February 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on February 25, 2013
Phillips Collection founder Lawrence Phillips died Feb. 8 at age 95.
Phillips was born in New York in 1917 and attended Brooklyn College where he graduated at the age of 19. He went on to serve his country in Germany during World War II, where his platoon was among the first U.S. troops to liberate the concentration camps.
He came back from the war to join a fledgling dress business with his father and brother. They evolved into manufacturing and began to travel to Hong Kong in the late 60s. At this point, Larrys wife, Shirley Phillips, joined the company and together they started selling to high-end department stores such as
Bloomingdales.
Running a factory in Hong Kong kept the pair traveling around the world. They would collect beautiful objects from exotic countries such as Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos. Friends would visit their home on Long Island and be enthralled by the wonderful furniture and décor pieces, not only by the design and craftsmanship but by the stories Larry and Shirley would tell. The iconography, motif and trips through the jungles of Indonesia to reach the one village that was carving stones with a magic moving center into what they call the Kalimantan Egg. As they developed a sophisticated eye for antiquities, they became prominent New York dealers in Asian fine arts. They sold to the Met, LACMA, Chicago Art Institute, British Museum and the Stuttgart Museum.
They saw great opportunity to bring this global style to the furniture industry and asked their son Mark and his wife, Julie, to join them on a trip around the world. And so in 1983, Phillips Collection was founded.
Larry Phillips is survived by wife, Shirley Phillips; sons Mark and Michael Phillips, and their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Phillips' grandson Jason Phillips, vice president and creative director at Phillips Collection, High Point, said his grandfather was ever one to shy away from connecting dots, "even if they are 12,000 miles apart."
"If you asked Larry Phillips what he was, hed say a 'business man,'" Jason said. "If you asked anyone who knew Larry what he was, the answer would be more like tastemaker or visionary.'"
February 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 25, 2013
Bedding supplier Tempur-Pedic International (NYSE: TPX) posted an update to investors regarding its impending acquisition of Sealy Corp. (NYSE: ZZ)
The deal is now expected to close next month.
According to the release, Sealy's information statement has been cleared by the Securities and Exchange Commission and was mailed to shareholders Friday.
Under the merger agreement, the mailing must occur at least 20 days prior to closing of the deal. This step is expected to be satisfied March 14. With respect to Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance, the extended waiting period for Federal Trade Commission review expires March 8.
The proposed closing next month is contingent on the HSR clearance.
February 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on February 25, 2013
Internet furniture and home decor retailer National Furniture Supply has added collections from several La-Z-Boy brands to its online offerings.
New collections now accessible at the Atlanta-based retailer's online store include American Drews Americana Home, Grand Isle, Millers Creek and New River; Lea Inds.' Retreat, Elite Vintage Boutique, Elite Logan County, Elite Hannah, Covington and Americana; Kincaid Furnitures Winston, European Villa, Hudson House and Moonlight Bay; and Hammary Furnitures Modern Lodge, Flatiron, Esprit, Portsmouth and Homestead.
All new collections will be sold at exclusive prices accessible only at the online store of National Furniture Supply.
In an effort to provide a better online shopping experience to customers, National Furniture Supply has recently migrated to a new platform and upgraded Web design. Currently, the Web site boasts new features, increased functionality and convenience, allowing customers to access a faster and more intuitive platform for their furniture and home décor needs.
February 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on February 25, 2013
Luxury mattress vendorr Magniflex has added 19 sales representatives in the United States and Canada over the past several weeks.
The new hires follow the companys recent appointment of home furnishings veteran Billy Curtright as its U.S. national sales manager this past January. With the new members of its team, Magniflex is now able to service all locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Our bigger sales force is key to increasing our profile with more U.S. and Canadian retailers and their customers, said Magniflex USA President Marco Magni. While other companies may be scaling back service and staffing to their retail accounts, we are expanding ours, and this is a reflection of how important we believe personal service is and how excited we are to bring the Magniflex brand to more retailers on the Continent.
Led by Curtright, the sales representatives will introduce retailers to Magniflexs Geoethic, Magnigel and Magniflex collections of mattresses and sleep products, which were unveiled at the companys new showroom at the Winter Las Vegas Furniture Market last month.
February 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on February 25, 2013
Coastal Living magazine has selected Daniel Island, S.C., as the site of its 2013 Showhouse, an annual home design project showcasing the best of coastal home innovation, décor and construction.
Public tours will begin June 28.
The Coastal Living Showhouse is the perfect way to bring the brand to life, said Nicole Hendrick, associate homes director for Coastal Living. The 2013 location, Daniel Island, is an idyllic, low-country island town. Its natural beauty, welcoming neighbors and endless array of amenities and conveniences make it a coveted coastal destination and a spectacular location for this years house."
Daniel Island is located in historic Charleston, S.C, one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, featuring 90 miles of beaches, traditional architecture and legendary cuisine. The 4,000-acre low-country island community boasts nationally ranked golf courses, a vibrant town center and 23 miles of rivers and creeks.
"We're thrilled to be the location of this year's Coastal Living Showhouse," said Carolyn Lancaster, vice president of marketing for the Daniel Island Co. We've enjoyed a long-time partnership with Coastal Living and feel that the nature of our small island town community makes for the perfect setting for this annual showcase of coastal living."
The design team behind the 2013 Coastal Living Showhouse on Daniel Island includes Developer and Builder Jamison Howard of Max G. Crosby Construction Co. Inc.; Interior Designer Ginger Brewton of Ginger Brewton Interiors; and Our Town Plans, provider of the architectural design. The project specialists have broken ground on the house and expect completion in early June.
The 2013 Coastal Living Showhouse on Daniel Island will host weekly tours Wednesday-Sunday, June 28-August 18; and Friday-Sunday, August 23-Oct. 20. The showhouse is expected to draw as many as 10,000 visitors from across the nation. Tickets are $15 per person with a portion of proceeds benefiting a local charity. Tickets are available for purchase on-site and online.