Joe Ruggiero Designs Bold Introductions For Norwalk

Furniture World Magazine

For Spring 2006, Joe Ruggiero, the prolific designer, author and speaker, introduced a group of “hot” new looks in home furnishings from Norwalk Furniture at the International Home Furnishings Market last week. Always drawing inspiration from his world travels, as well as his connection to the ever-changing pulse of today's creative home decorator, Ruggiero forecasted a distinct warming trend throughout several of his new fabric themes – from the west coast to the steamy hot tropics – and his fresh silhouettes, which continue the designer’s spirit of tradition with a crisper presentation for modern lifestyles. Here's what Ruggiero offered in his updated rooms this season: The Bergen. Inspired by the chic French Bergère, Ruggiero reinterprets the 18th century occasional arm chair into a sleek design that is both modern and hip. “This is the chair for every room,” he says. The Marion. This dining chair is influenced by Ruggiero’s affection for mid-century shapes. A refined design that he discovered in a European antique market, the Marion reflects “the art of fine dining.” Upholstered in rich leather or fabric (with or without nail-heads), it features a square back and matching boxy seat. The Russell. The Russell headboard brings runway finesse to the bedroom. Ruggiero gives customers options with this piece – tall or mid-height, with or without nail-heads, contrast or self-welt, fabric or leather (with exquisite tufting) and an optional slipcover for the headboard – making Russell a flexible offering for the sumptuous bedroom. The Carson. Expanding on Ruggiero’s sleek Carson sofa, acknowledged as a “standout” in Norwalk's Variations customization program, the group is now comprised of a complete offering inviting a range of treatments. Ruggiero introduces a square corner piece, a right and left arm loveseat, an armless chair, and bumper/ottoman. “Carson is for the `uptown' personality,” says Ruggiero of its ultra contemporary styling – low-to-the-floor and tight-fitted seat. “The corner piece makes this system all the more appealing,” he says. Customers can choose from track or rolled arm, with or without skirting and contemporary bench-like seating with or without a tufted back. Emphasizing a warming trend in fabric motifs, Ruggiero surpassed expectations this spring by introducing five appealing fabric themes for Sunbrella®. His inspirations are two of his favorite venues in any world destination: the glass-enclosed conservatory and the fine art gallery. To shake off the winter blues, Ruggiero introduced Island Home. Not to be compared with a traditional conservatory, the collection showcases the utmost sophistication and color. “It’s purely West Coast in style,” says Ruggiero. Inspired by island botanicals and colonial influences in design, Island Home revolves around exquisite hand-woven textiles. On the opposite end of the spectrum: Mountain View. The epitome of “lodgey”, Ruggiero incorporates natural textures and maple leaves. “It's not your everyday country,” says Ruggiero about Country Lites. With a modernized color palette of beige, ochre and pale white, Ruggiero lends depth by incorporating checks, stripes and textured wovens. Dorset Hall extends the Country Lites direction, with strict English appeal. “We've combined woven damasks and elegant stripes with warm plaids,” says Ruggiero. Calling on his painterly skill and sensibility, Ruggiero brightened up April Market with bold hues handpicked from an artist's palette. Aptly named Artist Studio, Ruggiero splashes colors throughout his fabric canvas, showing woven stripes and textures. “It’s as if stepping into a Picasso exhibit,” he says. Joseph Ruggiero and Associates, Inc. is a multimedia home design and television production company. Ruggiero designs furniture for Norwalk Furniture Corporation, a complementary collection of Sunbrella® fabrics, and Phoenix trims for residential interiors. He has also recently launched a new collection of casual furniture for Terra Furniture of California and wood furniture by Caperton Furnitureworks. Ruggiero's designs have received the American Society of Furniture Designers Pinnacle Award, the American Furniture Award, and the ADEX platinum award for textile design.