High-fashion furniture

Norwalk Furniture Corp., a leading manufacturer and retailer of custom upholstery, expanded its focus on high-fashion furnishings during the most recent market in High Point, N.C.

The Ohio-based company collaborated with some of the industry's biggest names in design -- Candice Olson, Joe Ruggiero and newcomer Toby Roberts -- to create upholstery that sparkles and shines, gives a nod to the past while looking to the future, and touts its versatility.

Olson prefers to sparkle, shine

Showing -- and shining -- Olson's debuts at the market included the Maxine sofa, chair and ottoman, Jean chaise, Pyper sofa and chair, and Hollace daybed. The "Divine" designer mandated that each piece must achieve some level of sheen either through the fabric application or nail-head treatments. Olson's luxurious fabrics, created by Kravet, revolve around spa-inspired hues combined for a candy store -- lots of vanillas, caramels and chocolates.

Like a Chanel suit, the Maxine sofa and chair are for the fashion conscious; they are tightly tailored with camel backs, scooped and rolled arms, and short skirting with precise pleats.

"The look is softened by the flirty skirt and feminine pleats, and shimmering fabric and applications," Olson said.

The short, but tightly pleated skirting is bejeweled with her signature nail heads; a single chrome nail at the top of each pleat further accentuates the skirting choice. "That's the point of interest," she adds.

The Jean chaise is sleek and curvy from front to back, and showcases Olson's signature shine. Inspired by the Hollywood era of the peignoir, it features a long and lean profile, scooped back and tapered legs that are generously skirted, unlike the Maxine chair, which features the same profile sans skirting.

The Pyper sofa/chair combo does what Olson does best: "takes dressy and makes it casual and comfy." With an ultrahigh and tufted back, and arms that sweep into the sides and back of the piece, the sofa is the epitome of drama.

"Its low seat is extremely comfortable and it plays up the tufting detail and extra tall back," Olson said.

Similarly designed, with the exception of a tight, not tufted, back, is the Pyper chair, which has a high back and low, in-swept arms. "It's a great cocktail party chair," Olson said. "You can sit sideways in it or perch on it with your drink."

Rounding out Olson's spring introductions is the Hollace daybed. Olson dresses up the clean-lined design with nail heads. She uses both chrome and bright brass versions to accentuate the low-to-the-ground profile and taller-than-normal arms, silver on an ivory linen piece and antique brass on buff leather.

"It's the crisp profile and spiky wooden leg that create a more masculine look," she says.

Then, to stress subtly, she incorporates an ultrasoft button-tufted mattress and accompanying bolster pillows -- two elements that give the Hollace great versatility. "It's long enough for a bedroom and functional enough for a sofa... just to put your feet up," she says.

Ruggiero's 'New Classic' profiles

"New Classic" can mean many things in home furnishings today, from an updated '80s mood and midcentury metamorphosis to a revamped art deco style. But, for versatile furniture designer Joe Ruggiero, a new collection of upholstery reflects his own brand of "trad modern," a term he coined for styles that "give a nod to the past and a look to the future."

"I've always strived to combine tradition with the functionality of today's busy lifestyle... this is what I call 'New Classic,'" Ruggiero said.

Each of his eight new classics resemble pieces from his childhood home and favorite historical references -- starting with the Arthur. Entirely masculine, the Arthur chair is indicative of the timeless style of an English men's club with capped arms and sturdy structure, tight back and loose seat.

Also of English inspiration is the Litchfield sofa. Its slight camel back, three overstuffed seat cushions and perfectly proportioned sock arms give the sofa an updated take on a cozy classic.

More structured is the Carrington chair, which is a reinterpretation of the wing shape, but squared-off. The Pauline barrel-back chair has curved sides and tapered wood legs, along with a loose seat and tight back. "Pauline is the chair I grew up with," says the designer of the chair named for his mother. Another new spring chair shape is the Devon, which features a carefully designed slope; its undulating arm slope makes a smooth transition into a simplistic leg.

Completing the introductions are the Stamford bench and Laughton storage ottoman. Stamford's focal points are traditional English turned legs reminiscent of the William and Mary period and a wider-than-normal flat, not tufted, top. The Laughton storage ottoman, which is 54 inches wide and has a tufted top that lifts to reveal a spacious storage area, has been called a must-have.

Roberts' modernized modular

Toby Roberts, of Toby Roberts Design in New York City, describes his debut designs as "barefoot" for the season and extremely versatile. Incorporating four pieces in all -- a bumper, armless section, armless love seat and corner/end unit -- "the group gives you the freedom to create a more classic setting or one that is uber contemporary," he said.

The Cabo is a youthful design for today's transient individual who moves around a lot and enjoys changing his or her surrounding furniture settings and décor. Varying style formats range from a room-wrapping sectional to a stretching chaise.

"No matter how it's arranged, it still connects with the consumer because it is so comfortable," says Roberts.

Lending to its comfort-ability is Cabo's shapely design: a pitched back and deep, low seating providing the same natural, organic experience as a walk on the beach. Cabo is inspired by the beaches of Cabo San Lucas.

For more information, visit Norwalk's Web site at www.nor walkfurniture.com.

Information courtesy Norwalk Furniture Corp.