INSPIRING
A home furnishings magazine that explores aspirational spaces, focused on designer insights and leading quality brands for the home.
Fabric Trends A textile conversation with Kravet Chief Creative Officer-Scott Kravet
Designer Insights Charlotte, NC designer Charlotte Lucas provides her perspective
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Taylor King 2-7
Taylor King 8-9
Designer Insights 10-13
Vanguard 14-15
Woven 16-17
Century 18-19
Hickory Chair 20-21
Hancock & Moore 22-23
John-Richard 24
Tara Shaw For Century
INSPIRING Join us as we influence your senses. “INSPIRING by Good’s Home Furnishings is our effort to bring you design inspiration for your home through alluring home fashion photography from the finest names in home furnishings, along with features that showcase design expertise from some of the industry’s most skilled professionals.” - Kevin Bowman Owner/CEO
Inspiring Design. Please join us on this journey in our latest edition of Inspiring. Our journey will introduce or reacquaint you to some of the very best furniture manufacturers in the world with alluring images, thought-provoking product designs, and carefully curated interiors that offer the promise of aspiration to our readers. Like prior editions, we return with a look into the word of textiles with our Woven feature, which includes an interview with Scott Kravet, Chief Creative Officer at Kravet, LLC., one of the industry’s most renown textile companies and families. Our Designer Insights feature will provide a view into the mind of one of the industry’s most exciting designers with roots right here in our hometown area of Charlotte, NC. Charlotte Lucas has recently launched her new furniture collection with Taylor King, bringing her bold and elegant design aesthetic to luxury consumers around the world. We want our magazine to be more than just pretty pictures and affirmations from the brightest minds of the home industry. We also want to educate the luxury consumer on the value of luxury home furnishings. In this issue of our magazine, we will focus on educating our readers on the tenets of high-quality, luxury upholstery; guiding our readers through the frame, suspension, cushions, fabric and tailoring that truly distinguishes fine upholstery. At Good’s, we work very closely with our furniture suppliers right here in Hickory, NC. Our proximity to our suppliers allows us to have the most experienced and best-trained sales organizations in the home furnishings industry, and we want to share that knowledge with you to help you in selecting fine furnishings for your home. Our designers in Hickory, and our two locations in Charlotte, NC (in Pineville and now open in Cornelius) look forward to helping you create the rooms of your dreams that your family and friends can enjoy for many years. goodshomefurnishings.com
See our Educational Series on Fine Upholstery
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FINISHING TOUCHES Woodbridge Furniture is our partner in making hand-crafted tables and casegoods.
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Passion. Finesse. Community. These are the pillars that started Taylor King almost fifty years ago. As one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of American-made custom upholstered furniture, Taylor King attributes its success to an unparalleled commitment to quality and comfort.
The love of that perfect place to unwind.
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Finely crafted nightstands by Woodbridge Furniture.
For The Eclectic You. The art of fine upholstery-making featuring over 1400 fabrics, 150 leathers,100 trims and 45 wood finishes. Almost every item in the Taylor King line can be customized to meet your exact needs. Whether you want an item deeper, taller, longer or in a preferred fabric, they are happy to accommodate special orders. Shop now at goodshomefurnishings.com
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Create spaces that bring your home to life, showcasing your personality while mixing and blending colors, textures and styles. Taylor King takes quality to another level.
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Mix and Match Fabrics And Textures.
Frame It Up. Upholstery frames today are made from either solid wood or furniture grade plywood. Each of these two
materials are excellent for high quality frame-building. The material used in a frame is important, but any material is only as good as the joint that connects it to another piece of the frame.
. Solid wood frames are used less and less these days and typically more for certain portions of the frame where shape is very important, such as a slender arm, or exposed leg. Solid wood frames are made from hardwoods and are joined together with quality joinery such as mortise and tenon and finger-joints. Glue, screws, dowels, and staples are used as additional support for the joinery, not the primary support. Plywood frames are stronger and heavier than their solid wood counterparts. At the lower-end of upholstery manufacturing, plywood is of lower quality, has less layers, has many material voids that create weakness, and are joined poorly with heavy reliance on staples. At the luxury end, plywood has many layers, is thicker, and is of exceptional quality with little voids in the material. Plywood frames cannot be shaped like a solid wood and typically have more squared-off edges, but they are incredibly strong and offer a great foundation for quality upholstery. .
