The New Normal- Nothing Normal About It

Exactly two weeks ago to the day, I was finishing up with my sons teacher conferences and headed back to work in our High Point showroom at 200 Steele.  We were working through potential catering for the High Point Furniture Market and thinking through our invitations and events. Market orders were bouncing along through our factories and our team was thinking through final product development. We were still planning on a market, businesses were open, toilet paper was plentiful.

Since that Thursday I have left running in the background my calendar with all of the events planned out into the future.  The normal one. The one that says right now I should be closing down my computer in order to take my daughter to soccer practice. Where today was Scottsdale's Design District Desert Days, and we were hosting a CEU with Inside Out. The one that says tomorrow my son has a tennis match, and it is exactly four weeks till opening day of High Point market. The one where normal means people and places and events. 

Instead we exist in this new normal, where things change on the hour yet seemingly stand still. Events are cancelled, school is cancelled, lessons and meetings are all cancelled.  Grocery stores close early and have early hours just for seniors.  Toilet paper has gone the way of the dodo bird along with all things Clorox.  Hand sanitizer, which I used to hate, is now rubbed on like hand lotion, and it too is on the nearly extinct list. Drinks with neighbors has now turned into a version of online dating, and my son's gaming is legitimately one of his few connection points with friends.

This is not normal. We take the health and well being of our associates extremely seriously and we also want to do our part to help our larger community. We are working on securing materials to put our sewers to work making masks.  We have discussed an effort to utilize our trucks to carry essential goods instead of furniture.  Our factories, a vibrant community of craftspeople who make exceptional furniture, are closing next week as we try and manage through what lies ahead. I repeat this is not normal. 

I keep telling myself to breathe. For a high functioning doer who thrives on multi-tasking and problem solving the quiet is disconcerting and leaves me feeling a bit helpless.  I have already posted over a hundred new pins to Pinterest, reorganized our digital assets, worked through most of our website imagery and we are only one week in.  What will week two bring?

If I know anything it is that we are a resilient people. Our companies are strong. Our retail and design partners are smart and creative. Our families are scrappy and tough. We will ride out this new normal. We will create new and amazing ways to engage one another.  We will take solace in our families and friends and while we are physically apart we will more than ever lean on one another to survive, indeed to thrive. We will emerge from this stronger and together and ensure that this time of cancellations, of shut downs, of social distancing, on-line learning, and uncertainty will never be our normal. 

High Point Market Spring 2018

This Spring #hpmkt was one for the books! Century debuted in their new showroom at 200 Steele all while launching two, new casegood collections and an outdoor collection.

Located on the second floor of 200 Steele, our new showroom instantly felt like home. (maybe because we are now in the same building as Highland House and Hancock & Moore). This market we called the showroom our Blank Canvas because it was in fact, a blank canvas. With a more open floor plan and brand new product, our team was given the liberty to start fresh and paint the town red! (not literally, but we did use some Benjamin Moore Century paint colors on our walls).

Exciting and a little nerve wrecking (we did not have furniture in the space two weeks before opening day), but our team made it happen and boy, did we put on a show.


Our annual market party was named "Blank Canvas Party", where new friends and old friends helped us celebrate our new home. We had a jazz band, a local artist come in and show off her talent, food served on paint pallets, and a photographer capture the evening. What a night we had!

On Monday evening, we hosted a flower arranging demonstration with Thomas O'Brien. We watched him arrange beautiful flowers from New York and listen to him talk about different types of flowers while sitting in his garden room. Did you know that before you purchase your flowers from a florist, they go through a flower auction?

And in the blink of an eye, #hpmkt was over. We want to thank everyone that played a special part in making our grand opening successful.

What do we have in store for next market? Well, you will just have to wait and see.

A Year in Review

As we say goodbye to 2017, we find ourselves reflecting on this past year and those who have supported us along the way. It has been quite a year; we said goodbye to our HP showroom in Historic Market Square, launched a collection with designer Windsor Smith, moved to a temporary showroom as we wait for the completion of our new showroom at 200 Steele, launched an outdoor collection with Thomas O'Brien, won a Pinnacle Award & we celebrated 70 years in business.



We called this showroom home for 40 years!



Windsor Smith



Windsor's Saloon inspired room



Entrance of Windsor's space during Spring Market



Our Temporary Showroom @ 520 N. Hamilton St.



Our Thomas O'Brien Outdoor Collection



Pinnacle Award for Windsor Smith Collection



What a memorable year it has been! Here's to 2018 bringing more successful partnerships and rewarding friendships as we move into 200 Steele and cement the foundation for our next 70 years!

Chase Away the Monday Blues

It's Monday.. the most dreaded day of the work week.  You've just traversed your way through traffic to your office, downed your first cup of coffee, listened to your co-workers weekend stories, turned on your computer, and are about to start tackling email.  Prepared for the onslaught of to-dos and weekly meetings. 

