Lillian August To Create Lighting Collection For Currey & Co. - Debuts Oxford Gardens Collection for Robert Allen

Furniture World Magazine

Ms. Lillian August, head of Lillian August Licensing, and Mr. Bob Ulrich, Currey and Co. Vice President and National Sales Director, jointly announce a Lillian August signature collection for Currey & Co., a leading manufacturer of fine lighting. Ms. August, creator of signature home furnishings collections by leading manufacturers, says, "I'm very excited about creating a collection of dozens of signature items, including chandeliers and table and floor lamps." She points out that adding lighting is an important move towards achieving the 'Lillian August total home' concept that the Lillian August Design Studio is moving toward. "Currey & Co., with its creative team and fine tradition of great lighting, is an ideal partner. I consider this collaboration to be a perfect fit for our companies." Mr. Ulrich says, "The Lillian August Collection for Currey & Co. is scheduled to debut in April 2005. We anticipate a very strong addition to our successful line." Already in progress, her designs for Currey & Co. reflect Ms. August's interest in archival references. A classicist at heart and a Fine Artist by training, Ms. August is well known for her timeless designs that are both endearing and enduring. She points out: "My lighting collection will be elegant, glamorous and entirely compatible with my 'Lillian August Grand Salon" furniture collection that is manufactured and distributed by Drexel Heritage." Both Ms. August and Mr. Ulrich anticipate that Lillian's new collection for Currey & Co. will attract new customers to their strong and loyal customer bases. Robert Allen: Noted textile firm Robert Allen is debuting a large textile collection by famed furnishings designer Lillian August, whose Lillian August Collection of upholstery and casegoods is manufactured and distributed by Drexel Heritage. According to Andy Pacuk, Senior VP Product Design and Merchandising, The Robert Allen Group, "Lillian August's Oxford Gardens Collection – decidedly English in spirit – adds exciting glamour and elegance to the Robert Allen line. Most importantly, Ms. August’s tour de force in mix-and-match capabilities offers our customers an extraordinary range of coordinating fabrics. This one-stop approach makes it effortless to plan and shop for beautifully coordinated upholstery and drapery groups." Ms. August said, "With 80-plus SKUs, the Oxford Gardens Collection (the second group I've designed for Robert Allen), is the larger textile group introduction to-date." It features a broad array of patterns and textures in each of six decidedly Lillian August colorways that work beautifully as a result of Ms. August's colorist talent. Although many of the designs seem welcomingly familiar as Lillian's style, each appears fresh and new because of Ms. August's fine-arts approach to pattern and her unique use of color. "I feel that this is the time to revisit rich, complex and exotic colors—a vibrant palette that is intrinsically the American style," she stated. "My newly muted pastels group is sophisticated and substantial. These adult pastels satisfy a need for new pinks and greens to update the traditional perpetual summer looks of Palm Beach and The Hamptons, giving this favorite palette a year 'round acceptability across the country." "I will have samples of my entire collection for Robert Allen in my showroom during Market," said Ms. August, "and many of the new Robert Allen fabrics can be seen on Lillian August upholstery in the Lillian August showroom at Drexel Heritage, 1925 Eastchester Drive, High Point, N.C., during the October 2004 Market. Those who wish to see the textiles and talk with me during Market may call 336-888-4800 for an appointment." Mr. Pacuk said, "We plan to have the Lillian August Oxford Gardens Collection in Robert Allen Showrooms in design centers across the U.S in January, 2005." The Robert Allen Group is the nation's leading designer and marketer of decorative fabrics and furnishings to the interior design trade. The company sells its products under the Robert Allen, Beacon Hill, Ametex, Robert Allen Contract, and Robert Allen @ Home brands, including Robert Allen Color Library, the well-known industry standard sample book. The company has 18 corporate showroom locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For customer service in the U.S., please call 800-333-3777.