We recently had the joy of visiting our friends from CR Laine at their High Point showroom – an experience in both color, craft and hospitality.
From the first hug to the last hug of your visit in the CR Laine showroom you understand this is an emotional visit—a connection from both people and creativity. As you step off the elevator, you’re greeted with beautiful bursts of color and soon after the energy and hospitality of the CR Laine family. The person who embodies this best is VP of Merchandising & Marketing, Holly Blalock. Her warm smile and spirit immediately remove any fear of a fussy furniture executive, and almost involuntarily activate a reciprocation of genuine joy.
Safe to spectacular. The easiest way to describe CR Laine’s shift as a company. Holly has helped to lead that shift along with her counterpart, Mark Gilmore, VP of Sales. CR Laine has transformed into a destination for inspiration for both interior designers and retailers.
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Since 1958, CR Laine has been producing some of the best in customized, bench-crafted upholstery out of their Hickory, North Carolina manufacturing campus. Their mission statement, revised in 2011, is simple: “We create inspiring upholstered furniture through innovative STYLE. COMFORT. and COLOR.” And Color has been the word that best defines the connection between CR Laine and Moore & Giles.
“Color is an incredibly important part of our relationship with Moore & Giles,” shares Holly. “I look to fashion, art, nature, and the everyday for inspiration. And, when I spy a color combination that gets me jazzed, I know I can look to Moore & Giles to have the most fashion driven leathers to block and layer into the CR Laine collection. Mint, marigold, blush, thistle – they have it!”
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While Holly is often the driver of color, Mark is focused on the desires of customers in the design community and retailers alike. “Our Color connects buyers on an emotional level,” says Mark. “But, our shapes, having the best comfort in the industry equals sales!” And judging from the response to the latest High Point Furniture Market, “the best” would be a great way to describe the traffic and sales.”
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The way that CR Laine experiments with color evokes many emotions – it really does make you feel something -connecting their customers with a piece of art and craft, not just pushing a silhouette or fabric. Like their #Morethanfurniture states, they are creating pieces that will both inspire and touch lives for years to come.
“I want to know I have made a difference in someone’s life,” says Holly. “I want the pressures of the day to be dialed back when they walk into their home that they love.”
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