Daily News Archive
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January 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Las Vegas on January 5, 2012
World Market Center Las Vegas has named Jamie Drake its 2012 Design Icon.
The award, which recognizes an interior or furniture designer who has made a significant contribution to the industry, will be presented at the Jan. 30-Feb. 3 Winter 2012 Las Vegas Furniture Market.
"Each year, as a Market, we strive to deliver what's new on every front," said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, parent company of World Market Center Las Vegas. "We've seen Jamie Drake do the same with his bold, colorful designs and believe he is very deserving of such accolades and industry recognition."
Drake's other acknowledgements include the IFDA New York Circle of Excellence for Interior Design and the Andrew Martin International Designer of the Year. His work has been published in media outlets such as including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, The New York Times, and Interior Design, and he has appeared on Bloomberg TV, CNN and HGTV over the years.
As the new Design Icon, Drake joins the ranks of some of imminent designers such as Christopher Guy, Larry Laslo, Juan Montoya, Roger Thomas and Vicente Wolf.
"I am thrilled to receive the 2012 Design Icon Award and to be named among such an illustrious and distinguished group of talent," said Drake. "I cannot think of a more appropriate place than the glitz, glamour and sparkle of Las Vegas for me to receive this honor and be recognized for my work."
The Design Icon award is a part of Las Vegas Design Center's Design Series. The 2012 award presentation will take place Wed., Feb. 1, at 11 a.m., in Building C, Suite C-176. The presentation will include remarks from Drake, followed by a reception open to all Market attendees.
January 4,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on January 5, 2012
Popular interior designer Jeff Lewis will make a guest appearance at Art Van Furniture in Novi, Mich., on Jan. 12.
wn for his real estate investments, interior design expertise, and personality, Lewis will offer tips and answer questions that will help Art Van Furniture guests create the homes of their dreams.
Having developed some of the most coveted homes in the Los Angeles area, Lewis earned the title of America's most well-known house flipper from his starring role in Bravo's docu-series, "Flipping Out." He also will star in the upcoming Bravo series "Interior Therapy with Jeff Lewis," in which he will move in with his clients to help them improve their lives both inside and out.
"We are so excited to have Mr. Lewis as our guest expert," said Warren, Mich.-based Art Van Furniture Director of Corporate Communications Diane Charles. "His talent, charm and unfiltered personality will make this a very special event."
Within a year of launching Jeff Lewis Design, House Beautiful magazine tapped Lewis to design its 2010 "Kitchen of the Year," displayed in New York City's Rockefeller Center. In addition to "Flipping Out," airing its fifth season in 2011, Lewis signed an endorsement with quartz surface supplier Caesarstone to develop colors for the company. He also was selected to curate toothbrush design for consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson's Reach by Design Brand the same year.
Jeff Lewis will appear at the Art Van Furniture Novi store from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12.
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Legal on January 4, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5696326453&z=1250249027
The World Market Center in recent years has served eviction notices on dozens of tenants unable or unwilling to pay the rent to keep their showrooms.
But Bel Air Home Furnishings, unhappy with the level of business it has generated during the World Market Center's semi-annual furniture shows, has turned the tables by trying to litigate its way out without covering the remainder of its lease.
If the current schedule holds, the Clark County District Court case would come to trial in mid-April. Judge Elizabeth Gonzalez on Tuesday told Bel Air to turn over financial records.
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January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on January 4, 2012
Mattress manufacturer Jamison Bedding announced it will close its Albany, Ga., factory by March 1.
Jamison, Brentwood, Tenn., will consolidate production and customer service for the Georgia plant in its Gallatin, Tenn., facility.
"The many measures we took over the past few years to reduce expense proved insufficient, especially in the face of the general economic downturn," said President Frank Gorrell in an announcement of the Albany closure. "While the decision to close a factory is never an easy one, we know it's the right move for Jamison Bedding. This change will enable us to operate more efficiently, reinvest in our business and serve our customers even better."
Jamison's Gallatin operation will serve retailers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and southeast Alabama that were served by the 90,000-square-foot Albany factory. The Gallatin facility is in relatively close shipping proximity to the Albany plant, the company said.
"We're very confident that retailers will experience few, if any, interruptions in the level and quality of service they're accustomed to," Gorrell said.
The producer also recently converted factory space in Gallatin to a retail showplace for its Jamison and Spring Air products, completing a plan to create a single, full-service facility. To organize the process, Jamison has created transition teams inside the company to direct internal communications and to ensure proper planning and a timely outcome.
"Our objective is to make this transition as smooth and orderly as possible for our retail customers and for employees at both locations," Gorrell said.
The Albany factory originally opened as a sofa sleeper producer and was converted to a mattress-making operation in 1981.
January 3,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Mattresses on January 4, 2012
Italian mattress manufacturer Magniflex has promoted Stefano Marescotti to North American sales director.
He is responsible for the growth and development of the business in Canada, U.S., and other regions on the continent.
Marescotti joined Magniflex in 2010 as development manager, facilitating training, customer service and support between the United States and Italy. He was responsible for providing strategic counsel to the company and its retail partners, including business plan and sales strategy development.
"Stefano has a tremendous understanding of the mattress business at the retail level," said Magniflex Global Sales Director Marco Magni. "He has played an important role with many of our North American customers in helping them better merchandise and sell our line. Stefano has relocated to the United States where he will be able to devote his full attention to our North American customers."
Marescotti has more than 15 years experience in retail, wholesale, production and customer relations in the Western European and U.S. markets. Previously, he spent three years with Sleepy's as a district sales leader. Prior to Sleepy's, Marescotti worked in publishing for 16 years.
"As our North American presence continues to grow, we felt it was important to strengthen our operations," Magni said. "Stefano's promotion and relocation, as well as our new Las Vegas showroom, product innovations, and improvements to our marketing and point-of-purchase materials, are just some of the investments Magniflex is making to support our clients here."
Magniflex will open its first free-standing showroom at the Jan. 30-Feb. 3 Las Vegas Furniture Market. The new 2,000-square-foot space, C1552 in World Market Center, will allow Magniflex a more open and spacious presentation of product as the company continues to grow their North American business.
"Over the last several years we have shown in a shared space," Magni said. "This move to a new, large showroom enables us to highlight the full breadth of our mattress and top-of-bed offerings while taking advantage of the heavy foot traffic in this dynamic area. Finally having a permanent showroom also allows us to showcase our point-of-purchase and Shop-in-Shop displays, which have become a bigger part of our brand.
"This showroom, along with new product innovations, upgraded marketing and point-of-purchase materials, and a new design center in Miami are just some of the investments Magniflex is making to support our increased presence in North America."