February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on February 25, 2010
RugMark USA, the nonprofit working to end child labor in the carpet industry, is publishing the GoodWeave Rug Sourcebook, a hands-on tool for designers looking to source ethically produced, handmade rugs.
The Sourcebook will list more than 70 North American rug companies whose products carry the GoodWeave label, independently certifying that their rugs are child-labor-free. The book will be introduced at the GoodWeave booth (space 774) at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, which will be held at Pier 94 in New York, March 18-21.
Since RugMark USA began in 1995, the number of children trapped in exploitative carpet-making work has dropped from 1 million to 250,000. Educational programs funded by certified rug sales and donations provide former child laborers and at-risk children with rehabilitation, daycare, formal schooling, vocational training and other essential services.
"Even though many of us don't realize it, we as designers have a choice to make every time we recommend a rug to a client: will we fight child labor or will we support it?" said Betty Wasserman, New York City-based interior designer and RugMark USA board member. "I've been a designer for nearly 15 years, and I'm still amazed at how easy, and yet so incredibly powerful, that choice is."
"Designers are so essential to advancing GoodWeave's work," said Nina Smith, executive director of RugMark USA. "By making their clients aware of this issue and advising them on the importance of purchasing child-labor free rugs, they can have a significant impact on the lives of children who are being exploited."
After introduction at the show, the source book will be distributed to thousands of other designers across North America.Interior designers can receive free copies by e-mailing here.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Acquisition on February 25, 2010
Michigan retailer Art Van Furniture has acquired all of the inventory of high-end outdoor and leisure furniture and accessories from retailer Jimmies Rustics, which is closing.
Art Van plans to liquidate all of the inventory in a final sales that begins Saturday at the company's Lakeside and Novi locations. The sale will continue until all inventory is depleted.
Jimmies Rustics opened in 1945 specializing in outdoor and leisure furniture and unique decorative accessories, including dining sets, sunroom and patio furniture and accessories for elegant living.
Art Van is Michigan's largest furniture retailer with 31 stores in 29 communities throughout Michigan, a full service e-commerce Web site plus a new freestanding bedding store in Canton, Mich., called Art Van Pure Sleep.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on February 25, 2010
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.-based case goods importer Ligna USA will introduce the Chelsea bedroom from Canadian designer Guy Boileau, and also expand its presence in the youth bedroom category at the April High Point Market.
Boileau's Chelsea is a contemporary bedroom collection with soft traditional references, and bright chrome hardware, ribbon mahogany veneers and delicate mouldings.
Ligna will also expand into the youth category with two prior introductions, the Hoxton and Metropolitan collections. The Hoxton was introduced in October 2009 and was designed by Designs International principal designer, Dave Miedema.
Ligna will feature selected samples of the new product at the upcoming pre-market in March in its relocated, expanded showroom located in IHFC-H1144.
Ligna USA has a U.S. warehouse in Mt. Airy, N.C.; and three manufacturing facilities located at international headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on February 25, 2010
Be sure to click over to HFBusiness.com and read Phyllis Bosco Zaepfel's blog, The Z Files, on information sharing and the benefits it can deliver to your business.
Zaepfel, vice president of PROFITgroups, will be a regular blogger for us online, and today is her first entry. We'll keep you informed through the HFBusiness NOW! when it's updated.
Click
here and you'll be taken straight to the page. Comments? Either submit a comment online or e-mail Sheila Long O'Mara at slomara@napco.com.
February 24,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 25, 2010
Market Square & Suites will unveil the third phase of a major renovation at the upcoming High Point Market, April 17-22. Improvements include a completely renovated complex, upgraded services and amenities and a large selection of furniture, lighting, wall art, rugs, textiles and exquisite decorative accessories.
Bradshaw Orrell of Bradshaw Orrell Interiors of Greensboro led the design of the project with the intent of preserving the unique historic nature of the building while adding improved amenities with a modern twist. Orrell is best known for his design direction on Greensboro's Proximity Hotel, the first platinum LEED certified hotel in the country.
"When we heard about the design process behind the Proximity Hotel, which was grounded on the concept that they would pretend they had found an old factory and would adapt it to their needs, we knew we had the perfect designer for our project. We already had the old factory," said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing for MMPI High Point.
Major launches at the renovated complex include:
* Hotel Maison, MS-348
This is the High Point debut for six furniture collections capturing the allure and luxury of five-star hotel suites. Styles range from Metro Club, Hollywood Regency and Linen Hills to Via Royale, Pan Asian, and Luxe Lodge. Judy George International is the creative team behind the line.
* Barclay Butera Lifestyle Collection, MS-330
Designer Barclay Butera has also created a more price-sensitive brand, Barclay Butera Lifestyle, to offer a key market "aspirational design at an attainable price." Currently offering home fragrance and candles from Archipelago, and wall art from Wendover Art Group, Barclay Butera Lifestylewill soon encompass a great diversity of product. Spring 2010 will add a 200-plus SKU bridge line of case goods and upholstery, distributed through Home Furnishings International Brands. Also on tap is a new line of natural jute, sisal and sea grass wall to wall floor coverings and area rugs, along with an extensive release of price-sensitive accessories, lighting and occasional pieces.
* Dovetail Furniture, MS-G81
High Point debute of an eclectic range of handmade furniture, accessories and textiles from around the world. Based in Los Angeles, Dovetail distributes throughout North America from a 100,000-square-foot facility.
* Paladin Industries, MS-240
Paladin will open a new 12,000-square-foot showroom for its hand cut, sewn and bench made custom upholstery.
* Tara Shaw Maison, MS-G7025
Showing for the first time at High Point Market, Tara Shaw features an affordable line of reproductions with the look and feel of antiques.
Other new features at Market Square include a new ground floor exhibit in Suites at Market Square called Salon. MMPI enlisted the help of a jury of retailers, designers, and national style editors to assist in gathering a selection of brilliantly-designed furniture and decorative accessories never before seen in High Point.
On the first (top) floor of Suites at Market Square, the Design + Innovation display will present unique concepts and ideas each market that celebrate the market's creative energy.
The 4,000-square-foot "Amazed" merchandising concept area focuses on a new theme each market, and this Markets theme is "Ten Senses of Good Vibrations." Popular songs are transformed into vignettes of visual expression demonstrating that a small budget, a whole lot of creativity and local talent.
"THINK: Materials" is a new interactive exhibit showcasing more than 50 innovative materials from across the globe.
The top 10 entries from the inaugural Raymond Waites Design Competition, sponsored by the IFDA Education Foundation with the participation of House Beautiful, will be on display at High Point Market
Market Square & Suites will celebrate the opening of the newly renovated complex at a grand opening party, Saturday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. The party is open to all market participants.
For more information about all of the exciting changes and new opportunities at Market Square & Suites, visit the new enhanced rich media Web site.