HIGH POINT FURNITURE MARKET, Day 4, Part II

You might be wondering why it took so long to post Part II of Day 4, and I’m not sure either. All I can tell you is that our business has been terrific and we are so grateful for that. Business first, then the blog!

The afternoon began with an appointment at Pearson (The Clyde Pearson Company for you old timers) where color was king. Move over Pantone Tangerine, last year’s much heralded color of the year, because here come’s Emerald Green on an upholstered bed lurking over the shoulder of a tangerine upholstered bench. 

Though I’ve been convinced that some form of berry/lilac/purple was bound to be on the top of color forecasters lists for 2013, it appears now that it’s Emerald Green, at least by the folks over at Pantone.

Who is Pantone you ask?

According to Wikipedia, Pantone started as a printing company in the 1950’s that systematized and simplified the company's stock of pigments and production of colored inks. Their primary products include the Pantone Guides which allow designers to "color match" specific colors when a design enters production stage, regardless of the equipment used to produce the color.

The Pantone Color Matching System is a standardized color reproduction system, which allows different manufacturers in different locations to refer to the Pantone system to make sure colors match without direct contact with one another.

Pantone colors have even found their way into government legislation and military standards (to describe the colors of flags and seals).

Annually Pantone declares a particular color "Color of the Year". Twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations' color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year and sell it in a book for $750 to fashion designers, florists, etc...to help guide their designs and planning for future products.

There… more than you wanted to know? Okay, so back to the business at hand. Pearson has always been known as one of the finest upholstery houses, and they are indeed among the best. Notice the detail on the sofa, below.

Of late, Pearson has added some beautiful casegoods (furniture other than upholstered furniture), with the same level of detailing for which they’re known.

Above: We loved the pieces in Shagreen (most often from Stingray skin), detailed with inlaid brass and silver leafed wood trim. We also loved their take on the classic “waterfall” table, upholstered in Raffia.

A highly detailed Slipper Chair with a shaped front, curved back, on tapered legs.

The chaise lounge upholstered in stylized velvet Greek Key pattern.

A pair of Occasional Chairs upholstered in a vivid stripe that was a great example of this company’s skill and expertise.

We also liked the simple barrel back Chair with Dressmaker Skirt,

 and the beautifully proportioned chair and ottoman with sleek, flat tufting, below.

We thought the pair of little “Perch” Chairs was interesting… I didn’t say we liked them, but they were interesting and could be an alternative to a small stool without a back. 

We liked Pearson’s version of the classic “Thebes” Chair and Ottoman.

There was one other table I wanted to show you, one that was made with Macassar Ebony, trimmed top and bottom with Ivory lacquer. You can use the table alone, or put four of them together to make a very interesting cocktail table

And lastly, the cleanliness of a tight back, English Arm Chair upholstered in sophisticated wool sateen with decorative woven trim around the skirt bottom.  

All right, it’s late here in California, so all for now. I invite you to look for High Point Market Day 5…. I know, there’s one more day of this show that you haven’t seen, so look for it soon!

Good Night Moon