Norwalk Furniture and Los Angeles-based designer Kim Salmela have entered into a partnership to create a line of chic lifestyle upholstery products with a modern bohemian vibe, inspired by Salmela’s extensive world travels.
The collection combines a bold and stylish mix of textures, colors and patterns with fresh seating silhouettes to create a distinctive aesthetic targeted towards a younger audience.
Bringing together Salmela’s well-traveled and free spirited vibe with Norwalk’s manufacturing expertise, the collection of 35 upholstered sofas, sectionals, accent chairs and ottomans will be launched at the October 2018 High Point Market, along with 50 signature fabrics. The pieces will also be available in any of Norwalk’s 800 fabrics and dozens of nail head trim and finish options.
A true entrepreneur at heart, Salmela has been the owner of several award-winning home furnishings retail stores and a manufacturer and designer of her own custom furniture line. In addition, she is a multi-faceted designer, working with clients ranging from commercial to residential interior design projects. She also has a background in designing spaces for social events, including set and costume designs. In fact, she got her start in design as the creative director for the entertainer Prince.
“We have been looking to add a younger, West Coast vibe to our product line, and we found that in Kim,” said Caroline Hipple, President of Norwalk Furniture. “Her eclectic background and impeccable ability to mix colors, patterns and texture combined with her deep knowledge of furniture and textiles will add a new point of view to our product line that will enable us to reach a new consumer.”
“Believing in buying what you love and not worrying about any design rules, Kim prides herself in setting trends instead of following them,” adds Dixon Bartlett, Chief Creative Officer for Norwalk Furniture. “Always adding a bit of juxtaposition – modern with vintage, feminine with masculine and light with dark – her irrefutable style and sensibility will add depth and dimension to an already successful product line here at Norwalk.”
“Caroline and Dixon have mentored me throughout the years and I have long admired them both creatively and business-wise,” Salmela said. “In speaking with them about my next steps, we all had that 'ah-ha' moment and saw the serendipitous partnership that we could have together.
The Kim Salmela Collection will have dual presentation at High Point Market in the Norwalk showroom, IHFC, Main 108, and also in space G-6055 of the Salon in the Suites at Market Square. The company will celebrate the launch of the collection during a launch party on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 5-7 p.m. in the Norwalk showroom and a launch brunch – also in the Norwalk showroom – will take place on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, Salmela will be interviewed by leading trend forecasting agency, Fashion Snoops on Monday, Oct. 15 from 5-7 p.m., in the Norwalk showroom.