We feel ya. At Century we're feeling blue too, but our blues aren't something you want to chase away. In fact, our blues are rather uplifting. They may inspire. They sure as heck will beat that next email you are about to open. 

So go ahead. Take a peak at some of our favorite blues from High Point Furniture Market. Your emails can wait.



Fenton Chair (11-819)



Stanford Acrylic Chair (11-1054)



72" to 84" Skirted Armless Banquette (3380-4-SK)



Details Four Door Credenza (CR9-402)



Details Bar Cabinet (CR9-783)



Squire Ottoman (ESN201-12)



Ridley Chair (ESN222-6)



Joanna Chair (ESN291-6)



Cassidy Sofa (ESN296-2)



Jayson Sofa (ESN299-2)



Willis Swivel Chair (ESN300-8)

We hope this chased away your Monday blues.. Only 4 more days until Friday!

October Market Highlights

This market marked the first time in thirty years that Century Furniture has had a new showroom space at the High Point International Furniture Market.  Prior to this, the only move we have ever made for market was to move from showing in Hickory, NC to showing in High Point.  Not only was it a new showroom, it was also temporary, a one market wonder, as we await the completion of our new permanent home at 200 Steele.

Outfitting a brand new showroom for one market is crazy, but in true Century fashion our team created an incredible display of our product.  This new showroom gave everyone an opportunity to see our furniture in a different light. And it was a hit! We had a fabulous market celebrating our new Thomas O'Brien outdoor collection, our new casegoods collection Bowery Place, our Details Dining program, as well as a quick ship dining chair program.

For those who were unable to make it down to High Point, we wanted to share some highlights!

Thomas O'Brien Outdoor for Century features a mixture of woven and metal materials.

Bowery Place Collection crafted of solid oak and oak veneers

Monarch Collection introduced new pieces including a mix of concrete, painted onyx glass accents, and shagreen.

Windsor Smith for Century Collection won a Pinnacle Award for Best Major Collection
at the ASFD Oct 2017 Pinnacle Awards!



This mixed pattern room showcases Details Dining and Details Chest programs.

For more information about what's new from Century, please contact your local sales professional, and be sure to visit us Spring 2018 at our
~NEW & PERMANENT~

 showroom located at 200 Steele!

Fall 2017 Lifestyle Report

This Fall, Century inspires with a range of colors and patterns from citrons and pale couture, persimmon and navy prints, classic black and white to boho blues. In a marketplace where consumers are king, Century continues to offer a breadth of style and fashion that allows their partners to sell all homes with personalization and distinction. In an ever changing landscape, this seventy year old family business continues to grow by expanding their product line, but still remains true to their core values of quality, impeccable design, and attention to detail. Awe-inspiring and innovative without being trendy, Century Furniture stands out as an eminent house of high end style.

Pattern Play

It's all about mixing pattern. We tend to focus on the notion that all interiors have to match, but it's much more exciting by taking risk in mixing and matching patterns. High contrast colors of grassy green, navy blues, and pops of persimmon mix to create a multi-pattern look. These bold, colorful patterns of geometric shapes and chinoiserie blend together effortlessly and unify one another, but can easily stand alone as accent pieces in the room. A perfect paradox!

 

Boho Blues

This color story of blues will take you on a journey around the world in your own home. A mixture of multicultural Indian block prints, casual stripes, and traditional Indian prints embraces how you live and where you have traveled. Each piece feels like an experience and tells its own story.

 

 

 

Classic Black & White

 

Chinoiserie décor + classic black and white textiles equals crisp and classic rooms. It is the white button down shirt and choker of home design. Confident yet youthful, fanciful and chic. You simply cannot get this wrong. Add in a touch of color for good measure just to keep them guessing.

 

 

 

 

Impressionism

 

They say impressionism captures a feeling or experience. Well, this story will have you feeling like you are floating on a cloud. Light and dreamy watercolors and patterns with subtle hints of citron to blend the pieces together.

 

 

 

 

Copper Elegance

 

Traditional fabrics are revisited in updated colors and textures breathing youth into patterns once relegated to the parlor. Damask reigns once more as the pattern for the home. Mixing in velvets, silks, and a touch of sparkle, these fabrics feel fresh and current. Coppery tones blend with gray and pale blues and work well with handsome dark wood stains to give rooms sophistication and elegance.

 

 

 

 

Pale Couture

 

Soft aquas, creams, and touches of citron mix to create a feminine backdrop. Ivory silks and velvets are complemented beautifully with hints of aqua and citron. This pale couture look is swoon worthy and makes an everlasting statement. These rooms feel soft and serene, but never sweet or cute. Feminine, but not delicate. Metal, Lucite, glass, and painted wood elements add a luxe quality that is present but understated.