Accent chairs offer affordable option
By Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, 7/14/2008
Stylish pieces provide way for consumers to freshen rooms without breaking bank

[Rowe’s C181, in fabric 17321-67 is shown in the article]



HIGH POINT — For the many cautious consumers in this economy not wanting to spend a fortune on furniture, accent and occasional chairs offer an affordable solution.

As with accent tables and chests, the occasional chair category is a way to add a piece or two to a room setting without breaking the bank. In the case of many popular lines, price points range from $199 to $699 retail per chair.

Some companies market their chairs with standard fabrics, while others offer consumers an array of fabric and finish options that help tailor the item to what's already in the room.

Sam Moore Furniture offers 750 fabric SKUs and 24 finishes. This versatility has helped spur growth in the category, with transitional and soft contemporary styles among the most popular, said Erin Dooley, vice president of merchandising.

“When business is tough and you don't want to redo something, you can paint the walls and buy a chair,” she said, noting that younger consumers are also showing growing interest in the category. “You can do a makeover with a little chair.”

Dooley also noted that the scale of accent chairs makes them simple to place in a room, whether it's next to a fireplace or near an accent or reading table in the center of the room.

Saverio Mancina, director of marketing for Rowe, said accent and occasional chairs are popular because they can “define a room very quickly and more easily than replacing the sofa” and can find a home in most rooms, ranging from the bedroom and living room to the foyer. Consumers are using chairs to replace loveseats and gain additional seating in the room that complements the sofa.

At Golden Chair, business in the category has been up this year, with nearly 70% of sales in transitional and contemporary styles. One factor driving sales is the fact that the retailer doesn't have to buy a full container of just one or two styles.

“You can take anything in our line and mix it,” said Joyce Chase, sales manager.

“They became secondary for a long time, but at the Tupelo market in January and at the April market, we had more people shopping — saying they needed these categories in their store,” she added. “In times when it is tight, it gives a fresh look without having to redo the whole room.”

She added that another factor helping drive business is the fact that fewer people are spending money on expensive vacations, choosing instead to save money by staying home.

Peninsula Home Collection President Gonzalo Alonso said the occasional chair category has been important to his business, particularly among designers, who like the range and options available in the line.

Peninsula Home offers 40 chair frames, 10 of which are occasional chairs, Alonso said, noting that he likes to add about three new models each market. The chairs also come in 60 different fabrics, as well as COM, or customer's own material.

“For us, it is in a growth mode because of the additional pieces we are offering,” he said. “We are offering new leathers, hair on hides and hides that are treated with acid. There is always a new element…On the design side, there is always an ability to be creative with these frames.”

Peninsula's price points lean toward the high end of the spectrum, between $950 and $1,800 retail per chair.

“It is not mass produced,” Alonso said of the line, noting that Peninsula's frames are manufactured and finished in Peru and upholstered in the United States. “It is made by hand and reaches a segment of the market that is looking for quality and something different.”

At Bailey Street Holding Co., accent and occasional chairs also are an important part of the product mix. In addition to the 55 accent and occasional chairs in its line, it also has 125 different cover choices available on six chair and bench SKUs in its Couture Covers program.

The covers in that program are cut and sewn to fit over the basic frame and can be changed in a matter of minutes. Based on the success of that program at retail, the company also recently announced a licensing partnership with Southern Living Magazine that offers 25 more fabrics on two chairs and a bench.

“It has really been a major factor in the growth of Bailey Street,” said CEO Jim Berk.

While accent chairs — outside the Couture Covers line — represent less than 20% of the overall SKUs in the company's accent furniture line, they generate 35% of revenues, said President Greg Waylock.

Waylock attributed that success to several factors.

“I believe with accent chairs, it's the style, it's the fabric and it's the perceived value,” he said, noting that the company is getting strong reaction and sales from designers, including home staging designers. “We have incorporated a very good grade of fabric on a fairly traditional chair silhouette and have gone more transitional in the styling…People see the value and it's selling.”

Credit-crunch-squeezed homeowners and investors are unloading second homes en masse, offering up desirable vacation properties at some pretty steep discounts.

