March 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on March 12, 2010
Los Angeles-based Dovetail Furniture will make its East Coast market debut at the April 17-22 High Point Market with a 7,000-square-foot showroom in Market Square, space G-81.
Dovetail offers a handmade furniture, accessories and textiles from around the world. The company serves customer throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico from a 100,000-square-foot West Coast distribution center.
The company spent several months renovating its new space to take advantage of the exposed brick walls and refurbished wood floors in the showroom. Dovetail will also have a showcase area within SALON, which flanks the entrance to its new showroom.
"Dovetail is a well-recognized brand in the home furnishings industry, and we are thrilled they have chosen Market Square & Suites as their East Coast launching pad," said Brian Bunch, vice president and assistant general manager for MMPI High Point.
Whenever possible, Dovetail has utilized reclaimed materials and sustainable woods, both to help with the stewardship of resources and to create a natural, comfortable look and feel. A new upholstery collection features hand woven linens and beautiful velvets, chosen to complement the casual European styles of Dovetail's case goods and occasional pieces.
"As we made the strategic decision to expand our Eastcoast business, High Point Market was the obvious venue for us to reach more Midwest and Eastcoast retailers and designers that we are not currently seeing at other shows," said Cecilia Miller, general manager of Dovetail Furniture. "As we looked for opportunities at High Point Market, Market Square was definitely the best location and the best atmosphere to show our products."
March 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on March 12, 2010
WithIt has named two additions to its board of governors.
Jason Phillips, vice president and creative director of The Phillips Collection, and Jerry Cohen, founding member and partner of Cohen, Tauber, Spievack & Wagner, a New York law firm. Phillips and Cohen join the advisory team, which consists of industry leaders representing several business disciplines and levels of leadership.
"WithIt is a brain trust, a learning space, and a growth engine for individual and business leadership," said Stephanie Lowder, WithIt president. "Our Governors are strategic thinkers, generous supporters, and advocates for WithIt. They help this organizationand thus our individual membersto grow and contribute to full potential. In other words, each of our Governors and their companies embody our cause. We are grateful for their partnership and support."
Phillips is an award-winning designer whose recent honors include the INSPIREDESIGN Design Excellence Award, 2010 ARTS Awards Product Designer of the Year, and the Trade Secrets Award, part of VERANDA magazine's inaugural Art of Design competition. Phillips is a board member for several associations, including the American Society of Furniture Designers, the Interior Design Panel at High Point University, and the Young Home Furnishings Professionals. Also, he is a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
"I am both honored and humbled by my inclusion in WithIt's Board of Governors," Phillips said. "I have been watching this organization branch out over the years, and I am very excited to join the team to add to the great momentum that already exists."
Cohen is a corporate counselor who handles financial, commercial and intellectual property transactions, and provides strategic business advice to public and private corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. He routinely counsels clients in strategic alliances; joint ventures; licensing; marketing and distribution arrangements; acquisitions; divestitures; restructurings; and financings. Cohen has been a guest speaker at WithIt's professional conference.
"I'm proud and delighted to have been nominated to WithIt's Board of Governors," Cohen said. "WithIt's mission of outreach to professional women, which it accomplishes so well, is vital for the success and future of the home and furnishings industries. I'm excited and look forward to helping WithIt continue to fulfill its essential role."
In addition to Phillips and Cohen, the 2010 WithIt Board of Governors are: industry veteran Cary Benson, co-president, Palliser; Deborah Burns, senior vice president and chief innovation officer, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.; Peggy Burns, principal, Circle Furniture; Jeffery L. Cook, president, Broyhill Industries Inc.; Jerry Epperson, partner, Mann, Armistead & Epperson; Jena Hall, vice president of marketing and director of bedroom, dining and occasional, aspenhomeTM; Phil Haney, president, Lexington Home Brands; Caroline Hipple, principal, HB2 Resources; Edward Massood, president and chief operating officer, Thomasville Home Furnishings of New Jersey; George Perez, chairperson, Furniture Design Department, Savannah College of Art and Design; Rob Sligh, chairman and chief executive officer, Sligh Furniture Co.; Ken Smith, managing partner, Smith Leonard PLLC; and Margaret Traub, president and chief executive officer, Adesso Inc.
March 11,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 12, 2010
Millenia USA, known as Legacy Traditions Solid Wood Furniture, is relocating its High Point Market showroom to the International Home Furnishings Center from the Profit Center.
The company will show on the seventh floor in G782 of the IHFC. This is the company's fourth year showing in High Point.
We had an 18 percent growth over 2008, said Jack DeBonis, president. We attribute that to our solid wood niche in master bedroom. We offer solid wood at or below veneer prices and retail customers are responding. To have that growth in a tough economy speaks to the success of our product. We know that showing at the IHFC will give our products the wider exposure they deserve.
The company is adding three collections in Pennsylvania cherry and three other collectionstwo in mahogany and one in hardwood.
March 10,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in economic news on March 11, 2010
Could the furniture industry be on the brink of a turnaround?
A recent article in the
Wall Street Journal suggests that could be happening.
The article, published Wednesday, points to recent reports of increased year-to-date orders at Ethan Allen and Haverty Furniture Cos. as a glimmer of hope that consumers are ready to jump back into making larger purchases.
Ethan Allen recently reported a 25 percent spike in orders for the first two months of its fiscal year, and Havertys, in its quarterly report last week, noted an 8 percent increase in orders compared to the same period last year.
March 10,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on March 11, 2010
The Material Girl herself is jumping into licensing, and the brand's first foray is with Macy's for a line of teen apparel.
Through MG Icon, Madonna's newly formed joint venture with Iconix Brand Group, the Material Girl collection will roll out in 200 Macy's stores and online in Augustjust in time for back-to-school selling. As part of the agreement, Macy's has the opportunity to introduce additional brands with MG Icon in the future.
The clothing line was inspired and designed in collaboration with the pop star, her daughter Lourdes and the Iconix team of fashion designers. In addition to apparel, the collection will include shoes, handbags and jewelry.
The remaining question: will a line of furniture, exclusive to Macy's, follow?