Daily News Archive
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August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on August 9, 2012
Full-line furniture manufacturer and retailer Ethan Allen has achieved EfEC registration at its five domestic plants and one sawmill.
EFEC (Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture) is a voluntary environmental management program created for the residential furniture industry by the American Home Furnishings Alliance.
We are proud of our commitment to environmental stewardship, said Danbury, Conn.-based Ethan Allen Chairman President and CEO, Farooq Kathwari. In all of our facilities, we work hard every day to not only make the best use of our resources but also to ensure the health and safety of our employees and their communities.
The manufacturing facilities include a wood furniture plant in Old Fort, N.C.; Ethan Allens upholstery manufacturing complex in Maiden, N.C.; a wood furniture plant and sawmill in Beecher Falls, Vt., that dates back to the 1800s; a wood furniture plant in Orleans, Vt.; and a home accents (custom lighting and wall décor) plant and distribution facility in Passaic, N.J.
Eventually, Ethan Allen plans to extend the EFEC environmental management system into all of its company-owned retail locations, which currently number about 150. This would be the first application of the EFEC program in a retail setting.
To achieve EFEC registration, a facility must improve management of resources and raw materials; reduce energy and water consumption; and reduce waste disposal and associated costs.
Ethan Allen has had a solid commitment to environmental stewardship for many years, said Bill Perdue, AHFAs vice president of regulatory affairs and administrator of the EFEC program. The EFEC program helped renew excitement for recycling and energy conservation efforts on a facility level and further reinforced Ethan Allens environmental, health and safety program.
In addition, one of the unique side benefits of EFEC is its impact on the local community.
To quote Ethan Allens Pine Valley plant manager, EFEC helps companies move stewardship efforts beyond the fence line, Perdue said.
In employee interviews conducted as part of the EFEC audit, many Ethan Allen workers reported initiating environmental stewardship efforts at home and elsewhere in their community as a result of what they learned during the EFEC implementation process. For example, at the companys upholstery manufacturing complex in Maiden, N.C., approximately 180 eighth grade students toured the facility and learned about recycling and the EFEC program.
In June, Ethan Allen received an Environmental Merit Award from the New England Office of the Environmental Protection Agency. The award recognized Ethan Allens 95 percent reduction in air pollutant emissions over the last 10 years, as well as its commitment to using more eco-friendly chemicals in finishes. Both the Orleans and Beecher Falls plants won the Vermont Governors Award for Environmental Excellence and Pollution Prevention in 2008 and, because of EFEC, both have reapplied for the award this year.
Altogether, the EFEC environmental program has been implemented at 73 different U.S. facilities, including manufacturing plants, warehouses and corporate headquarters buildings, in 12 states and Mexico
August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on August 9, 2012
Merchandise Mart Properties has set speakers and events for the Sept. 20-23 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market at the Chicago Merchandise Mart.
The four-day market event will feature HGTVs John Gidding; editors from national, consumer home and garden publications; and a selection of other complimentary educational and networking events for exhibitors and attendees.
John Gidding, an HGTV personality and acclaimed designer, will present this year's Casual Market keynote presentation, titled Turn Up the Curb Appeal for Great Outdoor Spaces. In his talk, Gidding will share information about his professional design background and experiences creating outdoor living spaces for his clients and HGTV fans. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn tips about outdoor room and backyard design, and the importance of curb appeal. The keynote will also cover designing and furnishing the front of the house, giving retailers insights to help sell customers on this key outdoor space. Gidding also will speak about today's trends and the importance of accessories to enhance outdoor spaces. The keynote presentation will take place on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. in room 8A, 8th floor.
A new addition to this years show is a Consumer Media Panel Session. Editors from top national, consumer publications will participate in a panel discussion to share their professional expertise on a variety of topics. Don Eberly and Jeff Collard, co-owners of Eberly & Collard Public Relations, the Casual Markets public relations firm, will moderate the panel to include outdoor room design, outdoor furniture and accessory trends, and relatable insights from the panelists editorial research and writing.
