Celebrity Designers Attract Buyers

   Until recently, a trip down memory lane in the furniture industry would not typically include tables by Laura Ashley, dressing chests by Jessica McClintock, beds by Jaclyn Smith or accessories by Kathy Ireland. In fact, each designer named above first gained design notoriety in the world of fashion before expanding into furniture. But as more and more celebrities began offering their own line of designer furniture, the front-runners moved from several-piece collections to entire furniture gallery presentations.
   The first gallery opportunity offered to retailers across the United States was by Laura Ashley, and the Furniture Collection has showcased the Laura Ashley Home Gallery by Kincaid in over 55 percent of their showroom space since they opened their doors more than 3 years ago.
   Owners Judy and Joe Maslowski supplement the high-end, solid wood furniture lines of Laura Ashley and Jessica McClintock with designs from Jaclyn Smith and Kathy Ireland, which all enjoy tremendous brand recognition and attract a constant flow of customers to the Furniture Collection. Other beautiful home furnishing pieces, handpicked by Judy Maslowski from more than 70 additional vendors, augment the Furniture Collection’s upscale, designer inventory.
   The dazzling color palette of upholstery fabrics available in plaids, florals, stripes, checks and solids beautifully showcases the custom furniture groupings that artfully flow throughout the store. Judy is dedicated to bringing her customers the finest selection of furniture available in a friendly, customer service oriented environment.
   “We carry quality, solid wood furniture constructed without prefabricated components, built by skilled craftsmen who take pride in solid workmanship,” said Judy. “And we are dedicated to giving our customers attentive customer service,” she continued, “but we also want them to have a good time. Lots of our clients drop in just to chat,” she remarked. “We’re like the Fried Green Tomatoes of home furnishings for our clients in Naples,” she laughed, “and we really work at listening to them and giving them what they want.”
   And what they want is custom, celebrity-designed furniture and accessories. The Laura Ashley Home Gallery is inspired by Victorian and 19th century French designs. All are solid maple, dramatically accented with richly detailed birch hand carvings and decorative onlays.
   The Romance Collection from Jessica McClintock is made by American Drew and follows her lifelong design style of beauty and romance that speaks of the glorious days of Victorian mansion living. Her bedroom and dining room furniture is made of slightly distressed, solid hardwood, finished in rich Old World satin with graceful, flowing hand carvings and delicate accents.
   Jaclyn Smith’s tables and bedroom sets, made by Largo, are upscale and pretty with clean lines and a cottage feel. Intricate carvings accented with artistic hand-painted scrollwork and crests on the headboards and footboards are available in several inviting finishes, including Chiffon, Burnished Caramel, and Dijon.
   To round out the hard-goods lines, lifestyle designer Kathy Ireland supplies a variety of beautiful accessories: her own line of long-burning Hanna’s Candles made of wax and soy, and beautiful Shaw rugs, available in seven designer collections.
   A combination of ambiance, selection and outstanding customer service has spelled success for the Furniture Collection. Their Web site offers a virtual reality room planner that allows clients to actually place their furniture in the three-dimensional room they’re designing, make the pieces bigger or smaller and even rotate them to see if they fit.
   It is also store policy to encourage clients to take a pillow or blanket home to be certain that it’s the right shade or color. “It’s one more step for our customers,” said Judy, “but it’s one more step toward progress and has often eliminated making costly mistakes.”           

THE FURNITURE COLLECTION
26 Goodlette Road South, Naples, FL 34102
239 262-4000
www.furniturecollectionnaples.com

Written by J. A. Damon