Brownstone Furniture: Not Just an Accessory

Brownstone Furniture (Booth No. 142) is among the few upscale furniture makers looking to play in the custom electronics arena.

Although it sells primarily to furniture dealers, the Richmond, Calif.-based company will be back in Denver for its second CEDIA Expo.

"We are a good fit because our plasma consoles look like high-end furniture pieces," says Reed Kingsley, vice president.

"Based on our research, our competitors are not emphasizing style in their plasma console designs. We have very nice finishes and pay attention to the fashion aspect of these consoles as well as function."

Brownstone offers several models in its flat-panel stand and console lines. Integrators attending CEDIA Expo will find that each console has been updated to include fans and Monster Cable power strips.

Each piece is part of a collection that includes bedroom and dining furniture. So if they choose, custom electronics clients can seek out matching pieces.

The company will also use CEDIA Expo to unveil its patented, remote-controlled flat panel mount that allows the TV to pivot left, right, up and down, according to Kingsley.

Custom electronics clients, he adds, "have not seen anything like this and the system serves a great purpose -- to engage customers with a new option."

In terms of margins, Kingsley says integrators can make good profits on the new flat panel mount and Brownstone's other stands and consoles. Generally, he says dealers us a 2.3 percent or 2.6 percent markup.