High Point develops an attitude.

Manufacturers tell consumers to "Get a life," or at least fabricate one, by furnishing their homes with "lifestyle" designs.

The mood was upbeat at The International Furniture Market at High Point this April with good reason. The housing market was on the rebound, consumer debt was down and savings were up. In addition, widespread mortgage refinancing was freeing up extra cash each month. "Conditions are ripe to address consumers' pent-up demands for new furniture," said market analyst Jerry Epperson on opening day.

But prototypes of the new spring designs had been created during winter's economic doldrums when a good many manufacturers were in no mood to take chances. While some extensive new lines were introduced, at least two major companies mixed pieces from existing collections and presented these new arrangements as "lifestyle" vignettes.

High Point has developed an attitude. It seems that if consumers shy away from buying suites of furniture, it's time to one-up them. Beat them at their own game. Sell them "lifestyle" which translates to: do your own thing with one-at-a-time purchases -- but do it right and buy our unmatched pieces.

So-called "one-of-a-kind" pieces help the consumer create a personal style. And consumers have been reassured that it's okay to mix these special new pieces with their old stuff at home, because the strongest fashion trend going is "shabby chic" a/k/a "shabby gentility." It is acquired by the use of loosely-fitted slipcovers, faded fabrics and scuffed-up case goods (and lots of old money). Anything obviously new or nouveau riche is a no-no in the '90s.

1990's furniture doesn't just hang aimlessly around the house either. It has purpose, with many pieces serving dual functions for value-conscious buyers. Spring introductions focused on practical furnishings for the home office, on entertainment centers, home theaters in wall units and double- or triple-duty pieces like coffee and chairside tables that show off keepsakes under glass and ottomans large enough to lie on or serve a meal from. Coffee tables have extra large drawers for stowing magazines and games while hidden compartments for storing valuables are found in other case goods.

|American Generic'

What else appeals to the consumer who has sworn off 1980's excesses -- the ostentatious lifestyles and overextended spending? High Point has the answer in simple, back-to-the-land "revival" furniture that implies quality, value and craftsmanship. "American Generic" is how designer Jim Peed describes this growing trend.

Manufacturers have versions for everyone -- upscale Country Chic; Uptown Shaker and downtown Prairie; downscale Mission and Neo-Mission; Frontier fantasy and retro-rustic Lodge. Pine, maple, cherry and oak are the woods of choice and finishes are either wood stains or painted and distressed.

Drexel Heritage's American Themes is designed for a spectrum of lifestyles from New Country Manner (described as "sophisticated and refined") and Native Country (Southwest) to Uptown Shaker and Coastal Casual. "This allows a wide range of people to use the furnishings to reflect their own unique lifestyles," said John Reinhardt, director of wood products. It also saves shopping all over the countryside. For example, a sideboard and china cabinet have different finishes and mouldings, appearing to be acquired in different places at different times. American Themes comprises 65 pieces in weathered maple and antique colors.

Pennsylvania House introduced Grove's Mill Oak, 38 mix-and-match pieces in solid oak for bedroom, dining room, occasional and accent use. Dining room chairs range from a formal Queen Anne style to a classic American comb back. Both scroll and spindle beds are offered. A 48-inch bureau could be used in bedrooms, hallway, dining room or living room.

European influences

It wasn't only stay-at-homes who were motivated at this market. Those jaded, world-weary travelers were, too. Why should they buy furniture abroad and hassle with Customs when European and Asian influenced designs in the United States are better made and better looking than ever? Obliging manufacturers provide pieces that encourage consumers to satisfy continental tastes without ever updating their passports.

Designer Mark Hampton said the American home has traditionally been filled with influences from Europe. "That's our heritage. That's what we like. It goes beyond being a modernist or traditionalist. It is our nature."

Hampton's European Country Collection for Hickory Chair which debuted in April is said to be patterned after antique pieces Hampton admired in Europe, including: an English gothic detailed bookcase of pine on maple, a Welsh cupboard 6 feet long and 7 feet high, a solid maple trestle dining table with a 1 3/4-inch solid pine top, and a small maple gateleg table with Spanish feet. One or two (or all 70) of Hampton's pieces in the home can hint of months spent "antiquing board."

Calling on the past

More than 50,000 objects collected from around the world are housed in Biltmore House, Asheville, N.C., America's largest private residence and once home to George Washington Vanderbilt. Drexel selected 33 pieces of furniture from Biltmore and began the reproduction process two years ago for its new Biltmore Estate Collection introduced in April.

Many times are exact reproductions while others have been revised in scale and function. An original lion's paw dining room table seats 64 -- Drexel's version seats 10. Other adaptations are a rococo French bombe chest and a Sheraton sideboard. A walnut reproduction fall-front Queen Anne desk features cross-again moulding on the drawers, burl walnut interiors and several secret compartments.

Bernhardt's new Conservatory for bedroom, dining and living rooms is rooted in the English Regency period and includes: a canted end hall console, high buffet, octagon mirror, bunching curio and china with sunburst pediment and cabriole leg sideboard. An entertainment center features a keystone pediment and bird's-eye maple veneer. Henredon hopes to find a new audience with its introduction of Sovereign, 18th-century-styled English mahogany at a lower price point than customary. Hallmarks are scrolled feet, egg-and-dart mouldings and bellflower carvings. Satinwood veneers are used for decorative inlays and borders. An unusual quatrefoil table has book- and end-matched veneers and a glass top.

