Spring Furniture Market Lines – Kewl Stuff We Saw & Showed

There is nothing quite like spending nearly a week at High-Point Market, whether spring or fall and taking in the stunning offerings in furniture lines, floor coverings, fabrics, wallcoverings, and accessories from the largest to the smallest manufacturer. At Market, finding beauty is a given while creativity and innovation are always a surprise… an almost mind-bending variety of unique creations whether new, old, or an innovative blend of the two.

Here, we offer just a peek at some of the beautiful offerings we either showed or discovered.

Curated Kravet

The tagline for Curated Kravet reads, Design. Click. Delivered®… And, as always, the more than a century-old industry leader lives up to that declaration.

From pillows to lampshades and from accent tables to framed prints and pillows, high-end accessories, and eye-catching décor add style to any space. By using Curated Kravet, you will be able to use subtle alterations in fabrics, finishes, and lighting that will make your client’s space elegant and unique.

Leathercraft Furniture

“I’m into leathuh.” (Thanks, Woody Allen)

What impresses us so much about the Leathercraft Furniture line is not just the incredible craftsmanship; or the high-quality leather they employ; or the handcrafted frames they build; no – we just love the way the line keeps growing. From beautiful fabrics to gorgeous accents and from the perfect trim to beautiful hardware, the designers at Leathercraft keep the line fresh and scrumptious.

And now, their NOW Program promises “30-day Shipping on Select Frames and Leathers”.

Jaipur Living

For 45 years now, the rugs, pillows, and accessories from Jaipur Living have been, and still are, hand-knotted, hand-tufted, hand-woven, power-loomed, and always, always beautiful.

Founded on the principles of dignity and fairness, Jaipur focuses on employing “untouchables” and subverting centuries-old practices and prejudices that had shunned the poor, women, and artists.

In fact, “The Jaipur System removes the middleman by employing a network of 40,000 artisans in more than 700 villages in India, ensuring quality and consistency.”

Kravet Furniture

Lee Jofa… Brunschwig & Fils… GP&J Baker… Donghia… Collection after collection, Kravet offers interior designers and furnishing dealers countless choices in high-quality, designer home furnishings. These choices include the best in designer furniture, fabrics, wallcoverings, rugs and carpeting, pillows, lighting, and innumerable accessories.

In short, there is no need or desire that the “Industry Leader to the Trade” in luxury home furnishings cannot satisfy, in fashion and style.

Well, we did mention fashion and style from Kravet, right? So, yeah, we doubled up on their images. (Someone got a problem with that?)

For more information on any of the lines we’ve shared here, or for answers to questions about quality, innovations, or turnaround times, simply… Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Spring High Point Market 2023 – Preview of Coming Attractions

As always, this year’s Spring High Point Market will offer much more than exhibitions of new products from manufacturers like Kravet and dealers like TD Fall & Co.

There will also be entertainment and educational opportunities galore. We feel comfortable in assuming you’ll be able to find the entertainment yourselves. With that in mind, we will preview a few of the more important educational opportunities for you.

Spring Market Classes and Events

Two of the more important educational offerings at Spring Market will be a presentation on last year’s CPSC Ruling with another by Jaipur Rugs, which we proudly represent.

• Get the Facts: The CPSC Ruling and What it Means for Retailers and Interior Designers

Regulatory and compliance issues can be complicated, and there is a lot to know regarding the CPSC ruling, the Study Act, and new ASTM guidelines. Join Bill Perdue, AHFA’s vice president of regulatory affairs, as he breaks down the new guidelines and how it affects retailers and interior designers. What are manufacturers doing to address the ruling? When does it go into effect? How will this impact my business? Get the answers to all these questions and more on April 21 at 10 a.m. in the Universal Furniture Learning Center. (RSVP Required) Speaker: Bill Perdue

Location: Educational Commerce Concourse, Universal Furniture International, Inc. Shuttle Stop: 15 (Red Line)

• Jaipur Living – Rugs 101: Rugs, Design, Manufacturing, and Sales

Class is in session as Jaipur Living hosts IDCEC-certified CEU Rugs 101. Learn exactly how a rug is made–from the design process to material selection and yarn dyeing to construction. This course is the ideal entry into the world of rug weaving and will assist interior designers in gaining the rug knowledge necessary to help guide clients to the perfect rug selection. Attendees who complete Rugs 101 will receive one CEU credit. (RSVP Required) Speaker: Matt Peterson

Location: Market Square and Elm, Rugs 101 – CEU, Jaipur Living, Commerce & Design, Floor 4, 4B, 4N, 4P Shuttle Stop: 14 (Red/Green Line)

10am - 11am Friday, April 21

Spring Market Keynote Series

No Market would be complete without keynote presentations by industry experts. In quick succession on the 22nd, you may attend discussions on creating, growing, and sustaining an interior design business from well-known names in the trade. In today’s market environment, we consider these to be “Don’t Miss” events for virtually any young design house owner.