Accent Chest is handcrafted by our partners at Woodbridge Furniture.
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Designer Insights Design conversation with Charlotte Lucas Charlotte was born and raised in North Carolina and attended design school at the University of Georgia, where she was recently named one of the University’s 40 Under 40. She also won this honor from the Charlotte Business Journal in 2022.
Charlotte, it is so exciting to be interviewing such an interior design talent from our own backyard here in Charlotte, NC. Our readers would love to learn more about the influences that directed your career path, and your inspirations in interior design that continue to guide your career today. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that tell a story. My path into interior design was shaped by a belief that our surroundings have a profound impact on how we feel and live. Growing up, my family moved every 2-3 years because of my father’s work, so I understood the importance of making a house a home and the feeling that ensued. Today, my greatest inspirations come from travel, and allowing myself to see beyond the world I am designing for. I am also inspired by the people that live in these spaces, and creating an environment that feels authentic to the people living in it. I am also fascinated by pieces with history, character, and craftsmanship, and I often look to them as a starting point for creating spaces that feel layered and collected rather than simply decorated. What continues to guide my work is a desire to create interiors that celebrate individuality. I love helping clients discover what makes them unique and translating that into homes that feel personal, timeless, and full of personality.
“I love building a room around something that feels special and personal.” It is so great to learn about your fabric and wallcovering line (House of Harris) with your sister, Liz. In this magazine we have a dedicated feature called Woven that talks about all things textiles and includes a conversation with Scott Kravet in this edition. Please tell us more about your approach towards fabrics and wallcoverings and how you choose to incorporate them into your interior designs. Where is your typical starting point in room? I love building a room around something that feels special and personal. Sometimes, this foundation is a beautiful fabric or a fabulous wallpaper that sets the stage for the rest of the room. A great textile or wallcovering can immediately establish the mood, color palette, and personality of a space, giving us a strong point of view from the very beginning. I am naturally drawn to pattern, color, and layering, so fabrics and wallcoverings often become the thread that ties everything together. Once we identify that key element, we can thoughtfully build around it with furnishings, lighting, artwork, and accessories that complement and enhance the overall vision.
“A great textile or wallcovering can immediately establish the mood, color palette, and personality of a space.” Much of the industry has been mired in muted tones with grays and beiges so prevalent for over a decade now, but your design projects use such amazing bold color and pattern that is such an inspiration. Can you share with our readers about your approach to color and the blending of such lovely patterns? I am always looking for fresh combinations and unexpected pairings. I listen carefully to my clients and incorporate their tastes and lifestyles into the design, then weave those elements together in a way that feels cohesive and intentional. Color and pattern bring energy, warmth, and individuality to a home, and I love using them to create spaces that are memorable, inviting, and uniquely personal.
