FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mark E. Smith, Emerson et Cie
336-883-3838
Showroom: South Court of 200 N. Hamilton, Suite 110

 

Emerson et Cie unveils expanded showroom and highlights heirloom quality casegoods and custom upholstery options

 

(High Point, N.C., October 20, 2008) - Emerson et Cie, in its first market since acquiring upholstery partner Bentley Churchill, debuts four new casegoods collections, an exciting array of upholstery and standout occasional pieces in a grand new showroom in the South Court of 200 N. Hamilton.

The expanded 16,000-square-foot showroom reflects the casual European style for which Emerson et Cie has become known.  The space, 60 percent larger than the company's previous showroom, affords Emerson et Cie the opportunity to showcase its entire existing line alongside the new introductions. This Market those include 80 heirloom quality casegoods, upholstered furniture in exotic aged and embossed leathers and fashion-inspired metallic fabrics from Emerson et Cie's own line, and 13 settings of custom upholstery from Bentley Churchill.

"The investments we have made in the company, the showroom and our new products underscore Emerson et Cie's strength in the marketplace and our continued ability to deliver furnishings that meet upper-end homeowners' demand for quality, craftsmanship and style," said President Mark E. Smith.  "Despite some of the challenges that our industry has been facing, our business remains strong and we continue to experience record growth.

"We are optimistic that this market will be among the strongest in our history," he said.

Emerson et Cie brings to Market a large selection of distressed, European casual furniture in classic designs. Many items feature intricate hand detailing such as carving, distressing, raising veneers and applying higher-sheen finishes, as is the trend in decorating today.

The emphasis also is on thoughtful additions that complete the Emerson et Cie line while addressing demands of today's homeowners. For example, more plasma TV cabinets and media storage units are now available. After focusing on wooden dining tables for seven years, Emerson et Cie extends its dining options with three glass-topped pedestal tables. A counter-height Wine Tasting Table responds directly to consumer demand for pub-style tables, while a pet bed in the top-selling Intaglio addresses another untapped niche for Emerson et Cie.

"We're trying to bring in pieces that have been absent from our line," Smith said. "We don't want to duplicate ourselves."

During its 25-year history, Emerson et Cie has distinguished itself as a leading casegoods company. The addition of Bentley Churchill positions the company as a full-service, custom upholstery resource as well. As it has done in for years, Emerson et Cie this Market pioneers looks and techniques not available anywhere else, both in upholstery and casegoods.

The Highlander Chest is one such example. The cherry chest is decorated with raised sapili veneers in a plaid pattern. Creating the pattern, particularly where the lines of sapili veneers intersect, is a painstaking process that requires patience, time and great skill, Smith said.

"From a style standpoint, the Highland Chest is certainly a conversation piece," he said. "But it's also striking for the amount of talent required to execute this look."

In upholstery, Emerson et Cie continues to introduce leathers that bear the patina of age and use. This is accomplished through sanding, brushing and other distressing methods. One notable new leather is quilted in a harlequin pattern, and the seams have been sanded to simulate years of use. In other upholstery selections, Emerson et Cie creates the look of ostrich, reptile and alligator by embossing leather.

Though under the same corporate banner, Bentley Churchill continues to operate as a separate home furnishings brand. Upholstery introductions from Bentley Churchill, which will be on display in the new showroom, include silk, velvet, suede, buffed leather, black-and-white patterns, vibrant prints and metallic fabrics on a variety of frames. Customization and superior quality are hallmarks of Bentley Churchill's designs.

"We have a lot more to offer customers who visit our showroom this Market because of the extra space and the increased number of upholstery offerings available from both Emerson et Cie and Bentley Churchill," Smith said.

As Emerson et Cie expands boldly into upholstery, the company is not abandoning its casegoods and occasional business. In fact, quite the contrary.

Intaglio, Emerson et Cie's standout collection that features raised veneers in a fretwork pattern, expands with the addition of a tea cart, double tray cocktail table, a round dining table and other items.

Other noteworthy introductions include a triple buffed and lacquered black Empire table edged in beechwood, a Mid-century credenza in Zebrano veneers, an Italian-inspired barley twist chest in myrtle burl and acacia, a console table with an open bookcase as its base and a distressed basketweave chest.

Finally, the four new collections cement Emerson et Cie's reputation for trendsetting design that also raises the bar for quality.

Atherton, a small bedroom collection, showcases veneer work to magnificent effect.

Designed to replicate a serpentine upholstered headboard, the Atherton bed features cushioned panels of vacuum-pressed ash burl veneers on the headboard, footboard and side rails. These panels are bordered in Daniella veneers. A nighstand and chest in Atherton feature the same veneer treatments.

Treviso, the first complete bedroom collection from Emerson et Cie, also is notable for its veneers. Treviso borrows its open barley twist design and two-tone finish from a
best-selling occasional table introduced several Markets ago. The new collection combines cracked and aged gemolina (or white teak) and ash burl veneers. Though exhibiting a higher-sheen finish, the collection retains its casual style through heavy distressed. The complete collection offers king or queen bed, nightstand, bachelor's chest and dresser.

A market leader in veneers, Emerson et Cie is equally well known for its hand distressing and finishes on solids. This is clearly evidenced in Rochelle, a three-piece collection of cleanly styled French pieces in mahogany. The Rochelle writing desk, console and game table have beautifully distressed hand-planed tops. Though the style is simple, each piece features hidden drawers, which lend character and provide ingenious storage.

