Celebrity News:

These aren't the best of times for American furniture-makers, which this year added a housing slump to hardships that already included rising prices for some materials and shortages of others, not to mention the competition from overseas. But feedback from retailers shopping the High Point Market earlier this month was encouraging for those attaching celebrity and designer names to furniture collections.

"Consumers really connect with licensed collections," said Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. "They feel confident about buying furniture from a designer they admire or a brand they trust."

So there'll be more recognizable names on the way this spring, judging from fall collections that included Martha Stewart's sixth line for Bernhardt (called Dunemore), more Frank Lloyd Wright introductions from Copeland, Jessica McClintock's antique-inspired collection for Lea Industries and 42 pieces by Bob Mackie for American Drew.

The eye-catchers shown here: above, the curvy Urbane chaise by Banfi Zambrelli for Robin Bruce, expected to retail for about $1,199 when it hits stores in the spring (watch www.robinbruce.com for shopping info; Bay Area dealers include Blue Tomatoes stores); and at right, from Baker's Jacques Garcia Collection, the Geisha end table of maple solids and veneers and lacquered in black, $2,537.