February 25,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 26, 2010
The American Society of Furniture Designers is accepting entries for the 2010 Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards competition through June 1.
The Pinnacle Awards honor excellence in design, and finalists and winners are recognized industrywide for their innovative designs.
The Pinnacle Awards are not only a way of recognizing the work of talented designers, but are a way for all of us to honor companies which support and encourage originality of thought, and design innovation," said Dudley Moore Jr., furniture deisgner and ASFD Pinnacle Awards chair. "The addition this year of the Green Leaf Award takes the Pinnacles to another level, in which sustainable design becomes synonymous with good design. For all these reasons, the Pinnacle Design Awards truly do represent what is best about our industry."
The 2010 Panel of Judges will include Dr. Richard Bennington, High Point University; Gary Evans,
Furniture/Today; Ellen Gefen, Gefen Productions; Jim Hering, HW Home, Boulder, Colo.; Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA; Sheila Long OMara,
Home Furnishings Business; Linda Longo,
Home Lighting & Accessories; Chuck Portaro, Furnitureland South, Jamestown, N.C.; Dianne Ray, Garden City Furniture, Garden City, S.C.; Max Shangle, Ferris State University, KCAD; Julie Smith Vincenti, Nine Muses Media; and Ron Werner, HW Home, Boulder, Colo.
A list of all Pinnacle Finalists will be released to the Media and posted to the ASFD Web site following judging in mid-June. The Pinnacle Award Winners will be presented during the Fall High Point Market on Monday evening, Oct. 18, at the 15th Annual Pinnacle Awards banquet in the IHFC Ballroom.
Furniture/Today is the major underwriter of the awards. The 2010 Pinnacle sponsors are Continental Brass, EarthCare Inside, Furniture Design Studios, High Point Market Authority,
Home Lighting and Accessories, Hickory Springs Mfg. Co.,
Home Furnishings Business, IHFC, Leggett & Platt Inc., Market Square & Suites and the Sustainable Furnishings Council.
Click
here to download detailed Pinnacle entry categories, eligibility criteria, entry requirements, including entry and payment forms. To receive a free 2010 Pinnacle poster/entry form by mail, contact Christine Evans, ASFD executive director at info@asfd.com or call (910) 576-1273.
The Pinnacle Awards were created in April 1995 by the ASFD board of directors to promote design quality and encourage the recognition of furniture designers within the retail home furnishings industry.
February 25,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 26, 2010
The Specialty Sleep Association just released an Environmental Claims report with eye opening research on consumers' interest in green mattresses, and a soup-to-nuts primer on all of the major "green" standards and certification programs that apply to the bedding industry.
SSA members can obtain this 125-page report for $99, $299 for non-members.
The report was presented in the SSA showroom during the recent Las Vegas Market where our exhibitors enjoyed outstanding retail traffic.
To order a copy of the Environmental Claims, e-mail here.
February 25,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Closings on February 26, 2010
Terry's Furniture & Carpet, a 50-plus-year-old independent retailer in Fremont, Mich., will close due to a tough economy, the Muskegon Chronicle reported Thursday.
"I see an awful lot of Talsma and Art Van furniture trucks in town," said Ric Zahrt, president of Terry's Furniture and Carpets, in the report. "I'm an avid supporter in the community, and it hurts when your business is suffering and you see these big stores from out of town."
A going-out-of-business sale will begin March 4 and go until all inventory is sold.
February 25,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Markets on February 26, 2010
Interior Lifestyle China has confirmed new show dates, Oct. 13-16, to coincide with World Expo in Shanghai.
Last year, visitors from 44 countries and regions attended the show, including key buyers from home interior products-related importers, wholesalers, retailers, department stores, manufacturers and designers.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's economic growth increased to nearly 9 percent year-on-year in 2009, totaling $4.91 trillion. The recovery has been attributed mainly to the implementation of the government stimulus package adopted to cope with the global financial crisis. An important component of the package was the country's preferential policies to encourage the sales of consumer goods.
With robust growth registered for 2009, Chinas economy presents itself with huge marketplace potential for consumer goods related suppliers, especially those in home wares.
Special country and region pavilions will help buyers manage their time more efficiently as well as give exhibitors a high profile space to exhibit. To learn more about Interior Lifestyle China 2010 or how to exhibit through the special country and region pavilions, click here.
February 25,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 26, 2010
Habersham, Toccoa, Ga., has completely redesigned and renovated its Market Square 142 showroom to better showcase its hand-styled line and growing custom capabilities in the furniture, kitchen, bath and dressing room cabinetry arenas.
"Our line has grown significantly in recent years as we've added custom cabinetry for the kitchen, dressing room and bath, new residential furniture designs, upholstery and an expanded palette of finish options," said Habersham President Matt Eddy. "And, as the line has grown, so too have our customization capabilities. The new showroom configuration visually communicates the transitional nature of our line--demonstrating how designers and homeowners can use our versatile designs, finishes and other custom options to create or complete virtually any design environment they seek--from formal to contemporary to casual."
Designed by Barbara Garrison, Dalton and Associates, Inc., High Point, NC, the new Habersham showroom space highlights include a New York loft environment upon entry. Here, contemporary art and a host of other modern, eclectic accessories are merchandised with Habersham furniture, upholstery and a galley kitchen cabinetry design.
The next section reflects the look and feel of the famed open-air Paris antique markets--filled with antiques, architectural elements and other accessories. This area will feature a wide variety of Habersham's grand scale and accent pieces in a host of decorated and hand-styled finishes--all merchandised among accessories reflecting a wide range of decorating and design styles.
The showroom also will feature a new design center area offering plenty of workspace and tables for reps, dealers, designers and clients to meet to discuss home plans and other design projects. This area is surrounded by easy-access racks showcasing all of Habersham's finish options, fabric swatches from the Habersham Feathers upholstery line, catalogs and other planning tools.
The newly designed showroom space will also include two brand new kitchen displays, as well as a new master bath display highlighting the companys innovative custom cabinetry features and stunning finish options.
The Habersham High Point showroom will be open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 17-22, for Spring High Point Market.