Furniture Goes Hollywood
The Empire Poster Bed from the Trump Home Central Park Collection. Comb-over not included.
Home Furnishings dealers are going to do whatever they can to get your attention and lately it seems they are relying heavily on the names of famous people and places, both past and present. Years ago, furniture was furniture. It was named by the style or its period in history and your purchasing decision was usually based on three things: your taste, your budget, and perhaps what your neighbors had. But now the market has exploded and because it is so tremendously gargantuan, furniture companies are using familiar names to gain favor with customers. In my eyes, some of the connections are logical while others seem way off base. Having said that, I thought that the topic was worth exploring in more detail.
Tommy Bahama Curacao Reef Round Dining Table and Chairs
The Logical
Certain celebrities or famous places have a unique style all their own that others would like to replicate in their own homes.
Tommy Bahama has 6 collections with Lexington Home Brands: Bungalow, Curacao Reef, Jimbaran Bay, Kingstown, Rumba Del Sol, and Tommy Bahama Home. Through their clothing line, they have quite successfully portrayed an image of easy island living. This translates well into the furnishings lines which are featured in their retail clothing stores.
The Ernest Hemingway Collection from Thomasville has a lot of exotic details built into solid-looking, traditional furniture. Hemingway was a gifted writer who traveled the world on exciting expeditions and this resonates with people.
The Cindy Crawford Home Hudson Cardinal 7 Piece Living Room from Rooms to go. I doubt Cindy's living room has a similar look.
The Barbie Dream Home
Forgive my cynicism but what exactly is the connection between a super-model and a furniture line? The short answer: There is none. Wake up, people. Not only have women been sold a bill of goods when it comes to how we are supposed to look, act and dress, but now these same women are going to tell me what they think I should put in my home. Sorry, sister, I’m not buying it.
The Cindy Crawford Home Collection from Rooms to Go comes to mind first because the television commercials are particularly annoying. Cindy’s strutting down a runway and then tells us that her experience as an international super-model has logically morphed into her becoming a home furnishings expert. Oh Paleeeze!
Kathy Ireland has licensed her name out to so many companies that it’s difficult to keep track. Desks at Staples, lamps, rugs, carpeting, candles, socks (not kidding) and exercise videos. She is seriously working the magic of her name. But I don’t really get what the Kathy Ireland look is.
The Elway Home Classic Motion Sectional from Bassett. Ah, the allure of your husband and his friends getting a little more comfortable.
The Locker Room
For the men who are in on the furniture purchasing decisions in their home, the manufacturers know that sports figures will turn their head.
The Palmer Home Collection from Lexington Home Brands has been around quite a while and has enjoyed widespread appeal among women and men. It used to be a solid American traditional line with heavy influence from his North Carolina home. But now, they also have the Palm Canyon (think Palm Springs) line with a heavy Mediterranean look. I guess you cannot expect Arnie to stay in NC in the winter:-)
Elway Home from Bassett Funiture is sure to attract some attention. In their words: “Rugged good looks, stunning craftsmanship and comfort inspired by legendary Hall of Fame Quarterback and CEO of Elway Home, John Elway”. Entertainment centers that hold big screen TV’s, coffee tables that don’t show scuffs from shoes and sectionals that cradle your body in comfort during those Sunday 12 hour football marathons. All the elements for a man-cave paradise!
So, there you have it. A sampling of what the celebs are doing to get their piece of the home furnishings pie. Please let me know what you think of Celebrity Branding and if it has any impact on your shopping or purchasing decisions. I am curious.
~Lorrie
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Tags: furniture, My Favorite Things