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Photos by Chris Edwards
“Color and pattern bring energy, warmth, and individuality to a home” Your new collection with Taylor King is so amazing. It was such a pleasure for us to shop it this past High Point Market, and we look forward to incorporating it into our designs in the near future. We know that working with Taylor King on product development is such a joy as they are so flexible, and they are exquisite upholstery-makers; but, tell us about the most challenging or interesting thing you learned while developing your furniture line. It has been such a pleasure working with the team at Taylor King. They are incredibly talented, collaborative, and committed to quality, and I am excited about what the future holds for our partnership. One of the most interesting things I learned throughout the development process was just how many people, disciplines, and moving parts come together to bring a furniture collection to life. From the initial concept and design development, to engineering, craftsmanship, material sourcing, and production, every piece represents the work of a dedicated team. The level of detail, expertise, and problem-solving that goes into creating a beautiful, well-made product is truly impressive. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every piece and for the talented people who make it all happen. It really does take a village. Where do you like to travel to draw inspiration for your designs? I find inspiration everywhere, which is one of the reasons I love to travel. Experiencing different cities, cultures, architecture, landscapes, and ways of living always gives me a fresh perspective and sparks new ideas. If I had to choose one place that consistently inspires me, it would be New York City. The city is a remarkable blend of history, creativity, architecture, fashion, art, and design. Every neighborhood has its own personality, and there is always something new to discover. I leave feeling energized and full of ideas. I am also continually inspired by Europe. I love the sense of history, craftsmanship, and timelessness found throughout European cities and countryside alike. This summer, I will be spending time in Italy, and I am looking forward to soaking in the architecture, colors, landscapes, and way of life that make it such a special place. As much as I am a city person, I also find inspiration in nature. Whether it is the mountains, the coast, or simply being outdoors, nature offers an incredible sense of color, texture, and balance that often finds its way into my work.
“If I had to choose one place that consistently inspires me, it would be New York City” Looking ahead 10 years, what would you like to see happening with your design firm and your brand? Looking ahead, I hope to continue taking on projects that challenge and inspire us, especially in new locations and landscapes. Travel has always been a major source of inspiration for me, and I would love the opportunity to work on projects in exciting destinations. I have also spent a lot of time in Palm Beach lately and would love to design a home there someday. I am equally excited to see how our partnership with Taylor King evolves over the next decade. Developing the collection has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to grow and build upon it. Most importantly, I hope Charlotte Lucas Interior Design continues to create homes that are personal, layered, and full of character while taking on new and inspiring opportunities along the way.
See more of this delightful interview by visiting our website or using this QR CODE.
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In-Home And In-Store Design Services
Sophisticated and livable luxury for your home. From transitional to modern styles, Vanguard Furniture inspires you. In the heart of Western North Carolina, generations of American craftsmanship continue to thrive, creating custom upholstery and finely appointed bedrooms and dining rooms. Your choice of fabrics, choice of pillows and tons of wood finishes. Shop now at goodshomefurnishings.com
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Featuring 100s Of Fabrics And Special Finishes.
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Vanguard’s historic expertise in fine upholstery and cabinetmaking intersects with their industry-leading modern forms and endless customization options. Whether through fabrics, trims, finishes, hardware, or endless combinations, Vanguard truly sets itself apart in the world of modern custom elegance.
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Why all the Suspense? The “suspension” in upholstery refers to what the cushions are “riding” on to create comfort
and support. The suspension system can come in a variety of forms, and are all connected to the lower area of the frame just above the floor. Most suspension systems use metal spring coils to absorb weight and
provide resiliency. .
Drop-in pocketed coils (called a Marshall Unit) are used where a series of connected spring coils are individually encased in fabric and rest atop a semi-rigid polypropylene decking which is attached to the frame. These individual coils work in unison with the cushions above to provide excellent comfort and support and do a good job of balancing the user without substantial voids in support. A good way to test for voids in support is to sit near the arm of the sofa to see if you lean substantially toward the arm. 8-way Hand Tied is the tried-and-true method used by most higher-end upholstery makers. Here the polypropylene decking is connected to the frame, often with steel straps supporting it. Then, large steel helical coils are affixed to the decking in rows across the entire seating surface. The gauge of the steel and the number of turns in the coil determine its stiffness and resilience. A skilled tying expert will then connect each of the coils to one another and to the frame itself with upholstery grade twine in a series of 8 knots placed strategically across the top of the coil to create a web of perfectly balanced support with no voids. .
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Woven
Voices In Textile Trends A conversation with Scott Kravet Chief Creative Officer Kravet, LLC.
