Highlights from the World Market Center Las Vegas
The World Market Center Las Vegas closed its winter show Feb. 13, ending a leg-cramp-inducing exhibition of new home furnishings from more than 1,500 manufacturers. One standout was the Franz Collection, launched by artist Francis Chen in hopes of reinvigorating traditional Chinese porcelain. Now his firm has partnered with avant garde Parisian jeweler Jean Boggio, who also has created tablewares for Baccarat. Boggios wildly imaginative lighting, chairs and cabinets for Franz, shown here, were clad with porcelain relief panels depicting intricate botanical patterns. (Isaac Brekken / For the Times)
The leg-cramp inducing exhibition had new home furnishings from more than 1,500 manufacturers.
Elsewhere in the Vegas show, the steamer trunk returned as rugged and portable furniture. Living out of a suitcase never seemed so stylish. The Belgian home accessories firm Chehoma offered a premium take on the classic trunk: a cowhide-upholstered chest with four drawers, each equipped with a leather handle and lined in green canvas. It will sell for about $3,000. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
Luggage detailing, including leather belt straps and handles as well as top-stitching, played heavily in a new furniture collection by manufacturer Three Hands. Shown here are multipurpose chests and a desk. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
The Eppinger standing chest by Interlude looks like a super-sized steamer trunk, but it opens to reveal a crazy amount of storage: drawers, shelves with leather straps and a place for wine bottles and glasses. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
Industrial pendant lights got a modern makeover at the Las Vegas show courtesy of the Canadian design house Nuevo. Cast in acrylic, the firms clear fixtures had the luxe look of cut glass for the price of plastic. The lights run from $100 to $150 each, affordable enough for consumers to install multiples over a kitchen counter or to cluster at staggered heights to create a bolder statement. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
Nuevo’s shades also are available in glossy black and reflective chrome finishes. The Reggio chandelier shown here is expected to retail for about $600. The lighting can be ordered through Blueprint, 8366 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 653-2439; www.blueprintfurniture.com. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
The economy might be as dicey as a craps table, but
Haute House added Ed Hardy-style tattoo prints and glittering peacock decoration to classic French upholstery. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
White lacquer, gold leaf, silk and sequins were signatures of furniture companies clearly convinced that the look wont be fading anytime soon. Here, another chair from Haute House. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
English chairs got a vibrant update in florals and stripes by textile designer William Steger. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
The new Los Angeles furniture studio Luxe Living made a brassy premiere at the Las Vegas market with revved-up versions of
William Steger of Edge started the much-imitated trend of picture frames made of reclaimed painted wood. Now he’s using dozens of his colorful printed fabrics in a collection of upholstered pieces including this sofa, which will retail for about $2,500. Steger, who created vividly floral textile designs for Anthropologie, also turns leftover fabric scraps into stuffed animals and doorstops, including the cat he is holding here. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)
Steger takes a seat in his nailhead-studded Wing chair, adorned with his textiles and appliqued with satin ribbons. For more marketplace trends, click to www.latimes.com/thescout. (Isaac Brekken / For The Times)