American Leather Introduces New Designs In Occasional Chairs at October High Point Market

Furniture World Magazine

This October Market, leather furniture manufacturer and design leader, AMERICAN LEATHER announces a new collection of designer chairs "fit for any occasion." Premiering in the AMERICAN LEATHER STUDIO division, new collections by international designers, John & Mark Mascheroni, Rick Lee, Vladimir Kagan and Jena Hall will preview in AMERICAN LEATHER's showroom this October Market, space 923 in the Design Center of the IHFC. "This Market's designs for AMERICAN LEATHER mirror what we see to be a growing industry trend and consumer demand for occasional chairs," said Bob Duncan, president of AMERICAN LEATHER. "Ranging from French contemporary and transitional designs to deco-influenced styles, our designers have met that demand with a splendid repertoire of original collections that complement any setting." With an emphasis on transitional, elegant styling, three new Mascheroni chairs are designed to reflect influences from the 1920s and 30s. "Just like the great auto and furniture manufacturers from that deco period, these designs exemplify the persona of an era that was stately, affluent and refined," said John Mascheroni. With this in mind, Mascheroni said his first design, the "Bugatti" chair, plays on circular motifs and slightly over-scaled features to create a classic contemporary look. In addition, a keystone affect is achieved with notched-out sides for the arms, and the bull-nosed seat cushions showcase the chair's paneling details, according to Mascheroni. The "Renzo," aptly named after the renowned Italian interior designer, is described by Mascheroni as "elegant, refined and stylishly affluent." This transitional chair features sweeping, funnel-like, roll arms for an "aerodynamic effect," and sits on tall, stately, wooden legs with detailing in the wood base. The third design, "Sandra," is also reminiscent of the 1920s and 30s, according to Mascheroni. With influences from the Paris flea market chairs of that era, the "Sandra" incorporates a modified, roll arm into its transitional style. San Francisco designer, Rick Lee, introduces two new chair designs this Market: "Duet" and "French Accent." According to Rick, "Duet," like a pair of singers, melds two strong elements to create one, harmonious, fluid design. "This effect is created by the arms flowing in different directions from the back and seat," said Rick. "It's a dance of two forms that, while in contrast, eventually move in step with each other." The "French Accent" chair, according to Lee, is a casual, rich interpretation of French, contemporary seating comfort. This design is a play on his popular "French Kiss" chair introduced at the April Market, but with a more sophisticated, sensual approach, "like the lilt of the native French tongue." Remaining true to his kidney shape trademark design, Vladimir Kagan is introducing the "Cloud Nine" swivel comer chair this Market. Meant to sell in complementary pairs or as a single comer accent piece, Kagan says "these 'heavenly' chairs incorporate curvaceous, sweeping lines and retro shapes to create relaxed, cushiony seating, perfect for any home decor." And with the chair's self-returning swivel mechanism concealed by tall, sculpted legs, and the use of a "wing" back that doubles as an arm and head rest, Kagan says the "Cloud Nine" uniquely combines glamour and whimsy into one design. Interior and home furnishings designer, Jena Hall will again bring a feminine, "warm" flair to her new designs for AMERICAN LEATHER, which are aimed at appealing to women, typically the household furnishings buyer. From the French-inspired lounge chair, to the classic 18"' Century wing chair, Hall's creations are designed to incorporate warmer softer and more tactile features. "By adding fine, artistic detailing, the use of suede accents, and proportions that are smaller in scale, these new chairs redesign and transition some of the classic chair styles throughout history," said Hall. Hall's contemporized version of the lady's wing chair, named "Dove," includes a double-button back, shorter wings, and modified Queen Anne legs. Her second design, the "Chambord" is "an evocative interpretation of a 1928 French salon chair," according to Hall. With both scaled to offer the most comfortable, luxurious seating, Hall says she will crossmarket leather-top tables and other Jena Hall merchandised pieces with these designs. In addition to the chair designs this market, Rick Lee will showcase his new contemporary sofa design, "Amsterdam." Inspired by the designer's travels to that country, Lee says the "Amsterdam" draws from the antique, Nouveau period at the turn of the century. According to Lee, the quilted effect and 'dimple' accent on the back add timeless appeal to a new world design. Vladimir Kagan, who has spent a lifetime creating and re-engineering 20" century seating, adds a new dimension to seating design with the premier of his unconventional multilevel sofa known as, "Dot.Com." According to Kagan, "Dot.Com" has been creatively engineered as a two-section sofa that seats up to four people in an amusing conversational grouping, yet, with one flip of a cushion, converts into a comfortable chaise for one or two people. According to Duncan, the company will also showcase new styles in the "Continental" and "Classic" collections, including two new designs in its patented ChaiseLounger series. In addition, a majority of the AMERICAN LEATHER STUDIO and standard line chairs will be available as recliners this Market. Founded in 1990, AMERICAN LEATHER was recently listed in Inc. Magazine's "Inc. 500," for the fasting growing corporations in the US. AMERICAN LEATHER manufactures and ships custom-made leather furniture worldwide, and shows its line of traditional, transitional and contemporary furniture at High Point, in San Francisco and through the company's factory in Dallas. For more information e-mail: info@americanleather.com