Building upon the popularity of nailhead trim in upholstery, Emerson et Cie introduces Attaché, a one-of-a-kind collection featuring these dramatic accents on casegoods. The solid acacia furniture is decorated with black leather and antique brass nails in bold overscaled patterns and a unique pinwheel design. Attaché includes a large mirror and two plasma TV cabinets with bi-fold doors that open without obscuring the nailhead design.

Emerson et Cie is based in High Point and distributes its line through retailers of fine furniture nationwide and showrooms in Dallas; Denver; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; High Point, N.C.; Houston; Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Metuchen, N.J.; Minneapolis; San Francisco; Santa Ana, Calif.; and Saint Louis.

Bentley Churchill, its upholstery partner since September 2008, is based in Taylorsville, N.C. The company offers a full line of customized upholstery, including sofas, sectionals, beds, chaises, chairs, ottomans, accent chairs and benches. Bentley Churchill designs are sold at higher-end furniture stores and designer showrooms around the country.

Featured introductions for October 2008 from Emerson et Cie include:

3-Drawer Bombé Chest. This classically shaped chest features a two-tone heavily distressed finish in a high sheen. A black rub-through finish provides accents in unexpected places. (Catalog reference 28095)

Paolo Chest of Drawers. Raised sapili veneers in a herringbone pattern accent the drawers and borders of the chest. The feathered inlays give the illusion of intricate carving. (Catalog reference 28105)

Intaglio Tea Cart. Raised veneers accent the removable tray top of this functional, beautiful and practical tea cart. The piece is finished to a high sheen and features brass casters and ferrules. (Catalog reference number 28109)

Intaglio Cocktail Tray Table. A pair of removable trays, adorned with raised intaglio veneers in a scroll design, rests in insets on the oversized cocktail table. The table has a heavily distressed finishes and an interesting scalloped stretcher. (Catalog reference 28116)

Intaglio Round Dining Table. 60 inches. A dramatic plume forms the base of this round dining table. The distressed solid top is accented by an apron of cherry, ash and sapili cross-banded veneers. (Catalog reference 28108)

Highlander Chest. Intricate raised sapili veneers in a black rub-through finish create a plaid pattern on a cherry chest. (Catalog reference 28120)

Wine-Tasting Table. The counter height table features a mosaic of raised veneers atop an iron base. Coordinating counter-height bar stools with memory swivel also are available. (Catalog reference 28119)

Rochelle Writing Desk. The beautifully hand-planed surface of the mahogany writing desk contrasts with the clean French lines. Scaled to function as a sofa table, the desk has a drop-down keyboard tray and two hidden drawers.

(Catalog reference 28115)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mark E. Smith, Emerson et Cie
336-883-3838
Showroom: South Court of 200 N. Hamilton, Suite 110

 

Emerson et Cie expands upholstery business

with acquisition of Bentley Churchill

(High Point, N.C., September 2, 2008) - Emerson et Cie, a leader in casegoods and occasional furniture, has acquired Bentley Churchill, a privately-held upholstery manufacturer based in Taylorsville, N.C.

The acquisition strengthens Emerson et Cie's position as a full-service, custom furnishings resource for its customers and opens the potential for continued growth at the company, said Mark E. Smith, president of Emerson et Cie.

"Our Upholstery business has been an area for growth in the future." Smith said. "Given our existing infrastructure, we didn't have the capability of developing our upholstery business further. With the purchase of Bentley Churchill, that barrier no longer exists. Going forward, we will have the ability to offer our customers a full selection of high quality, custom upholstered furniture."

Emerson et Cie will keep Bentley Churchill's upholstery plant in Taylorsville open and will retain the company's workforce of designers, general managers, production supervisors and plant workers. The acquisition effectively doubles the size of Emerson et Cie's factory workforce. Other terms of the sale were not disclosed.

"Along with the physical assets of the company, we are buying the talent of Bentley Churchill's employees and management," Smith said. "We really believe that we have found the perfect upholstery partner. Bentley Churchill is a complement to Emerson et Cie, in terms of the craftsmanship and quality. Their capabilities within the marketplace, especially in terms of customization, are unsurpassed."

With the purchase of Bentley Churchill, Emerson et Cie expects to grow its upholstery business significantly, while also increasing sales of casegoods and occasional furniture. The acquisition creates certain operational synergies, Smith said, and it should produce growth on a scale that will enable Emerson et Cie to achieve cost savings with its suppliers.

Bentley Churchill, founded in 2003, offers a full-line of customized upholstery, including sofas, sectionals, beds, chaises, chairs, ottomans, accent chairs and benches. Its products are sold at higher-end furniture stores and designer showrooms around the country.

Emerson et Cie, which is moving in a new 16,000-square foot showroom in the South Court of 200 N. Hamilton first floor location, will be showcasing a representative selection of upholstered items from Bentley Churchill during the October High Point Market. A major upholstery introduction is planned for the April High Point Market.

Emerson et Cie, is beginning its 25th year founded by Marvin and Connie Smith, is based in High Point and distributes its line through retailers of fine furniture nationwide and showrooms in Dallas; Denver; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; High Point, N.C.; Houston; Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Metuchen, N.J.; Minneapolis; San Francisco; Santa Ana, Calif.; and Saint Louis.