Connie Post Chooses Butler As Exclusive Producer Of Accent Furniture

Furniture World Magazine

As the fall home furnishings market opens in High Point, industry icon Connie Post has selected Butler Specialty Company as the exclusive manufacturer of accent furniture as part of her first line of coordinated home furnishings products. The Connie Post Collections will debut during the April 2005 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. “We wanted Butler to produce all of the accent furniture for our broad new line because, quite honestly, no one in the industry has focused on accent for as long, and nobody does accent as well,” Post said. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the leader in this very important category.” Currently celebrating its 75th year, Butler is the industry’s No. 1 producer of accent furniture. From the beginning in 1930, the Chicago company has produced accent furniture exclusively. Butler offers more accent pieces – over 800 and counting – in the broadest range of styles… covering the widest range of price points… with consummate quality and value across the line. Connie Post began meeting this summer with Butler executives and designers to create an original cast of accent furniture pieces to complement the case goods, upholstery, lighting and accessories in her exciting new collection. “Obviously, we’re very excited about being part of Connie’s new line,” said David Bergman, Butler president. “She has earned respect throughout the industry and developed a major following among consumers for her smart, practical and helpful ideas about creating beautiful stores and beautiful homes. Butler will be a good fit because we’re all about creating beautiful accent furniture – truly the brightest spots for every room in the home.” Post is founder and chief executive of the Connie Post Companies, a portfolio of businesses well known in the trade as the home furnishings industry’s leading design and strategic brand development firm. Since launching her award-winning, vertically integrated company in 1987, she is responsible for the look of more than 16 million square feet of retail and wholesale space around the globe. Recognized as a thought leader and idea merchant, she is in demand as a speaker and spokesperson for a number of Top 100 retailers across the country. Regularly sought for her expert commentary by the media, she has written countless columns for a variety of industry trade publications. Her first book, “A Beautiful Room Will Change Your Life: Your Personal Guide to Color,” will be published by Sixth & Spring Books this fall. Her design advice columns for A-Z Media e-newsletters are read by millions of consumers throughout America every month. “Connie Post is transitioning into a global consumer brand, and the world of home furnishings is about to change in a big way,” Dennis Conforto, chief executive of A-Z Media and Licensing, said this year in Huntington Quarterly magazine. Added Robert Nightengale, television producer and former president of the Home Furnishings Council: “Connie Post has become a true industry icon.” Butler adopted a new design initiative in the mid-1990s to enhance product quality and distinguish itself as the leader – the definer – of the accent category. Since then the company has introduced a series of collections that fuse enduring design, authentic hand painting, elegant inlays, and carefully selected hardwoods, veneers and fossil stone into a classic line of home accent pieces. “As a result of this high level of quality at surprisingly affordable prices, Butler has stamped ‘VALUE’ on every piece in its growing line,” Post said. “Individually, they tell a story. Together, they speak volumes.” Established here in 1930 by the fathers and grandfathers of today’s owners/managers, Butler has been specializing in accent furniture longer than any other company in America. Products include chests, tables, benches, chairs, game tables, console cabinets, secretaries, armoires, bars, entertainment centers, headboards, fireplace screens, desks, pedestals, mirrors and globes. Typically, 70 percent of the line is in stock in Chicago and shipped within two weeks.