Echelon's Avante platform panel bed has a solid poplar frame and is shown in an espresso finish. A five-piece set is targeted to retail at $2,999.
HIGH POINT — One of the most successful manufacturers of cribs and baby furniture is taking its expertise to a new age group.
Echelon Furniture, a sister company to crib maker Munire Inds., is introducing several domestically produced adult bedrooms here. Echelon, which is based in Piscataway, N.J., began production about six months ago in Munire's plant in Gas City, Ind. The company is showing this week at its first High Point Market.
Company President and CEO Munir Hussain has been manufacturing cribs and baby furniture for more than 20 years. He was a pioneer in applying sophisticated finishes that moms purchasing the products would like, instead the bright colors traditionally applied to youth furniture.
Because of his experience in finishing and solid wood production, some customers encouraged him to develop an adult line, he said. The results can be seen here in a host of transitional, contemporary and modern solid wood bedrooms.
Retailing at $2,999 for five pieces, the sets are made primarily with poplar, and some maple solids. Many come in two finishes, including a dark espresso and in its Bel Air collection, driftwood.
Bel Air features a platform bed with a contemporary curved headboard, while Malibu, available in espresso and a two-tone espresso and off-white finish, features a panel bed with a wave pattern on the headboard and footboard. The pattern is repeated on the drawer fronts of nightstands, a chest and a dresser.
Another group, Avante, features a platform bed with an upholstered headboard and upholstered side rails and footboard. The companion case pieces have floating, architecturally inspired tops. In the case of a media chest, the floating effect is both stylish and functional, creating space for a DVD player and other electronic components.
Bel Air and Malibu also have media chests, with ample drawer storage and space for components. Drawers of case pieces have finished interiors and soft-close glide mechanisms.
Another group is in cherry solids with a cherry finish and has updated Shaker-inspired design elements.
Hussain said he believes the timing is good for the line because it is filling a void for fashion-forward solid wood furniture.
"People shouldn't buy it just because it is made in the U.S., but because it is a great product made by great people," he said. "Our timing and price is right. We call it affordable elegance."
The line can be seen in the company's sixth floor showroom in Market on Green.
