The Canadian Home Furnishings Market 2006 Expects 12,000 Visitors

Furniture World Magazine

The 2006 edition of The Canadian Home Furnishings Market, the most high-impact show in the Canadian residential furniture marketplace, is coming up from January 14 to 17 at the International Centre in Mississauga, near Toronto. This is the event that brings together the whole industry, welcoming more than 400 manufacturers (mostly Canadian, plus some from other countries), including manufacturers from the 75 permanent showrooms at Canada’s Furniture Mart and external showrooms. The show features more than 700,000 square feet (70,000 square metres) of great products. The Canadian Home Furnishings Market is definitely the prime opportunity for manufacturers who are out to do business and forge strong connections with the retail market. For visitors, the show provides a perfect opportunity to check out the country’s widest array of home furnishings – plus all sorts of fresh new products launched at the show. Over the years, the show has acquired a distinctive character and a tremendous reputation, thanks to the top-flight manufacturers who participate every year, the excellent organizational skills of everyone involved, and the professional yet convivial atmosphere that prevails. As always, visitors will have access to a huge range of residential products: wood and metal furniture, upholstered pieces, children’s furniture and accessories, accent furniture, bedding, lighting, decorative accessories, and home appliances. And there’s a special section that showcases goods and services designed for retailers, too. The show, which attracts more than 12,000 visitors every year – mainly from Canada and the U.S. – is an influential event on the business calendar and occupies a strong position in the North American marketplace. And show organizers make a point of arranging congenial events so that exhibitors and buyers can get together. Activities: On the eve of the official opening, at 6 p.m. on Friday, January 13, exhibitors and visitors will meet and mingle at the Kick-off Cocktail Party, sponsored by Furniture Today magazine. This festive event takes place in the main entrance to the show (Hall 1). At 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, as the opening day of the show winds down, everyone is invited to the Trends Display Launch Party for the unveiling of the latest displays designed by our experts, André Caron and Pierre D’Anjou. Since the very first edition, our Trends Display has been a major drawing card. The display windows, which shine the spotlight on exhibitors’ latest products, provide inspiration for retailers to take home and apply to their in-store displays. The Launch Party is sponsored by Furniture Style magazine. At 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, it’s time to pay tribute to the high standards and consistent creativity of Canadian manufacturers as the names of this year’s prize-winners are announced at the Canadian Home Furnishings Awards Gala. This year, the event will be held at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton. For further information and ticket reservations, please contact the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers’ Association at (905) 677-6561. Something New in Hall 6 First-time exhibitors invite retailers to join them for lunch in Hall 6 from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, Sunday, January 15, and Monday, January 16. It’s a great opportunity for retailers to meet new exhibitors and discover their latest offerings in a relaxed setting. The Canadian Home Furnishings Market: the must-be-there event for retailers. Schedule: Friday, January 13, 6 p.m.: Kick-off Cocktail Party (Hall 1, Main Entrance) January 14 to 17, 2006 Saturday, January 14, Sunday, January 15, Monday, January 16: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 17: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The TCHFM is a trade show for industry professionals. For further information, visit www.tchfm.com BEDROOM INTRODUCTIONS: In the bedroom: clean, pared-down profiles, deep dark colours This season at The Canadian Home Furnishings Market, bedroom furniture is all streamlined style and pure, linear volumes, with curves setting off headboards and bases. Case in point: a gently curved headboard decorated with subtle graphics, textures, or perhaps a padded section, framed in wood. Wood is omnipresent, metal less so this season. Dark stains are the order of the day, with trendy finishes like chocolate, ebony, wenge, and espresso. Metal (read: steel, brushed nickel, or anodized aluminium) hardware, handles, and accents are delicate, elongated or geometric in shape. Visu’s Lena collection for the bedroom, in maple veneer, offers a refined blend of perfectly proportioned lines and subtle curves – notably on the headboard, with its intriguing undulating textures. The elegant Tyrolia, a stunning transitional/traditional bedroom from Palliser, is made of solid poplar and anagre veneer (an attractive South African wood). The suite comes in an ambrosia or dark hickory finish with silver-finished accents. Note the great attention to detail on the sophisticated bed. Laurier’s Manhattan 7500 bedroom suite in top-quality maple veneer is all pure lines and gentle curves. The complete collection includes a dining set and home theatre unit – all in three great colours: raffia, andora, and chestnut. Eztia’s Heidi contemporary collection for the bedroom is simple yet sophisticated, artfully combining wood with leather accents, shown with a rich espresso finish. Shermag’s time-travelling Continent collection features pared-down, classic designs seen through contemporary lenses. The collection includes various dressers and armoires plus a choice of three beds: a panel bed with geometric motifs at both ends, a model with wood bars at head and foot, and a third in brushed nickel and cherry-finished wood. LC Furniture proudly presents the Nimbus bedroom, a collection in birch or rift oak designed for adults and children alike that comes in a range of 14 colours. The platform bed is available in twin, double, Queen, and King sizes. The headboard is adorned with small leather cushions, an attractive design feature that’s a thoughtful touch for those who like to read in bed. Ancestral makes top-of-the-line furniture in the time-honoured Quebec style, with clever custom features. Among the items they’ll be unveiling at the show is the Elegance collection for the bedroom, which includes several different beds, armoires, bonnetières, desks, and audio units. All collections come in solid pine or maple, in 11 colours. In addition to the new Bunk Bed collection, the Canwood display will feature an ample assortment of Apex products, including wall systems and bedroom furniture. The Apex Panel Bed comes in twin, full, Queen, and King sizes, beautifully bridging the gap between urban loft and country retreat. Everything is constructed of solid Canadian lodgepole pine and finished with a clear catalyzed lacquer for outstanding durability. The Contessa Master Bedroom Collection in solid ash from Park Avenue Furniture (PAF Group) features a distinctive sleigh bed – note the headboard with fabric inserts and Oriental-inspired rectangular cut-outs. The Montana collection in oak has a slightly rustic air, with a choice of sleigh or panel beds. And look for new pieces in the Montana, Katina, and Aidan Youth Collections. The straightforward 600 Collection from JLM, in solid birch and birch veneer, comes in a dozen different finishes, including the new Havana and ebony – a shade that seems to be very “hot” this year. Antiques 2000’s special niche is reproductions of authentic antiques. Each unique piece is made from recycled and reclaimed timber, hand-carved by skilled craftsmen who pay meticulous attention to detail. The collections for the bedroom and dining room to be shown in January will offer style and colour choices, all reflecting the latest trends in period furniture and the company philosophy – “timeless styles for today.” The highly architectural Toscana collection from Huppé comes in birch in several different finishes, including trendy chocolate. The platform bed is set on a square base, with not a trace of ornamentation. Note the full-width drawers for capacious storage. Diva from Dinec, a versatile collection for the bedroom that consumers can customize to their heart’s content, includes three basic units and a range of models, dimensions, and finishes to choose from. Every year seems to bring new innovations in the bedding sector, with innovations galore taking comfort levels to new heights. Zedbed, known for top-of-the-line visco-elastic and adjustable mattresses, is launching the clever Duo-Comfort concept, which lets sleepers choose their desired level of comfort even if their bed-mate prefers something different. Two levels of firmness in a single mattress – a great idea that lets every sleeper rest easy! Zedbed is also launching a new addition to the Zedroom collection – available as a platform or adjustable bed, like other models in this line. Ther-A-Pedic is adding new models to the Harmony and Caress collections with five-pound density latex and visco-elastic. The latest technology gives Ther-A-Pedic the capacity to manufacture 11-inch coils that compress to just 8 inches, which are then assembled to provide different comfort zones for the shoulders, pelvis, and legs. Springwall Sleep Products is refreshing and revamping the Perma Foam line of visco-elastic and engineered foam core sleep sets. The Springwall brand of promotional bedding offers new opportunities at all price points, and the new Airways line, which uses air flotation technology to develop the alternating pressure mattress market segment, will also be launched at the show. Last but not least, the Chiropractic line has been re-merchandised to offer new combinations of support and comfort. Hypnos Canada presents the new Magnolia collection, reflecting the company’s long-time strengths – natural materials and fine craftsmanship. The mattress contains no foam, but still boasts a pocket coil count of over 1,000 in Queen-size, with deluxe Belgian damask covering, cotton felt for natural temperature control, and non-allergenic white fibres. The Sero Latex mattress by Araam is entirely made from the finest natural latex. No chemical products are used, so it’s perfect for people with allergies. The mattress provides excellent support, stays cool in summer and warm in winter, and it’s ecological and durable, creating a natural environment in the bedroom. Originally launched to rave reviews in Europe, the EuroBed by Tempur Canada highlights the revolutionary, pressure-relieving comfort of Tempur material by adding an additional comfort layer quilted into the top of the cover. The sleek design features a microfibre suede textile covering the sides and framing the quilted cream velour top. The Supreme pillow is the softest, most luxurious pillow ever created, and the Body Pillow lives up to its name, providing superior support for the stomach, hips, back, and shoulders. Caber Distributors presents Comfor-PedicTM, a visco-elastic or “memory foam” mattress with the patented construction feature they call “The Edge”. What does that mean? It’s a unique wedge-shaped edge support system that lets users sit or sleep on the edge of the bed without the sensation of rolling or falling off. Caber also distributes the Protect-A-Bed Deluxe and Protect-A-Bed Elite mattress protectors. Marshall Mattress introduces the new Sleepmaker line, consisting of three distinct collections, Classique, Premium, and Traditions. High comfort levels are the name of the game here, thanks to Clean Sleep TM, an innovative treatment on every mattress that helps reduce allergens, increase fire resistance, and distribute body heat. Each Sleepmaker mattress is individually made. DINING INTRODUCTIONS: Return of the formal dining room; bistro tables and stools more popular than ever… and more news from the dining room The latest collections for the dining room featured at The Canadian Home Furnishings Market reflect three very different approaches. The formal dining room is back, complete with a long table – or extensions, so it’s a snap to have the whole crowd over for dinner. Many collections include large dressers redesigned for the way we live today. And since we’re entertaining more, the home bar is back, too. Another trend is to less formal, transitional dining rooms, a mix of traditional and contemporary design. Table bases are tapered, chair backs lightly curved for comfort, and small console-type buffets provide snazzy storage. Meanwhile, bistro tables and stools are more popular than ever, so much so that many manufacturers have added a bistro option to their regular collections. Bistro sets come in all sorts of styles. One thing all of the above has in common: everything, whether it’s for formal or casual dining or just that little table in the hallway, must be made of solid wood, with an au naturel or deep, dark finish. Canadel will be launching several great new items at the show, including a transitional dining room from the Colorshop division. The chairs, with nicely rounded backs, are particularly comfortable, and the 54” buffet is a new option that’s also available in other collections. For entertaining, Canadel’s new tables extend to a full 168 inches. Note the Mission influences, as in the subtle curve on a chair back, taking the comfort up a notch. Collections come in solid birch or oak. The Zara Collection from Geovin Furniture features fresh and elegant pieces for casual dining, manufactured with maple solids and birch veneers and combining geometric shapes with a straightforward silhouette. Options include rectangular or oval-shaped seat backs with classic appeal. Zara includes pieces for the bedroom, too. Dine-Art’s transitional suite is a savvy blend of tradition and modernism. The boat-top table goes beautifully with the Verona chairs, which have generously upholstered webbing seats. The collection includes a sideboard or large dresser, and everything is made of solid birch in a great range of finishes, including the latest, moka. The contemporary Atlantis collection from B.S.K. Furniture in solid birch is all supple curves, from the boat-shaped table to the compact buffet with multiple doors and drawers. Also new and noteworthy: the transitional Neptune collection, which includes an elegant elongated buffet. Bermex presents several new transitional dining sets. Look for small console-type buffets and large, elegant dressers, sideboards with glass doors, chairs with tapered bases, and tables with handy