August 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on August 29, 2012
The Antique & Design Center in High Point continues to add to its unique mix of exhibitors.
At the upcoming High Point Market, the center will add three vendors: Jason Wein, founder of Cleveland Art; blogger Beth Lewis, Old Tyme Marketplace; and brother and sister interior design team Michael DeLoach and Candace DeLoach's DeLoach Design and Decoration.
Karen Luisana, the center's director, vets and invites new vendors to participate in the market.
"These three new exhibitors are a perfect example of what the Antique & Design Center is all about," Luisana said. "Each of these companies is at the top of their game in their respective fields, from the recycled and repurposed goods created by Cleveland Art, to the rustic, original-paint looks of Old Tyme Marketplace, and the mid-century modern eclecticism of DeLoach Design and Decoration, yet they have never before exhibited in High Point. In seeking out talents like these and others, our goal is to surprise, inspire and intrigue home furnishings buyers and designers attending the Market each season by exposing them to new ideas, people and products on the leading edge of design."
With stores in Los Angles and Brooklyn, as well as its home base in Cleveland, Ohio, Jason Wein's stark, minimalist designs are a favorite of Hollywood celebs. In High Point, the Cleveland Art space will feature lighting, shelves and tables built from industrial components and fasteners that Wein culls from defunct factories located throughout New England and America's rust belt.
"Everything is American-made using recycled and repurposed materials, right down to the fasteners, because I think it's the right thing to do," Wein said. "A lot of the machines that we buy from New England are from the 1700s, before electricity, and have three or four lifetimes of workers behind them. Today, with CNC routers and lasers, one man can operate 100 machines and the jobs have been outsourced overseas. It's a different age and time, and we'll never see this history again."
Lewis is also passionate about giving new life to old pieces, "taking something that someone has discarded as trash and turning it into something that someone else would love to have in their home, simply by visually displaying it in a way that's pleasing," she said.
A veteran merchant who opened her first retail shop at the tender age of 19, Lewis' retail store in Marshville, N.C., is a mecca for fans of her blog and singular look, a combination of rustic farmhouse, old architectural pieces and industrial influences brought together by a neutral color palette. The Old Tyme Marketplace store is housed in a building built in 1910, which movie buffs will recognize as the setting for the general store in the Oscar-winning film, "The Color Purple."
My goal is "when someone comes into my store-from the shop owner who wants to purchase a cupboard to display candles in, or the condo dweller that is looking to decorate with a good trash-to-treasure piece-is to have them want everything," Lewis said. "I know they can't purchase it all, but I want them to see the possibilities. I'm very excited about the opportunity to expose Old Tyme Marketplace to the trade for the first time at the High Point Market."
In their space, the DeLoach Designs and Decoration team will show the DeLoach Fall 2012 Fashion Collection, which combines vintage mid-century modern furniture and antiques with dramatic abstract art. As the children of veteran antique dealers and decorators, who later became antique dealers and interior designers themselves with shops in Charlottesville, Va., and Savannah, Ga., as well as a slew of major design projects across the country, the pair have been attending the High Point Market as buyers virtually all of their lives.
"I think when you say 'antique' to many of the people who attend the High Point Market, they think of dowdy, old, grandmotherly furniture," said Michael DeLoach. "What we're showing are pieces that have been re-done, refinished and reupholstered, pieces that people can easily incorporate into their homes. It's a strong modern look. There's nothing dowdy about what we're presenting."
While the DeLoach team will exhibit their collection of show-stopping vintage pieces-including a pony-skin covered ottoman that once belonged to choreographer Martha Graham, a bed owned by Elizabeth Taylor and a bench from the set of "Cleopatra," as well as abstract art by Jean Sampson, Erin McParland and Jo Neimeyer-they will also be introducing products of their own design for the first time at the High Point Market. The DeLoach Design line of new products will include occasional tables, Lucite floor and table lamps and wastepaper baskets sheathed in stone.
"We've been in the design business for so long," Michael said. "We know the kinds of materials that designers respond to, the type of art they are looking for, and the kind of antiques they seek."
Adds Candace, "And as interior designers ourselves, we can put it together. I think our space at the Antique & Design Center is going to be really special."
August 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on August 29, 2012
Thomasville-based bedding company Carolina Mattress Guild has added 25-year, bedding-industry veteran Alan Stein to its sales team.
