 Ann Sacks found the inspiration for her company in a box of Mexican Talavera tiles. Chicago-based Jane Hamley Wells has made its name as an upscale contemporary outdoor furniture distributor since the company began in 2004. ANN SACKS
Ann Sacks found the inspiration for her company in a box of Mexican Talavera tiles. While shopping for her wedding dress, she came upon these tiles being sold as trivets. In 1980, she opened her first showroom in her Portland, Ore., bungalow but quickly outgrew the small space, and in 1981, opened her first store.
Sacks found the demand for tiles reached past the hand-glazed Mexican tiles she'd been working with, and collaborated with ceramists to develop a line of color tiles to match Kohler plumbing products.
Ann Sacks recently teamed up with artist Erin Adams to create a colorful line of mosaic glass tile. Adams' use of bold colors and unique patterns give a room an elegant, yet lighthearted feel. The finely cut tiles, combined with the playful graphics and intricate craftsmanship of each pattern, could make Adams' tiles the focal point of a room.
"Because glass is the medium used to capture these rich hues, the installations take on a depth and brilliance not found in typical ceramic tile installations," the company says. Adams' mosaics are customized and made to order, giving customers the power to determine how they want their home to feel. Each installation is unique.
The company's new "Mesquite" line of tile is made from mesquite wood harvested in Texas and is unlike anything on the market. Mesquite wood, which thrives in dry conditions, has a reddish tone and is known for its handsome grain.
"Because it is natural wood, it has an amazing earthy quality, yet it is very contemporary in feel," says John Hart, chief merchandising officer of Ann Sacks & Kallista. The red hues and open grain of these clean-cut tiles give this line a unique warm look.
The product is not only organic and beautiful, but also easy to take care of. "It holds up extremely well over time, taking on a distinctive patina and personality," Hart says. For more information about these products, visit www.annsacks.com.
JANE HAMLEY WELLS
With showrooms all over the country, Chicago-based Jane Hamley Wells has made its name as an upscale contemporary outdoor furniture distributor since the company began in 2004. In spring 2006, the company introduced several of its newest designs, including collections from Italy, Spain and Holland.
Jane Hamley Wells recently teamed up with the Lino Codato Collection (LCC) as its exclusive American wholesaler and distributor. The Italian furniture designer features luxury home lines for outdoor furniture that will now be available nationally for the first time.
"Lino Codato has become known for sumptuous designs, clean elegance and bringing contemporary luxury to the outdoors," says Jane Humzy, president and founder of Jane Hamley Wells. Humzy says LCC has smoothly transitioned from interior design to sophisticated outdoor design.
The combination of clean lines and natural, warm textures gives this collection an elegant but comfortable look. Jane Hamley Wells says it travels the world to bring the most innovative collections to the United States. The Holland-based Freeline International collection has established itself as a contemporary designer since winning "Best New Product" at the 2004 SPOGA Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany.
The award-winning product design featured all-weather dining and casual seating with crossover appeal. The company designs transitional pieces that work in indoor and outdoor settings while blending with various styles of house design and architecture. In its quest to bring the most modern design to the United States, Jane Hamley Wells has introduced the Barcelona Seating Collection (BSC). Now available for the first time nationally, BSC brings original style to traditional indoor and outdoor seating, according to the company.
"BSC's intelligent chair designs turn simplicity into ergonomics, sobriety into elegance and lend credibility to industrial materials," the company says. BSC chairs are versatile and comfortable, ideal for the dining room or the patio, made of stainless steel, recyclable resins and aluminum, it says. "Each of Jane Hamley Wells' furniture lines appeal to customers who possess a sharp eye for style, the confidence to experiment, a desire for individuality and to those who demand top-quality craftsmanship," the company says.
"Our focus is on finding and introducing fresh new designers and manufacturers from around the world who offer design distinctiveness and quality manufacturing at a fair value to the end-user." To learn more about the company's lines, see www.janehamleywells.com. F+I |
