we do signs too

Signs & Systems

Need Signs for your new building or office? Well, we do those too.

We have been working quite a bit with Appenx lately on signage solutions for our customers. Appenx has a range of signage options including ADA compliant signs, internal office signage, signs made for systems furniture, and a variety of sign holders. Appenx just added a paper bar accessory to their aluminum outsert signage. The paper bar is a nice addition for areas that have rotating paper signage like conference or meeting rooms.

Check out the Appenx website and let us know if we can help with your signage needs.

soy based seating

American Office adds CAF Contract Seating

American Office has added CAF Contract Seating to repertoire of manufacturers. CAF will add an additional option of affordable ergonomic seating for our customers. We were most impressed by CAF's "full disclosure" environmental policy and their "Take Back" program where you can return CAF Seating at the end of its lifecycle back to CAF for recycling/reuse.

CAF has an excellent "Guide to Specifying Green" and a "Green Product Guide" on their Environmental Solutions page that describe their environmental program and product. Who knew that you could make seating foam out of soy?

We are excited to present CAF's solutions to our customers and contacts.

new website

Vitra launches new website

After two years of work, Vitra launched a new interactive website last week. The website highlights its international presence and prominently features an interactive version of the Vitra Design Museum which is located in Weil am Rhein, Germany. It also has an overview of seminars hosted by Vitra at the Art Basel opening highlighting the architecture of Dubai on its front page.

The site emphasizes the inter-connectivity of Vitra product and flows through their "net & nest" approach to furnishings which is a combination of open space and private retreats.

Showroom Report: Martin Brattrud

Martin Brattrud's New Seating & Table Lines

Martin Brattrud showroom was mixed in with three other manufacturers at NeoCon, so it was difficult to spot which products were Martin Brattrud and which belonged to the other manufacturers.

This year the company introduced three new side and lounge series: Cotswold, Greystone, and the Links Collection. Cotswold and Greystone are wood side chairs with upholstered seats and backs. The Links Collection is a series of modular lounge pieces that "link" together to create unique configurations.

On another note, Martin Brattrud announced that it has received SCS Indoor Advantage certification on its work chairs, lounge seating, and side chairs. The three new lines achieved certification as well.

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Showroom Report by: Molly Shumaker, Designer, Washington DC Office

Showroom Report: CF Group

CF Group Gets "Curv"y with Two New Lines of Tables

The CF Group encompasses several different manufactures, but the stand out this year was Falcon. This is not the same old Falcon we all think of. They are really branching out and coming up with some great solutions for your office needs. No longer boring or mainstream, Falcon has arrived. There were so many things to talk about, but the gold stars go to the following. Falcon has introduced the “Curv” Tables. The “Curv” tables are great for that funky shaped space where you need to put a table and don’t want to order a custom table. The tables come in three different shapes. A right curve, a left curve and a tear drop shape. The tables are a yin and yang type design. They fit nicely into each other and they types of configurations you can come up with are unlimited.

Also in the Curv table series is the “Wave” table. These tables are so sharp and can make your average conference or training space interesting. These tables allow power to be feed out the leg, which keeps everything very clean. Great tables to make a statement.

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Showroom Report by: Robin Senecal, Designer, Baltimore

Showroom Report: Edelman Leather

Edelman Leather's "Wild Hide"

For 2008 Edelman leather has expanded their line of fine leathers with the WILD HIDE series. This new line has gone back to the roots of Native American leather tanning by fire and smoke. This has created additional strength and a “wild natural texture” for a unique experience.

They are also pleased to announce that Edelman is now graded into OFS, HBF and Geiger.
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Showroom Report by: Kristen Dawson, Resource Librarian, Baltimore

Showroom Report: Harden Contract

Harden Goes Green

As for as showrooms go, the Harden showroom located on the tenth floor, can only be described as a narrow rectangular space whose design criteria was simple: provide a clean space where a customer can see a sample of the Traditional, a sample of the Transitional, and a sample of the New Transitional casegoods, along with a few samples of Executive, Task, and Guest seating.

The Sustainable Furniture Council awarded Harden the 2008 Silver Exemplary Award for their management practices that ensure the health and growth of our forest. In addition to their commitment to the environment, Harden is a testimonial for American quality and craftsmanship. The hand carved details, dovetail joinery, floating panel construction, hand sanded finish, and ten-way hand tied springs are examples of the quality. The showroom representative described Harden with the term " Vertical Integration", which in summary means they grow and restock their own forest, own their on sawmills and plants, and own their own trucking fleet.

Be sure to check out the Quin Collection designed by Tom Newhouse, a solid wood construction, configurable component, and a stacking base feature from their New Transitional line.

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Showroom Report by: Pamela Forges, Designer, VA