In addition to the technicolor show, there were a few other standouts at this spring’s International Home Furnishings Market:
Two faces of Larry: New York designer Larry Laslo, known for walking on the wilder side with bright colors and interpretations of ’30s and ’40s movie star glamor for Directional Furniture Co., showed another, more subdued side with his debut collection for Bexley Heath Ltd.
Laslo’s 15-piece Moderne Collection collection is inspired by the Modern design of Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Jean-Michel Franc and leading 1920s Cubists. Standouts included the sculptural console in Indian rosewood (about $5,800); the entertainment center with doors in either leather, faux sharkskin or wood ($7,900); and the sofa with a mahogany frame and pullout drink tray (about $6,000).
For Directional, Laslo showed his adventurous hand, scattering lipstick-red accessories on a taupe chenille-covered Zen sectional ($6,000). In his Icon Collection, he covered a Modern-inspired chair and ottoman in a metallic plum leather with a dusty sheen ($2,500 for both).
Fashion forward: In its Borders Country Collection, Baker Furniture Co. turned the spotlight on a far-from-extraordinary lounge chair by dressing it in chocolate mohair ($2,816 to $3,717).
Ups and downs: Multipurpose design was at its best in Baker’s Gothic Etagere ($7,937 in walnut). Based on an 1860 Irish design, the etagere can shrink, lowering the three shelves, transforming the piece into a buffet.
He scores!: Detroit Pistons forward Grant Hill (a native of North Carolina) lent his name to a 75-piece collection of youth bedroom designs for Lea Industries. Some pieces in the Grant Hill Collection feature basketball motifs, including the hand-painted armoire whose doors resemble the inside of a locker ($999).
Easy does it: Hector Ruiz of his Mexico-based Ruiz T Signature introduced new understated iron and wood styles. The Bolero armoire/entertainment center with pocket doors ($2,800 to $3,000; shown on cover) says more about style with less–just smooth Central American mahogany and hand-forged handles.
