Cunningham Named Creative Director at Jonathan Charles, Wildwood Lamps
January 22, 2013
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High-end furniture vendor Jonathan Charles and lighting and accessories vendor Wildwood Lamps have named John Cunningham creative director.
He is responsible for showroom design and product development. Cunningham’s background in showroom design and visual merchandising will help highlight the eclectic, inspirational lifestyle elements of both Jonathan Charles and Wildwood Lamps. His experience in visual merchandising includes roles with department store giants J.C. Penny, Dillard’s and Filene’s. Since 2003, he has been the director of visual merchandising for Furnitureland South and Guildmaster, where he oversaw all design aspects of the
companies’ branding.
In October 2012, Cunningham was recruited to revamp Jonathan Charles’ 20,000-square-foot High Point Furniture Market showroom, which is shared with Wildwood Lamps, to reflect a lifestyle-oriented environment. He will continue to oversee showroom designs at future High Point Markets, as well as product development for both brands. Cunningham’s new role also includes traveling to Jonathan Charles’ prominent domestic and international retailers to ensure a consistent visual display on a sales level.
Jonathan Sowter, CEO and head designer of Jonathan Charles; and Russ Barnes, president of Wildwood Lamps, said they are thrilled to have Cunningham join the team. His design aesthetic mirrors that of Jonathan Charles--mixing contemporary, artistic elements into historical period furniture--and believes their shared philosophy will result in a great marriage that bolsters the brands’ images.
“I envision our showroom space in a way that is more inspirational than sales-oriented,” said Cunningham. “We will merchandise the line not only as purveyors of fine furniture and lighting but also as trendsetters for modernizing classic pieces for today’s living.”
For the April High Point Market, Cunningham plans to infuse an expansive color palette into Jonathan Charles’ new collections and reference more au courant trends into Wildwood’s showroom.
He is responsible for showroom design and product development. Cunningham’s background in showroom design and visual merchandising will help highlight the eclectic, inspirational lifestyle elements of both Jonathan Charles and Wildwood Lamps. His experience in visual merchandising includes roles with department store giants J.C. Penny, Dillard’s and Filene’s. Since 2003, he has been the director of visual merchandising for Furnitureland South and Guildmaster, where he oversaw all design aspects of the
companies’ branding.
In October 2012, Cunningham was recruited to revamp Jonathan Charles’ 20,000-square-foot High Point Furniture Market showroom, which is shared with Wildwood Lamps, to reflect a lifestyle-oriented environment. He will continue to oversee showroom designs at future High Point Markets, as well as product development for both brands. Cunningham’s new role also includes traveling to Jonathan Charles’ prominent domestic and international retailers to ensure a consistent visual display on a sales level.
Jonathan Sowter, CEO and head designer of Jonathan Charles; and Russ Barnes, president of Wildwood Lamps, said they are thrilled to have Cunningham join the team. His design aesthetic mirrors that of Jonathan Charles--mixing contemporary, artistic elements into historical period furniture--and believes their shared philosophy will result in a great marriage that bolsters the brands’ images.
“I envision our showroom space in a way that is more inspirational than sales-oriented,” said Cunningham. “We will merchandise the line not only as purveyors of fine furniture and lighting but also as trendsetters for modernizing classic pieces for today’s living.”
For the April High Point Market, Cunningham plans to infuse an expansive color palette into Jonathan Charles’ new collections and reference more au courant trends into Wildwood’s showroom.
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