Fabrics Point to a Bright Future

HIGH POINT, N.C. (April 2011) --- The future is bright - even vibrant - as evidenced by Marge Carson's dazzling fabrics this spring. Taking cues straight from the fashion runways, the company introduces a brilliant palette that comprises rich textures and spectacular patterns.

"We're embracing the bright, bold color trend this April," says Christine Rendino, who leads the upholstery fashion design team for Marge Carson. "Spring 2011 runways in New York, Milan and Paris showed bright colors almost exclusively. They weren't limited to a certain hue or range of colors; they covered the entire spectrum! The same held true for the upholstery fabrics we found in New York, including Everlasting Meadow, an Italian jacquard in a bright spring green; we love the unexpected pop of color that this fabric brings to a room."

The correlation between high fashion and Marge Carson fabrics is just as evident in the company's style statement. "Here, too, we took cues from many of the Spring 2011 runway shows, where we saw jewel-tone peacock colors accented by metallic gold, as well as rich purples, vibrant yellows and deep reds," Rendino says. "Other style influences include the general trend toward a lighter color palette in home furnishings. Plus, we have more contemporary fabrics and motifs."

Throughout the entire fabric collection, lush texture is a common thread. "Textured fabrics are a ubiquitous part of the Marge Carson heritage," Rendino notes, "and what makes our look uniquely 'Marge.' Our textures this season range from thick, luxurious chenilles to casual linens and matkas (raw silk), to a unique fil coupe (French for "cut threads") fabric with an allover chenille eyelash effect. My favorites include Tasmanian Festival - a 'younger,' more 'lifestyle' linen with a brightly colored, contemporized floral embroidery pattern - as well as Spanish Vine, an iridescent blue silk hand-embroidered with metallic copper sequins and French knots, and Sextillion Crimson, an over-sized damask pattern in rich cocoa and scarlet silk."

To find further proof that textiles and fashion have merged into a fresh new outlook, you need look no further than Marge Carson's nine new upholstery pieces - all with the high-quality craftsmanship and impeccable attention to detail that consumers have come to expect from the brand. Among the introductions is "Amber," a 142-inch two-piece curved sofa that's asymmetrical in style. Shown in a smoke blue chenille velvet, the inside back is beautifully tufted while the outside features metallic tape applied in a diamond pattern. "This is what we call a "Wow" sofa," Rendino lightheartedly adds.

In that same "Wow" category is "Simona," a contemporary version of a ratchet sofa. What sets it apart is its detailing. Square tapered legs are topped with 1-inch inlayed Swarovski crystals while castbrass arm finials in polishednickel support luxurious ratchet tassels, again accented with sparkling crystals. "It's all very glamorous, right down to the silver-and-gold-beaded pillows that complement the ivory chenille down-filled upholstery."

But exemplifying innovation at its peak is "Cityscape," a sectional that's infinitely customizable. Each of the 35-inch-wide contemporary units, bordered in a dark Contemporary Havana finish, is available in three heights - 40, 43 and 46 inches, creating its unique "Cityscape" appearance. Introduced in a lightly textured taupe rayon blend with a tiny crisp pebble pattern, and accented with apple green Italian silk jacquard pillowing with pale metallic gold accents, it epitomizes Marge Carson style. "After all," says Rendino, "we are known for complex upholstery with a lot of versatility."

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