Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
May 24,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in on May 25, 2013
from http://www.interiordesign.net/article/563686-Workplace_Strategy_in_Design_Brightspot_Strategy.php?rssid=21043
A new approach to designing the work place has offices more closely resembling homes or your favorite hangout.
"Work is no longer someplace you go," says Amanda Kross, Brightspot Strategy consultant. "It's something you do. Workplaces are now designed to be an extension of our cities and towns - providing places for interdisciplinary interactions, places to learn, engage with others and be part of a wider community."
Brightspot develops workplace strategies for their clients by drawing on numerous resources and best practice examples from universities, libraries, and cultural institutions.
Read Full Article...
May 23,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on May 24, 2013
Pam Cain has been named director of marketing for home furnishings supplier Chelsea House.
In her new position, Cain will direct the advertising and public relations for the company, as well as work directly with sales representatives and customers in various capacities.
Cain has been associated with Chelsea House in a variety of ways over the last 20 years. The association began with Chelsea House as a marketing client when she was a partner at Broach & Co. in Greensboro, N.C. She then joined Chelsea House as vice president of sales and marketing for six years before starting her marketing agency, Cain Creative Group.
Chelsea House remained a client at the agency. Cain will retain her marketing business while employed with Chelsea House.
"I am thrilled to have Pam back as an official part of our team," said Bill Cain, president of Chelsea House (no relation). "Her knowledge of the industry and her dedication to the brand is vital to our success."
In addition to developing advertising campaigns and public relation efforts, Cain will also direct social media activities, oversee photography, work with industry organizations, develop presentations, and work with customers on marketing Chelsea House.
"I could not be happier to officially be back with Chelsea House," Pam Cain said. "It is a dynamic brand with such a revered reputation. I'm fortunate to be a part of it."
May 23,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in on May 24, 2013
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum told furniture manufacturers this week to "aim for the highest level of safety" in their designs to minimize health and safety risks to consumers.
Tenenbaum addressed members of the American Home Furnishings Alliance board of directors during the group's May meeting in Arlington, Va. The annual event includes visits with key legislators on Capitol Hill.
Tenenbaum recalled visiting several furniture factories and showrooms at AHFA's invitation in 2011. "To see the manufacturing process from start to finish provided me with valuable insights," she said.
Those insights are helping to inform the CPSC's work toward a mandatory flammability standard for upholstered furniture. "Throughout my tenure as chairman, I have made it clear that we are committed to developing an upholstered furniture standard that does not require the use of harmful chemicals," she said.
"I want to see progress on this rule this year and want all stakeholders, including all of you, to stay engaged with CPSC as we move forward," she told the AHFA directors.
Tenenbaum thanked Bill Perdue, AHFA vice president for his leadership of the ASTM subcommittee on furniture safety and commended the committee for its work on updating the furniture tip-over standard.
"I hope that each of you - whether you make adult furniture, children's furniture, or both - will use all of the communication tools at your disposal to encourage your customers to anchor their furniture and televisions," she said.
Tenenbaum concluded her remarks by explaining the CPSC's concept of "safety by design."
"As I have travelled around the United States and the world, I have shared with companies that it is vital to design out potential health and safety risks in each and every model - before manufacturing and assembly even starts," she said. In the residential furniture industry, that means ensuring that products are made without lead, cadmium, antimony, chromium and other toxic metals.
"I believe that safety by design - which includes meeting current standards and anticipating and preventing new hazards - can be a winning approach for all industries to incorporate," Tenenbaum said.
In addition to the CPSC Chairman, the AHFA Board was addressed by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mark Warner (D-VA), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Kay Hagan (D-NC), as well as Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Alan Nunnelee (R-MS).
May 23,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on May 24, 2013
Seven new students have been selected to receive the Celia Moh Scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year.
This year's recipients are: Hazel Chang, a junior interior design major at Appalachian State University; James Ellis, a junior in the industrial design program at Appalachian State University; Stacy Folker, a junior furniture design major at Kendall College of Art & Design; Casey Gloster, a junior industrial design major at Appalachian State University; Sarah Kakol, a senior home furnishings major at High Point University:Catherine Ruvolo, a senior studying interior design at High Point University; and, Angela Truehill, a senior majoring in interior design at East Carolina University.
The Celia Moh Scholarship is considered one of the preeminent academic scholarship programs for students bound for careers in the home furnishings industry, paying full-time tuition and fees, room, board and books for its recipients. In addition, the scholarship hosts an annual networking and resource-building trip to the High Point Market, and provides informal internship and career guidance for its scholars, as well as offering an active alumni network for former scholars who are now in the home furnishings industry.
Established in 2001 by furniture industry entrepreneur Laurence Moh, best known as the founder of Universal Furniture and later, Fine Furniture Design, to honor his wife, Celia, the program's strategically managed $3 million endowment investment has provided 80 full scholarships in 12 years totaling nearly $3.7 million.
Scholarship candidates are hand selected by their universities and then must complete an extensive application questionnaire, write a personal essay, obtain instructors' recommendations, and provide a college transcript illustrating exceptional academic achievement. A scholarship committee comprised of notable home furnishings industry executives selected the students from a pool of premier candidates from eight universities across the country. The seven scholarship recipients join three returning undergraduate students selected as Celia Moh Scholars last year-Evan Fay of Kendall College of Art & Design, Jessica Rose and Danielle Souder both studying at North Carolina State University.
May 23,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on May 24, 2013
Don Wingate has been named key accounts manager of the furniture retail division for Protect-A-Bed, a supplier of bedding protection products.
Wingate, a furniture industry veteran, will oversee the company's focus to sell its line-up of products to home furnishings customers.
"Protect-A-Bed is well-known for its home furnishings lines, including mattress protectors, mattress pads and bedding protection kits," said James Bell, Protect-A-Bed CEO. "By adding Don to the team, we can expand our leadership and expertise in this industry."
Wingate will work with current and prospective customers across the country to educate them on the benefits of creating a healthy sleep zone and protecting their bedding investment.
Prior to joining Protect-A-Bed, Wingate served in a variety of sales and business development roles in the home furnishings industry. Wingate spent the last seven years as a regional sales manager for Furniture/Today and the past year and a half as the associate publisher of Kids Today. He has more than 10 years of experience in the industry, including previous positions at Reed Business Information and Salem Distributing Co.
Wingate graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor's in communication in 2002.