Formal eclectic line, new categories debut
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 3, 2003
Danbury, Conn. — To help execute its brand strategy, Ethan Allen introduced new product at its dealer conference here.
The major rollout was the formal eclectic Newport case goods collection for the Classic Home product line. The company also entered new categories: bathroom sink cabinets and home entertainment pieces designed for plasma screen televisions.
Product development objectives included strengthening formal lifestyle offerings, achieving a look of collected classic pieces, and a focus on formal in upholstery and accents.
The 32-piece Newport, set to hit retail floors in the spring, is a take on cleaner English and American designs from the 18th and 19th centuries, primarily in a blend of mahogany with primavera and swirl mahogany veneers finished in warm tones.
"Newport has a relaxed formality with simple design, and new spin on traditional with silver-tone hardware and a warm brown finish," said Craig Stout, vice president of design and product development. "We've designed this to blend with other collections and it has some very attractive values."
Key pieces include a four-post bed with tapered, reeded posts wrapped in delicate, hand-carved ribbons; architecturally inspired china cabinets; two dining tables with Chippendale and Queen Anne chairs; and an inlaid Regency serving cabinet.
Newport's eclectic tone allows it to blend with Ethan Allen's other more formal collections, including Townhouse, Tuscany and 18th Century Classics.
With research indicating a rapid increase in the number of plasma-screen televisions, Ethan Allen wanted to address the category this year.
"We developed two units for 40- to 52-inch, and 52- to 60-inch screens in a base only with optional back panels for mounting the screen," Stout said. "We're also working on corner units and plasma units with power lifts."
The sink cabinet introduction, Ethan Allen Bath, addresses the company's aim to offer products for every room in the home.
"Recently, we have seen a trend with bathrooms becoming a 'statement room' in the home, and homeowners are investing in these rooms," said Farooq Kathwari, chairman and chief executive officer.
