Fall Market High Point 2017

[drcollie]

I made a 1-day trip to the High Point Market today, just a blast down and back (9 hours driving, 6 hours at Market) and only went to the showrooms of my existing suppliers (Kindel/Karges/Councill, Jonathan Charles, Century, Taylor King, Jessica Charles, Hancock and Moore). I have to say, no one has a showroom like Hancock and Moore, I think its the best I've ever seen it. It just blows away everyone else. Their designs almost jump out at you with their boldness and execution, whereas other showrooms (particularly Century's) seem ... well....timid and a bit bland by comparison. I took several photos of pieces and will post there here as time allows, expect to see a few a day. I also ordered several pieces for floor stock, there were just too many good items not to. A few highlights:

* Hancock and Moore FINALLY - FINALLY built a lady's size recliner! I've been after them relentlessly and this market they did it - and even gave me credit in their national sales meeting yesterday for getting them to do it. I asked a number of women (whom I did not know!) to try it out and give me their impressions. They all gave it a huge thumbs up - and its targeted at the ladies 5' to 5' 7" tall. Ladies, now we have a recliner for you to sit in where your feet touch the ground and your back gets fully set against the back cushion. No longer will like you are sitting in a man's recliner with your legs dangling. Photos to follow.

* The new "Your Way" series Motion pieces blew me away. Wait until you see the photos of these - they have a brand new Leggett and Platt mechanism (power only) that not only does the conventional recliner operation but has a articulating headrest that moves forward and back. It's ground-breaking, and my understanding is the only other company that has it right now is Bradington-Young (I did not get to their showroom on the other side of town). This will be huge in the market place, its a game changer in motion furniture as you can adjust the angle of your head AFTER you get the piece reclined where you want it to be. Sofas and chairs, both.

* My new favorite conventional man's recliner is the Monaco. Wow. What a recliner. Fits me perfect and looks great, too.

* A whole series of Crypton Performance fabrics are now in the line at H&M, samples will arrive at the dealers in a few months.

* I also learned today that Jimmy Moore & Jack Glasheen (founders of Hancock and Moore) will be retiring end of the year. So too, will Gloria Carson who is the Office Manager and lead Customer Service Manager, she was their very first employee in 1982 when they started. While I can't say this was totally unexpected, I was nonetheless stunned to hear the news. They are like family to me and I will miss them all terribly. Gloria in particular, because she could fix ANY issues that came up with a customer's order. She was always my go-to person when something needed to get done and done quickly! Jimmy and Jack built one of the finest upholstery companies in the world from their initial investment of $ 50,000 each (and that was all the money they had at the time) and they did it right, with integrity and honor. And for those of you that have ever taken a factory tour of Hancock and Moore with Jimmy, it's likely you had a blast and will never forget it. If you haven't had a tour with Jimmy Moore, you still have a couple of months to get one.
Tim Rogers will take over the helm the first of the year at H&M, and he's been there many years already - I know him well - and he will keep up the traditions we've come to expect from the brand.

Looking at my photos today - they are a disaster. A setting was incorrect on my camera and I didn't catch it, so all will have to be run through Photoshop to try and correct as best I can, many were not usable. Sorry! Will post them as best I can, and it will take some time to do them all due to the correction process.