March 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 30, 2010
In response to a vendor need to shed excess inventory in the wake of a down economy, Virginia Furniture Mart and Grand Home Furnishings are opening outlets in the Roanoke, Va., region, the Roanoke Times reported Monday.
The Virginia Furniture Market opened a temporary outlet earlier this month in Roanoke, and Grand Home Furnishings is converting its store at Smith Mountain Lake into an outlet set to reopen April 1.
In addition to promoting deals on excess inventory, an outlet model allows underperforming locations to carry a different product mix than name-brand stores.
March 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on March 30, 2010
The International Sleep Products Association, Alexandria, Va., has appointed Ryan Trainer president, effective immediately.
Trainer, who was the association's executive vice president, joined ISPA in 2002 after more than 20 years in government and private law practice in Washington. During that time, he built a strong reputation as an advocate for business in public policy debates while serving at the U.S. Commerce Department and with several leading law firms. Since coming to ISPA eight years ago as the group's second ranking professional and general counsel, he has played a key role leading its statistics, legal, consumer product safety and sustainability platforms.
"Ryan has a thorough understanding of the issues that are critical to the sleep products industry and the skill to navigate the corridors of Washington to assure our voice is heard on matters important to us," said ISPA Chairman Don Wright, chairman and chief marketing officer of Wright of Thomasville. "Our Board had a very clear vision that at this time in the evolution of ISPA, we needed a top professional who was a strong executive, experienced Washington hand and someone who already understood our industry issues. Ryan was the only person we felt combined all of these talents."
The president's post at ISPA had been vacant since Richard Doyle resigned from the organization last year. A search committee considered executives from the industry as well as external candidates for the position, and also spoke with many members about their vision for ISPA going forward.
"We have learned a lot about what the industry wants and expects from ISPA in the future as a part of this process," Wright said. "Now with Ryan's promotion, we will be able to start acting upon many of these recommendations. It is a very exciting time for our industry and ISPA."
Trainer said ISPA will continue to focus on the issues that affect the sleep products industry and maximize the value of its programs to membership.
"Washington is trying to impose many new costs on business, and the sleep products industry needs a strong and unified voice in our nations capital, which ISPA provides," Trainer said. "Even before I joined the ISPA staff in 2002, I worked with the organization on many matters as its outside legal counsel. As a result, I am familiar with both our history and advocacy in Washington, and what we must do to assure that we have a greater voice and impact for our industry."
Prior to joining ISPA, Trainer was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of international law firm Clifford Chance, and prior to that was a partner with Rogers & Wells. Throughout his career, he has represented manufacturers, service providers and trade associations on a broad variety of trade, consumer privacy and product safety issues. He has appeared before a number of federal and state government agencies, courts and Congress to represent his clients. Earlier in his career he worked in the office of the general counsel for the U.S. Commerce Department.
Trainer received his bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado where he majored in economics, and he received his law degree from George Washington University. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Commonwealth of Virginia bars.
March 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on March 30, 2010
Specialty sleep products vendor Sleep Studio LLC has introduced a new material called ViscoFresh Hybrid with a unique blend of latex and memory foam that provides greater support, comfort and durability than either material by itself. This new material is now available in a line of mattresses, pillows and toppers.
A company release said independent lab tests confirm a 40 percent improved support factor from the new ViscoFresh Hybrid material over traditional memory foam. The new material conforms like memory foam with excellent pressure relief results and supports like latex. The result is the comfort of memory foam without the sinking feeling many consumers dislike.
Previously consumers wanting a latex visco combination had to rely on layers of each component glued together inside the mattress, which compromised comfort and long-term performance. Sleep Studio said ViscoFresh Hybrid also offers significant advantages over traditional latex with greater tensile strength and longer life, thus eliminating the tearing and crumbling often experienced with latex; and eliminates the allergy concerns and "bouncy" feeling often associated with latex.
"Independent research shows that when purchasing memory foam consumers are driven by a desire for greater comfort and better support," said Sleep Studio President Michael Rothbard. "With our ViscoFresh® Hybrid consumers can finally get what they are looking for."
ViscoFresh uses plant-based ingredients in its formulation, including a castor bean derivative in lieu of soy. ViscoFresh also uses a proprietary anti-microbial treatment called MicroSafe, which Sleep Studio says is more eco-friendly than the more commonly used UltraFresh.
The new ViscoFresh mattresses and pillows will be branded SleepJoy with the tagline of "Wake up happy!"
The SleepJoy ViscoFresh Hybrid material is available in an assortment of mattresses, toppers and pillows. Mattress sets begin at $1,499 (queen), toppers from $149 (queen) and the pillows at $50.
March 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 30, 2010
The High Point Market Authority (HPMA), in association with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is producing a three-day 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.