"When the market is down and there's blood in the streets, someone else's misfortune could work in your favor," says Ken Kamen, president of New Jersey-based Mercadien Asset Management. Buying now entails some risk, however. After all, prices could drop even further. But for those looking to hold a property long term for a family vacation spot or eventual retirement retreat should feel confident that they'll recoup the investment, he says.

Here are five places where vacation-home bargains abound:

1. Panama City Beach, Florida

There's something for everyone in this Panhandle town where white "sugar sand" beaches along the Gulf of Mexico give way to inland attractions, including six championship golf courses and an active restaurant and nightlife scene. Prices for beachfront property run the gamut from $100,000 for a one-bedroom condo, to $2 million-plus for single-family homes of five bedrooms or more, according to vacation rental site HomeAway.com.

Why Buy Now: Besides the weather (temperatures rarely dip below the 60s, even in January) a new international airport is slated to open in the next couple of years. With it comes low-cost carriers and an abundance of nonstop flights. (Currently, flying from New York involves at least one connection and travel time of anywhere from 4.5 to 13 hours. In comparison, a nonstop flight from New York to Orlando takes about two hours.) That ease of access should help boost tourism -- and property values, says Anil Pereira, CEO of SecondSpace.com, a property-finding service. "It'll be more feasible to own a second home there," he says. "People will be able to fly in for the weekend."

2. Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

Looking for a destination for all seasons? The Pocono Mountains offer skiing (winter), horseback riding (spring), sailing (summer), and hiking (fall). (There's even a Fall Foliage Hotline to point you to the most spectacular views and scenic driving routes.) Single-family homes range from $175,000 to $300,000, with lakeside and mountainside properties available, according to HomeAway.com.

Why Buy Now: A popular destination in the 1950s and 60s, the Poconos is experiencing a resurgence. "[Baby boomer] buyers are looking in their comfort zone; places they know and love -- and probably also where they vacationed as a child," says Christine Karpinski, a spokeswoman for HomeAway.com, a vacation rental site. During the housing boom, home prices in Pennsylvania didn't climb as high as they did in some other parts of the country. As a result, home prices in the four-county Poconos area haven't been as hard hit in the current slump.

3. The Crystal Coast, North Carolina

The southern part of North Carolina's Outer Banks boasts unspoiled beaches, national parks and wildlife preserves. World-class fishing results in abundant (and excellent) seafood restaurants. There's even something for history buffs: Civil War forts and the town of Beaufort (reportedly the home of Blackbeard). Yet this area is far from a tourist trap. "It still has a quietness about it," says Craig Venezia, author of "Buying a Second Home: Income, Getaway or Retirement." "It's retained a lot of its charm and beauty." Prices for waterfront property on the island start at $100,000 for a one-bedroom condo overlooking Bogue Sound (the waterway between the Outer Banks and the mainland). However, oceanfront properties, especially in popular towns like Indian Beach, can easily top $2.5 million.

Why Buy Now: Property values fell 18% this year, the first decline in more than a decade, says Venezia. Because the popular vacation destination has seen little negative impact from foreclosures or speculative real estate investments, it should rebound quickly, he says. Property values here have historically appreciated by about 9% a year.

4. Lake Tahoe, California

With close to 71 square miles of mountainous shoreline, almost every property in Lake Tahoe boasts a view of the water. In the winter, visitors can ski at one of a dozen ski areas. In the summer, music, wine and Shakespeare festivals abound for those who tire of swimming and boating all day. Lakeview homes start at $250,000, with more ostentatious lakefront properties topping $25 million.

Why Buy Now: California home prices have plunged an alarming 26% since last March, according to DataQuick, a real estate market researcher. "You'd almost have your pick of property," says Pereira. Beyond single-family homes, there are condos and cottages, as well as purchase shares on larger homes. Given Lake Tahoe's popularity, there's little doubt that home values will spring back as the economy stabilizes, he says.

5. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee

Home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country's most-visited national park (it gets 12 million visitors a year), this stretch of Tennessee and North Carolina sets the scene for a beautiful year-round wildlife retreat. Rafting, hiking and camping in the summer, and skiing in the winter. There's also plenty of the region's renowned barbecue. A two-bedroom cabin ranges from $130,000 to $250,000, according to HomeAway.com.

Why Buy Now: Although property values have taken a hit, tourism spending remains high, says Karpinski. High occupancy rates for vacation rentals mean buyers willing to rent out their property when they're not using the place could handily break-even.

Top Trends for Patio Furniture in 2008

By Sabah Karimi, published Feb 12, 2008


If you're ready to embrace the warmer months with some new furniture for the deck or patio, you can pick up a few key pieces from the year's top trends.

Top trends for patio furniture in 2008 include the classic wrought iron umbrella and chair sets, as well as jacquard prints and island motifs that add some flair to your outdoor area. Ready to give your patio or deck a makeover? Here's what you need to decorate with:

Tuscan-inspired table sets
Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired look with a modern twist; Tuscan-inspired dining sets are perfect for warmer climates, complete with simple frames and rattan-covered seating. These sets are perfect for entertaining outdoors, and can be decorated with classic, elegant dinnerware and accessories.

Bar height dining sets
The pub-style dining sets fit for indoor use are complemented with this outdoor version. Look for wrought-iron construction for chairs and tables with extra height. These are great for poolside spaces and areas where you will be entertaining guests for the evening.

Wicker lounge chaise sets
Add a contemporary twist to your patio furniture sets with a wicker chaise lounge. Whitecraft makes a number of chairs, ottomans, and matching tables that can give your patio space an entirely new look. They're made with all-weather wicker and can be accessorized with pillows and cushions as well.

Botanical-inspired designs
It's another year of tropical designs and motifs, so be on the lookout for anything with a touch of the Caribbean isles. Patio cushions covered with exotic patterns and textures are a top trend this year, and add to the global influences that are popular across all furniture in 2008.

Modern style goes outdoors
Enjoy the simple, functional Europe-inspired in the great outdoors. Mod furniture makes a comeback indoors & out, so make a bold statement on your patio in the 2008 season.

Bench dining sets
Skip the regular seating style and choose a backless bench dining set instead; this has influences from the Far East, and offers another minimalist, simple design for your outdoor space.

Bamboo fountains
Oversized bamboo tube fountains are a simple way to add an eco-inspired touch to your outdoor area. The different lengths of each bamboo are clustered together to drip water down each tube then back around; it's a taste of nature-inspired relaxation, right in your back yard.

From chaise lounge sets to bench dining collections, there are plenty of ways to update your patio furniture ensemble this season. Take your pick of any of these top trends to enjoy a makeover for the new year ahead!

Even through the tumultuous year that was 2007, Sandcastle Designs still came out on top with J.Raymond Furniture!

Sandcastle Designs was awarded a plaque commemorating their achievement of 'First Place in Shipments' for 2007 with J. Raymond Furniture.

"J. Raymond Furniture is affordable custom-crafted furniture that is delivered in about 30 days . Named for J. Raymond Gerken, the son of Norwalk Furniture founder Charles Edward Gerken, his name reminds us to honor the business principles which he taught us: pursue new technology to give our product greater value in the marketplace; develop an environment in which each individual has an opportunity to achieve their potential; and be proud of the product you deliver.

Today, through worldwide sourcing of fabrics, raw materials and technological advances as well as the multiple manufacturing facilities J. Raymond Furniture utilizes to manufacture over 1000 different pieces of furniture just the way customers want them, J. Raymond Gerken’s business principles have never been more valuable."

Available Career Opportunities


Experienced Design Consultant

Sandcastle Designs Inc. is looking for motivated individuals with experience in sales and/or design, who want an exciting career in home furnishings. Positions are open in both our Destin & Panama City Beach locations.

We pay UP TO 10% COMMISSION PLUS BENEFITS!


To become part of our successful team, please apply in person at our Destin Showroom. 10745 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Destin, FL 32550, fax a resume to (850)654-5278, or send a resume to jobs@sandcastledesigns.com