Interior Designer Perla Lichi To Design New Upholstery Line For Classic Gallery Of High Point

Furniture World Magazine

Florida interior designer Perla Lichi, A.S.I.D., will develop a new furniture collection based on classic European designs. Called The Europa Collection, these new upholstered chairs, sofas and sectionals will be produced and marketed by Classic Gallery Group of High Point, N.C. One of the top ten transitional manufacturers in the country. Classic Gallery is known for its mid- to high-end upholstery lines which are sold through trade showrooms and high-end retail stores throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Classic Gallery is currently enjoying industry-wide accolades for its Spring 1998 launch, Leather By Design, a comprehensive line of more than 25 designs of sofas, love seats, chairs, sleepers and sectionals. "These are available in a variety of top-grade leathers and pure anilines or semi-anilines, many in more than 100 colors," said Classic Gallery's Director of Sales Les Flippo. "One of the strongest advantages designers have with Leather By Design and all of our products is our quick service program with delivery from North Carolina factory within four to six weeks," Flippo added. Due to Leather By Design's immediate success, Classic Gallery is introducing four new styles and more leather patterns at the Fall 1998 market to further broaden the program. Based on inspiration from Lichi's many trips to Europe, each item in the Europa line will represent a different European city. "We are including a Viennese group, a Tuscany, a Milano, a Venetian and a Parisian," Lichi said. "Based on classic European designs, each piece of furniture will blend with almost any decor." Upholstery for Europa features the latest tapestries, damasks, jacquards, and chenilles that emulate modem interpretations of antique fabrics from European chateaux, stately homes and castles. Classic Gallery's own fabric program as well as special alliances with some of the foremost fabric houses in the world add to already wide custom possibilities for The Europa Collection by Perla Lichi. A privately held company located in the heart of America's furniture manufacturing center of High Point, N.C., Classic Gallery is well known as a trade source for custom upholstery. "We are looking forward to working with Perla Lichi and her staff to design and market Europa, " said Charles Greene, president of the 27-year-old furniture manufacturing company. "We are especially pleased because all of the items have a nice fit with our existing collections," he added. "We are anticipating Perla Lichi's input on Leather By Design and will likely be including leather in the Europa line in the future." A professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (A.S.I.D.) since 1990, and a Florida State licensed interior designer, Perla Lichi was recently recognized with a Gold Prism Award by Florida's Gold Coast Builders Association and South Florida's Best 1998/Fame Award for outstanding contributions in high rise interior design by the Building Industry Association of South Florida. Perla Lichi Design recently expanded its Pine Island Road design shop to a 5,000-square foot showroom, now open to the public. On display are products representing the latest interior design trends plus samples of custom built-in shelves, cabinetry, architectural moldings and detailing in a variety of woods and finishes. Perla Lichi Design has completed residential design work in such prestigious South Florida communities as L'Hermitage beachfront property in Fort Lauderdale, The Polo Club, Boca Isles, Newport Bay Club, and Woodfield Country Club. The firm was recently selected to design public spaces and a model for Jackson Tower Las Olas, a new 30-story condominium going up just north of Las Olas Boulevard on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale.