David Francis Furniture :: Blog

Mad for Mod

David — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 09:01:00 -1100

Modern rattan...it's no longer an oxymoron! Next month, at High Point Market, I'm debuting some brand new pieces with a completely modern vibe. This is a departure from the transitional designs I'm known for, yet they still carry the graceful lines indicitive of David Francis Furniture.

I've included a few of my favorites below and I can't wait to hear reaction at Market!

The Madrid Chair

The Stockholm Chair

The Aura Chair

We Did it Again!

David — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 08:18:00 -1100

David Francis Furniture has been named a finalist in the 2013 Pinnacle Awards! Our Operations Manager, Timothy Ledford, designed the Pastiche Chest which earned a top spot in the “Green Leaf” category (recognizes eco-friendly home goods). This is the sixth year David Francis Furniture has been chosen and a first for Tim.

The Pastiche Chest is handmade in the USA, in our Vero Beach, FL factory. North American maple is used in the construction of this piece. For the veneer, scraps of rattan, a rapidly-renewable resource, are re-purposed. Each piece is hand-cut into diamond shapes and placed, with special attention going into the artistic design. The powder-coated steel hardware is also created locally. Finishes are hand-rubbed and highlighted with low-VOC products.

The Chest is one of 14 pieces in the Pastiche Collection, which includes headboards, case pieces and a mirror. The entire collection is pending US copyright.

Other finalists include such prestigious names as Brown Jordan, Phillips Collection, Candice Olsen and Century Furniture. Winners for the 2013 Pinnacle Award will be announced at an awards dinner during the International High Point Market in October. Go Tim!

Orange: My Next Big Thing

David — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 06:07:00 -1100

I want to make a big impression with our display at High Point Market. Not only is it our return to Market, but we will be in Interhall…THE place to see the latest and greatest.

So, what do we have planned? A hot new finish color! It’s a chic orange that we’re calling “Monarch”.

Monarch is a sophisticated, yet fun orange hue inspired by the classic Hermes orange. Orange, to me means many things: power, richness, exuberance and ethnicity. The word “Monarch” refers to the lively color of the butterfly, but also of royalty. I feel it’s a perfect name for this multi-faceted finish.

Monarch will be featured on select furniture pieces in our Interhall Booth and it will be set off against dramatic black walls and pops of white throughout the display. The phenomenal design team of Barbour-Spangle is helping us with our display vision.

I know the end result will be fabulous!

Hospitality Projects Offer Unique Challenges

David — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 04:48:00 -1100

Designing for the hospitality industry can be a whole different animal than designing for the home. Interior designers tackle a whole host of issues not necessarily present in home design. Functionality is key; safety is a huge consideration, as is durability. Budgets are enforced more so, as are deadlines. It can be a high-pressure job!

In designing furniture for hospitality projects, I also have to think in a slightly different way. In 2007, we started offering hospitality furniture. Most of our pieces met any construction requirements, as quality and strength have always been important to me. For instance, I’ve always used stretchers on many of my chairs. And all table bases are always steel-reinforced. The durability factor comes into play not only because hospitality projects are high-use, but also because Americans seem to be growing and chairs have to be wide enough and strong enough to accommodate this trend.

In terms of safety, case goods, tabletops, and chair arms must all have eased corners. Fortunately, I love graceful lines in my furniture as opposed to sharp edges.

The biggest challenge for me was in the weaves I use. They must be tight to avoid unraveling and they can’t snag clothing, poke people, etc. Rattan has actually proven to be a fabulous material for hospitality because of its smoothness and resilience.

I love being specified for hospitality projects. In all of them, my furniture has been placed in highly-visible areas, like lobbies and dining rooms. One of the best compliments I’ve ever received from a designer is that my furniture is the “jewelry in the room.”

In closing, I'll leave you with one of my favorite installation images...my Sofia Chairs at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

And Now We Wait…

David — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:37:00 -1100

We just submitted our entry for the 2013 Pinnacle Award. Every year, we apply for this prestigious award, given by the American Society of Furniture Designers. In years past, we’ve been a finalist for such designs as our Manhattan Chair, Tradewinds Dining Collection and our Fairmont Lounge Chair, which actually won! As a finalist, we were always impressed with the level of competition and the other brands we are being compared with.

2013 marks the first year that we submitted a design created by a staff member other than David, Tim Ledford. Tim has run our factory for over a decade. He’s a master woodworker and finisher. He possesses that rare right brain/left brain combination that allows him to have both creativity in design and a knack for sound engineering and construction. We are simply wild about the collections that Tim has designed and manufactured, especially the Pastiche. So, we chose the Pastiche Chest as our stand-out for the Pinnacle Award.

The Pastiche Chest is made in the USA (in our Florida factory) out of North American maple. Tim skillfully repurposed scraps of rattan, a rapidly-renewable resource, into a fabulous veneer. Each piece of rattan is hand-cut into asymmetrical diamond shapes and put into place, with special attention going into the artistic design. The irregular pattern makes each piece unique and the texture allows for the finish colors to deepen the dimensional effect.

The Pastiche Chest is available in 34 standard finishes – from warm browns to painted whites to trendy greys – plus custom color match. This makes the piece extremely transitional. It would look “beachy” in grey; “cottage-chic” in white; or modern in ebony. Finishes are hand-rubbed and highlighted with low-VOC products.

The Chest is one of 14 pieces in this collection, which includes headboards, case pieces and a mirror. The entire collection is pending US copyright.

We will know closer to the Fall if we are a finalist, as the awards ceremony is during High Point Market in October. We will be on pins and needles until then. Wish us luck!

Call it a Comeback - High Point Market, Here We Come!

David — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:49:00 -1100

I am on Cloud Nine! We just got word that we've been accepted as an exhibitor in Interhall at the October 2013 High Point Market!

Interhall is the place to be seen. So many fabulous brands have been shown there, including Ann Gish, Bungalow 5, Made Goods and More.

Now the planning begins...what products to show, what colors to showcase, etc. We've come up with a concept to show two sides of David Francis in one booth - transitional and modern. It will be of utmost importance to show these two personalities of our brand, while still making them relate to one another.

I will post regular updates as I have them. Cheers!

Below are some great booth designs from past Markets...

Amy Howard Home

Oomph

Selamat

Hospitality Projects

David — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:05:00 -1100

Although we are known for residential furniture, we’ve been lucky to supply David Francis Furniture to some of the world’s most fabulous clubs, hotels, and resorts.
True, we aren’t the company to go to when you need 1,000 stackable plastic chairs. But, when an interior designer is looking to create a residential feeling in their hospitality projects, I’m their guy!
So, allow me to name drop a bit…I’ve supplied:

-    Armoires in the spa for Disney Cruise Lines
-    Wing Chairs in the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
-    Dining chairs at Bristol Hotel in Panama
-    Lobby furniture at Bahama Breeze restaurants

You can find a more hospitality installations HERE.

One of the biggest compliments of my career is when a designer told me she specifies my furniture in common areas to give a “wow factor.” I love that a single piece of David Francis can serve as inspiration for the entire room!

Below are a few images from my hospitality projects – I hope you enjoy!

The Colony Hotel

The Four Season Kapalua

Jonathan's Landing - Jupiter, FL

Ritz-Carlton Kapalua

Interior Design Trends: Will 80s Décor Make a Comeback?

David — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:54:00 -1100

Every era makes a comeback. We’ve seen lots of 1980s influences in fashion in the past few years, so does that mean it will come around again in interiors?

When I think 80s, I see visions of unicorns, airbrushing, splatter paint, neon, lacquer and acrylic. I definitely think these old trends could be updated and tastefully incorporated into today’s designs (OK, maybe not unicorns).

While you ponder whether or not you’d like to bring the 80s back to your projects, check out these “totally rad” photos of sweet pads from that decade:

The Golden Girls were mainstream 80s style to a tee. They do have Chippendale Chairs, so it’s not all bad!

Geometric and bright. I’m sure Duran Duran was blasting on that cassette deck.

Photo found on mirror80.com

Shades of rose buff, seafoam and white enrobe the centerpiece of the room: a waterbed. Raise your hand if you had one of those!

Photo from UglyHousePhotos.com

Love it or hate it, I'm positive we will see some 80s trends soon. Which would you bring back?

Wonderful Rattan

David — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:57:00 -1100

It’s no secret that I love to work with rattan. Rattan in furniture dates way back to the Egyptians. I remember seeing a King Tut exhibit and I marveled at a cane chair, centuries old, still intact (try that, Ikea!).

I love rattan’s eco-friendly nature. We use rattan that is reforested in protected areas, so it doesn’t interrupt the existing ecosystem. Rattan typically takes between 4 and 17 years to harvest, so is much faster than traditional hardwoods. Both the poles and the outer skin are used in making furniture – so there is no waste!

Lastly, I am drawn to working with rattan because of its strength and flexibility. It can be bent and twisted in so many interesting configurations. I hope that more up-and-coming furniture designers start to explore what can be done with rattan. It can truly be made into a work of art.

Below are some images of modern rattan furniture…pretty impressive!

A Few Themes at High Point

David — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 03:59:00 -1100

We are back from a whirlwind trip to High Point Market where we spent a quick 24 hours touring endless showrooms and getting a feel for what’s trending in the home industry. Most of our time was spent in Interhall, which is touted as the place for cutting-edge products. Here’s what we noticed…

Manufacturers are using a plethora of materials. Plastic, metal, stone, mirror, resin and more were used to add interest to furniture. With so many materials, I can safely say the “trend” is no trend at all. Any taste can be met. I particularly liked the stone, as I favor natural materials in furniture.

In terms of finishes, we saw less traditional wood stains and instead hues (or lack thereof) on drastic ends of the spectrum – either raw/rustic pieces or thickly painted, bright and saturated colors.
The bright trend was repeated on accent pillows and walls. I hope this is due to a more positive attitude shift in America – we need more “happy!”

Lastly, the honeycomb pattern is hot right now and could be seen on everything from accessories to dining tables. This is fortunate for us, as I just got a sample in of a new honeycomb headboard I designed. What do you think?

Were you at High Point Market? What did you love?

High Point Bound!

David — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:41:00 -1100

We are headed to High Point Market to peruse the latest and greatest in the furniture industry. It’s always a thrill to see how trends are translated from runway to home; what the current buzz is in our world and gawk at the biggest color trends.

Here is what I am most focused on…

1. I will be paying special attention to outdoor furniture. So far, my new outdoor collections have been well-received, but I am always looking to do something different.

2. I will also explore the hottest finish colors. No doubt, we will see bright, happy hues, but I have a suspicion that metallics will also be hot.

3. Lastly, eco-friendly trends are of great interest to me. What new materials and processes are being used? How are designers and manufacturers using reclaimed materials? Who is striking a perfect balance between “green” and “luxe?”

One thing's for sure - I know I will leave inspired! Stay tuned for a recap…

Rattan is...

David — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:41:00 -1100

Fun.
Dramatic.
Whimsical...

Despite its "practical" attributes of being lightweight and durable, rattan can also add a "zing" to your decor. That's why I love using it for my furniture collections (and, the eco-friendliness is a huge added bonus).

Rattan can be molded into virtually any shape, literally becoming art for the home. And it takes color very well - no stress about covering wood grain with bright pops of color.

The styles really are limitless. Below are some cool designs I've saved for inspiration...what do you think?

Rattan bed from Anthropologie - perfect for a little girl's room

Hanging Rattan Chair from Serena & Lily - I'd paint it a bright color and put it in a play room

Design from Indonesia. Love the geometry

Another piece from Anthropologie...fit for a queen!

Exciting New Material

David — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 03:56:00 -1100

In creating an outdoor furniture line, I searched for materials that would look beautiful, stand up to the elements and also be eco-friendly. It’s a tall order, but I found exactly what I was looking for: ecolene fiber.

From a design standpoint, I like ecolene because it looks and feel like rattan, wood and rope – and this is perfect when I’m trying to achieve that indoor/outdoor furniture look. It’s available in traditional wood tones, but also in fun, candy colors for more modern outdoor pieces.

In terms of quality, it can withstand temperatures from -94 degrees to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. Further, it’s UV-resistant, meaning the color of the fiber will not fade. It resists rain, salt, chlorine, lotion, etc. And it’s super easy to maintain. The longevity of materials is of great importance to me!

Lastly, and probably most importantly, ecolene is environmentally-safe. It’s made from raw polyethylene, not PVC, which is 100% recyclable. Secondly, it uses only organic and eco-friendly inorganic colorants – no heavy metals.

I recently met up with them at the IFFINA in Jakarta and was so impressed with their weaves, capabilities, quality and commitment to the environment. This gives me endless options for future outdoor furniture collections. I’m already thinking up a sectional!

Here are some of the weave samples I broght back from the tradeshow...pretty cool!

Luxury, a Word Revisited…

David — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:52:00 -1100

Luxury. It’s one of those over-used words (like “surreal” or “ah-mazing”) whose meaning has been watered down. Several years ago, we started talking about luxury in our marketing campaigns because our furniture is not only high-quality, but also customizable. We felt that “luxury” meant getting exactly what you want and we pride ourselves on giving customers what they desire.
Fast forward to today. The word “luxury” is everywhere, in every industry, at every price point. So, it has made me rethink the definition. In my pondering, I’ve realized that “luxury” cannot be universally defined - luxury means different things to different people. Furthermore, I think luxury nowadays, isn’t about material items at all.

For the jet-setting executive, luxury is spending a night in one’s own bed. For the mother-of-four, luxury is an hour of alone time, curled up with a book. For the student on a budget, luxury is a 5-star meal.

For me, luxury is laughing with my daughter and son-in-law. It’s spending a lazy Sunday writing music. It’s watching my guests’ joy in tasting something I’ve cooked.

I’ve redefined luxury in my life to be anything that makes a moment special.

How do you define luxury?

Fine Outdoor Living

David — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:25:00 -1100

Summertime and the livin's easy…or so the song goes. Fortunately, for me, I live in paradise year-round, so my outdoor time isn’t relegated to the warm months only. Because of that, my outdoor living space is ultra-important. So, here, I share my “musts” for enjoying the outdoors to the fullest…

1.    You must grill…a lot
I love to cook and I use my grill at least four times per week. Not only is it healthy, it’s also quick. There is no better way to cook a steak - just a little salt and pepper with a nice char/carmelization on the outside. Perfection in simplicity!

2.    You must learn to body surf
I live directly on the beach. It’s such an amazing thing to wake up daily and see the majestic blue; and so exhilarating to jump in and catch a wave to shore!

3.    You must putt around
If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know I love to golf. To me, it’s relaxing to be able to do some putting practice in the convenience and privacy of my own back yard. I don’t have anything extravagant, just a small practice green to slip outside on the patio. I like to soak in a little Vitamin D, but get a bit antsy sitting idle in the sun, so with putting practice, I feel I am multi-tasking!

The fact that I spend so much time outdoors is what essentially inspired me to start designing outdoor furniture. Why not dedicate the same attention to your outdoor living space and add to the beauty of the great outdoors? The only issue becomes, which fabulous designs to choose! I hope you agree.

This is the view from my back patio...the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean!