Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
April 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on April 16, 2010
Icovia Inc., a Londonderry, N.H.-based provider of online interior design solutions for the home furnishings industry, has formed an educational partnership with Furniture Trading Company to help Icovia customers increase the sales success and space planning proficiency of their sales force.
FTC, North Logan, Utah, developed the course, which is designed to help sales associates break down purchase barriers, showing customers how the furniture will fit into their space and thereby focus on selling rooms full of furnishings.
Icovia will demonstrate the new online training at High Point Market in the National Home Furnishings Association's Retailer Resource Center on the first floor of Plaza Suites.
With just a simple, short, and easy to use online training course, both novice and experienced sales associates can become efficient space planning experts, which opens up huge sales opportunities," said Icovia President Steve Street. "Instead of selling just one item, associates can focus on selling rooms full of furniture and accessories, helping the customer envision what the furnishings will look like in their home with Icovia. We are very pleased to partner with FTC, who are experts in providing effective online furniture sales training for the home furnishings industry."
"The Furniture Training Company, is very excited about our new education partnership with Icovia," said Mark Lacy, president of The Furniture Training Company. "Our company motto is, 'know more, sell more.' By training the furniture sales associates who use the Icovia online space planning tool to know how to better integrate space planning into their regular sales presentations, these associates and the retailers they work for, will see a significant increase in their furniture sales."
Icovia customers and sales associates will have secure web access to the sales training 24/7. For more information about the program, please contact John "JT" Thompson at (603) 206-6206
or by e-mail.
April 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on April 16, 2010
The High Point Market Authority (HPMA), in association with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is producing a seminar series for interior designers at Spring Market, Sunday, April 18-20. The seminars, delivered daily at noon offer up to 0.3 continuing education units (CEUs) over the course of the show. They will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. each day at 100 High (Plaza Level, corner of Wrenn and High Streets), and include complimentary lunch.
The series kicks off Sunday, April 18 at noon, when New York designer Clodagha preeminent force in the world of interior design known around the world as a pioneer of the current green movementpresents Trends in Eco-Conscious Interiors and Architecture. A book-signing of Clodaghs second book, Your Home, Your Sanctuary follows the presentation.
Leading more than 30 professionals working across a broad range of design disciplines, Clodaghs NoHo-based architecture and interior design practice is characterized by a visionary blending of leading-edge technology, innovative materials, sustainability and a steadfast dedication to the use of Feng Shui, Chromatherapy and Biophilia.
Monday, April 19, the subject is Emerging Technology Trends and the Impact on Interior Design Professionals, featuring Matt Carter, industry outreach chair, Consumer Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA), and an outstanding panel of designers, including David Easton, David Easton Interiors; Theo Kalomirakis, Theo Kalomirakis Theaters; Kari Jensen, Allied Member ASID, Kari Jensen Designs, LLC.
With consumer expectations related to technology rapidly rising, design professionals must understand current trends in home technology and the impact on their profession, said Brian Casey, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. In this special presentation, co-sponsored by the HPMA, ASID and Home Furnishings Business, Matt Carter, industry outreach chair, CEDIA, will offer the latest insights on the future state of technology and emerging residential technologies. Carters presentation will be followed by a provocative panel discussion moderated by Carol Campbell, publisher, CustomRetailer, focused on the experiences of three world-class designers, each with a unique perspective on this exciting, and rapidly changing arena.
Tuesday, April 20, Gale Steveswho has inspired millions with ideas and real solutions for the home, first during the ten years she served as editor-in-chief of HOME Magazine, and now as the force behind Open House Productions, a home industries consulting company she formed in 2001presents Right-Sizing The Home. Seminar attendees will have an opportunity to purchase signed, advance copies of Right-Sizing Your Home following the event.
Seating for the free seminars is limited and a reservation is required. To reserve a place in advance,
e-mail here and note seminar, date and number of seats in the subject line.
April 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on April 16, 2010
As part of its rebranding process,
Schnadig International Corp. has completely revamped its Web site with the same fresh approach to design unveiled in the showroom at last October's High Point Market.
Featuring three of the company's five portfolios--Schnadig, Schnadig Home and Compositions--the site presents a fresh, updated point of view designed to provide easy navigation with new tools to cater to retail dealers, interior designers and consumers.
The other two portfolio Web sites for Caracole and Lauren Ralph Lauren will be fully launched following the April Market.
"As a reflection of our brands, the new site projects high energy wrapped in an air of sophistication and elegance," said Melanie Dunn, Schnadig creative director. "It is highly organized and purposeful with a respect for design aesthetics and our fashionable customers. It's inspirational and beautiful but never loses sight of the practicality of what both dealers and consumers want and need when they visit our site."
For consumers, the site distinguishes the brands and includes multiple browsing paths to invite exploration based on their wishes, for example, to find furniture pieces by product or room categories or to quickly locate style types. The extranet for dealer login offers a comprehensive order entry system, product availability and back logs, shipping information and the ability to track the status of orders. An extensive image library includes beautiful vignettes, silhouetted products and close up shots of craftsmanship, details and artistry for dealers to download for use in their marketing and promotional materials.
"The entire site is focused on showcasing the beauty of the portfolios in design, tone, look and feel," said Maura Riley, Schnadig marketing manager. "In its presentation, the site is welcoming and engaging, encouraging consumers to find our dealers, explore our site and to print out photos complete with product information that is necessary to decorate their homes. In its navigation, we have focused on streamlining online operations to truly simplify the sourcing process for our dealers and our consumer guests.
"We are personalizing the experience through lifestyle photography in order to make an emotional connection with our visitors in an uncluttered environment. We want our site to be both inspiring and helpful."
Schnadig is a wholly owned subsidiary of China-based manufacturer and retailer Markor International Furniture Co. Ltd.
April 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on April 16, 2010
Gus Design Group, a Toronto-based designer and manufacturer of modern furniture, is expanding its collection of Forest Stewardship Council-certified, eco-friendly designs by offering new in-stock upholstery, dining, and accents using wood sourced from responsibly managed forests.
The collections debut at High Point Market in the Gus Design showroom, IHFC-D508.
Gus consistently produces beautiful modern designs that attract a loyal following," said Bobby Berk, owner of Gus Studio showrooms in Manhattan and Miami. "By producing those designs with FSC-certified wood, Gus is making a long-term commitment to the environment that customers recognize and appreciate."
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a certification system that provides internationally recognized standard-setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services to companies interested in responsible forestry. The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers to make purchasing decisions that benefit the environment.
New goods include the Richmond Bi-Sectional, a relaxed frame with a configurable chaise; and the Stanley Series, a line of indoor dining and accent tables constructed with solid, FSC-certified ash and stainless steel.
April 15,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on April 16, 2010
Canadian solid wood manufacturer West Bros. Furniture announced a new partnership with the world's largest nonprofit tree-planting organization, the Arbor Day Foundation.
Effective Saturday, consumers who purchase West Bros Furniture and submit a completed warranty card will receive a complimentary six-month paid membership to the Arbor Day Foundation. In addition to the membership, every consumer will have 10 free trees delivered to his or her doorstep, ready to plant in neighborhoods across North America.
"The Arbor Day Foundation plants more than 10 million trees per year," said West Bros. Sales and Marketing Coordinator Steve Maynard. "In the same words of their founder Sterling Morton, West Bros. wants to inspire consumers who purchased our solid wood products to 'plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.' We want to continue to help fight the devastating effects of deforestation in North America and around the world, and we believe that our new partnership will encourage our consumers to support this great organization."
West Bros. will use new point-of-purchase items and signs to give consumers insight into their continued commitments in using Sustainable business practices during the manufacturing process, and educate them about the importance of giving back to future generations.
During the High Point Market, the company will encourage market-goers to visit the showroom, IHFC-D1144, to obtain more information and try a fresh cup of "Arbor Day Coffee," organically grown beneath the shelter of the rain forest.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and i
ts programs can be found here.West Bros. Furniture is a founding member and Silver Exemplary Award recipient of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.