• Designing a Business You Love Keynote Event

In this casual conversation, moderated by Business of Home podcast host Dennis Scully, design stars Joanna Gaines, Amber Lewis, Jean Stoffer, Julia Marcum from Chris Loves Julia, and Carrier and Company's Mara Miller and Jesse Carrier will share their experiences in building design-oriented businesses with staying power. Sponsored by Loloi. Doors open at 1:30pm. Following the discussion, a mixer will be held in the Loloi showroom, IHFC D-320. (Sponsored by LOLOI)

Location: High Point Theatre (located in the Transportation Terminal)

2pm - 3pm Saturday, April 22

• Honoring Heritage While Building a Business for the Future Keynote Event

Third-generation owners Chad & Ashley Stark of STARK CARPET & founders of ASHLEY STARK HOME, discuss forging the future at a legacy brand while holding onto their heritage - plus growing & launching new businesses while staying hyper-focused on building world-class client experiences. (Doors open at 2:30pm.)

Location: High Point Theatre (located in the Transportation Terminal)

3pm - 4pm Sunday, April 23

Where to Find Us

Of course, we would love to see you next week. You’ll find TD Fall & Co at this year’s Spring High Point Market exhibiting our lines at our exhibit. Or, simply… Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Business Building – Tips to Increase Profit Margins

It’s a shame so many consumers get confused by the difference between markups and profit margins – as do not a few business owners. The difference between a 100% markup versus a 50% margin is vast. Yet, it is often impossible to explain it in ways that the average person understands that your profit margin is not really two times what you paid but merely half the selling price. Further, that bit of profit above the cost of merchandise must then be used to cover the overhead incurred by running your business: salaries and benefits, rent, utilities, insurance, training, investing in new products, the list at times seems endless!

Too often, if a potential client learns of such a markup they will scream, “That’s a 100% profit” and run as fast as they can from you, leaving you in their dust like the Road Runner does to Wile E Coyote!

On the other hand, finding ways to protect and increase profit margins whenever possible is critical to the success of your business, whether you're an interior designer or luxury furnishings dealer.

These thoughts came to us thanks to a recent article at the Business of Home website titled, “Stocking dealers get better pricing on product. Here’s how you become one.”

Becoming a Stocking Dealer will Increase Profit Margins

“The discounted pricing trade brands offer designers allows them a better margin on the products they place in their projects. But many companies also offer an even deeper discount – one that comes with more strings, but that can radically transform [your] firm’s bottom line.”

Or, more simply, the more you buy the better your price. This means, by stocking the furnishings you most often place in your client’s homes in your showroom, making them available for immediate delivery, will get you deeper discounts.

While this is a fairly standard practice for furniture dealers, interior designers may find it difficult to alter their order-as-you-go business model. However, there are many perks to becoming a stocking dealer beyond potentially realizing an exponential return on investment.

Benefits of Becoming a Factory Direct Product Dealer

The benefits of building these more direct relationships with your vendors will often include much more than deeper discounts on their products. These may include improved access to “ [fabric] swatches, samples, and detailed product questions, [and] access to a vendor’s internal online product catalog so [you] can instantly check price lists, see if items are in stock, and monitor shipments.” And, as the article explains … Wait, there’s more!

• Setting up Your Space – Before pursuing any sort of partnership with a brand, most designers must overcome one major hurdle: the retail space. Stocking dealer relationships are typically contingent upon a designer owning a physical shop or showroom where products can be displayed and sold. It makes sense: Brands are investing in their retail partners by offering better margins in exchange for sales floor exposure and a resulting increase in orders.

• Getting A Foot in the Door – After you’ve pinned down your brick-and-mortar strategy, the next step to landing that coveted stocking dealer partnership is meeting with the vendor’s regional sales representative, who acts as a gatekeeper. Home furnishings trade shows like High Point Market are a good place to begin putting a face to the names behind promising brands.

