Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
August 16,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on August 17, 2010
Gift for Life, the charitable organization of the gift, stationery and home decor industries announced that Kathy Ireland will receive its first Design For Life Award.
The award will be presented Jan. 30 at the annual Gift for Life fundraising event, to be held at the Central Park Boathouse in New York City. Additional honorees for the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award and the Trailblazer Award will be made in the coming weeks.
Ireland is CEO and chief designer for kathy ireland Worldwide, the design and marketing firm whose mission is "finding solutions for families, especially busy moms." More than $1.4 billion of product designed by kathy ireland Worldwide was sold last year.
"Kathy is one of the most talented and respected people in the home and gift industries," said Jenny Hammons, chair for Gift for Life. "We are especially grateful that she will be honored by Gift for Life."
"It is a tremendous honor to join Gift for Life in waging a peaceful war on the enemy of HIV/AIDS," Ireland said. "Gift for Life has raised millions of dollars and powerful awareness in the gift and home decor industry. It is heart breaking to experience the ignorance, discrimination and stigma that many people living with HIV continue to experience. New infections are happening. People are still dying. Yes, we have treatments, but we do not have a cure. We must embrace our loved ones and offer them support in their courageous battle to live inspiring lives, as they contribute to our industry and the world. The design community has been particularly impacted by HIV and none of us can rest until this disease is a distant memory and the people who live with it are free of discrimination in every form. This event in January is one of the most important passions in my life."
Individual tickets for Gift for Lifes 19th Anniversary Party will be sold, and sponsorships, from $500 through $25,000 also will be available. For details, contact Steven Williams at swilliams@diffa.org, or call 212.727-3100.
More information on the event is available at the Gift for Life Web site.
August 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on August 16, 2010
Gastonia, N.C.-based Chelsea House has partnered with designer Matthew Frederick and his
design firm M. Frederick to create a collection to debut at the upcoming
Fall High Point Market. The collection, to be called M. Frederick for Chelsea House, will include lighting, art, decorative accessories, and occasional furniture.
"As an exciting, upcoming designer, Matthew Frederick brings a subtle, refined elegance to clean, tailored interiors," said Bill Cain, president of Chelsea House. "His designs reflect a charismatic yet understated blend of traditional and modern design elements while remaining accessible to the way people live today. This new collection will inspire our existing customers but will also appeal to a broader customer group of designers, retail stores, and ultimately our end consumers."
The M. Frederick for Chelsea House collection will reflect a transitional, elegant design style and will include everything from fresh, clean scented candles, tailored pillows and modern art to elegant lighting and unique occasional furniture. Some of the specific products include silver and Lucite candlesticks; hand-sewn appliqué pillows with bold geometric patterns and colors; fresh ceiling shades and lanterns; an expanded collection of decorative art across various media: photography, painted silk, etchings, oils, and mixed media; and elegant lighting including a complete line of outdoor lighting.
"I couldnt have hoped for a better fit," said Matthew Frederick. "Chelsea House is a strong, established brand in the home furnishings industry. The entire Chelsea House team has been very good to work with and is excited about expanding the look and selection options we can offer to retail and design clients."
August 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on August 16, 2010
The Furniture Buying Index slipped another three points this month to a reading of 67, according to
America's Research Group.
This is the second consecutive month the index has experienced a downturn.
"Consumers are more focused on back-to-school shopping and essentials, and any big ticket purchase is being delayed for as long as possible," said Britt Beemer, chairman of ARG. "This drop moves the index back below the all-important level of 70 points or higher, where furniture retailers experience dramatic increases in sales."
Beemer said consumers are still worried about the economy and any non-essential purchases are being delayed.
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America's Research Group from interviews with 5,000 to 8,000 consumers across the country. In a typical month, 80 percent of the consumers interviewed can name a specific furniture item they intend to buy. The Index's mark signifies what percent of the benchmark 80 percent actually have a particular item in mind.
August 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 16, 2010
Premier Furniture Gallery in Stockton, Calif., is offering what the furniture store calls a local stimulus package, KXTV reported Saturday.
To generate business at the store and give other retailers a shot in the arm, Premier customers receive a 20 percent rebate on furniture items when they return to the store showing they spent that 20 percent at other Stockton businesses.
"It helps them and it helps us rejuvenate the economy in Stockton and the San Joaquin area," said Premier salesman Ed Padilla in the report.
August 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on August 16, 2010
The Specialty Sleep Association has named a new board of directors and slate of officers, and the group's first professional president.
At SSA's first general membership meeting under its newly revised by-laws at the recent Las Vegas Furniture Market, Deslee Textiles USA President Bart DeHaerne was elected to the new position of chairman. Ergo Customized Comfort Founder and President Michael Nermon is now vice chairman; and Chili Technology President Todd Youngblood is the new secretary/treasurer.
For the first time in the SSA's history, Dale Read was appointed to a newly defined president's position, which is now a paid professional position in the organization. Read will focus on membership development and implementation of the group's Safety & Environmental Program (SEP). Tambra Jones remains executive director with her primary responsibility continuing to be leasing for the group's World Market Center showroom, and overseeing operations and finance.
"This has been a tremendous year of growth for the SSA, particularly with the introduction of our SEP seal," Dehaerne said. "We needed a professional who could dedicate their time and effort to continue to lead this effort, and with Dale scaling back his involvement with Bedroom magazine, we had the opportunity to engage him on a part-time basis to spearhead the program. Already, a number of manufacturers are working with us to implement the seal and Dale is playing an important role in facilitating this. We are glad he was able to find more time to commit to our organization."
In addition to the officers, other directors re-elected at the meeting included: Denny Boyd of Boyd Specialty Sleep; Mark Miller of InnoMax, Jeff Scorziell of Anatomic Global; Scott Smalling of Simmons; and Dave Brummett of Mattress Firm.