National Geographic Society Unveils Latest Home Collection At High Point

Furniture World Magazine

The National Geographic Home Collection, which launched with tremendous success last October will unveil its latest line of furniture and home accessories at the High Point International Home Furnishings Market Oct. 14-20, 2004. Like the first collection, each piece has been inspired by the cultures National Geographic has explored and captured on film for over a century and reflects the spirit of adventure and exploration of the National Geographic brand. The nine licensees behind the brand include Lane Home Furnishings, Palecek, Toyo, Sferra Bros., Sugo, Wildwood, Zrike, iPHOTOART, Inc., and the new rug licensee, Sphinx by Oriental Weavers. As with the last collection, National Geographic looked to its own archives and explorers for inspiration. There are two collections behind this new line -- the South America Collection and the Marrakech Collection. The South America Collection draws inspiration from the Andes Mountains. Spanning the western edge of South America, they are a looming yet beautiful reminder of the continent's long and varied history. From indigenous natives to European settlers, the unique blend of cultures has brought a definitive style to the region's designs. Merging mysterious native traditions with classic colonial influences, the exceptional South America Collection captures the enchantment of spacious terraces, arresting vistas and terra-cotta tiled roofs. Elegant wood carvings, finely tooled leathers, softly woven textiles and intricately forged wrought iron details are reminiscent of local artisan craftsmanship that has flourished through the Andean region since the time of the Inca. This year National Geographic and the licensing design teams behind the Home Collection went on an extraordinary 10-day trip to South America for inspiration. They visited local craftsmen and weavers as well as private homes, museums, palaces and national landmarks to fully capture the way of life behind the cultures they have represented in the South America Collection. “The best way for us to capture the cultures and flavors of the lands we were interpreting was to witness firsthand life in the Andes,” said Krista Newberry, vice president, licensing, soft lines. “Almost every piece within the collection can be traced back to a specific fabric, photograph or artifact from our trip.” “It was a privilege to travel with the National Geographic team,” said Allan Palecek, president and founder of Palecek. “They have so much knowledge about the various cultures of the region, and I was truly inspired by the rich blend of history, architecture and design.” The Marrakech Collection was inspired by the magical ambience of the lush, luxurious oasis at the edge of the barren Sahara Desert. Blending design traditions from North Africa's eclectic influences with contemporary European ornamentation, a sophisticated 21st -century collection with a global aesthetic emerges. Durable woods carved with elaborate geometric patterns, precisely woven area rugs and soft, inviting textiles in a vibrant, rich palette are the hallmark of Moroccan design. Decorative motifs with strong dimensions that add both texture and color create a mesmerizing fusion of Moroccan, Mediterranean and French elements. For more information on the National Geographic Home Collection, log on to www.nghome.com. About National Geographic: Founded in 1888, the National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Its mission is to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural, historical and natural resources. National Geographic reflects the world through magazines, television programs, films, books, videos, maps, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society's official journal, published in 24 languages, is read by some 40 million people each month in every country in the world. The National Geographic Channel reaches more than 220 million households in 26 languages in 148 countries. Nationalgeographic.com averages around 50 million page views per month. National Geographic has funded over 7,500 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geography illiteracy. For more information, log on to nationalgeographic.com, AOL Keyword: NatGeo.