February 26,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on February 27, 2013
The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated a new shipper review of wood bedroom furniture from Chinese manufacturer Dongguan Chengcheng Furniture.
The review under the 2005 antidumping order on wood bedroom furniture from China will cover the 2012 calendar year.
Click here for the complete International Trade Administration announcement in the Federal Register.
February 26,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 27, 2013
George Rutledge has been named regional sales manager for Watkins & Shepard Trucking in the south central region of the U.S.
Rutledge's region encompasses Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. He will be based in Dallas.
"Mr. Rutledge is a welcomed addition to our staff of sales professionals," said Pat Smith, national sales manager. "He brings with him an illustrious career in the furniture industry and a broad knowledge of the retailer base. His reputation in furniture manufacturing will complement our organizations continuing effort to bring talented personnel to our logistics model. We are very excited to have George Rutledge join our team."
Rutledge joins Watkins & Shepard with more than 25 years' experience in furniture manufacturing and the marketing of home furnishings to multiple distribution channels, most recently with LaCrosse Furniture.
"I look forward to this new chapter in my professional career and delighted to join an organization the caliber of Watkins & Shepard Trucking," Rutledge said. "I expect to work closely with my former clients while establishing new relationships in an invigorating new environment. Building the Watkins & Shepard brand through growth with their current customer base and new business development will be major goals in the coming months and years."
February 26,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on February 27, 2013
The editor of RetailerNOW, the magazine of the National Home Furnishings Association and the Western Home Furnishings Association, is leaving.
Melissa Dressler has held the position for eight years.
"My time with the association has been a wonderful growing experience that has been exciting, challenging and rewarding," Dressler said. "As I move on to a new opportunity in my career, I am excited to be able to stay in an industry that I have grown to love. The new North American Home Furnishings Association is on the forefront of building a stronger industry, and I am thankful to have been a part of it and eager to see it move the industry into the future."
The WHFA, NHFA and Home Furnishings Independents Association are in the process of a merger, which is expected to be complete in May.
"Melissa grew up with us at WHFA and she will be missed," said Sharron Bradley, WHFA's executive director. "We wish her every success in her new path."
February 26,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 27, 2013
The High Point Market Authority and the American Society of Interior Designers have set the schedule for April Market's Design Viewpoints seminar series.
The Design Viewpoints Series will take place April 21-23, starting each day at noon at the High Point Theatre, next to the Transportation Terminal. The series offers up to .3 continuing education units (CEUs).
Sponsored this year by Lutron, all seminars in the Design Viewpoints Series are free to interior designers and retailers attending High Point Market. On tap for the series is an open discussion on pricing for design services, ideas to help bring a home to life, and tips to help turn your inspirations into compensation. A book signing event will also be featured with Ronda Carmans new book, "Designers at Home: Personal Reflections on Stylish Living"; and Amanda Nisbets book, "Dazzling Design."
Each Market, we feature the topics and the people that everyone is talking about for the Design Viewpoints Series, said Cheminne Taylor-Smith, vice president of marketing for the High Point Market Authority. This year is no exception as our stellar group of speakers addresses hot-button topics in the design world, like pricing and new business extensions.
ASID is proud to once again join High Point Market in offering first-rate speakers on topics necessary to todays designers. It is important that our focus continue to be developing events that are educational as well as inspiring, says Heidi Salati, director of member programs, ASID. Working together with High Point Market over the last few years has given ASID the chance to offer its members another quality educational opportunity and support one of the industrys most respected shows.
Topics and speakers for the April Design Viewpoints Series include:
* What Price Is Right?, noon, Sunday, April 21 (.1 CEU credit): How do you bill for your goods and services as an interior designer without overcharging, or worse, undercharging? Designers struggle with that question as they work to balance their hard costs with payment for their intellectual property, creativity, and most importantly, experience. A panel of principal designers from various companies throughout the U.S. and Canada will discuss what they have found to be the best options for their businesses, including new ideas that can aid you in getting optimal dollars for the goods and services you provide. The panel, led by Decor Mentor founder Lisa Ferguson, includes designers Jennifer Brouwer, Kati Curtis, Lisa Kahn and Elaine Williamson.
* The Devil in the Details," noon, Monday, April 22 (.1 CEU credit): No one wants a cookie-cutter house, but rather a home full of personality and style. All the Best founder and editor Ronda Carman leads a panel of renowned designers in a lively discussion of how they bring their design aesthetics into their own homes, and how designers can add details and touches that will give clients homes individuality and flair. Panelists include Barry Dixon, Celerie Kimble, and Amanda Nisbet.
Book signings will follow for Carmans new book "Designers at Home: Personal Reflections on Stylish Living" and for Nisbets book "Dazzling Design."
* From Inspiration to Compensation," noon, Tuesday, April 23 (.1 CEU credit): Famed Hollywood interior designers Jaime Rummerfield and Ron Woodson, of Woodson & Rummerfield's House of Design, are known not only for their fabulous design viewpoint, but also for stepping out of the design box. Besides designing for celebrity clients, the dynamic duo has branched out into their own online shop, a furniture line, their book High Style, showroom design for Stanley Furniture, and more. They will discuss how they did it, and how you can turn your inspiration into ideas that bring you compensation.
February 26,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on February 27, 2013
Specialized furniture carrier Styline Logistics has hired Karen Tucker as an outside sales representative for North Carolina and Southern Virginia.
Tucker has more 25 years of experience in transportation, logistics, sales and marketing; and was formerly the inside sales manager for MGM Transport/Furniture Transport Group. She has been involved with national and local organizations such as Withit, Rotary, Triad Women's Forum and Hospice.
Tucker is based out of Styline's High Point terminal and reports to Jolene Davis, director of sales and customer relations. Her responsibilities include securing business from manufacturers and retailers in the home furnishings industry.
"It is exciting to be a part of a family business like Styline Logistics, which has such a rich history," Tucker said. "Working with a great team of people to serve the furniture industry is a joy."