E.J. Victor: Market Overview

Premier furniture crafter E.J. Victor is using the April 2003 International Market to introduce a broad slate of exquisite furniture that excels in style, construction, design and function, whether itıs domestically-produced casual contemporary, or imported European reproductions, or truly made-to-order, one-of-a-kind upholstery.

"Our introductions cross a lot of lines of style," said John V. Jokinen, company President and CEO. "Rather than put all of our eggs in one basket with one new group, we felt it was important to develop a broad assortment of styles and shapes that has appeal to a broad audience. As a result, this market we have something for everybody."

Headlining the upholstery offering is a made-to-order program, E.J. Victor Custom, that lets customers design their own sofas, chairs and other seating through complete personalization of any in-line silhouette. Customers can alter styles of arms, change depths of seats and adjust heights of backs and widths of frames. They can specify the number and type of cushions and define skirt treatments, decorative trims, wood finishes and other upholstery options. They can provide their own fabrics or choose from any of E.J. Victorıs over 2,000 fabrics.

"In other words," said E.J. Victor Executive Vice President Joseph P. Manderson, "customers can order exactly what they want, whatever they want."

"This program is designed to give customers the opportunity to create personalized, superbly-crafted, one-of-a-kind upholstery," he said.

Foremost among E.J. Victorıs significant and innovative wood additions is ELEMENTS, an eight-piece casual contemporary collection crafted in Quartered Ash veneers and Maple solids. Offered in two relaxed, slightly distressed finishes, ELEMENTS provides stunning visual and textural elements through a unique, labor-intensive manufacturing process that creates a woven wood look while maximizing structural integrity.

The Morganton, N.C.-based firm is enhancing its elegant, formal E.J. Victor Wood collection with two significant, gorgeous items -- a stunning dining room sideboard and a massive, Plasma Screen entertainment center.

Embracing emerging technology, E.J. Victor introduces a massive 91 1/2-inches tall, 91 1/8-inches wide and 23 3/4-inches deep Mahogany 18-century Entertainment cabinet configured for Plasma Television Screens and supporting electronics.

The Plasma Screen Entertainment Center is crafted in Mahogany Solids and Crotch Mahogany Veneers. It features gorgeous, hand-polished raised panels on swing-away doors, double-hinged fluted columns and all the internal function, ample storage and superb craftsmanship customers expect from the privately-owned producer of some of the worldıs finest furniture.

Adding to an already exquisite collection of dining room furniture, E. J. Victor is introducing a George III Side Cabinet crafted in highly-polished maple solids and Crotch Mahogany and Satin Wood veneers. The Cabinet is available either with wood panel doors constructed with oval, bordered Crotch Mahogany veneers or with doors offering a brass trellis option in front of a Moiré backing.

Capitalizing on the sustained demand for E.J. Victorıs English Country, a collection of European reproduction English Oak furniture, Jokinen is showcasing new additions in one of the largest displays of the group in years.

Among the introductions is a distinctive Colchester Settle Bench, a high-backed bench crafted from solid English Oak, offered with two finish options, styled with an abundance of raised panels, open English arms and ample storage beneath the lift-up seat.

E. J. Victor will display English County side-by-side with its Caroline Faison collection; a stunning assortment of authentically reproduced, hand-painted occasional furniture influenced from carefully selected European antiques.

The firm is expanding its successful Julia Gray collection, introduced in April 2002, with the addition of an Italian-reproduction bedroom group showcasing hand painting and beautiful Madrone burl veneer.

This extremely dense wood features a fantastic burl pattern and an unusual undulating pattern.

Newport, a cornerstone of E. J. Victorıs wood and upholstery collections, is enhanced with the addition of a coffee table inspired from the home of Doris Duke and a flip-top decorative table with an oriental rooster motif painted into the finish. This tabletop features a serpentine-shaped edge and is supported by a turned pedestal terminating in a splayed-leg accented with hand painting.

Edward W. Phifer, III, Joseph B. Manderson and John Victor Jokinen founded E.J. Victor in 1990 in Morganton, NC. Together, the founders created a corporate culture that maintains an unwavering commitment to preserving time-honored, local construction methods used to create exquisite furniture for the home.