THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 6, 1995 TAG: 9508040054
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARCIA MANGUM, HOME & GARDEN EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
IT USED TO BE trends started in the East, in New York, and spread across the country. But, nowadays when it comes to style, much comes from the West.
Nowhere is that more obvious than with the popularity of California style home furnishings. To provide a look at the latest styles without the cost of a plane ticket, Haynes furniture has built four California ``homes'' in its store, the focal point for its Expo '95 show and sale, which continues through Aug. 27.
``The reason we chose California is so many new looks have their start out there,'' said Haynes president E.J. Strelitz.
The casual, overstuffed look is apparent everywhere, and Mission and Southwest furnishings have also spread eastward. Other trends coming from California include wrought iron, distressed and pickled finishes, marble and stone finishes and linen and other neutral upholsteries, Strelitz noted.
For the last six years, Haynes has set aside one month each year to stage a local version of the furniture markets, Strelitz said. Haynes' buyers go to the semiannual International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C., and other markets and order large quantities of furniture from the various manufacturers, with most of it scheduled to arrive in time for the store's annual Expo.
By unveiling all the new lines at once and displaying them in attractive groupings, such as this year's San Francisco townhouse, Malibu beach house, San Diego hacienda and Wine Country ranch, Strelitz tries to put on a show that will appeal to browsers, as well as customers ready to buy furniture.
``We bring in all our new merchandise of the year and give people a chance to see everything we think is important,'' Strelitz said.
California was chosen as the theme for this year's Expo partly because of the state's diversity, Strelitz noted. Unlike previous furniture markets where there may have been definitive trends toward 18th-century furniture or other popular periods, the most recent markets represented a variety of periods, best classified as nostalgic collections, Strelitz said.
``It's very distinctly American, with lighter and distressed finishes,'' he said. ``We have a love affair with the past. Our generation, we still want that rustic or warm feeling, but we're a little more daring.''
The Conner Prairie Lodge line from Hood and the Bob Timberlake collection from Lexington are typical of these newer but somewhat retro styles.
What most people think of as the California look is represented in the Malibu beach house display, with its soothing neutrals, light woods and contemporary furnishings.
All of the displays include furniture in a range of prices, but Strelitz said not much of it is from the high end, because he wants to show that you can create a look affordably.
The other house displays are:
The San Diego hacienda, which features a line of solid oak furniture from Michael's, a California company that creates Mission style furniture at affordable prices. The comfortable San Diego house also demonstrates the popularity of soft leather upholstery, with the look and feel of chaps.
The Wine Country ranch display evokes the rustic, earthy feeling of the Napa Valley with a massive sleigh bed, rich plaids and dark cherry woods. Leather again turns up on the oversized, dark green, waxed-leather sofas.
The San Francisco townhouse captures a more formal, cosmopolitan look. The grand-scale bedroom furnished with the Napa collection from Bernhardt is designed for urban living and entertaining - a massive bed, oversized night stands and an entertainment center. The living room has a traditional, tailored look and the dining room is neo-classic.
In addition to the four California ``homes,'' there are numerous other California pieces throughout the store, including what Strelitz calls ``bells-and-whistles'' furniture, pieces with hidden compartments for things like jewel chests and tie racks, and pieces influenced by the quintessential California designer Marge Carson.
There also are other new lines on display for the show, including the plantation or island look, painted furniture from Mexico, a line of solid mahogany made in Jamaica and a wrapped-leather Bombay chest.
``This area is very fluid, open to new ideas,'' Strelitz said. ``People are moving into a more transitional look. They're putting contemporary upholstery on traditional pieces.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
ROBERT ALLEN
The Malibu beach house in Haynes Expo '95 shows the light, airy
style many people associate with California.
by CNB