Dale Campbell combines natural & antique elements
By Cinde W. Ingram -- Casual Living, 8/1/2007 12:00:00 AM
Dale Campbell's eye for style and design dates back to his early days, but he only began putting his vision into casual furniture five years ago.
|
|
Dale Campbell |
|
|
Sunchaser double chaise |
Starting in junior high, Campbell was an art student, working within a variety of mediums and in graphic arts. "My father has one of the largest antique collections in North America, both furniture and lighting, and I was greatly influenced by that," Campbell said. "I worked in a museum in Detroit for a couple of years so I had a lot of influence in art and antiques from a young age."
Given that foundation, Campbell had strayed away from his artistic path until he joined Lloyd/Flanders. "When I took the position as vice president of sales and marketing, we were paying a lot of designers' royalties," he said. "I figured why not give my talent a try instead of hiring other designers? It's been pretty successful and it's a lot of fun."
Although he never had formal training in furniture design, he relied on his artistic upbringing.
"What inspires me is really everything around me — past experiences and new things I see," Campbell said. "I'll see elements (ranging) from a natural viewpoint to antique furniture that I'm very familiar with and I'll just pull those elements together."
Going outdoors with his sketchbook in hand sparks his creative ideas. "I believe if you truly observe and appreciate life around you, you can design for living in continuity," he said. "Like when I did the Sedona sectional, I wanted it to have a natural feel so I designed the back to look like a mountain landscape, very rolling and soft. I just took elements from nature and designed it into the group so it was much more pleasing to the eye."
For the new Princeton collection, he combined elements from 1840s ironwork for a look that will work in contemporary, transitional and traditional settings. Oxford, which has been a big hit for retailers, remains one of Campbell's favorite designs with its plush, stately look influenced by the overstuffed chairs common to cigar clubs.
"This year, I increased the seating size of everything," he said. "I believe you should sit in furniture not, sit on it."
Campbell designs furniture now to offer something for everyone's taste and steers clear of themed groups. He recalls the Island Way collection, which brought a record number of early buys for Lloyd/Flanders when introduced but represented a short-lived trend.
"Now I design for a much broader appeal," Campbell said. He aims for "a balance between visually pleasing and very comfortable" furniture. Campbell describes Lloyd/Flanders' original Lloyd loom as the most exciting and satisfying material for him to use because of the way it forms around the frame.
When asked about his biggest success, Campbell doesn't hesitate to mention winning an ASFD Pinnacle Award for his Sun Chaser double chaise during the October High Point Market.
"That's like getting the Oscar," Campbell said of winning the Pinnacle Award. "And it's retailing very well so I've broken the evil curse."
We would love your feedback!
-
Designers inspire casual industry
Aug 1, 2007 -
Pride Family Brands Artistry in Specialty
Apr 1, 2008 -
Design Excellence Awards 2007 - Tubular Materials
Aug 10, 2007
Featured Company
-
Wright Labels
Bill and Tom Wright founded Wright of Thomasville in 1961 on the idea that printing was a creative medium and the belief that "a promise made is a promise kept." The Wright brothers focused their attention on providing exceptional printing for the... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