Stein has been named the Florida territory manager and reports to Tom Rehwinkel, national sales manager.
Stein comes to Carolina Mattress Guild from a seven-year stint at Tempur-Pedic as a territory sales manager. Prior to that appointment, he worked for Kingsdown and Sealy.
"We are very happy to have a person of Alan's experience and reputation join us at CMG," said Neal Grigg, president of Carolina Mattress Guild. "Alan is a quality addition to our already stellar sales staff and we're excited to have him on board."
August 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on August 29, 2012
Upholstered furniture manufacturer Rowe Furniture has named Bobby Robinson vice president of sales.
Robinson follows Mark Danish, who now serves as director of national accounts and western regional manager.
Robinson previously was western regional manager. He began his career with Elliston, Va.-based Rowe in 1994 after he graduated from High Point University a degree in History and a minor in Political Science; and attending Rowe University, a comprehensive internal training program. He then became the Rowe sales representative for Northern California, where he shattered previous sales records. Robinson was promoted to Western Regional Manager in 2001.
My passion toward Rowe Furnitures success has spanned almost 20 years," Robinson said. "I am thrilled about this next chapter for Rowe and look forward to getting to work.
We are excited to welcome Bobby into this expanded role as we continue to position the company for renewed growth and success, said Phil Haney, CEO of Rowe.
Robinson and his family will be relocating to the High Point area this fall.
Rowe, a founding member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, is an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners.
August 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on August 29, 2012
Custom upholstery producer Temple Furniture has expanded its High Point Furniture Market showroom to accommodate sister company Parker Southern.
Both companies now will show together at 200 N. Hamilton, in North Court 203. Previously, Temple had been showing at 200 N. Hamilton St., in South Court 210, with Parker Southern in North Court 103, on the lower level of the building. The new, expanded showroom has a total of 16,090 square feet of space--4,350 more square feet than the previous combined total of 11,740.
Having both of our companies in the same location will make it much easier for our retailers, as well as our sales representatives, said Kim McRee, marketing director. Now, instead of having to move from one floor to the other, they can easily see both lines in one visit. We expect this move will increase our customer base, by increasing the number of stores that carry both lines instead of just one.
At market, Temple Furniture plans to introduce a range of fresh upholstery inspired by the glamour of Hollywood. The new pieces will feature sophisticated tufting treatments and other decorative details.
Priced in the mid to upper end of the market, all of Temple Furnitures upholstery features eight-way, hand-tied construction. The line includes sofas, sofa-sleepers, sectionals, chairs, ottomans and chaises, with a range of more than 1,000 fabrics and 50 leathers, and more than 120 trims and 25 wood finishes.
Parker Southern, which General Manager Adrian Parker launched in 1991 and Temple acquired in 2003, also will debut new models at market. Introductions will include some modern-flair accent chairs as well as new traditional offerings.
Known for its upper-end accent seating, as well as dining and office chairs, Parker Southern specializes in custom-order traditional styles.
The Temple Furniture and Parker Southern lines will be presented in their own spaces within the companys expanded Hamilton Street showroom, but select Parker Southern pieces also will be mixed into some of the Temple displays.
To celebrate the opening of its expanded showroom, Temple Furniture will hold a ribbon cutting during market on Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. In addition, the company plans to hold its traditional customer appreciation reception on Sunday, Oct. 14. Temple Furniture marked its 50th year in business at the April High Point Market.
August 28,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on August 29, 2012
Brandon Dunn has joined mattress vendor Comfort Solutions in the newly created position of director of business development.
In his new post, Dunn is responsible for sales training and for the ongoing development of the companys sleep diagnostic initiatives. He also serves as brand manager for Willowbrook, Ill.-based Comfort Solutions The Dr. Breus Bed program.
On the industry front, Dunn most recently worked for Simmons as a field account specialist from 2011 to 2012. From 2005 to 2009 he served in several training and sales management posts, domestically and internationally, for Kingsdown.
Throughout his career, he has held other posts in sales, operations and compliance for direct sales and benefits companies.
In his new capacity Dunn reports to Owen Shoemaker, senior vice president of merchandising and international business development.
A global mattress company, Comfort Solutions is the sixth-largest bedding producer in the United States and has 37 international licensees serving 80 countries.
Under its Never Stop Dreaming message, the company markets multiple sleep collections under its iMattress, Laura Ashley, Natural Response, King Koil and The Dr. Breus Bed brands.