New faces and names in youth lines

At the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, more mainstream furniture manufacturers showed a bigger commitment to the youth category. Not only were there debuts from the tried and true vendors like Young America, Lea Inds., Zocalo, Powell and more, a few players ventured into the category in a new or different way.

Manchester Furniture debuted its AJ Kids division with three collections from iconic designer Alexander Julian — Colours, Huston and Lucy. Though Manchester has done youth groups in the past, this is Julian's first foray into the category.

Companies such as SLF and Klaussner made their youth debuts in October and added to their mix in April. SLF showed Swan Lake and Highlands, while Klaussner rolled out is licensed Dick Idol line, Cody & Colt.

When it comes to color, style and design, cottage furniture remains a top seller; almost every manufacturer debuted a cottage look.

"Cottage seems to be most popular," said Joe Keveryn, vice president SLF Select. "We sell more girls groups also, and interestingly enough it's the grandparents who make most of the purchases."

Some furniture manufacturers, like Broyhill, have carried youth collections but they were extensions of best-selling adult groups. In April, it debuted Broyhill Kids, a pure youth line of three groups.

"The marketplace was the driving force behind our decision to venture into youth like this," said Mike McCollum, senior vice president merchandising, bedroom and dining room. "Furniture is specializing and getting more focused in every category."

Though across the board manufacturers say girls groups are hands-down the most frequently purchased collections, many boy and unisex groups debuted.

Beds, always among the signature pieces in youth groups, were available in myriad configurations, though lofts remain one of the top selling.

Lea Inds., for example, bowed three new youth groups, two of which were boys, and Earl Wang, vice president, product, said there are about 100 configurations available with the beds in Deer Run, from tri-bunks, bi-level full beds to twin over full and more, the options abound.

Austin is one of Lea's new boy groups, a brother collection to its popular Spring Garden group. These offerings are designed to be the first "big boy/big girl" bedroom suits children have after they've grown out of the cribs and toddler beds. Austin features a low-loft bed, with separate storage options and the collection is done in a warm oak.

Young America's only High Point debut also was a boys' group, Surfer's Chase. Raffia fronts, louvered details and more distinguished this group. The Young Author's bed was a standout piece with lots of raffia detailing and a built-in reading light.

While dark finishes seem to sell better in general, color continues to make in-roads in youth furniture. Powell debuted Sunday Funnies, an 11-SKU collection whimsically fashioned to look almost cartoon-like and featuring colorful combinations of dandelion, blueberry, honeysuckle and tulip. Though intended for girls 6–10 years old, tweens who've previewed the line call it "funky."

The company kept young kids in mind as well with the debut of a smaller kids desk and chair set, perfect for pre-schoolers or kindergarteners, in a white or red painted finish.

Furniture isn't the only category where color comes through. Accessories, the jewelry for any room, often bring in the color and tell the story all on their own.

Emess brought a bit of hip to its CosmoGirl line with green, gold and yellow flowers on lamp shades while American Kids gave kids a boost with a monogrammed footstool in vibrant green and pink-red.

Emess Design Group has added more than a dozen new pieces to its CosmoGirl line, including this lamp with felt appliqués in citrus shades.

Catching a wave couldn't be cooler with Young America's Surfer's Chase. This collection offered a wide selection of bed options, like the young author's bed with raffia details and a built-in reading light, $1,199.

Judith Edwards Designs' Beach House lamp is made of resin with a cream linen shade.

SLF's Swan Lake features lattice work details, shaped fronts, turned legs and more in a linen finish perfect for a princess's room. Full bed retails for about $299. SLF also showed Highland, a group suitable for boys or girls with a slightly mission feel in a darker finish. And the manufacturer added new finishes of black and cherry in its Seabrook cottage collection.

Princess, a new chair from Rush Inds., features tailoring and lots of details like bows, ties, pleats and more. The nursery-rhyme theme showcases characters from children's poems and retails for about $249–$299.

Austin, the brother group to Lea Inds.'s popular Spring Garden collection, is marketed as a first bedroom group when junior leaves the crib. The warm oak-finished Austin features a low-loft bed, $449, perfect for younger kids. Shown here with the single dresser and bookcase below, it retails for about $999.

A.P. Inds.' new product lineup included this daybed, offered in antique white and weathered ebony finishes. The retail price is $999.

American Kids Furniture introduced its monogrammed kid-size ottoman in faux suede, a perfect addition to the little lady's room.

Powell stepped up its wow factor with the whimsical Sunday Funnies collection. Colors like dandelion, blueberry, honeysuckle and tulip mingle on about 11 case pieces, including a loft bed with built-in shelves underneath and a built-in desk on the end, $849–$899.

Old World is Green Frog Art's first entry into the full-size crib segment, $850.