Scott, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on textiles with our readers. Kravet is one of the most iconic brands and luxury textile conglomerates in the textile industry. Your family’s company has been synonymous with luxury textiles for over 100 years. Can you give our readers some insight on your family’s deep connection to the textile and furniture industry? Our family has been involved with textiles for over 108 years. Our great-grandfather Schmuel was a tailor who came to the United States from Russia and settled in Manhattan. He had clients who came for fittings in motor cars and carriages at the beginning of the 20th century. These customers were wealthy and allowed him to see their domestic homes and he realized there was a need for trimmings, tie backs on drapes, key tassels on cabinets, etc.. So, a silk passementerie line evolved which led into a fabric line not for apparel, but home decor. This offering consisted of tapestry, damasks, velvets, brocades, liseres, and imberlines, selling primarily to upholstery shops in the New York metro area. All four of his sons joined in the new home furnishings business and my grandfather was a salesman. My father joined after WWII and my siblings and myself in the 1980s. Now we have the next generation involved, so 7 family members. You can say fabrics are in our DNA. Furniture evolved 30 years ago, and we currently own a furniture manufacturer here in North Carolina. It has certainly been a tumultuous time for the textile industry over the past 6 years, between COVID, the related supply chain challenges and cost increases, and navigating the more recent tariffs. How has Kravet managed these challenges, and how do you feel the company is positioned to further strengthen its market share? We have been extremely transparent with our customers, particularly over the past few years. Communication has been critical to our bonding with the trade. They are an extension of our brand and can explain to their customers why certain products and prices have increased. We have great partnerships with our suppliers, and they have been very supportive and sensitive to our needs. Our size and buying power allow the mills to make accommodations on specific projects.
“Communication has been critical to our bonding with the trade.” Expertise and value in textiles can be found throughout the world. How does Kravet balance its sourcing decisions between domestic and import suppliers? Kravet has many brands in its portfolio. Our high-end brands like Lee Jofa, Brunschwig and Fils, Donghia and G.P.& J Baker primarily use the finest overseas mills. Custom warps that are exclusively woven for us worldwide are an advantage of these overseas suppliers. With our Kravet brand, it is a mix of both domestic and foreign mills. Our readers are enamored with bold colors, prints, and the whimsy that one of Kravet’s brands - Brunschwig and Fils, is known for, but they are sometimes reluctant to give their designer the freedom to boldly incorporate them into their homes. How would you suggest a consumer begin to utilize these amazing and dramatic fabrics and wallcoverings in their home? The Brunschwig line is a high-end that has a French-inspired point of view with a classical sensibility. Our customers can find bold designs and use them for pillows or bedspreads or drapes. These can be easily replaced if they are not comfortable with the aesthetics after a few years. These maximalist designs are also used for guest bedrooms. For wallpaper, I would suggest trying them out on the ceiling, also known as the 5th wall. It is so exciting to see the beautiful tapes and trims returning to our upholstery lines. They truly bring upholstery, pillows and window treatments to life. Are there any specific trends in color or design that you are seeing with these applications? Trims are a marvelous way to enhance any decor. We see a return to more traditional styles. Tassel fringe and even bullion fringe are again popular. Tapes have been successful for quite some time. The Brunschwig trimmings are colored to coordinate with our fabric line season after season, so there’s no real trend.
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“Trims are a marvelous way to enhance any decor.” Kravet designs and develops fabrics, wallcoverings, flooring and furniture. Can you give our readers some insight into your creative process for new designs? Our creative process is our secret sauce. We have 8 studios with incredible talent that focus on all our brands and licensing. Our design team has been with me for so many years. That experience is what makes us successful. We have been through various design trends and are able to create long-lasting products based on our previous sales.
“Our design team has been with me for so many years. That experience is what makes us successful.” The Pantone of the Year has been quite colorful in recent years from a warm yellow in 2021, to a periwinkle in 2022, then magenta in 2023, peach in 2024, mocha in 2025, and now a subtle shade of white for 2026. This designation can sometimes be an assessment of the here and now versus the near future. How does Kravet assess color trends and predictions, and incorporate them in their fabric designs? Pantone colors of the year are certainly a guideline for developing products but it’s not the core of our sales. The same colors continue to rise to the top year after year. You need some fashionable colors to make your statements, but most of our sales are neutrals, blues, etc... We obviously look at fashion, artwork, paint, car colors and certainly nature, for inspiration.
“The same colors continue to rise to the top year after year.” What role has technology played in fabric development over the past 10 years, and what role do you see AI playing currently and in the near future? Over the past 10 years, digital printing has changed the creative timeline, inventory levels and customization. AI will continue to be a factor as more people, particularly our studio’s personnel, adopt the technology. What do you feel is most misunderstood about fabrics among the design community? The most misunderstood characteristic among our customers is with regard to the wearability and performance of our fabrics. Nothing is pill-proof or liquid-proof. There are treatments to help resist certain stains. Crypton, Alta and nanotechnology have definitely enhanced the lifecycle of fabrics. Rub tests using the Wyzenbeek or Martindale machines are guidelines. On the Wyzenbeek machine, 15,000 double rubs for residential and 30,000 for contract, are the standards. A performance fabric could be sun-resistant, abrasion or stain resistant. The designer must be informed as to the usage of the material. Kravet has received multiple awards as a “Top Managed Company” and as one of the “Best Places to Work” in NY. What is it about the Kravet culture that attracts and retains top talent and allows it to continue to produce such great results? We have been very fortunate to have such wonderful and loyal employees. There are over 140 employees that have been with us for over 30 years. Our leadership instills confidence and success; this allows us to attract great people. We have been in growth mode for decades because of the attitude of our employees. There is a wonderful respect for everyone and this permeates throughout our organization. The culture started with our great-grandfather and has been passed down to my grandfather and father who really set the tone for today’s success.
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Century Furniture is one of the world’s largest privately owned manufacturers of upper-end residential furniture. Its broad line of wood and upholstered furniture consists of bedroom,dining and occasional collections in traditional, transitional and contemporary styling. Century is recognized in the industry as a design leader, ranked in the forefront for its expertise in finishing and the many details of fine craftsmanship.
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goodshomefurnishings.com
Thousands of fabrics available, or we can use your own material. A Cushy Job. The cushion is the most recognizable component of the sofa and the one that our bodies
react with the most; OK, the part of our body that can most appreciate a comfortable seat!
. First of all, foam seat cushions are a petroleum derivative. Mixed with other polymers, this foam is formed and cut to order to fit specifications from upholstery-makers. Foam cushions, depending on their formula, can be more or less dense which affects their resiliency (or return to form) and comfort. Density in foam cushions is measured on a scale of pounds per cubic foot with a typical range of 1.5 to 3.5 with the higher number meaning more density, resiliency, comfort, and cost. The cushion itself can either be entirely foam, or have springs imbedded within the cushion for added support and comfort. The cushion works in concert with the frame and suspension system to create comfort. While the frame and suspension system cannot be adjusted, the cushion is where a consumer can customize their sit preference. The fabric choice can also impact the feel of a cushion as well, depending on how the fabric breathes and reacts to draping around the cushion. Seat cushions at the higher end of upholstery are bagged in a sewn muslin cover and often surrounded by bags filled with goose feathers (down blend) or other luxury loft material on either side, which are kept neat and tidy within sewn channels. The entire cushion is contained within the sewn fabric or leather casing, which is closed with a quality zipper for access. Turning cushions regularly (monthly at minimum) is a critical part of keeping upholstery cushions looking fresh and new. These luxury materials, like goose feathers, and newer polymer technology, still require fluffing to keep their loft and shape.
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HICKORY CHAIR MADE FOR YOU. Made-to-order finely tailored upholstery, dining room and bedroom furnishings. Luxurious style, heirloom quality and handcrafted in Hickory, NC. The tradition of artisan designed and crafted furniture is stronger today than ever. While many may forge less attentive paths, Hickory Chair stays true to its roots, crafting the finest pieces in the world today. So many styles and finishes from which to use, all allowing you to create the perfect pieces for each room in your home. goodshomefurnishings.com
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FAB-ulous Fabrics. Now comes the color, texture and tone of upholstery, the fabric! The choice of fabrics can be the
most daunting part of the upholstery selection process. Each supplier has 1000 or more fabrics available in their line with varying materials, colors and patterns.
