Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
December 12,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on December 13, 2011
Ashley Furniture Homestores' "A Hope to Dream" aims to provide underprivileged children with 500-plus Ashley Sleep mattresses this holiday season.
The program, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, will donate thousands more mattresses in 2012.
"Seeing the warmhearted smile of a child who just received a new mattress to sleep on is one of the most gratifying experiences you can ever imagine," said Ashley Homestores President John Disa in an announcement. "We have so many people to thank as we begin yet another year of helping these wonderful families, including our local stores, partners, and all of the thoughtful community members who continue to nominate these exceptional kids and share their inspiring stories."
Since the program began in 2010, Ashley has made a $5 donation to A Hope to Dream for every mattress purchased by customers at participating locations. Thanks to these efforts, more than 1,300 children are sleeping on a new Ashley Sleep Augusta Memory Foam mattress, and the company plans to boost that number in 2012. Some local stores are going a step further, such as Ashley Furniture Homestore in Jacksonville, Fla., which just donated 50 new mattress sets to the Salvation Army's Toy Shop.
"Without a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads, children are at a huge disadvantage," Disa said. "But something as simple as a new mattress can impact a child's overall health, mood and energy level in a profoundly positive way."
Those wishing to nominate a child can visit A Hope To Dream or request an electronic application by e-mailing AHopeToDream@ashleyfurniture.com. In-store applications also are being accepted at participating Ashley Furniture Homestore locations. Winning nominations are chosen based on originality, need and expression of thought.
December 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on December 12, 2011
Lexington Home Brands has expanded its license with Tommy Bahama to include casual furniture for outdoor living.
The move further solidifies the company's position in the upscale island category. Lexington launched the initial Tommy Bahama lifestyle collection in April of 2000, and has built that business into one of the categories most successful brands.
Lexington will facilitate a seamless transition of the existing business from the previous licensee. Bill Echols will operate in a consulting role for Lexington, continuing to serve as director of sales for Tommy Bahama Outdoor, and the current Tommy Bahama Outdoor independent account managers will continue to represent the line. Existing inventory, as well as work-in-process inventory, will be purchased and moved to Lexingtons distribution complex in North Carolina. All other operational elements of the business will be managed at Lexington's corporate center in High Point. Retailers will soon see expanded product offerings and new designs.
"Tommy Bahama is the number one brand in a style category that has experienced exceptional growth despite the economic downturn," said Phil Haney, president and CEO of Lexington Home Brands, Thomasville, N.C. "The brand is iconic, with designs and a lifestyle message that have proven highly effective in attracting the aspirational consumer. Tommy Bahama Outdoor is a natural extension for Lexington. We have a keen understanding of the brand, and will leverage our design and marketing expertise in energizing the product line through the current outdoor distribution channels. At the same time, we see an opportunity to partner with our traditional home furnishings retailers and design professionals in adding an exciting new dimension to our successful indoor business."
"Given the phenomenal success that Lexington Home Brands has demonstrated in their lifestyle designs for indoor product, the decision to expand our relationship to include the rapidly growing outdoor category was one that felt very appropriate," said Chrisann Furciato, vice president of licensing for Tommy Bahama. "When it comes to interpreting the relaxed sophisticated style of Tommy Bahama in the home, Lexington totally gets it."
Lexington plans to continue to show the Tommy Bahama Outdoor line at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market at the Chicago Merchandise Mart in September. In addition, the company will expand the Tommy Bahama presentations in its High Point and Las Vegas showrooms to accommodate the new outdoor assortment.
"One of the signature elements of our Tommy Bahama designs has been the concept of bringing the outdoors in," Haney said. "It seems somewhat intuitive that it would work with equal impact in the opposite direction. The basis of our success with the Tommy Bahama brand has been a strategy of lifestyle extension. While island styling is central to the essence of the brand, three of our last four Tommy Bahama introductions have not been defined by that benchmark."
Haney noted that those collections, Ocean Club in contemporary Pan-Asian design, Royal Kahala in British Expeditionary design and Road to Canberra, a casual contemporary Australian design, have broadened the brand's reach.
"Extending the brand appeal to embrace consumers in non-coastal areas has been central to growing the business and keeping the designs relevant and exciting," he said.
The Tommy Bahama Outdoor agreement marks the second strategic business expansion for Lexington Home Brands in the past sixty days. It was announced earlier that the company has acquired Sligh Furniture Company, a premier home office and home entertainment resource.
December 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on December 12, 2011
WithIt Canada will present an evening with design expert Kimberley Seldon at the Canadian Home Furnishings Market in Toronto.
The event, sponsored by Palliser Furniture, will be held Jan. 15 in Hall 5A, showroom 5900, 5-8 p.m. WithIt President and Social North Chief Idea Officer Julia Rosien will introduce Seldon.
"Despite advances, many women in the home and furnishings industries still occupy seats outside the boardroom," said Rosien. "Kimberley is an industry leader who has spent her career aspiring to inspire and gives other women a place to plug into for advice, leadership and encouragement."
Seldon will present the principals of her newest book, "The Business of Design." Her accomplishments include 15 years in television, including a series with HGTV; design guest expert on CityTV's CityLine; frequent guest on the Home Shopping Network in the United States; design editor for Chatelaine; and editor in chief of Dabble Magazine
"More than a decade ago, I hired a professional business coach who mentored me through a rebuild of my design practice," Seldon said. "Although I felt empowered around the creative aspects of interior design, I knew I was missing some fundamental skills required for running a business. I started 'Business of Design' as an opportunity to share what I've learned over the years with other practicing design professionals."
The WithIt event at the Palliser Showroom includes an impressive guest list of members and board of directors from WithIt who are eager to share their passion for mentoring women leaders. Prior to and after Kimberley's presentation, guests are encouraged to mingle and network with each other. To encourage deeper discussions, the guest list is being capped at 150 people. Tickets are available online free of charge at EventBrite. While there is no charge to attend this event, guests must register. As well, guests must hold a valid pass to enter the Market.
December 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on December 12, 2011
Micah Goldstein has joined the board of directors of Stanley Furniture (NASDAQ-NGS: STLY).
Stanley, Stanleytown, Va., also announced that Albert L. Prillaman and Robert G. Culp III, have retired from its board of directors effective today.
Goldstein has served as chief operating officer of the Company since August 2010 and also as chief financial officer since December 2010. From January 2006 until August 2010, he was president and CEO of Bri-Mar Manufacturing, a manufacturer of hydraulic equipment trailers. Goldstein's term as a director will end in 2012.
"In addition to welcoming Micah to the Board, we would like to extend our gratitude to Albert Prillaman and Rob Culp for their many years of service to the company,: said Michael P. Haley, chairman of the board of directors. "Both men have been an invaluable asset to us."
"Both Albert and Rob have served our company as board members for many years, and we couldn't be more appreciative of their contributions," said President and CEO Glenn Prillaman. "Our industry has dramatically changed during their board tenure and their executive careers. Each has made sizable contributions to recently reposition our company, guiding us through some of the most challenging economic times our industry has ever seen. Both believe the Board will benefit from new ideas to propel our company forward with our new operating strategies."
December 11,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on December 12, 2011
Renee Loper has joined Bassett Furniture as vice president, independent retail business development and marketing.
She will support and lead initiatives to distribute and expand both the Bassett and HGTV Home brand and products to the open market retail segment. In this new position, Loper will work with retailers to develop, market and expand the Bassett brand of furniture products in the open market as well as launch and support the HGTV Home line of furniture in the open market in 2012.
Loper brings 14 years of experience in building corporate and consumer brands. Most recently, she was director of marketing and communications for aspenhome, where she led the repositioning and subsequent brand building that led the company to become an industry leader in case goods. Prior to aspenhome, she worked at GRID2 on retail branding for clients in home furnishings and other consumer segments. She has also held posts at branding firms and ad agencies working in a variety of industries.
"We are excited to have Renee on our management team to support these important initiatives for the future growth of our company," said Rob Spilman, president and CEO of Bassett. "Renee brings a track record of success in building brands that will help us achieve our goals."