Martha Stewart Signature(TM) Furniture Introduces Additions to Collections

Furniture World Magazine

With the continued success of Martha Stewart Signature(TM) Furniture with Bernhardt, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSO) and Bernhardt Furniture Company announced that the brand label was expanded at the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina. The two companies introduced 43 new SKUs, including additions to each of the three case goods collections- Lily Pond(R), Skylands(TM), and Turkey Hill(TM)-as well as to the range of upholstery options. The new items will be available to consumers at furniture retailers nationwide in March 2005. "Consumer reaction to the Lily Pond, Skylands, and Turkey Hill Collections continues to be extremely favorable," said Alex Bernhardt, Sr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bernhardt Furniture Company. "Consumers love our unique twist on traditional, classic design, our rich color palette, and special fabrics and finishes. As a result, we've expanded our selection, providing consumers with even more choices for decorating their homes. We're offering exciting new designs and finishes, as well as supplementing existing groups with additional pieces." The Skylands Collection, inspired by Martha's stone house located off the coast of Maine, will now include 18 new SKUs. In addition to five new dining room pieces, six occasional tables, one home office cabinet, and three occasional pieces, the collection will be augmented with three pieces that join the popular Penobscot bedroom group. The gracious yet relaxed style of the Skylands Collection is characterized by grand proportions, fine carving, and striking new finishes, including lustrous Palladium and Gilt metal finishes. The Lily Pond Collection will be supplemented by eight new SKUs, which continue to embody the casual, seaside beauty of Martha's shingle-style home on the eastern shore of Long Island. A deep Blackstrap wood finish distinguishes a new bedroom group of seven pieces, while an office cabinet in Espresso joins the faux bamboo Tides Turn group. Two new SKUs extend the Turkey Hill(TM) Collection, which is based on Martha's 1805 farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut. These new pieces include a metal bed with a striking mixture of Blackened Brass finish and brass ornamental accents, and a versatile and comfortable rolling desk chair to complete the Wallingford home office group. The 15 additions to the upholstery assortment include sofas, love seats, armchairs, and ottomans that blend elegance and indulgence with simplicity and style. Consumers will also be able to choose from 21 new fabric options. The new upholstery designs include an exposed-wood frame sofa with plush, overstuffed cushions and a curved-back sofa offering a soft, luxurious feel. Low-slung armchairs with wooden frames or button backs, and an oversized tufted ottoman complete the new design offerings. With these additions, the Martha Stewart Signature Furniture with Bernhardt upholstery assortment now includes 102 SKUs. The wide range of upholstery options is designed to complement all three case goods collections. Sharon Patrick, MSO's President and CEO, said, "Industry acclaim and consumer approval continue to validate our belief that the Martha Stewart Signature brand label offers the ultimate value proposition: high quality, style, and affordability. In fact, it is precisely this consumer recognition and associated demand that enables us, working with the venerable Bernhardt Furniture Company, to expand the offerings in our unique Martha Stewart Signature Collections. We take great delight in the satisfaction and enjoyment of increasing numbers of discerning American consumers." "Our product development team has created wonderful new pieces, designed especially to complement each other, offering a decorating solution for every room," said Gael Towey, Senior Executive Vice President and Creative Director of MSO. "Our thoughtfully designed range of products now includes more beautiful, practical, and well-priced possibilities to add to the character of any home. Attention to fine craftsmanship, a thoughtful approach to classic furniture design, and the refined proportions of our pieces continue to be trademarks of our Signature brand." Martha Stewart Signature(TM) Furniture with Bernhardt offers 155 SKUs in its three case goods collections: Lily Pond(R), Skylands(TM), and Turkey Hill(TM). With distinctive color palettes, special finishes, and unique hardware, each collection has its individual character, yet consumers can also combine pieces from any of the three groups to create their own decorating scheme. Whatever the combination, the furniture will represent Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's design expertise, delivered with the manufacturing and distribution strengths of Bernhardt Furniture Company. The Martha Stewart Signature(TM) brand also offers coordinated paints and floor coverings, including carpet, hardwood, tile and stone, laminate, and linoleum. A team of design experts has carefully coordinated all of the components, providing the consumer with a total decorating solution. For any piece of furniture a consumer selects, there are paints and floor coverings that will perfectly complement it. All of the products are distinguished by their vibrant use of color, careful attention to detail, high-quality materials, and affordability. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSO) is a leading provider of original "how-to" information that turns dreamers into doers, inspiring and engaging consumers with unique lifestyle content and high-quality products. MSO is organized into four business segments: Publishing, Television, Merchandising, and Internet/Direct Commerce. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSO. The Bernhardt family has been crafting fine furniture since 1889. Located in western North Carolina, the company produces a broad line of custom-built upholstered furniture in both contemporary and traditional styles, as well as quality wood furniture for the dining room, living room, and bedroom-all with unmatched value.