CollingWood introduced Fusilier, a collection of 19th-century-inspired campaign pieces which takes its name from the rapid fire flintlock musket used by the Queen's elite guard. Fusilier is in solid pecan with bun feet and campaign hardware and each piece is registered.

Furniture for work and play

Hekman also drew from design characteristics of English campaign furniture for its Carriage Court collection for home office and theater. The entertainment unit has pocket doors, drawers and adjustable shelves and can accommodate a 35-inch direct view TV. The lower section can have fully finished wood doors or a grid front for speakers. A 54-inch desk can house a computer and has an optional deck. A chairside table includes a file drawer.

Hooker Furniture has a scaled-down version of its popular Baystone home theater which takes up 20 inches less wall space. Offered in a choice of three finishes, the unit serves both 35-inch direct view and 40-inch to 60-inch rear projection sets. Hooker also has an upscale, traditional style theater in cherry solids and veneers with dentil crown mouldings, raised panel doors, fluted pilasters and brass hardware.

Kimball Furniture, a division of Kimball International, entered the flourishing home office furnishings market with Harmony Woods, a collection that includes flat and rolltop desks, hutches, bookcases and file stands. The desk units have a single power-source switch and 1,800-watt surge protection, six plug-ins and phone wire management. File drawers are full extension with positive stop action and a kneehole drawer can be used with or without keyboard. Finishes are light or medium oak, washed oak or cherry.

Also new to the home office scene is Lexington Furniture Industries. The World of Bob Timberlake includes solid cherry pieces designed for computers, files and books. Weekend Retreat in solid pine has two desks, a credenza, hutch, file chest and lawyer's bookcase.

FINISHES SNAP & CRACKLE 

Noteworthy finishes shared the spotlight with new furniture at the April International Home Furnishings Market. Recurrent themes were crackling, distressing and decorator colors. Black and creamy white were dominant.

Crackle finishes continue to maintain popularity. Bernhardt's top-seller, Atrium Court, has two new antique crackle finishes in cream or black "to address the heightened consumer interest in classic aged finishes usually found only on costly antiques," a spokesperson said. Bernhardt's Stonecroft and Bellewood collections appeared in hand-burnished, time-worn finishes of deep blue, old red, soft black and antique teal.

Ron Fisher said 70 percent of his furniture is in "Old World" crackle in one or two colors. Fisher and other use snappy color finishes to create important accent furniture. Fisher offers 23 colors and four stains to customize any piece of furniture in almost any combination, including red and purple.

CollingWood has lightened up its Dachas Collection. In white, the country Russian assumes a contemporary air. It can be finished in up to four colors on one piece. In addition:

* Drexel's American Themes' Uptown Shaker wears raven black, spruce green, birch white or hazelnut with heavily distressed maple.

* Henredon and Hekman have added new gold and silver leaf finishes.

* Thomasville added midnight black to its Shaker-styled Solitaire Collection and favored opal white for contemporary Fascination which combines ash, brass and glass. Stone white with oak enhances the new Lakehouse Collection.

* Century added sparkle to designer Charlotte Moss' room setting with spattered gold leaf finishes, then turned about and used a primitive potato stamp for the star pattern of the Greenfield Village reproduction high chest.

THE CRAFTSMAN IDEAL

L. & J.G. Stickley continues to carry the banner for the Arts & Crafts revival. "Everybody is watching us," said President Al Audi. "We have to do it right." The company can barely keep up with demand for reissues of Mission furniture. A total of 350 people work two shifts in Stickley's 260,000-square-foot plant in Manlius, N.Y. Audi said, "In order to maintain quality, we can add and train a maximum of six people a month. We are also very selective in distribution." According to Audi, only one out of three dealers who want to sell Stickley furniture carries the line.

A lighter, scaled-down version of early Mission oak is new this season. Less bulky, with beautiful lines and proportions, Mission Cherry has a fresh, clean look. The six-piece bedroom group features curly maple drawers and Appalachian wild black cherry cases. Entertainment centers and TV/VCR cabinets; spindle chairs, settles, love seats and cube chairs; and a dining room group are also offered in Mission Cherry. All have hand-rubbed oil finishes.

Just as the original Stickley set records for prices of American furniture sold at auction, the prices of Roycroft furniture from the same era are intensifying as collectors scramble for the remaining pieces. Elbert Hubbard began construction of Roycroft furniture in 1898, four years after visiting the shop of William Morris, leader of England's A&C Movement. Hubbard produced the simple, sturdy solid oak furniture until his death in 1915, and the last Roycroft pieces were crafted more than 50 years ago.

An original Roycroft cabinet, built in 1901 in East Aurora, N.Y., was in High Point for the introduction of Jamestown Sterling's licensed collection, "The Spirit of Roycroft." Bedroom pieces are slatted and metal-trimmed bedsteads; single, double and triple dressers; chiffonier; wardrobe; entertainment center; and night stands. A Morris chair, a hall seat with storage drawer and a 4-foot-square ottoman also are available.

"The Spirit of Roycroft" represents a major and continuing commitment by our company," said Jamestown Sterling President Ed Fritz. The project went from sketches to production in three months, according to designer Steve Hodges, who scaled the furniture for today's consumers while keeping the look true to the originals.