Scott Thomas, Michael Connors Partner on Licensed Line

September 6, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on September 7, 2011

Wood furniture vendor Scott Thomas Furniture and Caribbean antique and architecture authority Michael Connors have teamed for a licensed furniture line with a Caribbean/Cuban Modern design aesthetic.

The Michael Connors Collection by Scott Thomas will launch at Fall High Point Furniture Market with 20 SKUs of occasional wood furniture and upholstered seating targeting customers seeking a fresh approach to modern, gracious living. The collection unveiling will coincide with the launch of Connor's new book, "The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors," scheduled for release October 4 by Rizzoli New York, publisher. Connors will sign books 6-7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23, in Scott Thomas' showroom, 525 North Wrenn, High Point N.C.

"The style of furniture made in the Caribbean islands from the 1920s to the 1950s is a genre that has been totally overlooked and/or neglected except by collectors," Connors said. "This is the perfect time to illuminate the unsurpassed beauty and elegant legacy of Caribbean modern (moderne, or Art Deco inspired) design. This younger look, classification and expression of furniture forms is completely new to the marketplace, and Scott Thomas has the foresight, understanding and ability to reproduce it."

Recognized as the leading expert on authenticity and appraisal of investment quality Caribbean furniture, Connors brings to Scott Thomas more than 30 years of experience in consultation, collecting, writing and teaching in fine and decorative arts. He received his Ph.D. in Decorative Arts from New York University where he taught for 15 years. Connors contributes to numerous publications,and has written many books including "Caribbean Houses: History, Style, and Architecture and British West Indies Style," also published by Rizzoli.

Connors also serves on the board of Fundacion Amistad, a non-profit foundation fostering cultural and educational exchanges between the United States and Cuba. Connors lived in Havana for two years, researching and writing the new book. There and in Martinique, Jamaica, Barbados, U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean locales, Connors discovered modern furniture designs which informed the new collection.

"When Michael approached us with this very unique idea, we were just beginning to see increased sales in our own French modernism or vintage mid-century inspired designs," said Scott Hamed, president of Scott Thomas, Aurora, Ohio. "We were impressed not only by his incomparable knowledge, unique viewpoint and access, but also by Michael's commitment to excellence. We think this collection is a perfect marriage of refreshing, innovative design and classic modern investment-quality furniture."

Beyond this partnership with Scott Thomas, Connors is a leading resource to dealers, designers, private collectors, retail institutions, museums and marketers searching for absolute integrity in furniture. He previously consulted on the design of two furniture lines by Baker Furniture: West Indies, introduced 1993, and Colonial Legends, introduced 1997.