Continuing education and professional networking are critical to the ongoing success of practicing interior designersone of the fastest-growing constituencies at the High Point Marketand access to educational opportunities is a top priority for most, said Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority, official sponsor of the High Point Market: The Worlds Home for Home Furnishings. We are extremely pleased to be working with ASID, the leading organization for interior designers, to produce the Design Viewpoints Lecture Series featuring world-class speakers focused on topics that are essential to design professionals today.
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.
Designing eco-consciously for more than 25 years, Clodagh blurs the lines between the commercial and residential arenas, Casey said. Her design empire is responsible for creating award-winning private residences with an earthy, soothing aesthetic, as well as luxury spa resorts and major hotels such as the award-winning Miraval Life-in-Balance spa resort in Arizona, Manhattans 450-unit Caledonia condominium, and the recently completed W Hotel and residences in Fort Lauderdale.
Clodaghs expanding licensing and original product design division creates private label home furnishings, hospitality furniture for Mark David, hardware for DuVerre, lamps for Visual Comfort and Boyd, rugs for Tufenkian, faucetry for Watermark Designs, and tubs and sinks for Dex Studios. She has also designed a line of outdoor fabrics for Perennials, eco-friendly broadloom and tile carpeting for Bentley Prince Street and a collection of earth-friendly textiles for Duralee.
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, Casey said. 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.
Steves developed the concept of right-sizing the home in response to consumer queries about making their homes more livablerecognizing early on that bigger did not always make better houses, Casey said. Here, she provides interior design professionals with insights from her new book,
Right-Sizing Your Home, which will hit bookstores later this Spring. Steves teaches designers and their clients to live with a less is more philosophy when it comes to the home. Rather than downsize or relocate, she maintains that right-sizing allows one to live comfortably, efficiently, flexibly and sustainably. She describes a decision-making process that begins with a true analysis of how a room is used today, not a generation ago, accounting for changing lifestyles, technology, economics, energy requirements and more.
The line-up of speakers and presentations for this series is outstanding and we are very pleased to be working with the High Point Market Authority to produce these events for interior design professionals at Spring Market, said Rhonda Claytor, director of education, ASID. Events like these strengthen the interior design profession by improving competencies, knowledge and skills in subject areas essential to the growth and success of our industry.
All seminars in the Design Viewpoints Lecture Series are free to interior designers attending Spring Market 2010 and lunch is complimentary, but seating is limited. Designers should e-mail
here to reserve a place in advance. Note seminar, date and number of seats requested in e-mail subject line.
March 29,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on March 30, 2010
Larry Rinaldi, president of Aico/Amini Innovation Corp., is retiring from the position he has held eight years. His retirement is effective April 30.
Rinaldi joined Aico 11 years ago, and he has been in the furniture industry since 1964 when he graduated from Marquette University School of Business and went to work for Sears Roebuck where he climbed the ladder to become national and international buyer for the retailer.
Throughout the years, Rinaldi has worked for Stratford/Stratolounger, Schnadig, Elite Upholstery and Arbek before joining Aico.
During his tenure at Aico, Rinaldi is credited with growing the company into a total home resource, as well as with the development of the Michael Amini brand and the collaboration between Michael Amini and Jane Seymour.
I feel so privileged to be a part of such a talented staff, and I have such a deep appreciation for them," Rinaldi said. "It has been an honor, and a privilege, and a wonderful experience to work with Michael Amini, and the extraordinary company that he has built. Michael is truly a dynamic leader, and has impacted so many people, including me. Frankly, I have been fortunate to work with high levels of talent throughout my career.
Michael Amini, founder, chairman and CEO, credited Rinaldi with much of the company's growth.
When I hired Larry, Aico was 11 years old," Amini said. "Although we had a steady growth from the infancy of the company, we owe the tremendous growth of our company to its present position, to Larry. His guidance, leadership, and his contributions to this organization have been invaluable. He brought integrity and dignity to our company, and simply said, he was my rock.
"We congratulate Larry for his many accomplishments with the entire home furnishings industry," he said. "His character, personality, and professionalism are equal to none. Although I selfishly would like him to stay, our arms are open for him to come back at any time he may wish. He will be missed and we wish him all the best in his future travels, intimate family times, and all that we hope some day we are able to do during our lifetimes.
Rinaldi plans to spend his new found time with his wife, Mary Jo, and his three children, who live across the country.
I am looking forward to spending more time with my best friend, my wife, and seeing more of my children and their families," Rinaldi said. "I am leaving Aico with feelings of fulfillments and satisfaction, and look forward to the new chapter in the book that is my life. It is not finished, and as I reflect on the past, I realize all the wonderful people I have met, and friends that I have.
Rinaldi's position has not yet been filled, but Amini said an announcement will be forthcoming..