HIGH POINT — It’s only been “official” for a few days, but the Amber Lewis x Four Hands collection already has an enthusiastic and robust buyer audience, company officials told Furniture Today.
Comprised of 200 SKUs across dining, upholstery, outdoor and décor, the new collection is the first branded collection “ever” for Four Hands, according to Rick Lovegrove, president of upholstery. He added that Lewis, an interior designer, creator and founder of Los Angeles-based Amber Interiors Design Studio, has been a Four Hands customer for several years, a factor that swayed the decision-making process.
“We have always respected her work,” Lovegrove said. “We’ve been approached by a lot of people, but it didn’t feel right before. This felt right.”
Available to the trade through Four Hands and to consumers through Shoppe Amber Interiors, the collection launched simultaneously on Thursday on the Four Hands website, Amber Lewis’ website and across social channels for both companies, and the first orders immediately started coming in.
“We sold 500 pieces the first day,” Lovegrove told Furniture Today. “The reaction has been overwhelming in a wonderful way and greatly exceeded our expectations.”
Describing the collection as “all about layers,” he said that Lewis’ signature aesthetic is about combining old with new and mixing modern touches while incorporating a nod to European antiques. The materials chosen for the upholstery in the collection include genuine shearling, aged leathers and chenille velvets, among others.
“Amber worked on every single piece. We traveled around the world to develop the product; she was not just putting her name on it.”
Lovegrove added that Lewis’ collection complements the Four Hands introductions for market as well as existing products in the line. Underscoring the similarities in materials, he explained that Four Hands’ intention with the Amber Lewis launch was to fill a product style need previously not represented in the showroom while maintaining the line’s cohesiveness.
“Our whole product development team was engaged in the process, and we chose materials that provide a sensory experience,” Lovegrove said. “For the new launch, Amber collaborated with us on everything and was super transparent, and for her to sign off on each product, it had to reflect Amber Lewis.”
In addition to the full upholstery and case goods groups, Four Hands has also continued to build out its collection of occasional chairs, or “statement pieces,” to accommodate consumers who might refresh a room with one piece instead of several, Lovegrove said. One notable introduction is the Ezra chair, inspired by a piece of Murano glass and featuring a reinforced frame to accommodate the unique design.
“The team did a great job figuring out how to produce that chair,” Lovegrove said. “We wanted to keep the frame thin and elegant, and they succeeded.”
The Four Hands supply chain supports the Amber Lewis and Four Hands lines, Lovegrove added. He noted that the diversity of the supply chain combined with the breadth of product offerings has positioned Four Hands well.
“We are in a secure place with our supply chain,” he said. “Our team is constantly evaluating processes and looking for ways we can improve, and that due diligence has allowed us to feel nothing but excited about what’s in store for this collection and beyond.
