HIGH POINT – Legacy Classic|Modern debuted two whole home furniture collections at the High Point Market this week under the licensed Trisha Yearwood Home Collection.
The two collections, Today’s Traditions and Staycation, were first introduced by the now out-of-business Klaussner Furniture last April. The future of the brand was uncertain for the period following Klaussner’s closure, with a few companies rumored to be taking the helm. Finally, in late August, Legacy Classic announced its acquisition of the license.
Neither collection had shipped under Klaussner, and both are new to the majority of Legacy’s retail buyers, Legacy said.
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“I really didn’t wish for this situation,” Trisha Yearwood told Furniture Today. “But the silver lining is Legacy. I came in to meet with Chris (Pelcher), and I felt it was meant to be.”
Both of the new lines zero in on recognizability, with focuses on simpler and casual designs, fewer carvings and looks made to feel “lived in.”
One of the new collections, Today’s Traditions, features 40 pieces crafted from hickory and is designed to be a fresh take on traditional styling, with a Shaker influence. Two finish options include a mid-tone brown and the darker Blacksmith.
The other collection, the more coastal Staycation, features 34 pieces crafted in quartered white oak. Two finishes are offered in a two-tone approach.
“In my opinion, one of the reasons Trisha’s collection has stood the test of time is because of her legendary level of involvement with her product and her participation in the markets,” said Chris Pelcher, Legacy Classic|Modern president. “She has been the key factor in the momentum of the brand for close to 10 years.”
“Legendary” is a big word, so we asked Yearwood what exactly that level of involvement looks like.
“It starts with Carol Wheeless, the chief designer, who I also worked with at Klaussner,” Yearwood said. “I know what I like, but I don’t know how to build furniture. Carol works with me to get my ideas and vision into the furniture. I want function, I like hidden compartments, and I like lighting. I want to see the finish beforehand and interact with the wood.
“We’ve built up a synergy,” she added. “She began to understand what I wanted before I even said it.”
Pelcher also cited the importance of Wheeless. “Carol has already worked with Legacy and has one of the highest batting averages of any of our designers,” he said.
Yearwood hinted that a new collection is coming this spring, but said she can’t say anything more beyond that.
Legacy Classic|Modern also had launches outside of the Tricia Yearwood lines, unveiling four case goods collections under the core brand and three bedroom lines under its youth division.
Artisan’s Place is one of the four new case lines, featuring 35 pieces in hardwood solids and pine veneers. It’s done in a farmhouse style primarily in the clean Rustic Buff finish accented by black bases and hardware. The bedroom includes three beds: a panel bed with cross-beam-like headboard configuration and two framed upholstered beds. On the dining side – which features multiple tables and chairs, a credenza and display cabinet – features include urn-shaped bases, both chunky and tapered legs, and cabinet fronts with a metal lattice grill on the doors.