Can't pick out furniture? The stars are ready to help

lenty of big names are putting their names on furniture these days.

The introduction of Elvis Presley furniture made headlines last spring, and Elvis had some high-profile company at this fall's International Home Furnishings Market.

Furniture lines carrying names such as Humphrey Bogart, Oscar de la Renta, Martha Stewart -- even Thomas Jefferson -- were introduced.

They aren't the first. The Ernest Hemingway line has been a success for Thomasville, while Bob Timberlake has a line at Lexington Home Brands, and Stickley features a Colonial Williamsburg line.

Those won't be the last. Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, said to expect more announcements soon on new furniture licensing agreements.

When asked why furniture associated with celebrities appeals to consumers, Hirschhaut said the product first must have the legs to stand on its own. It has be to designed well and perceived as high-quality furniture.

Beyond that, the lifestyle marketing comes in.

"We know there are a lot of shoppers who hesitate when approaching redecorating their homes," Hirschhaut said.

So, with a wide range of licensing programs, they can find something based on personality, location, theme or something else they relate to, and their comfort level increases immediately.

For example, if you grew up in the golden days of Hollywood or if you just think Humphrey Bogart is cool, you could be drawn to the Bogart line introduced by Thomasville.

With Martha Stewart, if you love the magazine and the lifestyle and taste it represents, the furniture is a natural pick.

Fans of Country Living magazine will easily relate to the look of the new Country Living collection by Lane.

Plus, licensed collections go beyond furniture to include accessories such as rugs, lamps, picture frames -- even paint colors.

"It's a total environment. You're not just going in to buy a sofa or one piece," Hirschhaut said, adding that these collections also give the consumer more confidence in purchases.

The October market was especially big for celebrities.

"The star power of this market group was among some of the most well-known, recognizable names," she said. "There was a lot of anticipation."

Here's a look at a few of the stars' collections:

Bogart. This collection by Thomasville of about 70 bedroom, dining room, occasional and upholstered pieces also includes more than 100 accessories including rugs, frames, bedding, lamps and frames.

Stephen Bogart, a television producer and the son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, approached Thomasville about producing a line of furniture under his father's name.

"I saw the Hemingway ads on TV, and I wrote Thomas-ville saying it would be perfect for my father," Bogart said. "And they believed me."

Stephen Bogart and Bacall were both in North Carolina for the introduction of the furniture (along with Bogey's 1951 Oscar for "The African Queen," enclosed in a case in the showroom).

Stephen Bogart, who was 8 when his father died of throat cancer in 1957, said his father would love the collection.

"He was a man of comfort," Stephen Bogart said. "He liked good things -- but they better work."

Mitch Scott, a vice president at Thomasville, said the Bogart line epitomizes the actor: style, elegance and -- above all -- cool.

The furniture is not huge; it's designed to appeal to people in apartments or smaller houses. It's classically styled, with a heavy Hepplewhite influence in some pieces.

Oscar de la Renta. This collection by Century Furniture offers 100 bedroom, dining room, occasional, upholstery and outdoor styles.

Designer de la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic, studied in Spain and arrived in New York City in 1963 to begin his career as a fashion designer.

The furniture is inspired by de la Renta's three homes -- in New York City, Connecticut and the Dominican Republic.

The city, country and island furniture ranges from 18th century-inspired mahogany pieces to casual upholstery to Caribbean woven designs.

Finishes include a distressed mahogany, weathered pine, chalk white, aged parchment, black satin, red lacquer and painted patchwork.

Upholstery selections are based on pieces in de la Renta's homes -- many in fabrics designed by him and hand block-printed in India.

Martha Stewart. Stewart signature furniture collection with Bernhardt, which will be in stores in the spring, is modeled after the furnishings in Stewart's two homes. There's Lily Pond, her shingle-style house on Long Island. That collection features painted woods, slipcovers and light colors.

Skylands, the line modeled after the furnishings in her stone home on the Maine coast, includes polished woods and nature-inspired designs.

The furniture is designed to coordinate with other decorative products previously introduced by Stewart, including fabrics, paint and floor coverings.

Sofas start at $999 ($1,999 in leather); a maple veneer dresser with faux bamboo will retail for $1,200; the queen-sized sleigh bed is $1,000; a corduroy sofa, $1,200; the collector's bookcase featuring 20 metal drawers that pull out, $4,300.

Monticello. This 30-piece collection by Madison Square celebrates Thomas Jefferson and his Virginia residence.

The collection includes specialty, occasional, casual and formal dining pieces. It is based on the architectural elements found in Monticello and the furniture crafted by John Hemings and other Monticello slaves in the woodworking shop there.

The collection includes several bookcases -- playing off Jefferson's love of books -- including the arched bookcase, a mahogany piece topped by an elliptical arch.

Another signature piece is the curio cabinet, with six-paned doors topped by a six-part fanlight.

Other new licensed collections or those with additions this market include:

Orvis Home at Vaughan Furniture. Designed after the sporting heritage pushed by Orvis, the oldest fishing rod manufacturer in the United States. The furniture is casual and comfortable, with scenes from nature on select pieces.

Doris Duke at E.J. Victor. Luxurious furniture inspired by Rough Point, Duke's Newport mansion. Country Living at Lane Furniture. This 125-piece collection is licensed by the magazine. It includes pieces inspired by folk art and estate sales.

Elvis Presley furniture with Vaughan-Bassett. This fall's introductions include couches and recliners (the recliners -- available in blue suede -- vibrate and include a cooler inside one arm). There's also a line of children's furniture that includes an iron bed with the initials EP on it, designed to appeal to the youth market exposed to Elvis from last summer's Disney movie "Lilo and Stitch."