The Bedworks, of Bangor Maine, has introduced two new frames to their platform bed collection. “Our new Standish featuring a bookcase headboard, and the Yarmouth, our mission style posted bed, are beautifully designed and feature solid hardwood ash construction,” said Janet Moran, The Bedworks’ spokesperson.

Each futon platform bed frame is available from twin to king size in all the finishes the company produces. “Even better,” says Moran, “you can now order these beds to be used with both futon mattresses and the more traditional innerspring futon mattress and boxspring units sold in furniture and bedding stores everywhere.”

In fact The Bedworks has reproportioned their entire line of platform bed styles to accomodate traditional style mattress units. “These beds will come with wooden rails, slats, and center legs, and are ready to set up with no need to source any other components,” she said.

Lofabed Now Available in Loveseat, Twin, and Chair Sizes.... All with Ottomans!

Sometimes the answer to a problem is just so obvious, it’s almost painful! Such was the case with Danabel, makers of the LofaBed futon/davenport, when they set about designing a loveseat version of their full-sized futon frame model. According to Mitch Wapen of Lofa Sales, “They worked feverishly to develop the perfect product. Hidden extension and cushion, recessed mechanism, foldout legs.... the whole nine yards.” The only problem was that when it was finished, it was just too complicated to operate! Back to the drawing board.

Looking to the futon furniture industry for guidance, Danabel turned next to a tried and true winner: the ottoman. The loveseat reality was accomplished by reducing the full-sized LofaBed from 75 to 54 inches, and adding a 21x54 inch ottoman. The retailer can now offer the customer the option of sleeping “east-west” (full size) or “north-south,” (loveseat) like a traditional sofabed. The loveseat and ottoman are kept together in the bed position by a fitted sheet, and can be separated, as needed, when in the sofabed position. And, because of the simplicity of the design, there’s nothing to go wrong or to confuse the customer. “Everything that works so well with the original,” according to Wapen, “is incorporated into the loveseat....with the additional benefit that now we have an upholstered sofa sleeper available in four sizes, six arms, and a bunch of fabrics!

The futon ottoman design is very basic. It consists of a loveseat, twin, or chair upholstered base, which is recessed on top to prevent the 8” matching futon from sliding off. When the ottoman is pushed against the accompanying LofaBed base, it turns into a standard full (54”x75”), twin (39”x75”), or chair (28”x75”) mattress. “This is the product people turn to when they’ve had it with Hide-A-Beds and, for whatever reason, don’t think that futon furniture fits their decor,” says Wapen.

Wolf Corporation at High Point

Wolf Corporation in conjunction with Omni Softgoods and Lifestyle Solutions by Elite Furniture, has announced its location for Spring Market at High Point. Showrooms for the three companies will again be located in the I.H.P.C. Main Building in space M001, the former Press Center. To reach the showrooms use the Main Street entrance. Doors to the showroom are located on the right side of the corridor near the Wrenn Street exit, next to Barlow Tyrie, and Clark Casual Furniture.

Increase In Sponsorships Allow FAI Members To Attend
Monday Conference Workshops At No Charge

This year sponsorship donations rose significantly for the Futon Expo and Specialty Sleep Show to be held March 15-18, 1999 in Las Vegas. Every year companies who manufacture futon products, as well as suppliers of materials used in that manufacturing process give generously to subsidize many of the events that take place at the Futon Association’s annual Expo. This year, with the cooperative effort of the Specialty Sleep Association and its members the Expo’s funding has increased enough to offer Monday conference workshops free to both association’s members.

The Futon Association and the Specialty Sleep Association would like to thank this year’s sponsors for providing both memberships with this extra benefit, and for their continued support in underwriting Expo events including the exciting annual banquet, the preview party, the shuttle busses, the tote bags, and the annual meeting refreshments. We salute the following companies: Gold Bond Mattress, S.I.S. Futon Covers, Simmons Company (Gold Level Sponsors at $3500), Color-Tex International, Halcyon Waterspring, Futon Life (Silver Level Sponsors at $2000), August Lotz Co., Big Tree Furniture, Blue Magic, Cotton Works, Custom Design, Elite Furntiure, Harlee International, Land And Sky, Omni Softgoods, Otis Bed Mfg., Quaker Fabric Corp., Rocheux International, Sleep 2000, Wm. T. Burnett & Co., Wolf Corp. (Bronze Level Sponsors at $1000), Richloom Fabrics Corp. (Donor Level Sponsor at $500).

FL