New Generation Furniture

WhoWHATWhereWhy: British Home Furniture Invasion

HIGH POINT, N.C. -- The Union Jack has been unfurled on just about every surface imaginable from bedspreads to bustiers in anticipation of Kate Middleton and Prince William's royal wedding Friday.

"The upcoming royal wedding is having a huge influence in the USA. In my travels in the USA at present, I see the Union Jack embellishing everything from T-shirts to sofas," said Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana and the man behind Highland House's Royal Manner furniture collection. He was in the company's High Point showroom earlier this month, where the questions were more about his thoughts on the young royal couple than the new pieces being introduced to the collection.

"There is no question that the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, a commoner, represents a new generation of royals who are striving to live a more 'normal' life than their forebears," noted Mr. Burrell, who has been hired by Fox to add his commentary during the televised nuptials.

In the Highland House showroom and throughout the Spring International Home Furnishings Market, there was plenty of evidence of a British home invasion.

"It is important to note that true English style never appears contrived. The best and most attractive English interiors marry a balance of old and new, and this is what Highland House and I have done together. We have produced a line of wood and upholstered furnishings inspired by English antiques as well as by designs of a more casual and transitional nature," said Mr. Burrell.

A perfect example of this "marriage" of classic and casual was the antique-style armchair with a leather seat and Kravet's antler print fabric back being shown by Highland House. "The connection of the antler motif to our Highland House Royal Manor furniture collection is that the royal family loves to hunt, most especially at Balmoral, the royal residence in Scotland," said Highland House spokeswoman Virginia Gray.

"My 21 years of experience in royal service -- first to the Queen and then to Prince Charles and Princess Diana -- have given me an insider's view of some of the most beautiful and historic homes in England and around the world -- homes filled with priceless furnishings and art," Mr. Burrell added.

The trend toward tartans and tweeds and other Anglophile finery was not lost on prescient furniture makers who anticipated a demand for all things British. "Bob and I love English antiques and feel there is going to be a real resurgence of all things British because of the wedding," said Mitchell Gold, of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The company showed what it termed "modern English" pieces. Among them was the small-scale Alice chair upholstered in a buttoned-up Glen plaid. "We have to look out six months to a year when we are putting together new pieces and collections," he explained.

British Home Furniture Invasion: Who, What, Where, Why ...

The Union Jack has been unfurled on just about every surface imaginable from bedspreads to bustiers in anticipation of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s royal wedding Friday.

“The upcoming royal wedding is having a huge influence in the USA. In my travels in the USA at present, I see the Union Jack embellishing everything from T-shirts to sofas,” said Paul Burrell, former butler to Princess Diana and the man behind Highland House’s Royal Manner furniture collection. He was in the company’s High Point showroom earlier this month, where the questions were more about his thoughts on the young royal couple than the new pieces being introduced to the collection.

“There is no question that the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton, a commoner, represents a new generation of royals who are striving to live a more ‘normal’ life than their forebears,” noted Mr. Burrell, who has been hired by Fox to add his commentary during the televised nuptials.

In the Highland House showroom and throughout the Spring International Home Furnishings Market, there was plenty of evidence of a British home invasion.

“It is important to note that true English style never appears contrived. The best and most attractive English interiors marry a balance of old and new, and this is what Highland House and I have done together. We have produced a line of wood and upholstered furnishings inspired by English antiques as well as by designs of a more casual and transitional nature,” said Mr. Burrell.

A perfect example of this “marriage” of classic and casual was the antique-style armchair with a leather seat and Kravet’s antler print fabric back being shown by Highland House. “The connection of the antler motif to our Highland House Royal Manor furniture collection is that the royal family loves to hunt, most especially at Balmoral, the royal residence in Scotland,” said Highland House spokeswoman Virginia Gray.

“My 21 years of experience in royal service — first to the Queen and then to Prince Charles and Princess Diana — have given me an insider’s view of some of the most beautiful and historic homes in England and around the world — homes filled with priceless furnishings and art,” Mr. Burrell added.

The trend toward tartans and tweeds and other Anglophile finery was not lost on prescient furniture makers who anticipated a demand for all things British. “Bob and I love English antiques and feel there is going to be a real resurgence of all things British because of the wedding,” said Mitchell Gold, of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The company showed what it termed “modern English” pieces. Among them was the small-scale Alice chair upholstered in a buttoned-up Glen plaid. “We have to look out six months to a year when we are putting together new pieces and collections,” he explained.

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