Most Popular Wall Unit Styles For 1998 -Northwest Hardwoods

Furniture World Magazine

Dispelling the 20" Century Meisian concept that form follows function, designers have established that both have equal value in this post-modem furniture era. The contemporary-transitional collections have steadily diminished in numbers with American Traditional taking over the lead spot for the past few markets. It is interesting to note that the Americanization of style has updated Roman metal base. The massive " southwestern" has been simplified with smaller scale units and the rustic "cabin" has become a more refined "cottage" treatment. The three classifications of French which were country, provincial and court are now identified as Early American, Colonial and Federal. All of the 18th Century classics which of necessity had to be "Americanized" during the Revolutionary war, have returned with special favor. As for the dominant furniture item for the next millennium, expect the acquisition of the modular wall or entertainment unit to set the theme of personalized room decor. The widest selection is identified as American Traditional at 38.8% of showroom spaces. Contemporary - transitional is again at second position with 34.5% which is a partial return to the 1995-96 pattern of 40%. English traditional at 8.3% and French combined traditional at 7.4% are a slight change from past years. This change is reflected in the combined Italian-Spanish groups at 8.4%. Part of this growth is due to reclassification of Mexican and rustic western styles. Oriental at 2.6% matches the 1995 and 1996 pattern in the west. The major changes in wood species was the drop in pine and the growth of the maple-birch category. Pine dropped from last summer (27.5%) to a more modest pattern of 18.2% which is still in second place behind the combined red and white oak of 31.0%. Cherry was replaced as the third most popular wood at 9.7% by the combined Pacific Coast maple, hard (sugar) maple and birch at 11.2% of the summer furniture presentations. Alder held its own at 5.6% with many classic traditional offerings, some with special sculptured embellishments. Walnut was presented with more groups and combined with its country cousin pecan-hickory accounted for 3.0% Geometric patterns with burls and some exotic woods totaled 4.9% of market designs. Painted wall units increased to 3.6% plus many pedestals and part painted units on display. Plastic and printed units were widely exhibited, but the tabulation shows only 3.8%. With a special breakout of the "nude" or natural finishes, there was a re-alignment of the light tone categories. Adding tan and honey, bleach and gray tones and the usual light browns, over half of the furniture manufacturers opted for light finishes. Even the popular "fruitwood" finishes were being shown in a light warm tone. The cordovan and dusky red tones held at 8.4%, a 20% drop from last year. Walnut and oiled oak was just slightly up at 12.5% as was painted at 3.7% of the showroom spaces.