Market Watch

Contract Furnishings

Designing a commercial environment is always a balancing act — efficiency versus comfort, maintenance versus good looks, where to save, where to splurge. Here are some new contract-furnishings offerings that make that balancing act just a little easier to achieve.

The Parc Centre chair from Landscapeforms was specifically designed by John Rizzi for urban parks, plazas and other public spaces, but it would also look good on an office balcony or in a restaurant setting. The chair, made with steel rods and welded solid-steel straps, is stackable and comes with or without arms. A table, with a square or circular top, is available in the same series and comes with adjustable leveling guides. www.landscapeforms.com.

Knoll's Dividend Horizon workstations combine easy, good looks with numerous sustainable elements, which can add up to LEED certification points. The elements are made with recycled aluminum, plus recycled fabric panels and VOC-free finishes. Wood components are FSC-certified, and particleboard is also recycled. The system also offers low-mercury, high-efficiency task lighting and is GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality Certified. www.knoll.com.

DuraleeContract has introduced Crypton Green, a fabric line reflecting a clean, transitionally modern styling, available in a two-book color collection. The berry/melon/onyx book displays creamy golds, bright reds and crisp black and white, while the ocean/sea/glass/bark book shows off soft greens, teal and browns. The fabrics are woven with recycled polyester yarns and treated with an eco-friendly finish for durability. Available through Chuck Wells & Associates, 595 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209, (303) 744-8584; or www.duraleecontract.com.

Cabot Wrenn Care has introduced several new chairs to its Motion Line of healthcare furnishings. The new additions include the Open Arms patient recliner, shown here, designed by Mark Goetz. The chair features arms that swing out, allowing healthcare professionals easier access to patients. It has a wall-hugger recline mechanism, allowing it to be used in small spaces, plus all-steel construction and heavy-duty casters. www.cabotwrenn.com.

Uffizi conference and administration furniture by Tuohy features clean, airy European lines and a mix of materials that includes glass, metal, wood and lacquer. Conference tables incorporate communications technology without disturbing the sleek lines of the design. Wall panels act as architectural backdrops and manage cables, monitors and projection screens within a thin profile and offer capabilities for shelving, magnetic message boards and document display. www.tuohyfurniture.com.