fold-away extension panels. All the collections feature impeccable finishing and a host of options – more than 90 finishes, several types of bases, and three table heights. Amisco is launching three casual transitional dining sets, all combining wood with metal but each creating a very different ambiance. Annabelle revisits the Shaker style, as seen in the chairs with fine metal bars that curve gently up to the wood seat back. Cynthia takes another run at traditional style, with a pedestal table that appears to be carved and classic chair backs. Eleanor is pure and simple, with structured, fabric-covered backs and seats. There’s mix and match potential galore here, with many fabrics, woods, and metals to choose from. Trica presents two great new contemporary stools, Katia and Julia, both available in bar and counter heights. Katia has a brushed steel tapered base, with upholstered seat and back in espresso birch laminate. Julia, which comes only in white, has a styrene back and seat. DFIC, which specializes in contemporary, Scandinavian modern-influenced designs, will be showing a transitional dining set with a striking mixed-materials bar-height table and low-back upholstered stools. A sleek “chiffonier” (tall chest of drawers) features adroitly concealed drawers and a mirror, plus a second mirror on the flip top. Eztia proudly presents the ultra-modern Angelo dining set. Noteworthy details include a glass insert on the tabletop and chairs with unique slat-design backs and round fabric-covered cushions. Chair-Tech presents a pair of great dining suites. The casually elegant Emilio collection, slightly Scandinavian in feeling, comes in two finishes, natural oak and espresso. The 48-inch table has a self-storing butterfly extension that opens to a 60-inch oval. The small matching buffet has space galore for storing wine. The Manchester glass-top table is most distinctive, with its leather frame, the perfect match for the Victory leather chairs. Element Furniture Designs presents the Kona dining table, featuring a unique cross-leg design, crafted from ash with an espresso finish. The Trio table has a highly original leg design and a built-in lazy Susan, and the hand-crafted Zen teak chairs and console are the perfect partners for either table. Midi will be launching several appealing new collections in very different veins. For starters, 440SG has that popular country look, in solid birch with a mat green foam finish. The seats are covered in fashion-forward yellow suede, and the compact buffet fits right into any size room. Then there’s 800BC – a refined classic that includes a large, curvy armoire. The boat-shaped rectangular table sits on a double base. The 510PFB collection is decidedly contemporary and casual, with a square bistro table that comes in 54” or 60” heights, with stools upholstered in vivid fabrics. The stools come in a choice of heights, too – three, to be precise. LIVING ROOM INTRODUCTIONS: The living room: a haven of comfort – plus practical features that make life a little easier Upholstered furniture is front and centre at The Canadian Home Furnishings Market, where we’ll be seeing flexible, versatile collections that score top marks for both style and comfort. A quick overview: architectural sofas with deep seats; modular sofas with great configuration potential that consist of corner units, armless chaise longues, seats that double as storage ottomans, and recliner sections; loveseats that turn into beds; armless sofas, méridiennes and classic armchairs revisited. Leather is going strong this season, in pale shades and a full range of earth tones; plain fabrics are in – no patterns; natural fibres are back, as in wool and cotton; bouclés and wovens are all the rage; and tapered steel bases are very popular. When it comes to colour, the major trends are skin and earth tones, from pale to dark, plus grey, red, purple, pale yellow, and pink. The highly architectural XYZ collection from William, by designer Charles Godbout, features an aluminium platform, cleverly designed seating angles, and pure wool upholstery. The aluminium structure ensures durability and resistance to cracking and splitting, humidity and dryness. It all adds up to great high-tech looks and uncompromising comfort. The design philosophy for XYZ is borrowed from the car industry, rather than the seat design approach customarily used for wood structures. Italdivani’s Lolita is a harmoniously proportioned chair that’s at home in virtually any type of home décor. Ofelia, with three recliner positions, is the essence of design, with a generous headrest, while the architectural Medo sofa has wide armrests with storage space underneath. All three collections come in leather, fabric, or microfibre. Coja’s Melrose collection in full-grain leather, part of the Urban line, has a curvaceous silhouette, with rolled arms and an espresso finish on the base. There’s