New style
AICO/Amini Innovation Corp. takes its design cues directly from its name. Innovative designs are its heritage.
Although past furniture designs have been steeped in history and tradition with innovative twists, AICO’s latest offerings show a metamorphosis akin to a butterfly’s transformation.
The Southern California-based manufacturer unveiled a new division and look — a look that embraces the more casual nature of today’s homes — earlier this year at the World Market Center Las Vegas.
Called Michael Amini Casual Impressions, the new division features transitional and contemporary collections that are very style oriented, said Larry Rinaldi, president.
The change in direction is in direct response to Americans’ changing tastes and the economic challenges of the current market.
“I do not believe in sitting and waiting for it to get better. The only way to get ahead is to be aggressive,” said Michael Amini, founder and chief executive officer.
Known for its ornate and often oversized, traditional furniture collections, AICO spent more than a year developing the contemporary and transitional designs. Along with the new look, many of the pieces are scaled for smaller spaces and offered at lower prices.
“As times change, so do we have to change,” Rinaldi said.
The furniture has clean, straight lines and often includes an element of mixed media. It also introduces new materials to the company’s collections, including bamboo.
Many of the pieces feature recessed and hidden hardware, which adds to the contemporary style.
Eleven collections make up the new division, including Lili, which gives an Asian flair to Arts and Crafts-inspired designs, and Queue, a dark coffee collection with reeded accents.
Also debuting were collections influenced by nature, Indonesian design and tropical islands. Reneau has a retro feel, while Via Lustra is very contemporary with modern Italian inspiration and a high-gloss finish.
Amini added that the collections are not only diversified in style, they will appeal to an international audience and range of ages. “This will allow these collections to find homes where traditional furnishings may not be suitable.”
The company also debuted three traditional collections: Mykonos, which has Greek islands traditional styling in a Grecian chestnut finish; Vieux Maison, which is done in a French traditional style and has a Provence pecan finish; and Wembley Estate, a traditional English look with an English saddle finish.
The new division debuted as part of AICO’s 20th anniversary celebration, which also saw the unveiling of a new 56,000-square-foot showroom on the top floor of Building C at World Market Center Las Vegas. The collections include furniture for the bedroom, living room and dining room, as well as entertainment areas and occasional accents.
Additionally, the company debuted the Michael Amini … etcetera division, which offers accent pieces and accessories, along with decorative accent rugs and coordinated bedding.
