and in her remarks Saturday,Stewart reiterated her desire to offer"a sensible,considered approach to scale,proportion and function that ensure the furniture will merge seamlessly into day-to-day living."
The company said the ability to offer custom(made-to-measure)upholstery will enable consumers to create pieces including sofas,sectionals,chairs and ottomans that meet their individual scale and style preferences.The custom category includes beds with headboard options and bed frame features.
Case pieces use hardwoods and veneers including ribbon stripe mahogany,cherry,and flat-cut and quarter-sawn oak,each finished in what the company described as distinct,penetrating wood tones.Brass,nickel,marble and parchment accents also are featured.Some items finished in soft,tone-on-tone,paint colors will create an aesthetic balance,the company says.
Retail price points are expected to be at the top of Miles Talbott's pricing structure.
"The new Fine Furniture line brings fresh design and quality craftsmanship to the floor,"said George Jordan,president of Miles Talbott."Martha Stewart and her brand continue to inspire consumers with beautiful designs made using the finest materials."
"We are thrilled to be introducing this furniture line at High Point,"said Patsy Pollack,senior executive vice president of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia,which along with ML Brands International,helped put the venture together with Miles Talbott and Lefa,a Pennsylvania-based importer."For the first time,we are able to capitalize on Martha's lifelong passion for collecting furniture,and share that passion with consumers who are eager to decorate their homes with beautiful designs.
