THERE are many considerations to look at when designing a home. The biggest one would be: “Would I like to see the same items I will buy now 10 years later?” With this in mind, people tend to look for pieces that are comfortable, quietly stylish and look like more than a thousand bucks. Often, these fall under the category of traditional furniture.
American furniture brand Ethan Allen has long been known for its array of traditional pieces for the home. On the other hand, it also has a solid reputation of shaping classic home items for modern sensibilities and needs. This year, the brand has unveiled the Uptown Collection, a home line that “exudes a quiet elegance but delivers drama with chic fabrics and sophisticated finishes.”
True to its branding, the collection boasts of timeless looks reimagined for the 21st century. Pieces from the Ethan Allen showroom in the Philippines, which are distributed by Focus Global Inc., reveal as much: tables in a dark-finished wood, hand-tailored upholstery and artisan-crafted decorative accents.
The brand highlights a number of its products to define this Uptown aesthetic: the Skyla, a sunray-like polished brass-finished chandelier; the Kronos, a demilune chest crafted from walnut quarter veneers and primavera quarter veneers; and the Anderson Sofa, a diamond-tufted sofa which has an engineered hardwood frame.
The Yves Host and Side chairs bear the signature nail heads which Ethan Allen is most famous for. There’s also the Evansview Dining Table, crafted from Indonesian mahogany with ribbon stripe sapele veneers and stainless steel. Featuring the same wood, the Andover Bed is a four-poster bed with metal cuffs and canopy with elegant champagne brass accents. Meanwhile, rugs from India and porcelain from China add depth, layering and dimensionality to complete the look of a modern space.
The Uptown collection was made in collaboration with interior designer Cynthia Almario. The design expert said that she has long admired the brand’s collections for home interiors. The UST graduate trained in the US for 15 years, and that was where she had her first encounter with the brand. “I was really amazed at the variety of selections and the complimentary interior design service they offer. It’s an added value for homeowners who want to decorate their homes but don’t have the time or expertise, nor the extra budget for a designer. This way, they get good quality furniture along with advice from experts.”
She added that design-wise, she also recognizes the customization that Ethan Allen offers its customers. “What sets the brand apart, aside from the superior craftsmanship, is the plethora of options available to buyers. Imagine 144 finishes, from weathered oak to walnut, to different kinds and shades of fabric, to different kinds of details such as studs that can be in nickel or chrome. I like the fact that they can give clients what they want and what they value, and this makes everything bespoke and artisanal.”
Ethan Allen has taken this customization detail up a notch during the launch of its augmented-reality app, Ethan Allen inHome, which allows homemakers to design their spaces using their smartphones. This tool lets them put the pieces they want together and customize its configuration to fit their spaces. “That is the value of having these options at Ethan Allen—you can go by preference,” said Almario.
The designer described the collection as “livable luxury,” where people can invest in good-quality furniture that are created to be not temporary home embellishments.
In Photo: 1 CUBIST FINCH ON STAND Perch this elegant finch art piece on your mantel, on a shelf or on a tabletop. 2 THE SHELTON SOFA Relaxed glamour, with classic diamond tufting and perfect curves. A stunning silhouette that can float beautifully in a room. 3 THE ANDERSON SHELTER ARM SOFA A sleek, sophisticated tuxedo sofa. 4 THE EVANSVIEW BAR CABINET Sweep open the Evansview’s gleaming doors to reveal a roomy and sophisticated wood bar cabinet that’s the perfect showcase for your spirits and bartending supplies. 5 THE Evansview Dining Table has amazing legs with a bold, yet sophisticated, champagne brass finish.