Norwalk Furniture Partners with Designer Kim Salmela

Furniture World News Desk on 9/22/2018

Pictued above is the Somerset Sofa.

Norwalk Furniture and Los Angeles-based designer Kim Salmela announced that they have entered into a partnership to create a line of chic lifestyle upholstery products with a modern bohemian vibe, inspired by Salmela’s extensive world travels. The collection combines a bold and stylish mix of textures, colors and patterns with fresh seating silhouettes to create a distinctive aesthetic targeted towards a younger audience.

Bringing together Salmela’s well-traveled and free spirited vibe with Norwalk’s manufacturing expertise, the collection of 35 upholstered sofas, sectionals, accent chairs and ottomans will be launched at the October 2018 High Point Market, along with 50 signature fabrics. The pieces will also be available in any of Norwalk’s 800 fabrics and dozens of nail head trim and finish options.

A true entrepreneur at heart, Salmela has been the owner of several award-winning home furnishings retail stores and a manufacturer and designer of her own custom furniture line. In addition, she is a multi-faceted designer, working with clients ranging from commercial to residential interior design projects. She also has a background in designing spaces for social events, including set and costume designs. In fact, she got her start in design as the creative director for the entertainer Prince.

“We have been looking to add a younger, west coast vibe to our product line, and we found that in Kim,” said Caroline Hipple, president of Norwalk Furniture. “Her eclectic background and impeccable ability to mix colors, patterns and texture combined with her deep knowledge of furniture and textiles will add a new point of view to our product line that will enable us to reach a new consumer.”

“Believing in buying what you love and not worrying about any design rules, Kim prides herself in setting trends instead of following them,” adds Dixon Bartlett, chief creative officer for Norwalk Furniture. “Always adding a bit of juxtaposition – modern with vintage, feminine with masculine and light with dark – her irrefutable style and sensibility will add depth and dimension to an already successful product line here at Norwalk.”

“I started my own manufacturing facility in Los Angeles so I could control quality, production levels and experiment with new designs,” said Salmela. “I love having my factory, but it's time for me to grow.

“The idea of taking on more overhead, hiring more employees and running multiple or larger factories would leave me with little time to do what I love and what I do best, which is to create,” she continued.

“Caroline and Dixon have mentored me throughout the years and I have long admired them both creatively and business-wise,” she added. “In speaking with them about my next steps, we all had that 'ah-ha' moment and saw the serendipitous partnership that we could have together.

“Norwalk’s incredible facility dedicated to producing quality, customizable furniture and the company’s drive to continually grow, combined with my ability to bring a new perspective – and perhaps introduce a new customer – along with a willingness to experiment and push the design limits was a perfect fit for all of us.”

The collection includes layers of texture, color and pattern on pattern fabric applications in a variety of European and ‘70s color palettes including evergreen, vibrant mauve, bluish lavenders and pink hues which are layered upon neutrals of ivory, black and camel.

Highlights include:

Annelise Sofa: With its flared legs, contemporary arms and fun fabric application, the Annelise single-handedly presents Kim Salmela’s undeniable boho vibe. Available in multiple combinations of fabrics or in a single over-all fabric, the collage fabric application features coordinating textiles on the outside and inside frame paired with a second coordinating fabric on the seat cushion, arm pillows and toss pillows, creating an iconic bohemian look.

Fes Ottoman: Perfect for extra seating, this pouf-style ottoman is characterized by its jumbo welt and button detailing. Ideal for pull-up seating or propping your feet up, these fun pieces will be shown in a variety of different fabrics collected from Kim’s travels across the globe.

Calhoun Arm Chair: A contemporized wing chair with soft outfacing wings, slightly flared arms and a handsome wood base, Calhoun offers several customization options with a choice of a fabric combination with a bold stripe down its center or upholstered in a single fabric with or without a tufted back.

Palisades Swivel Chair:  This super comfortable scoop arm swivel lounge chair is mounted on a walnut swivel base. Great for the living room or bedroom, the base is also available in any of Norwalk’s wood finishes.

Hicks Stool: The perfect pull-up stool, Hicks’ shape echoes a more classic aesthetic, while its welt details offer an opportunity to add a bit of fun by contrasting with the base fabric. Great for occasional seating, it works well shown in pairs or tucked underneath a console for extra seating.

Benson Accent Chair: Offered with a brass swivel base, this particularly comfortable barrel back chair features a deeply upholstered roll arm that continues around the seat back, giving a warm hug to its user.
Grace Accent Chair: Drawn from Kim Salmela’s Scandinavian roots, this decidedly Danish Modern inspired chair features a beautiful walnut frame that supports its high back. Tufted seat and back cushions add supreme comfort and support.

Somerset Sectional / Sofa: Available as a sectional and a sofa silhouette, Somerset is characterized by its deeply padded and rolled front rail that support its inset seat cushions, giving the impression that the cushions are floating above the frame. Its cylinder shaped legs and rounded arms and back rail give it a fresh and very modern feel.

The Kim Salmela Collection will have dual presentation at High Point Market in the Norwalk showroom, IHFC, Main 108, and also in space G-6055 of the Salon in the Suites at Market Square. The company will celebrate the launch of the collection during a launch party on Saturday, October 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Norwalk showroom and a launch brunch – also in the Norwalk showroom – will take place on Sunday, October 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In addition, Salmela will be interviewed by leading trend forecasting agency, Fashion Snoops on Monday, October 15th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Norwalk showroom.

More about Norwalk: Norwalk Furniture offers great design, customizable options, high quality, competitive pricing and quick delivery. Upholstered products are free of toxic, flame retardant chemicals and are offered in more than 800 fabrics and 150 leathers. The privately held Norwalk, Ohio, company manufactures upholstered seating in its 440,000-square-foot facility, shipped consistently within 35 days. For more information, visit www.norwalkfurniture.com.