a new model in the Relax line – the transitional Carter, with attractively curved armrests and a pared-down profile. All the collections are available in a wide array of leathers and colours. The Terence collection from Perez is extremely comfortable, with redesigned seat cushions and feather-filled backs that mould perfectly to the body. The stainless legs and arm tray are made of stainless steel, and meticulously chosen fabrics from around the world complete the look. Yasuke, an upholstered bed with removable cover, is all sensual shapes. The seat backs are removable, and the bed is just as comfortable to sit on as a traditional sofa. Oh la la!, the latest brainchild of Sofas International, is a new-generation Chameleon “variable geometry” sofa, with cushions attached to a sling-shaped back. The back adjusts to various angles, the better to watch TV or stretch out your legs. Highly original and supremely comfortable! The elegant European-style Studio sectional sofa from Jaymar is upholstered in full-grain leather. Natural oils applied during the tanning process make it extremely supple. The Honeymoon sectional sits on a basket-shaped base, with a low back and large loose cushions. It all adds up to a laid-back, up-to-the-minute look that young couples will love. Brentwood Classics Ltd. presents the 5405 transitional collection, skirted with jacquard weave fabric for that “cottage” look. The durable contemporary 2486 sofa, which also comes as a sectional, features a generously cushioned low back and ample armrests. The 129 chair exudes modernism, with narrow, tapered arms and lean, uncomplicated lines. The solid walnut legs and optional ottoman make these pieces the perfect complement to any compact room setting. Ekornes Inc. has a real winner in the Stressless® Paradise sofa, the fastest selling design in company history. The two- or three-seater sofas are available with high or low backs, both with individually reclining seats that provide the lumbar support that made Ekornes and Stressless® famous. The matching recliner comes in two sizes, Spirit and Dream. Stylus Made to Order Sofas will be unveiling many new items, with something to suit every taste. The City and Ping sofas, designed for urban living, feature clean lines and an amazing choice of fabrics. Style 1033, a sofa with gently flared arms, blends contemporary with casual. Soho’s rounded arms and richly finished espresso wood base give it a great casual feel, and Rona, with a tight back and small flared arms, is perfect for today’s smaller spaces. Dynasty Furniture is introducing several new items at the show: contemporary and transitional collections, including a complete collection that boasts sophisticated curves and that special shiny look (polyurethane coating). Especially noteworthy: the ultra-modern Montréal collection, which includes a chaise longue that’s perfect for stretching out to read a novel or watch your favourite TV show. Urban Leather imports a full line of leather furnishings in an array of customizable colour choices. The company offers a Quik-Shop program in certain colours, as well as hide, fabric, and colour choices on a custom-built basis. Fifteen brand new models will be launched at the TCHFM – running the gamut from casual to contemporary. The armless Morrow Settee from Rowe Furniture, designed by Jonathan Adler, harks back to Danish modern style. Tapered, modified wings on both sides are accentuated by the subtle crescent curve on the back, with six decorative buttons and a hand-carved wood base. Several collections also include useful storage ottomans. The Biscayne collection by Boca Rattan includes a full living room and dining room for that coveted “urban chic” look, with an exotic touch. The contrast between the dark wood base and the warm brown rattan is striking and extremely elegant. Romano’s contemporary Drake sectional has tailored urban flair. This versatile collection also includes a sofa, chair, and loveseat – all available with or without arms. And then there’s the Jensen armless sofa, all dressed up in a trendy citrus bouclé, and the Garbo collection, a tad retro, which includes an armless modular sofa and a condo sofa with padded back – a nice touch. Lucy Au builds on her tradition of innovation with practical, intelligently designed pieces with pared-down lines. There’s a chaise longue that does double duty as a bed, plus the Martini collection, which includes a low modular sofa, complete with a detachable tray that can be used on the armrest or the back. Via presents Capital, a complete collection (chair, loveseat, sofa, and modular sofa) with a classical, versatile profile. The resolutely modern Monza swivel rocker-recliner bears witness to the development of motion furniture, which nowadays has nothing to envy standard stationary pieces when it comes to great good looks. And in the motion furniture department… The new generation of Avant Glide gliders from Dutailier is supremely stylish and resolutely contemporary, with a fully concealed mechanism at affordable price points. There are five new models, 15 shades of leather, and 10 microfibres to choose from. What’s new from Berkline? Well, for starters there’s style number 670, a casual contemporary recliner loveseat that cradles you in comfort. The versatile transitional style number 270 includes a modular sofa and storage ottoman, while style number 496 is a fresh, fashionable design with luxurious pillow arms. Features include the PowerRecline® option, which can be stopped at any position, the Wallaway® design, which reclines fully within inches of the wall, and TouchMotion®, which offers the ease of single-touch recline. El Ran’s new Hailey modular sofa comes in three sections – a sofa with recliner segment, a corner chair, and a bumper chaise on the end. It’s an original and elegant piece, all dressed up in leather and vinyl, in an attractive shade called rodano oyster. Crinar recently obtained an international patent for their new collection of recliner-gliders that swivel, with a built-in footrest that shifts automatically as weight is transferred. The new chairs come in a wide range of styles, fabrics, and options, including a base cover that conceals the mechanism. The “No Sag” seat option, which ups the comfort level substantially, is now a standard feature on several models. JUVENILE FURNITURE INTRODUCTIONS: Furniture and accessories for babies and kids place accent squarely on style and versatility, plus great safety features Some manufacturers of adult bedrooms showing off their latest products at The Canadian Home Furnishings Market will also be unveiling collections of juvenile furniture. And of course, many exhibitors specialize in “kid stuff” – furniture and accessories designed specifically for babies and children. Here’s a brief overview of what’s new in the juvenile category. South Shore Industries will be launching a terrific transitional juvenile bedroom called Lounge. There’s a sleigh bed with a wood headboard accented with fake suede. The collection features Asian-inspired geometric motifs here and there, plus satin nickel handles that manage to be both decorative and ergonomic. This straightforward collection comes in a Havana finish. The Circus collection from Morigeau-Lépine is as much fun as the name suggests, with great curves that look like a “big top” and impeccable finishing details. It’s a terrific concept that grows up with the child. AP Industries presents Extreme, a collection designed especially for boys, which includes nine pieces of furniture in solid birch and birch veneer. One bed features a slightly rounded openwork headboard, and comes in twin, double, and Queen sizes. The leather bed is available in Queen size only. Dutailier’s Megan collection has a slightly exotic look, with wicker accents and feet that resemble bamboo shoots. All in all, the family of products includes 25 items available in 25 different finishes, perfect for the nursery or a boy’s or girl’s bedroom. Danreau Imports presents a collection of car-shaped children’s beds. Four models, including a fire engine and a Beetle, come in kid-pleasing colours. Danreau will also be displaying complete collections for the bedroom, including beds with storage features. Stokke has come up with a quick and easy way for consumers to dress the innovative SleepiTM crib, the only oval crib on the market, a quick-change artist that grows up with baby. The company is launching a four-piece bedding set in a variety of colours and sizes – a real time-saver for parents. Stokke also makes changing tables, storage systems, and strollers. Peg Perego proudly introduces their latest brainchild, the GT3 Gran Turismo three-wheeler, a deluxe stroller with features to match: a strong aluminium chassis with sleek matte finish, semi-pneumatic 12” lockable wheels, adjustable handlebar with dynamic hand brake, four-position backrest seat (two-position footrest), adjustable hood, five-point safety harness for sudden stops, and much more. And the Italian upholstery, which is removable and hand-washable, looks great, too. Kidco will be highlighting four new products at the Toronto show. The BabySteps Natural Feeding System is a three-step system for making healthy baby food at home, including products for preparation, storage, and feeding. The Shock Shield protects children from touching the power blades of a plug that’s inserted partway into an outlet. The Magent Lock adhesive-mounted system, designed for cabinet drawers and doors, is easy to install without tools. The Angle Mount Wood Safeway Gate-Unfinished, the first customizable wood gate on the market, comes unfinished so the user can apply stain, varnish, or paint to match any décor or colour scheme. ACCESSORY INTRODUCTIONS: Accent furniture, patio pieces, decorative accessories, and lighting play key supporting roles in home décor Accent furniture and decorative accessories are big sellers at the moment – and no wonder. Consumers are into decorating and making their homes a haven, but rather than changing all the furniture, they’ll reorganize the space – adding a chair here, a lamp there, or a spiffy accessory. Perhaps it’s time for that wall unit to go, to be replaced by a new model that’s designed to house the latest equipment. All these categories are evolving in step with trends in our society. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll be seeing at The Canadian Home Furnishings Market. Visu presents Camilia, a contemporary audio-video wall unit that successfully combines straightforward lines and attractive curves. This multipurpose, high-tech unit is designed for all the latest electronic equipment. There’s a matching bookshelf made of maple veneer, available in 13 colours for a grand total of 140 possible combinations. The ultra-practical Lounge audio-video unit from South Shore Industries, with Asian-influenced geometric motifs, is designed to hold most 36” or 40” TV screens. Features include decorative and ergonomic nickel handles, adjustable shelves, and a cable tray for all those wires. Rowe Furniture, primarily an upholstered furniture exhibitor, has a bright new idea for this year’s show: ottomans with concealed storage space. The Babette ottoman is covered in fabric with long fringes, and Nelson, a modern square ottoman, features a tray under the lid that’s perfect for holding drinks and snacks. Bermanfalk has a host of new products to unveil, starting with a collection of low, square glass-topped tables. The Sonoma collection, HOM by Bermanfalk, comes in solid birch. Every item in the collection, which includes a bed and a dining table, features a bold, clean-lined fusion of eastern and western esthetics. Astuce from Collection A2000 is an attractive loveseat on dainty metal feet with a nickel satin finish, extending to the front of the armrests. It comes in leather, too. The Globe armchair in textured leather, which goes beautifully with other collections, is basket-shaped, with narrow armrests and a shaped back. And then there’s Jade, a swivel rocker-recliner set on a wood or metal base. The Monticello, from the Wine & Spirits collection by Howard Miller, is an elegant traditional cabinet that’s the perfect storage place for wine, glasses, and decanters. Thoughtful design features include a storage system for footed glassware, adjustable shelving, and a door that opens to 270 degrees. Home bars are a major trend, by the way, and we’ll be seeing them in force at the show. Elite Living presents the Koln Stool, with a leather upholstered seat and back and stainless steel bars – a stylish footrest. It’s a fresh take on the traditional stool, with a contemporary twist. Also new from Elite: the Gerad leather armchair and ottoman, tailor-made for those who love to slide right down in a chair. Equally suitable for short or tall people, Gerad has an air of masculine sportsmanship, with a distinctive streamlined shape. A jacquard weave frame is displayed to great effect on the latest accent/dining chairs from Classic Loom Furniture. The natural fibre is twisted into twine around a metal core to produce the woven effect. The result: pared-down models with extra eye appeal, in various woven patterns and several shades. Ancestral makes top-of-the-line furniture in the time-honoured Quebec style, with clever custom features. Among the items they’ll be unveiling at the show are a new country-style bookshelf, a highly functional piece with three glassed-in sections and a full-width storage drawer. Everything comes in solid pine or maple, in 11 colours. Worldwide Homefurnishings is launching a terrific range of innovative new pieces, including coffee tables, end tables, and nesting tables, in the very latest finishes – tobacco oak, rustic oak, chocolate brown, cappuccino, and black satin. Worldwide is also expanding its offerings in the lighting category, with everything from traditional styles to urban contemporary lamps. Korson’s new products include a slipper chair with colour-coordinated pillow in autumn chenille, plus a leather transitional lounge chair that boasts a high back, curved feet, and a matching pillow. Then there’s a deep, comfy transitional leather club chair with contrasting piping. The Baldwin Brass Collection of lamps lends new meaning to the terms “classic” and “elegant.” The stylish, practical 6036 bar unit from Concordia Furniture comes in a spiffy amaretto maple finish. It’s a great design, with an open section with shelves, a system for hanging wine glasses, and a closed section for that private stash of wine and spirits, plus glassware. Accent cabinets, curios, bookcases, and more from Bühler are manufactured with old-world craftsmanship, using fine cabinet-making techniques like mortise and tenon joinery, piano hinges, and recessed wood backings, in North American wood species. In addition to the curio and transitional cabinets on which Bühler’s reputation was built, the company continues to offer multi-configuration wall units and TV units to address the continuous stream of new television technology. Ion Design Furniture Marketing presents an original and exotic accent dresser in red leather and black – extremely eye-catching. Note the bronze incrustations. Another accent piece is equally notable for its angled frame and four small drawers down the middle. American Home & Patio is launching a new high-end outdoor patio line made of synthetic wicker, aluminum, and teakwood, with great new outdoor fabrics from the 2006 Sunbrella collection. Also new this year: an outdoor version of the popular Megan armchair – perfect for deck, patio, or poolside. Mostly Danish Furniture introduces a trio of collections, starting with outdoor furniture in weather-resistant teak, an ultra-durable, extremely dense-grained hardwood wood that resists rot and warping. Antique Chinese furniture features delicate designs with sturdy construction – an unbeatable combination. A third collection of traditional wood furniture with marquetry inlays includes dining sets, game tables, chests, and desks. Decorative accessories and lighting The Uttermost Company will be featuring accessories by the talented designer Billy Moon – everything from rattan and leather wall sculptures to aged glass and ceramic candle-holders. Uttermost is also introducing Carolyn Kinder lamps in a smoky brass finish, as well as traditional porcelain accessories and new metal wall art by Grace Feyock, plus oversized mirrors. Gen-Lite Industries presents new collections of lamps that reflect the latest European design trends, in high-quality steel with a brushed steel finish and clear acrylic shades, either translucent or in vibrant colours with a translucent look – the colour is injected directly into the acrylic. Look for lots of round lampshades and round bases. Expressions International always brings a host of new items to the show, and this year is no exception. Hand-blown, hand-painted glass vases include a collection in a ravishing reddish purple. The Etched Bubble collection, in wood and ceramic, includes plates and vases with a bubble motif. The elegant and modern Bali and Gold Tone collections feature a gold marbleized finish. In addition to 10 collections of new accessories, Expressions will be launching 13 new collections created in Bali, Indonesia, and 10 more from India. Shaw Living presents seven stunning rug designs based on the Quilts of Gee’s Bend, inspired by the acclaimed artists’ collective of Gee’s Bend in rural Alabama. These highly original designs blend traditional African-American-inspired patterns and abstract art for a 3D effect that gives a carved, sculpted appearance. Shaw Living will also be launching the mary-kateandashley and First Lady collections at the show. Capel Rugs introduces the Stone Manor, Irish Stitch, and Bob Timberlake® Loop Hooks rug collections. Made of 100% wool, Stone Manor is hand-tufted in India and includes six designs. Irish Stitch, also in 100% wool, features a large, graphic zigzag pattern, while Bob Timberlake® Loop Hooks is a casual, comfortable collection inspired by Timberlake’s deep love of nature. Engelite Lighting introduces a new collection of lamps made in Canada – elegant originals every one, with huge mix-and-match potential. The bases are made of steel, either tapered or highly structural, with square or round lampshades. Note the red and white or black and white striped motifs, or subtle shades of grey. Vintage Verandah will be unveiling more than 150 new items in the lighting and decorative accessory categories. The 375-plus items in the Vintage Verandah collection include a broad range of lighting – from novelty lodge looks to mixed-media Tuscan-inspired looks and kids’ motifs, plus covered boxes, bookends, clocks, footed bowls – you name it. The Elite collection, with more than 200 items, includes lamps and coordinating accessories designed for today’s eclectic lifestyle. Lattrel Canada is bringing along some European traditional-style brass chandeliers and wall lamps with hand-crafted 24% lead-crystal shades. The collection comes in a choice of four finishes. Also new and noteworthy: mouth-blown crystal chandeliers, and lamps with wood bases and Murano glass or modern crystal shades. Century Lighting presents a trendy table lamp with funky red leather base, accented with a modern white shade and matching red trim. Another model manages to look both urban and rustic; it’s entirely covered in rattan, with just a little wood showing. Then there’s a classic lamp with a stone base and brushed nickel accents, topped by an elegant linen shade with a delicate band of black at the top and bottom. Très chic.