David Francis Furniture :: Blog

I just finished reading Fast Company's latest issue, which centers on The United States of Design. In the editor's column he poses the following question:

Will design act as the next booster rocket of the American economy, helping to energize new businesses in the same way Silicon Valley has done over the past few decades?

It may sound like a romantic notion, but I like to think that there is nothing that good design can't acheive. Especially now, when great design is available at at every price point...from Target to Mercedes. 

They say great ideas are borne out of necessity. And, as an economy and a nation, we need inspiration and purpose.

So is the editor's question all fluff or within our grasp? What do you think?

I love that artists and craftsmen from around the globe are able to find buyers via the Internet. My latest obsession is CustomMade.com. Seeing what other designers are doing inspires me. Many are very concerned with the environment. Most are doing things that are totally original.

Check it out - www.custommade.com.

I sat through a webinar last week by Pantone, which outlined color trends for 2012. It was a fun presentation that touched on why certain colors are hot right now. There is usually an emotional reason - wanting to feel tranquil, moody, etc. Here's are a few points that I learned:

A "mysterious" palette is popular - this is dominated by blues and greys.

Metallics are hot.

Honeysuckle continues to be popular - it's a punchy, fresh color...and in times like these, we want to feel happy!

We used Honeysuckle on some chairs for a show in South Beach and they looked great. Not sure, personally, I could live with them, but I wouldn't mind the pink in small doses around a room.

I've kept this under wraps for a few weeks as details were being hammered out, but now I can make an announcement. David Francis will be on the floors of the Robert Allen showrooms in NYC, Houston and Las Vegas!

We are so excited. We love Robert Allen and know it's going to be a winning combination! Showroom Managers have selected product and it's in production...to be on floors by mid-June!

Furniture trends are led by fashion trends. What we see coming off the runway now are lots of 70s-inspired looks. So, how will that translate to the home? I'm thinking beautiful bohemian prints or leather; a vintage-modern vibe on furniture. I'm envisioning laid back and casual.

Thoughts?

Just like most companies, we have a vision statement:

At David Francis we believe furniture should reflect and fulfill the owner’s physical, social and aesthetic desires.  That’s why we offer comfortable, timeless styles, handcrafted to last for generations.  This bridging of form and function, of contemporary appeal with classic lines, is inherent in every one of David Francis Furniture’s exclusive designs.

I like it, but I think it's time for an update. We aren't the same company we were years ago. We've evolved. We now put a huge emphasis on design, exclusivity and natural materials.

I also think our vision statement should be a little simpler; something that everyone, company-wide, can digest and believe in.

What will our updated vision statement be? Stay tuned.

In my opinion, one of the most eco-friendly things you can do is to buy items (clothing, cars, furniture, etc.) that are constructed to last, so they aren't just chucked into a landfill. In that same vein, restoring furniture can be a very "green" move.

We've recently been restoring furniture at private clubs. The chairs didn't necessarily come from our line, but our team is able to color match and repair these pieces to like-new status. The result: gorgeous chairs and money saved!

A customer of ours, Page 2 Design, just launched a beautiful, new website at www.verointeriors.com.

While perusing her site, we were excited to come across the photo below, that features our Bel Air Wing Chairs and our classic St. Bart's coffee table. Most designers specify brown/wood tones on their pieces, so it was fun to see the painted finish on the table. And the fabric she chose is fab!

I love rattan! I use it in the majority of my designs. However, when many people think of rattan, images of "The Golden Girls'" decor are conjured up. Well, I hope to change that. Enter: the Shoji Chair.

I think I've succeeded in creating a modern and exciting chair with the use of rattan and cane. In the Aged Chinese Red finish, it takes on an Asian Contemportary vibe. But, it could easily be transformed into something "cottagey" (in an antique white), shabby-chic in grey or transitional in Golden Mahogany.

What do you think?

We won the 2010 Pinnacle Award for Stationary Upholstery! The Fairmont Lounge Chair took the honor!

I am so excited, as this was the 5th time I was nominated and I was starting to feel like the Susan Lucci of the Pinnacles.

Check out the chair below.