The World Market Center in Las Vegas, the West Coast counterpart to The International Home Furnishings Market, known in the trade as the High Point Market, in High Point, N.C., just held its summer/fall market week. Part of the events was the introduction of the new partnership between GuildMaster and Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell in GuildMaster’s expanded showroom in the Las Vegas Design Center. Ashwell is the creator of the Shabby Chic brand, which for 20 years has embraced slip-covered furniture, distressed tables, vintage finds and antique styles.
Shabby Chic offers high-end outlets in Los Angeles, New York City and London and also licenses their Simply Shabby Chic line for Target retail stores. GuildMaster CEO Steve Crowder said that GuildMaster’s license with Shabby Chic will be between Ashwell’s high-end offerings at her three stores and the Simply Shabby Chic line with upholstery and accessories to appeal to budget-minded consumers.
GuildMaster specializes in designing, manufacturing and delivering home accents to retailers across the United States. The company serves more than 3,000 retail accounts, including OfficeMax, Home Depot, Neiman Marcus and Sears-The Great Indoors.
“Shabby Chic was success during the previous recession and we are seeing a Shabby Chic revival during this recession,” Crowder said.
“What Shabby Chic is all about is furniture you can flop down on. It is all about comfort with style. Ashley wants is for people to enjoy where they live and not to worry if they spill something. This isn’t about walking into a room that everything is perfect. It is not a lifestyle by appointment.
“This style is not for everyone. But it does have a mass appeal and all the details from the color to the fabric to the distressed areas are chosen with care and offer that unique appeal to her line.”
According to Crowder, at Ashwell’s seminar held during market week, she said, “I don’t follow trends, trends follow me,” and he couldn’t agree more.
Crowder also said that the company has seen phenomenal results with its Las Vegas showroom. “Our last Las Vegas Market in September was up 30 percent over the prior year. We are adding new customers that we would not reach if we were not in Las Vegas. Because of these sales results, we doubled our showroom space to build a bigger presence in Las Vegas Design Center.”
Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas is a year-round resource for consumers and designers showcasing top names in fine furniture, decorative accessories, wall décor, lighting, floor coverings, fabrics and trim. The facility, including GuildMaster, is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.lvdesigncenter.com.
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