Market gets
August 16, 2008 - 9:00 pm
Mention Donald Trump's name and images of luxury and richness come to mind. So, it's not surprising that the latest offering from Trump Home is as grand as its namesake.
Inspired by the real estate mogul's beachfront estate in Palm Beach, Fla., the new Mar-a-Lago collection by Lexington Home Brands epitomizes the Trump lifestyle.
"This looks to me to be the ultimate in luxury," said Donald Trump during an exclusive interview at World Market Center Las Vegas where the collection debuted.
Featuring rich materials, plush upholstery and ornate details, the collection includes furnishings for the living room, dining room and master suite, as well as home entertainment and office pieces.
Trump said the furniture in his new collection is larger than life, a lot like that found throughout the estate.
Built in 1927 for Marjorie Merriweather Post, the Mar-a-Lago estate is known as the "Jewel of Palm Beach." Trump purchased the property in 1986 fully furnished and later converted it into a private club.
"Lexington's Mar-a-Lago collection finds its inspiration in the scale, opulence and beauty of the Mar-a-Lago estate, rather than showcasing an exact representation of the mansion or its furnishings," said Phil Haney, president and chief executive officer of Lexington Home Brands. "This is a 'major living' collection that is distinctly aimed at entertaining and master-suite living. There are no small tables or writing desks in this group; instead, each item is designed to make a statement."
Making such as statement is the Palladia dining table, which is 138 inches long and features a marquetrylike pattern on the top. The accompanying chairs have leather seats and backs that offer the option of a tapestry and silk combination or carved wood.
While Trump admits that the oversized furniture may not be suitable for all homes, he believes it will appeal to a variety of people.
"People with a certain flair for design and a flair for luxury will want to have pieces from the Mar-a-Lago collection," Trump said.
Trump said the pieces' large size, particularly the upholstered chairs and sofas, helps make them extremely comfortable.
"The seats feel like beds; this is great stuff," he said.
The collection features three sofas: the Salon, shown in embellished and embroidered silk with heavy bullion trim at the base; the Haydon, with tassel-accented dual finials and nailhead trim; and the Trevi, a 14-foot sectional with a waterfall skirt and gathered in the back with button tufting.
Among Trump's favorites is the Sonata bed with a padded leather headboard, tall posts at the head and low posts at the foot.
In addition to their large scale, the pieces are ornate and richly accented with gold tipping, embellished silk, rich leathers, cut velvet, antique mirror and metal scroll work over glass, said Cheminne Taylor-Smith, director of marketing and communications for Lexington.
Just two days after the collection debuted in Lexington's showroom, Trump said orders by retailers have been through the roof. He expects Mar-a-Lago to mirror the success of his two previous Lexington furniture collections, Central Park, which had a modern and contemporary look, and Westchester, which is more traditional.
And, as with the other collections, Trump said Mar-a-Lago embraces the idea that high-quality, luxurious furnishings can be affordable.
He said the pieces' size, weight and quality are incomparable to those offered by other manufacturers.
"The phenomenal success of the Central Park and Westchester collections from Trump Home proves that consumers have embraced the idea that quality product is attainable at an affordable price," said Cathy Hoffman Glosser, executive vice president of global licensing for The Trump Organization.
For more information about the collection, visit www.lexington.com.