Orleans/Magnolia Classics "Makes It Official" With Stilwell

Furniture World Magazine

When a relationship is rewarding enough, it pays to strengthen the ties. Orleans/ Magnolia Classics has worked with the same independent furniture designer for much of the past decade. So when the manufacturer experienced several years of rapid growth, both parties decided to take their alliance to the next level. Ron Stilwell-president of Stilwell Associates, Inc., Lenoir, NC-was recently named director of design and marketing for the Columbia, Mississippi maker of bedroom and curio furniture. Orleans, the oldest of the two divisions, manufactures traditional furniture in the lower-price-point, promotional category. Magnolia Classics is the name for the company's line of furniture imported from various overseas locations; it encompasses veneered and solid wood designs in the medium to upper-medium price range. Stilwell has overseen designs for both divisions. "Ron has played a pivotal role in our company for years," says Ed Marshall, president and CEO of Orleans/ M agnol ia Classics. "By giving him this title, we are just making it official. We have always valued his versatility and his outside perspective and we're delighted that we're now going to enjoy his expertise in an even greater capacity." A self-described service-oriented designer, Stilwell is committed to providing his clients with value at every stage. He strives to design furniture that moves smoothly through the factory, performs well in a retail setting and offers consumers selection and exceptional valueregardless of its category and price point. He has served as a board member for the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD). He served as chairman of the board for that organization in 1997 and 1998, and was its president in 1996. The "associates" in Stilwell Associates include director of engineering Max Waters and Stilwell's son, Seth, a designer who joined the firm last year. "It's great to be recognized in this way," says Stilwell of his new title. "Really, it's the best of both worlds: I get the excitement of taking on new responsibilities and the comfort level of deepening some I ong-establ i shed relationships. The Orleans/ Magnolia Classics team is wonderful and I am fortunate to have worked with them all these years." His new responsibilities with Orleans/ Magnolia Classics notwithstanding, Stilwell will continue serving outside furniture clients-and he feels this arrangement will benefit all concerned. "I have always been the type of designer who thrives on diversity," he points out. "Working with different manufacturers in different categories helps keep my work fresh and exciting. Ultimately, my exposure to various types of furniture ensures that I'll continue doing my very best work for all of my clients." Orleans/ M agnol ia Classics certainly has no complaints, asserts Tom Klinkert, vice president of sales. "Our growth over the past two or three years, particularly in our imported wood line, has been phenomenal," declares Klinkert. "Ron's designs really sell. That's the bottom line. We're getting a known quantity with Ron and that's the best possible scenario. We like him, we trust him and we're thrilled to have him on board." For more information about Orleans/ Magnolia Classics, contact P.O. Box 867, Columbia, MS, 39429; phone 601-736-9002; FAX 601-731-2823.; e-mail ronell@twave.net.