Habersham To Launch "Monet's Journeys" Collection In High Point

Furniture World Magazine

Habersham Furniture Company has announced plans to expand its popular licensed Claude Monet Collection with a series of new designs inspired by the famed Impressionist's extensive travels. Set to debut during the March 23-April 1, 2007 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC, the new designs in the "Monet's Journeys" collection include more than 20 pieces reflective of the environments, and the stunning paintings they inspired, during the great Master's travels to the rugged Normandy Coast and parts of the Mediterranean during the late 1800s. Ranging from occasional accent tables, chairs, mirrors and chests to grand scale entertainment centers, bookcases and wall units, the collection will be showcased within the company's newest Habersham Home "French Country" lifestyle feature on the first floor of Market Square, showroom MS--142. "The new 'Monet's Journeys' collection draws on Monet's travels and how the environments he frequented influenced his paintings," explains Tom Skipper, vice president of sales and marketing, Habersham. "The new direction for the collection provides the design team with a rich palette of masterworks, landscapes and styles. We are able to create truly unique designs that invite today's consumer to bring an Impressionistic touch of color, texture and casually elegant styling into their homes." As an artist, Monet traveled extensively to find visual inspiration and it was the Normandy Coast that seemed to provide a true touchstone for his life and work. Born in Paris, his family moved to Le Havre, a small town on the coast, when he was a small boy. He honeymooned with his first wife in Trouville, a Normandy seaside resort, made many subsequent visits to the region and would go on to spend the last 30 years of his life at Giverny, the picturesque village on the eastern border of Normandy. Throughout his career, this region and its rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, sea and sky views and lush countryside would play a key role in Monet's works. Capturing the spirit of his work, many of the designs in the Monet's Journeys collection exude a more rustic, rugged, casual look and feel carried out through deeper, darker hand-finishes and painted elements. The collection will also incorporate some softer, lighter looks as well, which are inspired by Monet's travels to the Italian Riviera and other parts of the Mediterranean. These new designs will all be featured in the Habersham Home French Country lifestyle showroom feature. They will demonstrate how the styles, select custom options, rich finishes and stains in their residential and kitchen and bath lines can work together to create a rich lifestyle look that flows seamlessly throughout a home –from rustic country style to urban sophistication. Habersham has transformed part of its first floor showroom into a "Habersham Home", reflecting the company's French Country lifestyle. This "Home" will feature a foyer, library, master bath, kitchen and other room. Habersham launched the Claude Monet Collection in 2000 with a series of designs inspired by the Impressionist's famed home in Giverny and the works he created during his time there. The company has continued to add designs over the years reflecting the Giverny home, its furnishings, surroundings and other important works by Monet. Plans call for continued expansion of the collection with new additions to the Monet's Journeys collection to be announced at future markets. Now celebrating more than 30 years in business, Toccoa, Georgia-based Habersham Furniture Company is a leading manufacturer of hand-painted and styled showpiece reproductions and original furniture designs. The Habersham line features more than 600-plus pieces in 30-plus finishes, including trumeaus, armoires, chests and dressers, cupboards, media centers, occasional dining and work tables, chairs, desks and beds. The company's expansion into kitchen and bath cabinetry and custom options in recent years allows consumers to choose from residential furniture designs, unlimited finish options and styles, and cabinetry to create a Grand European or Grand American Casual lifestyle look that flows throughout the entire home. For more information, visit www.habershamdesigns.com, call 1.800.HABERSHAM or 706.886.1476 or write: Habersham, PO Box 1209, 171 Collier Road, Toccoa, GA 30577.