• Making a Deal – While setting yourself up for success and courting the right brand are key to the process of netting a brand partnership, there’s another crucial step to take before inking a deal: Doing your due diligence to make sure that the brand is a fit for you. Then, it’s time to hammer out the terms of the financial arrangement, including a minimum opening order and requirements for annual spending.

• The Payoff for Dealers – Though each brand’s approach to signing a stocking dealer varies widely, there’s a benefit to that as well – designers have space to negotiate a partnership that best fits their business. With a basic knowledge of how the process works and a willingness to go out and hustle, you’re already on your way.

Needless to say, there are other ways for designers to increase profit margins on product sales. If you are curious about what some of these might be, Ted is available for business consulting to help. Simply Get in touch with TD Fall today.

The Modern Collection – New Designs from Kravet Furniture

While The Modern Collection has been around for some time now, the folks at Kravet Furniture do not rest on previous laurels. Instead, Kravet Furniture has introduced the latest collection of contemporary frames inspired by modern, European forms. Crafted by master artisans using only the finest of materials, these sculptural frames and stand-out styles make a statement in any interior.

This assortment includes swivel chairs that add an element of personality and sectional sofas designed with curves, unique shapes, and organic forms.

Pictured above is the Claes sofa, a stunning piece with surprisingly broad appeal. Available in a myriad of fabrics, Kravet offers the Claes sofa with a selection of 16 maple and 11 paint finishes for the base. Overall dimensions are 100W x 40D x 30H, with a 22” x 22” matching throw pillow included.

Designed to Make a Statement

Not only are custom options available that can make each piece unique to any space, these organic shapes never fail to make a statement yet comfort remains intrinsic to their design.

As companion pieces to the Claes sofa, the Franz (above) and Barnett (below) Swivel Chairs are perfect compliments to the sofa as a central piece.

Both chairs are available in the same fabrics and maple finishes as the sofa and are handcrafted to the same overall dimensions: 35W x 33D x 33H.

Comfort and Style to Please Any Eye

While the pieces on display may be new designs, they continue to display both comfort and style – traditional hallmarks of all Kravet Furniture lines, fabrics, wallcoverings, and more.

The Clyfford sofa pictured above is another of the eye-catching seating solutions that are new to the Modern Collection this year. Shown in a Railroaded, non-directional fabric recommended by Kravet, it too makes a statement as the centerpiece of a living room, perhaps with either the Barnett or Franz swivel chairs as compliments. (Or both!)

Finish choices for the Clyfford sofa match the other pieces we’ve shared and the overall dimensions of 118W x 62D x 30H are a touch larger than the Claes.

It goes without saying that the latest additions to this collection are not limited to the pieces we’ve shown you.

For example, pictured above are three more swivel chairs, featuring the Judd to the left along with the Franz in different Kravet fabrics.

For information on pricing, availability, or other information about what’s new in the Kravet Modern Collection do not hesitate to… Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Leathercraft Luxury Furnishings – Featured at Fall Market 2021

We were nearly overwhelmed by the response to the lineup of Leathercraft Luxury Furnishings we featured at the recent High Point Fall Market. In fact, Leathercraft was a high point at High Point!

We were also delighted, as well as deeply grateful, by the general response from buyers and designers to all of the products we displayed. While it has always been our mission to support each and every one of you with the best in luxury furnishings for the home and office, your reaction to our lines and efforts to be there for you has been encouraging and gratifying.

We thank you and appreciate all of you more than you can know.

Now, on to the good stuff!

For more than half a century now, Leathercraft has been designing and manufacturing the finest leather seating available. Headquartered in the highlands of Western North Carolina, an area with the greatest concentration of skilled craftspeople in the country, these talented, highly skilled, and committed artisans are the backbone of Leathercraft’s enduring quality.

Leathercraft at Market

Perhaps the most important reason we chose to represent Leathercraft is their commitment to excellence; not to mention the amazing people who manage the business, design their offerings and build the best leather upholstered furniture in the world.

Cynthia Sofa 1460 with Juarez Brindle Hair on Hide on the out arm and out Back with a wonderful new full-grain wax and oil pullup. Kodiak Frontier on the balance. The #9 Old Gold nail heads are a standard treatment as well.

And, when we say commitment to excellence, we’re talking about far more than the components of each piece. The craftsmanship that is consistently on display is second to none, and always has been.

