February 18,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on February 19, 2013
Fine Furniture Design and Biltmore For Your Home have partnered to launch a line of 80 case goods and upholstery pieces at April High Point Furniture Market.
Hand-crafted from premium wood solids and veneers, the new Biltmore collection will feature wood pieces in okume swirl veneers, random matched rustic cherry, cluster oak and other fine cabinet woods. Styles will range from updated European traditional to relaxed American casual, with accent pieces in exotic veneers, hand painted items and metal pieces in a wide assortment of colors and textures. More than a dozen Biltmore finishes have been developed for the line. The Biltmore Upholstery product line will feature 20 exclusive frames, including chairs, ottomans, sofas and accent upholstery pieces.
"This new furniture collection with Fine Furniture Design is unlike anything we've done before," said Tim Rosebrock, vice president and general manager of the Biltmore Home Products Division. "It's a notable program of exceptional designs that mix easily with existing furniture or may be combined to create entire rooms. This new partnership represents an opportunity to expand the reach of our brand to a larger segment of the American public."
"Biltmore is a one-of-a-kind place, filled with amazing furnishings and d¢cor from Europe, Asia and other far corners of the world," said Jim Adams, vice president of product design and marketing for Fine Furniture Design, based in High Point, N.C. "This new collection will take inspiration from this masterful mix, drawing on the unique furniture, architecture, art and other design elements found throughout Biltmore to create a collection of exquisite designs perfectly suited for today's lifestyles."
"We are pleased to be working together with Fine Furniture Design on this exciting new collection," said Donnette Miller, Biltmore's licensing director of home furnishings. "We see this as the start of a significant new partnership between two companies with very compatible core values centered on quality and integrity. Fine Furniture Design has a deep commitment to fine craftsmanship and superior manufacturing techniques, which will ensure that this new line meets the high standards of construction quality and creativity that our customers have come to expect."
The Fine Furniture Design marketing team explored Biltmore and studying design details to develop the line. The team then combined those insights with the Biltmore legacy and brand vision to create an unparalleled collection of heirloom furnishings.
"Drawing on this inspiration, Fine Furniture Design has created a collection of furniture that truly reflects the architecture, history and essence of the estate, where elegant living was a daily art," Miller said.
Since its launch in 1990, Biltmore For Your Home has become a highly recognizable brand, drawing upon the tradition of gracious living at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., the country's largest private home. The division offers a wide range of products inspired by the timeless style and elegance conveyed by the Biltmore brand. During his lifetime, George Vanderbilt traveled the world, buying furnishings and treasures from England, Italy, France and Asia to furnish his home. He created Biltmore to be an inspiring oasis and, over the years, it has grown to become an architectural and historical wonder.
When George Vanderbilt began planning his estate, his vision was twofold. He wanted to create a place where he could relax and entertain friends and family, but preserving the land was also of great importance to him. He envisioned a self-sustaining home that safeguarded the land and its resources for generations to come. Today, Biltmore remains a family owned company that continues to honor Vanderbilt's legacy of preserving the land and protecting the environment.
Fine Furniture Design, Biltmore's new furniture partner, was founded in 2000 by Lawrence Moh, a pioneer of innovative manufacturing and well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist; and is now led by Lawrence's son Michael Moh.
Fine Furniture Design will debut its new Biltmore collection April 20-25 during the High Point Furniture Market at its showroom located in the International Home Furnishings Center's Wrenn wing, space 800, and InterHall 112.
February 18,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on February 19, 2013
Spring Air-Northern California, based in Fresno, has acquired the rights to manufacture and market Spring Air-branded products throughout California and in Arizona.
Spring Air-Southern California, located in Commerce, ceased operations and closed in January, opening the door for the centrally located Spring Air Fresno, Calif., licensee to service all of its home state, plus Arizona.
Owned and operated by the Morgenstern family since 1959, Spring Air-Northern California will now be known as Spring Air-Southwest, said Rick Robinson, president of Boston-based Spring Air International, and the company already has made an orderly transition based on a new business plan and an expanded sales organization.
Spring Air-Southwest has a long history of success as a family business focused on excellent service to their retail customers. The company has now laid a new foundation for future success across a larger area of responsibility.
Commenting on the new development, Spring Air-Northern California President Herb Morgenstern said that his 150,000-square-foot factory is nearly at the geographic center of California, which gives us the ability and flexibility to continue providing the level of customer service that we pride ourselves on. We look forward to this new opportunity to build the Spring Air brand and business on a much larger scale.
Both bedding producers in northern and southern California became Spring Air licensees in 2009. Spring Air has 12 North American facilities and operates in 33 other countries across the globe.
February 18,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on February 19, 2013
Framed artwork vendor Spicher and Co. will open a new, permanent showroom for April High Point Furniture Market.
The 2,100-square-foot location in 1-D C&D Building will feature entirely new framed and cutout artwork, hanging canvases, decorative pillows and furniture.
The rest of the assortment will best sellers from past High Point markets, where the company has had a temporary booth for years.
Spicher and Co. plans a grand opening event featuring an open bar serving bloody marys, beer, champagne and other cocktails.
February 17,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on February 18, 2013
from http://www.freep.com/article/20130218/FEATURES13/302240014/Shuptrine-high-end-furniture-retailer-reopening
He's baaaaaack!
High-end furniture store Scott Shuptrine is scheduled to open for business at 10 a.m. Friday, March 1 in a new 12,300-square-foot space that's been added next door to the Art Van furniture building on Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak.
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February 17,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Business Strategy on February 18, 2013
from http://www.cnbc.com/id/100468056
Office supply retailers Office Max and Office Depot are near a merger that could be announced this week, according to people familiar with the matter.
As of Monday night, the two companies and their advisers were still working toward a price for the deal, expected to be all-stock and originally set to be announced later in the week, one of the people said.
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