Lexington, N.C. — In 1990, Lexington Furniture Industries — and various decorative accessories companies — tuned into Bob Timberlake, internationally known realist artist and collector. Recognized worldwide for his depiction of the simple life in his native North Carolina home, Timberlake was just what companies like Lexington, Capel, Crown Crafts, and Sligh were looking for to convey a sense of Americana. Thus, the World of Bob Timberlake was born: reproduction furnishings, natural fabrics, and rustic accents — hundreds of pieces and a dozen licensees.

''What my paintings and products are really about is lifestyle,'' said Timberlake. ''I love this area ... the beauty of the rolling farmland...and I love my heritage, and these are the things I've shared with others.''

Many others, in fact. Sales of the collection quickly advanced into the millions. While the bulk of Bob Timberlake Inc.'s sales are to American customers, the products have international appeal. The Timberlake collection is currently offered in Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Timberlake's new upholstery and case goods collection is being sold for the first time in Japan. ''It sells especially well in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands,'' said David Parker, Vice President of International Sales for Lexington Furniture.

''The total lifestyle concept greatly translates beyond the borders. International consumers want to buy into the American lifestyle...the relaxed, warm environment that is Timberlake.''

Home furnishings analyst Jerry Epperson dubbed the Bob Timberlake Collection ''the most successful in the world.'' Its prosperity led to the development of Bob Timberlake Inc., which includes an entire conglomeration of products, as well as a retail store/gallery/museum, located in Lexington, N.C. It is here that the fabric team, led by Director of Design Sharon Beasley, is based.

According to Beasley, her team works closely with the Lexington Upholstery group to choose each season's fabrics. ''We attend fabric fairs together, mostly Showtime in High Point, visit with fabric reps, and then pull looks together,'' said Beasley. ''They (the Lexington team) know that we have to have fabrics that will coordinate with everything else Bob Timberlake Inc. is doing.''

Some fabrics selected for the upholstery cross over into other Timberlake categories. ''This season, for example, we've picked two upholstery fabrics that we feel are strong enough to use in the application of bedding,'' she said.

Beasley explained that where upholstery is concerned, the Lexington team, led by Vice President of Upholstery Carrie Craymer, makes the final approval.

So just how much input does the 62-year-old Timberlake have in the selection of his line's fabrics. ''He's often very involved,'' said Beasley. ''All the time he is collecting magazine tearsheets and making notes. If he sees something he likes that will convey his sense of style, then he will offer us suggestions and present ideas. We are usually equipped with his ideas before we go to the fabric shows.''

Last year, for instance, Timberlake was hands-on when it came to selecting fabrics for his new apparel line, which debuted at his retail store in Lexington. Touted as ''Clothes to Come Home To,'' Timberlake selected natural fiber fabrics such as cotton, linen, twill, denim, and canvas.

Timberlake also said that he enjoys visiting textile mills and furniture factories to offer his input while the designs are taking shape.

This season, one of the Timberlake-inspired fabrics is a sweater-like pattern by Quaker. ''We took Timberlake's sweater ideas and asked Quaker to come up with a fabric,'' said Beasley. ''The result is a chenille with a ski sweater pattern.''

Most fabrics for Timberlake's tenth anniversary introductions coordinate with his new Riverwood line of pine case goods. ''What we attempted to do was to really draw from the roots of his collection,'' said Beasley. ''We've returned to his studio,'' which is located in the idyllic Lexington countryside and is filled with antiques and relics from the rural South. His studio is where the inspiration for his line began. This line has the same appeal as the heavier lodge look we introduced 10 years ago, but it has a lighter, cottage feel. We're hoping to appeal to a more diverse audience with a selection of livable, casual fabrics.''

Fabrics chosen to celebrate Timberlake's 10 years in home furnishings include a linen print by World Linen that features a forest theme of leaves, foliage, and pine cones. In addition there are new cotton prints, including a ''homespun'' floral with a brick red background.

The highlight of the anniversary fabric line, however, is Woolrich wools by Sunbury. According to Rebecca Abernathy, Fabric Merchandiser for Lexington Upholstery, ''We entered into this agreement with Woolrich after we met with Bob Timberlake and his fabric team,'' she said. ''It was mentioned that Hank Truslow, CEO of Sunbury, was also on the board of directors for Woolrich. We talked to them about using some of their apparel patterns that were not being used in the home furnishings industry. These fabrics are a perfect fit for the Bob Timberlake line.''

The Woolrich wools, three plaids and one solid, have a blanket look, explained Abernathy.

''This is the first time Woolrich has agreed to put its patterns on a home furnishings product,'' said Beasley. ''We expect the wools, which have been brushed to give them a soft hand, to do well...especially in cooler climates.''

To complement the cottons, linens and wools, chenilles round out the season's fabric mix, which includes approximately 40 total for the Bob Timberlake line.

Pricing for Bob Timberlake fabrics hit the middle to upper-end range. Beasley said they try to keep prices under $12 a yard. ''But we've gone as high as $25,'' she said. ''If we find a fabric that is really up there in price, we'll use it on pillows or as an accent.''

Leather, which was shown on the first Bob Timberlake pieces 10 years ago, has become very popular. Several leathers are mainstays in the Timberlake line, with new leather looks added seasonally.

''We've seen a tremendous increase in the interest of leather on Timberlake furnishings,'' said Beasley. This fall, a black leather with an olive cast and gold undertones was added. F&FI