Leathercraft Home Office Seating Solutions

The fallout and response to pandemic restrictions and work-from-home solutions have led to a renewed and newly intense focus on the home office for many. While Leathercraft has always manufactured a comfortable and compelling lineup of office furniture, interest at Market this year was far greater than in years past.

In an effort to whet your appetite just a bit, we share this image of the Harvard High Back Swivel Tilt executive chair in Getaway Lagoon with a dark walnut finish from Leathercraft. It was a huge hit at the just-completed Fall Market.

Leathercraft Recliners

Finally, no teaser would be complete without a peek at one of the most beautiful (and popular with buyers at Market) recliners we have ever had the pleasure of offering. (And in which more than one nap was taken that week!)

Unique in its styling, Leathercraft’s Dixie recliner sacrifices nothing in terms of craftsmanship, function, and comfort. Here, the Dixie 1357 Recliner is shown in Rockies A Real Nut leather with Colorado Brown finish on the legs and #9 dark pewter nail heads.

Many Leathercraft Furnishings are Available Now

As declared on the Leathercraft website: “Our goal is to produce upholstered furniture to the highest standards possible utilizing the best materials and employing true-tested manufacturing techniques. In doing so, we want to simplify the ordering process while providing you the opportunity to specify the product that fulfills your requirements.”

So, have we piqued your interest with this brief glimpse of a few of the most popular Leathercraft Luxury Furnishings from Fall High Point Market? For questions about other Leathercraft products, availability, and pricing please, do not hesitate to… Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Living Room Design – Seating Arrangements and Style from Leathercraft

What is the purpose of a living room? Is it a showplace or a true living space? The answers to these questions will vary from one design client to another (and another, and another, and…), but the one thing they will have in common is – seating arrangements. That is, whether showplace or living space, comfort and style will be needed in any living room design.

One of our most popular lines at this year’s Spring High Point Market was Leathercraft furniture. Of course, the line always presents well but this year we experienced an even more positive response to the product line than in recent markets.

“Why is that?” you ask. Well, because Leathercraft furniture embodies comfort and style, of course!

Robinson Sofa from Leathercraft (with Asha accent chair)

As the centerpiece of any living room, the sofa sets the stage while other pieces complement it. The Robinson sofa from Leathercraft grabs the eye while inviting one to take a seat and stay for a while. With myriad wood and leather finishes available (literally hundreds of leathers), using the Robinson to set the stage for surrounding pieces will make any designer’s life easier.

And don’t forget the handcrafted detailing, powder coat finishing of framing and internal mechanisms, along with more than 40 nail head choices to fit any look – and ensure the Robinson is unique for your clients.

Asha Accent Chair from Leathercraft

Of course, not every guest who visits your client’s home will fit on a single sofa (and some may not wish to). The Asha chair shown in an attention-grabbing finish alongside the Robinson sofa above offers a wonderful opportunity for you to add stylish comfort to your living room design.

Part of the Project Hope Foundation Collection for autism research, the Asha chair is a socially conscious yet stunning accent to any living room, with comfort as a given. With nearly 30 wood finishes and dozens of leather finish choices, you’ll have no worries about color, texture, or quality when you choose these pieces as accents for your client’s living spaces.

Phantom Recliner from Leathercraft

Then again, for a space that will be used for living rather than showing, the Phantom recliner from Leathercraft establishes comfort as the priority, without sacrificing style. (And don’t we all want THAT!)

Shown here with maple legs and Overtime Splash Pad leather, the Phantom recliner is just one of the featured pieces in Leathercraft’s “Quick Ship” program.

Windsor Ottoman from Leathercraft

With all of that said, and shown, if something truly unique is what you and your clients are looking for, the Windsor Ottoman from Leathercraft surely fits the bill. Shown here in Gator Coach leather with a Dark Roast finish, this prop is available with either a plinth or leg base.

As just one of some 100 ottomans and benches to choose from as accent and comfort pieces, the Windsor Ottoman is merely the beginning of what this 50-year-old leather furniture manufacturer can offer.

It's unfortunate that the demands of time and lack of space so severely limits what we can share in a blog post. What we can tell you though, is that simple numbers of finishes or designs barely begin to describe the variety of combinations a clever interior designer or furnishings retailer can put together for their clients.

Leathercraft Alexandra Chair with Kravet Fabric

For help putting together a comfortable and stylish living room design with Leathercraft furniture (which can be produced with, say, Kravet fabrics if you wish!), Get in touch with TD Fall today.