3.7.11 | High Point, NC | If you have had any involvement in the world of Contract or Hospitality design in your career you are probably familiar with the Brayton name. Paul Brayton created the Brayton International Collection in 1973 (borrowing money from a local banker with only a handshake to seal the deal) yet he feels that he still has “Unfinished Business”.

Almost 40 years later, Paul Brayton has come full circle, ready to do it all over again, bringing high-end, European and US furniture designs, hand-crafted in the USA to the Contract and Hospitality markets. The launch for the Paul Brayton Designs Furniture Collection will be at NeoCon in Chicago, IL on June 13, 2011.

Many milestones have been reached in Paul Brayton’s long career. The Brayton International Collection name was later simplified to Brayton International and Steelcase purchased the company in 1987 to provide lounge products to the Steelcase dealer network. Paul Brayton was appointed as the President and CEO of the Steelcase Design Partnership in 1991 overseeing all of the companies that had been purchased by Steelcase (Brayton International, Vecta Contract (later simplified to Vecta), Metropolitan Furniture Company (later called Metro), Atelier International, Design Tex Fabrics, Details and Stow Davis). Brayton International, now known as Coalesse, has shifted their focus. This has created a new need in the market. Mr. Brayton will use his unique perspective and experience (along with deeper pockets – no bankers needed) with the launch of the Paul Brayton Designs Furniture Collection.

Prior to creating the Brayton International Collection Mr. Brayton worked in the office furniture industry with Lehigh Leopold and in 1971 he founded L. Paul Brayton, Ltd. a manufacturer of contemporary accessories and lighting. Since these early days of his career Mr. Brayton has been attending NeoCon, even before it was called NeoCon and he’s pleased to be back again this year with his new venture.

All of Mr. Brayton’s success and experience lead him to strike out on his own again in 1993. He left Steelcase behind to start Paul Brayton Designs, a successful and award-winning textile company. He has always been dedicated to creating original textile designs and producing them in the United States. Paul Brayton Designs textile and leather collections focus specifically on the Hospitality, Healthcare and Contract markets. PBD offers an extensive selection of fabric, leather and faux leather collections. Many of these collections offer recyclable and sustainable textiles, furthering Mr. Brayton’s commitment to environmentally friendly processes. Paul Brayton Designs textile and leather collections are graded in with some of the finest contract, hospitality and healthcare furniture manufacturers including Cabot Wrenn, Carolina Business Furniture, Cartwright, DarRan Seating, David Edward, Legacy Furniture, Patrician Furniture, Segis, Source International and Woeller Group. PBD has representation in all 50 states and in 9 countries worldwide.

Mr. Brayton has received many accolades over the years including an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Kendall College of Art and Design, the Distinguished Star Award by the Institute of Business Designers for outstanding contributions in the interior design industry and numerous furniture and textile design awards.

Although Paul Brayton has never really been involved with residential furniture manufacturing, he does live and work in the heart of residential furniture manufacturing in High Point, NC. His biggest foray into the residential market was when he helped to build the new 3.3 million square foot International Home Furnishing Center in downtown High Point. He later sold his stake in Showplace.

Paul Brayton has given to many philanthropic causes over the years, but his largest gift to date is a property worth $2.3 million that he has given to High Point University. Two of Mr. Brayton’s daughters are graduates of HPU.

Paul Brayton’s successful career has allowed him to meet with many dignitaries including Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and George H. W. Bush, as well as the Rev. Billy Graham and Jean Kilpatrick, former UN Ambassador.

Mr. Brayton is easily identified around High Point. People don’t necessarily recognize him because of his success and involvement in the contract industry, but because he can be seen driving a different exotic automobile practically every day from Ferrari’s to Lamborghini’s, Porsche, Bentley’s and Rolls Royce. His love of fine and luxurious things has always been a trait of his, a trait that he has injected into his many businesses creating high quality textiles and furnishings.

Paul Brayton’s long and successful career has made him one of the most interesting in the contract and hospitality industries to date. His tenure gives him a unique perspective on these markets as he is poised to take care of “UNFINISHED BUSINESS” and become a major player, yet again, in the high-end contract furniture market.

Paul Brayton Designs Furniture expects to provide one hundred new jobs within the first year of operation. The furniture will be manufactured exclusively in the North Carolina Triad area, utilizing eco-friendly processes.

About Paul Brayton Designs

Paul Brayton Designs is a textile company founded in 1993, located in High Point, NC, with focuses in textiles for the contract, hospitality, healthcare, and residential industries. In 2011 Paul Brayton Designs will launch a contract furniture line. Paul Brayton Designs provides innovative textile and furniture solutions for interior designers, architectural firms, facility managers, and purchasing agents. Founder Paul Brayton has extensive experience in the contract, hospitality, healthcare, and residential industries and was the founder of Brayton International, a well-known contract furniture company. All Paul Brayton Design textiles and furniture is made in the USA. Product information available at www.paulbraytondesigns.com