Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
July 21,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on July 22, 2010
High-end furniture manufacturer Theodore Alexander has named Andrew Golombisky the winner of its inaugural Distinction in Design Program.
Golombisky, a Celia Moh Scholarship winner who graduates from the Kendall College of Art and Design this December with a degree in furniture design, will join Theodore Alexander as a full-time designer in residence. Theodore Alexander and Kendall worked together to create an independent study abroad and internship program for Golombisky so he can begin working with Theodore Alexander in the fall as an intern and transition to the full-time position.
The manufacturer created the Distinction in Design program last year, contacting the leading design schools in the U.S., Europe and Australia and inviting their students to submit a design brief and product renderings for consideration.
Each student was required to prepare a furniture design inspired by one of three historical references along with a specification for the designers use. The submissions were presented to a jury of renowned furniture experts representing the fields of product design, interior design, retail, marketing and manufacturing.
As the winner, Golombisky will travel to the Theodore Alexander facility in Vietnam to oversee the sampling and finishing of his design.
"The goal with our Distinction in Design program is to recognize the finest young furniture designers across the globe and to have them join us in defining and redefining today's living spaces," said Harvey Dondero, CEO at Theodore Alexander. "We're looking forward to having Andy join our team."
"I'm excited about being a designer-in-residence for Theodore Alexander," Golombisky said. "It's rare that anyone gets such a fantastic opportunity so early in their career and I intend to take full advantage of the experience."
Theodore Alexanders 2011 Distinction in Design program will begin Sept. 1.
July 21,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on July 22, 2010
Here's a walk down memory lane for some of us in the over-30 set with Schoolhouse Rock and the tale of money.
Believe it or notthere's a furniture connection in this fun-day, pick-me-up video.
Enjoy singing along and tapping your feet.
July 21,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Social Media on July 22, 2010
World Market Center Las Vegas will offer furniture retailers attending the August 2-6 summer furniture Market a new concept, "Hot Spot: The Social Media Bar."
Inspired by the Apple Genius Bar and in partnership with The Kaleidoscope Partnership, the concept offers buyers at Market free assistance as they learn how to register their companies and brands on social media sites including Facebook and Twitter. The goal is to help retailers and designers leverage social media as a method of generating business.
Hot Spot: The Social Media Bar will be open Monday through Thursday, August 2-5, in Building C-1096 during Las Vegas Market.
The Kaleidoscope Partnership, a leading social media agency for the home furnishings and related industries, will be on hand to give both basic and advanced level advice at no cost to Market attendees. CEO Leslie Carothers and COO Sev Ritchie are well-known experts in social media and all aspects of furniture internet marketing.
"Sev and I are honored to have been invited by World Market Center to provide the expertise for this innovative concept being offered for free to Market attendees," said Carothers. "We're aware that a lot of people are still unsure about how to best leverage social media tools and we want to take the mystery out of the process and make sure attendees walk away with actionable advice that can make a difference in their revenues once it's implemented. Any question about social media is welcomedwhether it's at a basic or more advanced level. Social media is, without a doubt, a critically important component of any company's overall marketing plan in this day and age."
Attendees are welcome to stop by C-1096 for quick basic training, but appointments for advanced level social media assistance are encouraged and will be spaced in half-hour to one-hour intervals. Registered buyers can e-mail a request in advance of market to hotspot@wmclv.com.
Designer Christopher Lowell's lighting exhibit, Illuminated: A Lighting & Accessories Showcase for Success, will serve as a backdrop for the Social Media Bar.
A special cocktail "Tweetup" will launch both the Hot Spot: The Social Media Bar and Lowell's exhibit on Monday at 5 p.m. in C-1096. Along with Lowell, other design celebrities in attendance will include HGTV's Monica Pedersen, Mary McDonald, Darryl Carter and Kishani Perera. All visitors to the Social Media Bar will be entered into a drawing to receive an Apple iPad. One will be given away Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during Market.
July 21,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Customer Service on July 22, 2010
TD Retail Card Services has introduced the Renovate Credit Card program for independent retailers of furniture, flooring and other home furnishings decor.
Created specifically for the U.S. and Canadian home furnishings sector, the Renovate Card is a revolving private label consumer credit card that can be used for purchases of products or services at any merchant participating in the program. Merchants opening the individual consumer's account can have their store's name embossed on the card.
"Through economies of scale, the Renovate Card delivers many of the important advantages of a private label credit card to independent home furnishings retailers with single or multiple locations who may not generate the sales volume to justify a private label program of their own," said Marc Sczesnak, president of TD Retail Card Services, Mahwah, N.J.
More specifically, the Renovate Card program provides independent retailers with the ability to: increase sales and long-term loyalty by giving customers the purchasing power to buy now and in the future; drive traffic year-round with a wide range of special promotional offers and flexible financing options; offer instant credit, with easy-to-complete in-store applications processed in minutes; process transactions instantly using TD Retail Card Services' secure online Web services; receive fast funding on completed transactions; get quick assistance from TD Retail Card Services representatives during standard retail operating hours; and market to their best customers through statement-stuffers or special direct mailings.
Retailers in the program can offer their customers a variety of special financing options, including six no-interest programs, as well as low-APR programs.
The program will be promoted to customers through in-store signage and collateral materials provided by TD Retail Card Services.
July 21,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on July 22, 2010
Art Van Furniture will donate 11 new mattresses next Tuesday to the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.
The mattresses will be used in recently renovated rooms at the House, which provides "a home away from home" for families of seriously ill children who are hospitalized nearby.
"This donation will save the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit thousands of dollars in expenses and ensure our families have a comfortable place to sleep and rest during their stay," said Jennifer Litomisky, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. "Art Van Furniture has been a longtime supporter and we greatly appreciate their investment in our House."
Each year, more than 1,200 families stay at the 16,000=square-foot House, which includes all of the amenities a normal home would provide. The House consists of 25 bedrooms, four TV rooms, an exercise room, quiet area, indoor and outdoor playrooms, phone booths, dining room and kitchen. The average length of stay for families at the House is two weeks, with some staying for many months. Families pay $10 each night they stay at the House, while donors cover the rest of the operating expenses and the nightly rate for families who cannot cover that cost.
"Art Van Furniture is thrilled to support such a worthwhile nonprofit organization like the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit," said Diane Charles, director of corporate communications, Art Van Furniture, Warren, Mich. "In addition to donating the mattresses, we recently gave a $10,000 grant to the House to assist in their Grief Counseling Library, which provides reading materials and support for families and siblings of critically ill children. Overall, it's not about what or how much we give, it's about the lives we touch and the people we are able to help."
For more information about the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit and how to make a tax-deductible donation, please contact the House at 313.745.5909.