John Cunningham Joins Jonathan Charles and Wildwood Lamps as New Creative Director
Furniture Industry News Update -
Furniture World Magazine
Posted:
1/21/2013
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Article Summary:
Cunningham’s experience in visual merchandising includes roles with department store giants
J.C. Penny, Dillard’s and Filene’s.
English antique furniture manufacturer Jonathan Charles and lighting and accessories
manufacturer Wildwood Lamps have named John Cunningham the new Creative Director of
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.
Cunningham’s 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 Inc, where he oversaw all design aspects of the
companies’ branding. In October 2012, Cunningham was recruited to revamp Jonathan Charles’
20,000 sq ft. showroom, which is shared with Wildwood Lamps, to reflect a lifestyle-oriented
environment, and 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, are both 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 salesoriented,” says John 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, John 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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