The panelists will also provide a brief overview of themes they tend to cover in their magazines, what they look for when sourcing content, and pertinent editorial topics they may be planning in the coming year, said Jaclyn Kelly, senior director of marketing for the International Causal Furniture & Accessories Market/MMPI.
The panel consists of five major consumer magazine editors, including Kit Selzer, senior home editor at Better Homes & Gardens; Jodi Bech, publisher at Garden Design; Amy Elbert, senior architecture editor at Traditional Home; Amy Mitchell, managing editor at Coastal Living; and Eugenia Santiesteban Soto, style director at Veranda. The session, Inspired Exteriors: Consumer Media Panel, will take place Friday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. in room 8A, 8th floor.
Networking events also will take place during the Casual Market. On Thursday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m., first-time market attendees will have the opportunity to gain tips on how to make the most of this years show at the First Time Attendee Welcome Gathering.
Also, on Thursday, Sept. 20, the Market Welcome Party will offer exhibitors and show-goers cocktails and hors doeuvres and an opportunity to network with fellow industry professionals, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Market Suites on the 8th floor.
Saturday, Sept. 22 will boasts two events. At 9:30 a.m., in room 8A on the 8th floor, retailers can learn merchandising strategies, techniques and tips on a budget. This seminar, titled Five Budget-Friendly Ways to Refresh, Revitalize & Renovate Your Patio Store NOW!, will be offered by Hearth & Home magazine and presented by Linda Cahan, an internationally recognized visual merchandising expert. Sponsors include Agio, Sunbrella and Lloyd Flanders.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the same room, Casual Living magazine will host Proven Social Media Success for Home Furnishings Businesses, a panel of experts who have successfully used social media to build brand awareness. Panelists will share insights on where to focus efforts in the rapidly evolving world of social media, and they will answer questions about implementing the tactics that are discussed. This event is presented by Casual Living magazine and sponsored by Telescope Casual Furniture.
Two awards events will be held at Casual Market. The ICFA Awards Reception will highlight the presentation of the Design Excellence Category Award winners and announcement of the Lillian B. Winchester Best of Show Award. The ICFA Sales Representative of the Year Award will also be presented along with the Manufacturer of the Year Award. Hosted by the ICFA, this years awards reception will take place Friday, Sept. 21, 6:30-8 p.m., at the School of the Art Institute of Chicagos Ballroom. This event is for ICFA members and invited guests.
The Apollo Awards Banquet will celebrate influential contributions made by industry leaders. Finalists who were previously nominated by ICFA-member companies, based on sales management, advertising, display, growth, sales training, and overall goals of each company, will be acknowledged.
Top retailers in single- and multi-store categories will be honored, and the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Ward honorees will be recognized by the ICFA, said Kelly.
Hosted by the ICFA and MMPI, the Apollo Awards Banquet will take place Saturday, Sept. 22, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Field Museum in Stanley Field Hall. This event is by invitation only, and tickets are required.
August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Store Openings on August 9, 2012
Patty Clark has joined interior design firm and furnishings retailer Linda McDougald Design|Postcard from Paris Home as general manager of its new Greenville, S.C., location.
The new retail boutique is opening this month.
Clark brings extensive experience in showroom design and merchandising to the retail division of the firm. Prior to joining Postcard from Paris Home, she was director of design and brand manager for a boutique textile manufacturer in North Carolina. She also was the lead merchandiser for markets in High Point, Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas.
Opening a new location is a thrilling challenge, and we are fortunate to have Patty join us to help manage this important expansion for our firm, said Linda McDougald, principal and lead designer of Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home. Her background is an excellent complement to the rest of our management team, furthering strengthening our ability to deliver the most beautiful experiences to our clients.
Clark has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Art History from Emory University.
August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Outdoor Furniture on August 9, 2012
British luxury outdoor furniture brand Gloster has opened a new flagship showroom in Los Angeles. The grand opening will take place in early October.
Located in one of the citys most vibrant design districts at 471 N. Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood, the new showroom has good company, situated directly across the street from Italian restaurant Cecconis and is near renowned names in architecture and interiors such as the glamorous décor of The London Hotel created by British designer David Collins and the Pacific Design Center designed by Architect César Pelli.
In addition to providing a regional hub for Gloster products and services for retailers and designers, the new Gloster flagship showroom aims to increase brand awareness in the Los Angeles design community.
Gloster has partnered with Ron Safran, the owner of Victory Furniture showrooms and a long term partner of Gloster Furniture, for the new showroom.
I am very excited about partnering with Gloster in this new venture. Reinvention is necessary to succeed and grow in todays market and this new Gloster showroom, coupled with a great product collection and service offering, demonstrates our ambitious plans to grow Glosters brand presence in this region. said Safran.
Gloster is currently the worldwide leader in luxury outdoor furniture and over the last six months we have been working extensively on an ambitious brand development strategy to ensure Gloster remains at the forefront of the luxury outdoor furniture market, said Gloster Brand Director Nick Powell. We are very much looking forward to the opening of our first flagship store later this year.
This development demonstrates our continued investment in the Californian region and we look forward to developing with all our partners in the region as a result of this new sales facility, said Gloster Furniture President Eric Parsons.
August 8,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Outdoor Furniture on August 9, 2012
More than 60 residential home furnishings and casual furnishings tenants will relocate from floors 15, 16, 17 and 18 to new spaces at Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
Many will move to a newly-renovated 14th floor, which will exclusively house Design Center tenants that was previously occupied by gift industry leaseholders; and the 15th floor will be dedicated to casual/outdoor tenants. The floor renovations and tenant moves will be completed in phases now through the end of the year.
This leasing effort supported the reconfiguration of the Design Center into four floors, which will provide a more concentrated, easily navigable showcase of top brand name showrooms in residential and casual design. More than 115 showrooms, representing 2,500 product lines, will span floors 6, 14, 15, and 16, featuring luxury home furnishings, outdoor furnishings, rugs, lighting, fabric, accessories, art and more.
The Design Center moves from floors 16, 17 and 18 to new spaces on 6, 14, 15 and 16 required a tremendous leasing effort from the Marts Residential and Casual leasing teams, said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. It is unprecedented to negotiate and sign over 60 leases in a 3-month timeframe. This is a great example of the commitment and dedication our residential and casual resources have to The Merchandise Mart and maintaining their permanent showroom, in Chicago, a major market in the USA.
The 15th and 16th floors, devoted to outdoor furnishings, will play host to the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market. Upon completion of the relocation, buyers at the 2013 Market will enjoy a cohesive shopping experience with participating outdoor showrooms concentrated on the two floors, making it easier to shop the Market to find the best resources. As a result of the reconfiguration, many casual tenants have extended their lease beyond 2017, demonstrating their commitment to the Merchandise Marts casual furnishings industry.
Those showrooms who negotiated leases and will be relocated to the renovated 14th floor include Holly Hunt, David Sutherland, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, J. Robert Scott, Jean de Merry, Century, Hickory Chair, Dessin Fournir, Janus et Cie and Henredon; while floors 15 and 16 will feature outdoor furniture premium brands Brown Jordan, Pride Family Brands, Tropitone, Lane Venture, Woodard, Gloster, Treasure Garden and more. The Design Center will continue to be home to the best designer lines and highest-quality furnishings in an easy to navigate one-stop luxury resource.
"With the support of our parent company, Vornado, we have been able to transform the Design Center by providing extensive funding, reconfirguration and design of the 14th and 15th floors and relocation of many tenants," Brennen said. "We tapped renowned industry architect and Design Center tenant, Gary Lee Partners, to help us create the new, bright and open corridor layout, allowing visitors who patronize the Design Center to see our showrooms spotlighted among an improved aesthetic.
The 14th floor renovation included the construction of a designer amenity center, The Club, which will feature a well-appointed conference area, lounge, café and audio/visual display. Gary Lee Partners designed and curated The Club so it will be a design inspiration and office-away-from-the-office for the many designers, architects, guests and showroom personnel who do business in the Design Center. The Club will be open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning this winter.