Youth business brisk in Vegas

Vendors up the ante with more cribs, storage options

By Tanya K. Merritte -- Kids Today, 3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Exhibitors at January's Las Vegas furniture market reported brisk business, with several introducing product at the show.

Los Angeles-based John Boyd Designs is manufacturing cribs for the first time and is getting back into bunk beds as part of a big push into youth, said Tom Carscaden, national sales manager. The manufacturer, known for its casual cottage looks, showed a convertible crib from its Nantucket collection that retails for $599.

Cribs also were on the floor of Simmons Juvenile Furniture's space. Keith Bluestein, director of sales, said he was pleased with the response.

"Adult furniture stores said pregnant moms are coming in looking for infant furniture," he said.

Powell showed its colorful Tommy collection, which pays tribute to the classic Tinker Toys. The corners and feet on the case goods feature wood discs in a natural finish, mixed with bold red, blue, yellow and green painted surfaces with the wood grain showing through. Pieces include a TV stand with two shelves and storage drawers retailing at $259 and a five-drawer chest with a safety glass mirror retailing at $499.

Tween and teen looks also were represented in Vegas, with manufacturers looking to create more sophisticated styles for the fickle crowd.

"We are targeting the teen consumer because it's a growing market," said Scott Sandberg, sales manager with Sandberg Furniture, which launched three tween/teen groups.

Storage remained a big story in youth, with manufacturers looking to pack as many options as possible into a small footprint. All-in-one lofts, which typically include a bed, shelves, drawers and desk, were on display at myriad showrooms including William's Imports Co., Emerald Home Furnishings and Trendwood.

Trendwood also debuted a storage unit dubbed the Rack 'em Stack 'em Storage Organizer. The consumer can use the unit with shelves at $199, or add a set of three drawers for an additional $59.

Similarly, Berg previewed a unit tentatively called Berg's Smart Closet. The system is composed of shelf, drawer and hanging basket components that can be customized to fit the needs of the customer.

John Boyd Designs' Nantucket convertible crib, $599, is offered in 26 finishes with the option of American maple tops. A coordinating changing table/dresser also is available.

Berg's Smart Closet is composed of drawer, shelf and hanging basket components that can be customized to fit the child's storage needs. The components are offered in five finishes and the colored baskets come in hot pink, blue and black.

Powell's Tommy collection features bright primary colors and a fun Tinker-Toy-like design. The bunk bed retails for $699.

Little Farmhouse features hand-carved relief elements in springy pastel shades. In addition to the toy chest and lamp, the collection from Guidecraft USA includes a rocker, table and chair set, step stool and more.

Kids Line's popular Ladybug crib bedding is now available in twin size and features a motif of the little bug on a light green and pastel pink background.

Sandberg targets the tween market with the domestically-made Sunflower group, which features a slat sleigh bed available in either twin or full in dual shades of lemon and lime.

Hallmart Collectibles showed its new line of Kathy Ireland juvenile bedding, including Camo pink, which mixes a camouflage print with funky sequin trim. The comforter and sham are sold in a duffel bag, and the set coordinates with a rug from Shaw Living (shown in the background).

Legare's student desk snaps together without tools and includes under-desk storage with two shelves and a rolling file cart, plus an outside shelf that can be attached at one of three levels. Available in strawberries and cream and blueberries and cream finishes.

William's Imports showed a boys group finished in cherry with distressed black drawer fronts and bed panels. The twin bed retails for $340 and the night stand is $170.

Bedtime debuted an embellished girls group designed to hit aggressive price points. Sophia includes a full range of cases and poster and panel bed options, both available in twin and full.

Kush's Carmel Creek cottage group is available in a cream or black rubbed-through finish with cherry-finished knobs and tops.

Little Treasures from South Shore Inds. is a classic country-style group with storage options, including a bin in the base of the night stand for books, toys or other small playthings.

Tradewins has added the Cottage bed to its lineup of colorful loft systems. A twin bed is at the top and the bottom can accommodate a twin or full-size bed or can be left empty for play, $999.

Jamison from Emerald Home is made of birch veneers and features distressed black paint on the drawer fronts and panels. The loft, with drawers, shelves and a desk, retails for $899.

Loft has changed the upholstered back panel of its Athena crib, which debuted in the fall. The red and white gingham print has been replaced with a more feminine peachy pink fabric.

Legacy Classic Kids has added a daybed to its popular Enchantment group, which features round metal drawer pulls and carved details along the back panel.

The Rack 'em Stack 'em storage organizer, $199, from Trendwood is available in a vertical or horizontal orientation. The shelves can be used just as they are or with a set of drawers for more organization.