ShareThisWhat do Veneman Furniture and Walt Disney have in common? A great love for Mickey Mouse? Perhaps, but there is also a connection by means of a great love for fine, attractive furniture. Yes, Disney Consumer Products has launched a Disney Signature collection that is now available through Veneman. It is Disney's first upscale, non-character lifestyle brand. Non-character? What were they thinking?
Getting back to the furniture, the new line consists of high-end outdoor furniture designed to somehow incorporate Disney magic and whimsy into furnishings in the home. It is produced by Veneman.
"Walt Disney Signature aligns with our passion for a timeless modern style that transforms a space into a destination," says Bill Markowitz of Veneman Furniture. "The inspiration for this clean-lined series draws from Disney's tradition of storytelling, and represents a new opportunity for discerning consumers in design, materials and craftsmanship."
Disney tradition ... discerning consumers ... quality products ... all this sounds very Disney to me.
There are four collections: Lumiere, Griffith, Imperial and Script Writer. Let's explore.
Lumiere: Walt Disney always searched for leading minds in various industries. He insisted on honesty and integrity in the quality and workmanship of his film productions. His parks are the best in the world and his company continues this legacy in all its endeavors. In the Lumiere collection, emphasis is found in the contrast between light and dark, creating a classic look akin to Disney's early films.
Griffith: Disney trivia: Where did Walt Disney get his inspiration to develop his own amusement park? It was while visiting Griffith Park with his family and watching his children ride the carousel there. This line boasts of a casual Californian aesthetic with clean lines and optimistic colors.
Script Writer: Disney is renowned for his storytelling in film, art, music and written form. The Script Writer collection is made of teak and seems to invite then envelop us in new world imaginations and aspirations.
Imperial: Remember "The China Plate" from Disney's Silly Symphonies where the porcelain-dish characters came to life? It had an Asian motif with structural symmetry and refined angles. This animated cartoon was the inspiration for the Imperial line.
For more information, visit www.venemanfurniture.com. But seriously now, there must be some character depiction somewhere in the furniture. I'd check for hidden Mickeys.
(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color," available at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTS
