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April 10,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on April 11, 2013
Sofa-sleeper vendor Overnight Sofa will show in a new, expanded showroom, 523 Furniture Plaza, at the April 20-25 High Point Furniture Market.
The company, which had been showing in Plaza Suites, changed locations to make room for a new line of accent chairs and ottomans being introduced at Market.
In the past, sofa-sleepers were often relegated to basements and second bedrooms, said Amy Johnson, president. But with downsizing and other lifestyle changes, this product category is assuming a much more prominent position in todays homes. Sofa-sleepers are increasingly moving into the living room, and thats creating new demand for stylish, coordinated pieces to go with them.
At the April Market, Overnight Sofa will show a range of accent chairs and ottomans that match its best-selling sofa-sleepers. Offerings also will include a number of new transitional, coastal and lodge looks, building on well-received introductions made at the October market.
New products will be presented in room settings so that retailers get a sense for how pieces work together.
Our new showroom will be lighter and brighter with more of a room display orientation, said Johnson. We want to give our retailers ideas that will work in their own stores--and customers homes.
Based in Hickory, N.C., where all its products are built, Overnight Sofa produces twin sleepers, full-size sleepers and queen-size sleepers designed for contemporary living. Options include innerspring, memory foam and air sleep surfaces, with mechanisms produced by Hickory Springs(http://www.hickorysprings.com). The companys line also includes stationary love seats.
Frames are made of kiln-dried hardwood that is double-doweled, glued and corner-blocked for extra stability. Cushions are 1.8 density, Dacron-wrapped foam with a firmer foam core for prolonged life.
Overnight Sofas move brings another respected upholstery source to the Furniture Plaza lineup, said Julie Messner, vice president of leasing for International Market Centers.
High Point is the premier spotlight for adding new product categories, and were excited that Overnight Sofa has chosen to launch its new line with an enhanced presence in Furniture Plaza, she said.
April 10,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on April 11, 2013
Rug and decorative accessories supplier Surya will unveil the Kate Spain collection of rugs and coordinating pillows at the upcoming High Point Market.
Known for her use of sun-drenched color and motifs with a hand-drawn aesthetic, the designs for Kate's first collaboration with Surya explore a diverse range of global influences.
"The intrinsic nature of this collection is new, organic forms - spun from vibrant ancient cultures and places," Spain said. "The designs in the Alhambra hand-tufted and Marseille flat-weave collections take inspiration from a variety of different sources. Some of the designs evolved from my pottery work in Spanish majolica and a love for ceramic tiles patterns from both the old and new worlds. Other pieces were born from the explosive colors and ikat patterns found in the vibrant woven arts of the Central Andes."
Market visitors are invited to join Spain and the Surya team in celebrating the launch of this spirited new collection during the Designer Spotlight event, beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 21 in Surya's Showplace 4100 showroom.
"Kate Spain's new collection harmoniously blends the serenity of nature with the bold colors and patterns of diverse global cultures," said Satya Tiwari, Surya president. "She delivers a uniquely modern sensibility to the range, with a show-stopping palette that I know our retailers and the design community will love."
April 10,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on April 11, 2013
Furniture and electric fireplace vendor Twin-Star International has named The Media Matters its public relations agency of record.
One of our major goals at Twin-Star for 2013 is to increase our visibility and positioning in not only the trade markets but also the consumer arena, said Brian Brigham, Delray Beach, Fla.-based Twin-Star's director of marketing and public relations. The Media Matters expertise in all facets of marketing communications with special emphasis in public relations and creative brand development will be very beneficial to us as we continue to build awareness and grow as an industry leader. Having worked with them previously on executing successful editor desk-side presentations, we look forward to leveraging their longtime media relationships.
Brigham noted that The Media Matters will interface with and support the companys social media initiatives.
"We are very pleased to be working with Twin-Star and the wonderful assortment of furnishings they offer," said Kathy D. Wall, president The Media Matters, based in Lexington, N.C., and a specialist in the home furnishings industry. Our strategy is to not only increase their exposure with consumers but also in markets supported by the High Point and Las Vegas shows, International Builder Show, International Housewares Association Show, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and others.
April 10,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on April 11, 2013
Full-line supplier Aico is rolling out a contemporary division called Mia Bella at the Spring High Point Market.
The division will feature more than 150 SKUs and offers upholstery in top-grain leathers in a full range of colors. The division will also include contemporary dining and occasional.
To accommodate the new division, Aico has expanded its Commerce wing showroom in the IHFC to include the area that leads to the Wrenn Street wing.
"This location will help us tap into some of the design traffic coming from the Main Street side of the building, which is important to our strategy of attracting the design community to the Michael Amini brand" said Chuck Reilly, senior vice president of sales and marketing. "The essence of Mia Bella will reflect in its casual presentation. We've created an art gallery vibe for the new space with plans to further renovate before the October Market."
To support Mia Bella, Martin Chapman has joined Aico as director of leather development, a new position for the company.
Prior to joining Aico, Chapman spent most of his career with LeatherTrend and held a number of positions in operations, systems and logistics with the company.
"The introduction of our Mia Bella by Michael Amini leather division is off to a great start and it is clear that having someone with Martin's knowledge of all aspects of the leather business will help facilitate smooth and steady growth in the category" said Martin Ploy, president. "Chapman has a very well-rounded background in the furniture business and a keen understanding of merchandising, manufacturing and sourcing in today's global spectrum."
April 10,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on April 11, 2013
Simmons Bedding Co. has launched Firehouse Recharge Atlanta, a campaign to donate 275 beds to Atlanta Fire Rescue Department's 30 stations.
Firehouse Recharge Atlanta kicked off at Stations 25 and 30 in South Atlanta, where Simmons outfitted the stations sleeping quarters with a total of 16 new Beautyrest mattresses. This initiative puts into motion the companys donation intentions announced by Simmons President Tony Smith at the Atlanta Fire Foundations Breakfast for the Brave in November 2012.
"Were honored to give back to our hometown firefighters who put their lives on the line to help protect our community each and every day, said Smith. We hope these new beds provide our firefighters with Recharging Sleep to help properly equip them for their hard work and serve as a reminder of our ongoing gratitude for their bravery.
More than 20 firefighters from Stations 25 on Benjamin L. Mays Drive and Station 30 on Cleveland Avenue, along with AFRD Chief Kelvin J. Cochran and AFRD Deputy Chief Michael Simmons, accepted the new mattresses on behalf of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.
These beds completely transform our stations sleeping quarters and will help our firefighters get the rest they need, said Chief Simmons. Its really nice to know that a hometown company like Simmons appreciates the hard work our firefighters provide for the city of Atlanta.
Having her station chosen as the initiative Kickoff location held special significance to Lt. Mary Parr, Station Chief of Station 25.
Our current mattresses are terrible--terrible. Ive had to sleep in an armchair for months, says Lt. Parr.
After enduring months of pain and discomfort from sleeping on the stations current mattresses, Lt. Parr has been steadfast in advocating for better quality mattresses for Atlanta fire fighters, thus putting the donation request to Atlanta-based Simmons in motion.
The donation is the first of 30 planned fire station bunkroom makeovers across Atlanta throughout the month of April. Each station will receive new Beautyrest mattresses
Simmons has made a commitment to support the men and women who keep our communities safe, and were grateful for the opportunity to show them our appreciation, said Smith. If anyone deserves recharging sleep, its the AFRD firefighters.