Hello Design Friends!
The holidays are FINALLY upon us, and boy are we excited. Last year was tough, and I know that the whole world is looking forward to making this the best holiday season yet! For this blog post, I am focusing on the challenges we are still facing this year but with some good news.
It's no secret that the whole world has been turned upside down in the past year and a half, with incredibly long lead times on products and increased pricing. Everything from counter tops, to furniture, to cabinets, to wall paper, and everything else in between. The trickle-down effect has touched each and every person in our country, and much of the rest of the world as well. At least we have TP this year though, “amiright”?!?
In this blog post, I will tell you about how unprecedented demand in our industry, coupled with COVID-related issues have led to furniture delivery times stretching out upwards of six months, sometimes longer. Clients are getting frustrated with the long waits. Recently, I actually had to actually tell a client that the bar stools she wanted to order were going to take 17 weeks! And it's not just furniture. One of my cabinet supplies got up to a 26 week lead time (normally 5-6) at one point, although thankfully they are starting to fall back down. Everything from cabinets, flooring materials, light fixtures, wall paper, fabric, plumbing supplies, etc. have been experiencing major delays in production time. Is this really the "new normal"?!
When the pandemic began almost two years ago and stores were closing down temporarily, companies thought that consumer spending would drop and the housing market would take a hit. These companies were afraid of purchasing inventory, so they cut WAY back on ordering inventory. But on the contrary interest rates have been so low that people are refinancing their homes, and consumer spending and the housing market have unexpectedly gone WAY up. What's more, the more time people spent time at home, the more and more people wanted to remodel, refurnish or build. Just as companies made the decision to cut down on inventory, the orders began pouring in. As these companies started trying to order mass inventory, it was too much all at once and went from famine to feast! And with Covid restrictions on factories (no matter what company the factory is in) and staffing challenges, lead times shot through the roof! One of our custom cabinet shops is now even having trouble finding hinges (which are made mostly oversees), in order to finish their cabinets.
Shifting to this year, we have been seeing various shut-downs and closures at ports here and overseas, and this has created havoc with the ocean-freight carriers. We no longer have enough trains to transport things because we don’t have enough engineers and we don’t have enough drivers to move containers via the highways so we have a tremendous log-jam on our hands. In addition to the supply and demand issues, there have also been truck driver shortages, supply chain logistics issues, and storms in Texas and the southeast impacting factories that make a chemical needed in sofas and mattresses, and it’s all adding up to longer than ever lead times. So you can see how the schedule reliability is shot. We don’t know if a shipment is going to arrive in 45 days or 200 days.
There are some glimmers of hope. I have personally seen some of the lead times starting to fall, although don't get too excited because it will probably be at least mid-2022 before we see any glimpses of "the old normal". But the supply and demand seem to be in the beginning stages of sorting itself out in our industry.
BUT, now for the good news! There ARE great options out there available to ship NOW. For this blog post, I wanted to share with you some of EYD's favorite in stock and ready to ship options. Many companies have adapted to the current frustrating situation by adding features and filters on their websites that showcase only the "in stock" items, allowing you to see easily and quickly exactly what is currently in stock TODAY.
I have listed a few options below that are IN STOCK NOW! If you would like more information about any of these pieces, please contact me at elizabethyagerdesigns@gmail.com. Also, I have access to tons of additional options available for immediate shipment. If there is something specifically that you are looking for, please message me for more information.
MEDIA LOUNGER-DELTA BISQUE
$1,882.50
I have absolutely LOVE this roomy sofa/chair. Light grey performance-grade upholstery forms a dramatic U shape for a spacious, sink-in sit. Throw pillows present an added touch of comfort to this sensibly styled media lounger, perfect for movie nights.
Overall Dimensions: 62.00"w x 68.00"d x 32.00"h
Leather and Wood Chair Available in 4 Colorways staring at $1,980 (before tax and shipping)
A striking silhouette with design-forward details any way you look at it. Top-grain, hand-finished leather sits in a natural ash wood frame held by parachute strapping made of canvas, leather and metal buckles.
Slipcover Sofa in 90" or 96" and Available in 3 Colorways Starting at $2,280 before tax and shipping
A slipcovered sofa made for modern living. Shelter arms and big, pillow-inspired cushions are covered in a durable, extraordinarily comfortable fabric prime for lounging.
HUDSON ROUND COFFEE TABLE
$2,332.50
Stunning forces of nature are captured in a coffee table, as salted primavera wood is hand-shaped into a cylindrical silhouette. Reflective of woods' natural character, a slight color variance is possible.
Overall Dimensions: 40.00"w x 40.00"d x 15.00"h
Available in SPALTED PRIMAVERA, ASHEN WALNUT, NATURAL YUKAS
Cane Dining Arm Chair for $630 before tax and shipping
Mixed materials refresh retro dining style. Brushed ebony nettlewood frames a textural inlay of natural cane, for perfect contrast. Neutral linen-blend seating of high-performance fabric for modern sensibility.
CANE BAR + COUNTER STOOL starting at $727.50 before tax and shipping
Avenue Counter Stool $749.25 before tax and shipping
FEATURES & BENEFITS
High Performance, Quality Fabric
Button Tufted Back
Polished Silver Front Metal Footrest
Solid Wood Frame
Costa Bench for $674.25 before tax and shipping
Faye Slipcovered Swivel Club Chair for $1,499.25 before tax and shipping
Loom Barstool Can be Indoor or Outdoor for $1,049.25 before tax and shipping
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Suitable for Indoor and Outdoor Use
Removable Upholstered Seat Cushion in All-Weather Fabric
Reinforced Dual Aluminum Frame System
Intricate Rope Weave Design
Solid Teak Base
L-Shape Metal Footrest Cover
Sky 96" Wide Sofa for $3,149.25
FEATURES & BENEFITS
High Performance, Quality Fabric
Sinuous Spring Construction
2-Sq. 100% Down Throw Pillows (20"Sq)
KD Construction Legs
Xander Quilted Leather Dining Chairs for $696.75 before tax and shipping
Faux Ostrich Coffee Table
$2,681.25 before tax and freight
Faux ostrich softens a square silhouette while edge molding, which emphasizes open sides and straight lines, provides a subtle lip around the edges. Supported by painted distressed-gold feet. Matching accent table available.
Available in White, Light Gray and Moss Green and 52"L X 30"W X 18"H
Aged Brass Iron Coffee Table
$1,852.50 before tax and freight
Our oval-shaped coffee table is a sleek living room addition, with just the right touch of whimsy. This brass coffee table alluring silhouette features Atomic age- inspired legs, an airy crossbar base, and a removable top with a short lip detail. Also available in aged silver iron. Matching accent table available.
43"L X 29"W X 18"H
BELMONT METAL CABINET
$1,980 before tax and freight
Display barware, books and other treasures in beautifully arched cabinetry. Solid iron sheeting is finished in a modern gunmetal or matte black with clear glass fronts.
Overall Dimensions: 39.50"w x 15.75"d x 92.50"h
TOLLE CABINET
$3,570 before tax and freight
Store it in style. Beautifully shaped cabinetry of black solid oak features spacious interior shelving and clear glass front, ready for displaying favorite books, photos and treasures.
Overall Dimensions: 38.00"w x 19.00"d x 84.00"h
CAPRICE LARGE BOOKSHELF
$2,182.50
Also available in natural blonde.
Overall Dimensions: 38.00"w x 17.00"d x 90.00"h
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