Upholstery fabrics have had tremendous innovation in recent years, particularly with “Performance Fabrics”. But, be careful with that word, as “Performance” can mean a number of things (more cleanable, more fade-resistant, more durable, for indoor and outdoor use, etc...). It is just important to understand the properties of Performance Fabrics to ensure that they fit the needs in your home. If you are concerned about cleanability and protection, your best option is likely to use our Guardsman Protection Plan to both protect your investment, and perhaps more importantly, to help you with your fabric selection. This program allows you to select the fabric of your choice, and to allow you to really enjoy the feel of luxury fabrics without having to worry about stains or damage. Making the Grade. In upholstery, the grading of the fabric is what controls the price of the piece as much as anything else. A .particular frame may have a starting grade price and then a number of pricing tiers (i.e. grades 10, 20, 30, 40,… is typical). The grading of upholstery fabrics is done based on a number of factors (material costs, weaving/milling costs, etc…), but one of the biggest factors in grading fabrics for upholstery use is the amount of fabric waste created to upholster an item in that pattern of fabric.
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A Tailored Fit. Once you have made your fabric selection, how that fabric is cut and ultimately applied to the uphol-
stery piece is what really sets higher-end upholstery apart. Yes, their frames, suspension and cushions are superior, but it is the tailoring that mostly distinguishes finely made upholstery.
. Tailoring speaks to everything from how the fabric is initially cut, to the sewing of the parts, to the application of those parts to the frame with foam, to the pleating, skirting, nail heads, or trim application. The craftsmen and women that perform these various tasks in a factory are highly-skilled artisans. Something Seams Off Well, sometimes it is what you don’t see that really matters. Very often, poor tailoring falls under the category of, “you will know it when you see it”. Conversely, great tailoring is most notable along the seams. How a seat casing fits on a cushion, or how a welting is applied above a skirt or along a cushion, or how the foam fits around an arm, are all general indicators of good tailoring. Don’t skirt the details. Skirts on upholstery are often a tell-tale sign of great tailoring. How a skirt hangs from a frame to the floor, or how it falls from the edge of the seating surface is an artwork that is under-appreciated. The use of techniques to keep a skirt hanging properly, such as weighted skirt edges, or turn-backs in the fabric, allow a fabric to drape beautifully and evenly, no different than a clothing tailor. Noticing a Pattern? Pattern matching is another easy way to identify great upholstery tailoring. Fabrics are cut for various component parts with the primary feature of the pattern properly centered on the part. The artistry is in getting the fabric pattern on that part to match up to the adjacent parts on the piece. Quality upholstery should see a “flow match” of the pattern down the seat back through the cushions and to the floor. Along the sides of the piece, the pattern should match as it rolls across the arm and down the side of the piece to the floor and lastly across the back of the sofa in the same fashion.
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THE ART OF COMFORT BY HANCOCK & MOORE Passionate artisans creating the finest leather seating in America. Custom leather choices and finishes to create your own seating style. Combining comfort, luxury and the finest quality in America today. Handcrafted in North Carolina. Shop Hancock & Moore at goodshomefurnishings.com
YOUR CHOICE OF LEATHER COLORS AND GRADE. goodshomefurnishings.com
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The John-Richard design team transforms global inspirations into breathtaking collections; distinctive furniture, artisan-crafted accessories, unique lighting, mirrors, wall art and botanicals.
So Inspiring!
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Luxury finds to compliment any room in your home from America’s leader in home accents. Shop goodshomefurnishings.com
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Our Featured Designer Podcast Scan the QR CODE and check out our featured designer TARA SHAW for Century Furniture plus many others from our High Point Furniture Market interviews. We post a new podcast the first Tuesday of each month. Enjoy designer insights, discussions on all the new trends and helpful design tips for creating unique spaces in your home.
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