B. Smith to Unveil 40 Piece Furniture Collection at Spring Market

Furniture World Magazine

B. Smith, television host, restaurateur and lifestyle maven and Clayton Marcus, a division of the La-Z-Boy Corporation, will debut the At Home with B. Smith furniture collection at the International Home Furnishing Spring Market in High Point, North Carolina March 26th – April 1st. The collection is the first designed by an African American woman to be presented for national distribution. The new 40-piece collection is comprised of three distinct groups inspired by the places Smith has lived or visited throughout her travels as a model, restaurateur and entrepreneur: Central Park South, Sag Harbor and Mosaic Treasures. “I just love all three collections because they reflect different aspects of my life,” says Smith. “My Central Park South collection, inspired by my current home, represents modern and sophisticated living combined with the soothing effect of having nature right outside my door.” The Sag Harbor collection evokes the seaside cottage feel of Smith’s weekend retreat in the Hamptons, on Long Island’s historic east end. “For years, artists have talked about the special qualities of the light in the Hamptons and the feeling of airiness. The color choices and fabrics I’ve selected for the Sag Harbor collection reflects that combination of sky, land and water.” The third collection, Mosaic Treasures, is a globally-inspired group based on the fascinating people and places Smith encountered during her lengthy career as a model. “Mosaic Treasures captures the sense of adventure in looking for exotic fabrics from the four corners of the world.” Allison McCall, vice president of merchandising for Clayton Marcus, praises Smith’s sense of style and the life experiences she brings to the collection. “The fabric applications make these groups unique and tell a rich and wonderful story. B. has brought together a dynamic combination of color, texture and dimension for her inaugural collection.” In addition to a variety of upholstery options, the line will feature occasional tables similar to pieces Smith owns. Among the signature items is a console table in a luxurious, dark finish with a sensual curved front. “It’s beautiful and fits in any room in the house,” Smith says. McCall also pointed to the occasional tables as wonderful accents to the line. “What makes these walnut tables so special is that many of the design elements came from B.’s New York City apartment and they tie in beautifully to the upholstery frames.” Dealers and media attending the spring market will have an opportunity to see the At Home with B. Smith collection first-hand in the Clayton Marcus showroom. That’s where nine vignettes of living spaces will feature the three new furniture groups. Consumers will get their first look at the collection when it arrives in stores in the fall. Smith’s furniture collection with Clayton Marcus is a natural evolution of her lifestyle brand that also includes the successful B. Smith with Style® Home Collection sold exclusively for the past six years at BED BATH & BEYOND® stores nationwide and the “B. Smith with Style” television show, now in its 10th year. Her flagship New York restaurant is celebrating its 20th year in business, her D.C. restaurant recently marked its 12th anniversary and the Sag Harbor restaurant will open for its 10th season in May 2007. Smith is also a national spokesperson for General Mills’ Betty Crocker and Pillsbury brands, Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever’s Lawry’s seasonings, Mercedes Benz and GE Monogram appliances. For more information about B. Smith, contact kathy@westinrinehart.com. For more information about Clayton Marcus contact cook@claytonmarcus.com. About La-Z-Boy Incorporated: La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world’s leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group companies are Bauhaus, Centurion, England, La-Z-Boy and Sam Moore. The La-Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid, Lea, Clayton Marcus and Pennsylvania House. About B. Smith Enterprises A former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire, B. Smith is widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual but elegant living. For nearly a decade, she has hosted the lifestyle television show “B. Smith with Style,” while also operating three restaurants in New York, Washington, D.C. and Sag Harbor. This year, her flagship New York restaurant, located in the Times Square Theater District, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Her signature line of linens, home fashions and serveware B. Smith with Style® Home Collection is available exclusively at BED BATH & BEYOND® stores nationwide. The author of two books on entertaining, Smith has been featured on the cover of 20 magazines and is currently the spokesperson for General Mills Betty Crocker Cornbread and Muffin mix, Pillsbury Grands, Unilever’s Lawry’s seasonings, Colgate Palmolive Oxy plus dishwashing products, Mercedes Benz and GE Monogram.