AOL: HGTV’s Angelo Surmelis Launches Budget Furniture Line
By Jaime Derringer
Aug 12th 2009 11:46AM
Angelo Surmelis is a character after my own heart: a driven multi-tasker whose passion is evident from the moment he speaks. Not only did he host Rate My Space on HGTV, a popular show inspired by HGTV’s online community, but he also participates in HGTV specials like Showdown, writes his own blog, Tweets on Twitter, and somehow managed to fit in an interview with me. Oh yeah, and he’s launching his first furniture line called angelo:HOME.
Angelo arrived for our interview wearing his signature straw hat, which makes him look like he’s perennially on vacation. Originally from Chicago, Surmelis lives in LA with his cute little dog named Baxter, but he daydreams about Manhattan. After we chatted for a while about our mutual sadness about the death of Domino magazine, I asked him about his new furniture line, which has just started its official launch with the first piece now available at Costco.
“It Became A Labor of Love”
angelo:HOME is Angelo’s latest passion, but he’s known that he wanted to design since he was six. Growing up in an immigrant family where money was tight, he decided that he wanted to create an affordable furniture line (thank goodness!) that didn’t require lots of assembly or skimp on quality. I’d say he’s hit the nail on the head.
Angelo:HOME chairs mix clean, modern lines with traditional fabrics, leather, and details. Photo: angelo:HOME
Take these chairs. The fabric is definitely the sweet spot. It’s primarily transitional, consisting of earthy-colored solids and simple one or two color florals and damask prints. He’s even got some gingham in the collection. “I love how fabric instantly changes the look of a room,” he says. “I really wanted to focus on vibrant colors and patterns.” Angelo says it was tough to find great fabrics but still keep the chairs inexpensive. “Choosing and deciding on final fabrics was the hardest thing,” he says. “Fabric changes how affordable a chair is. I looked at hundreds of fabrics. I felt really strongly about the fabrics that I did choose, because they felt familiar, but at the same time fresh.”
The sofas in the collection are transitional, plush with pillows, and are priced right at an MSRP of $699. Photo: angelo:HOME
When and Where?
So where can you get your hands on these goodies? In addition to the bonded leather “Garbo” chair at Costco (just $579 for 2!), this month 20 items will become available on Overstock, and 10 pieces on CSNStores and Sears. angelo:HOME will debut with 31 new and original furniture pieces (chairs, sofas, love seats, ottomans). Oh, and can I just tell you how much I love the nesting ottomans—what a novel idea for extra seating for small spaces!
This September, items will be also be available on Amazon, and this October you can find angelo:HOME products at BJs and Kohls.
I wanted to know more about how the furniture line addressed some of the major waste, pollution, and environmental concerns associated with furniture design. The angelo:HOME product line compresses packaging, using less fossil fuels in delivery and shipping. They can also demonstrate a savings of up to 10 gallons of diesel fuel for each item, and have reduced the amount of polyurethane foam by over 70% by using pocket coils manufactured from recycled steel. In addition, angelo:HOME products do not use any polystyrene products in packaging.
So, What’s Next?
Bedroom furniture! Angelo is already looking toward the future. Keep your eye on this guy. Your wallet will thank you!