A member of Britain`s royal family paid an unofficial visit to Chicago and the Merchandise Mart recently for a crash course in the American way of selling furniture.
David Linley, son of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, is a London-based furnituremaker who is considering expanding sales to the United States. On the advice of Michael Padron, a Chicago-area interior designer and Linley acquaintance, the young royal toured several showrooms at the Merchandise Mart to chat with wholesalers and Mart executives about marketing his products.
”He and I talked one on one,” said Betty Menna, owner of the Betty M Collection. ”It`s very special furniture,” Menna said. ”It`s crafted for generations.”
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Linley studied furnituremaking under John Makepeace, an influential English designer who is known for applying high-tech methods to traditional English woods.
Linley brought no samples,but he did bring sketches of his intricate 18th Century-inspired designs.
”I think his pieces would be good for NEOCON (the Mart`s commercial and office furniture show held annually in June),” said Menna, who had seen some of his collection during a trip to London.
John Brennan, executive vice president of home furnishings for the Mart, said the center is still talking with Linley, but no contract has been signed.