Daily News Archive
Brought to you by Home Furnishings Business
September 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on September 8, 2011
Two New Jersey Ashley Furniture Homestores are offering support to victims of Hurricane Irene.
D'berg LLC, owner and operator of two Ashley Furniture Homestores in Phillipsburg and Ledgewood, has instituted a Flood Relief Program that offers extra discounts and financing to residents who need help repairing their homes in the wake of the storm.
Jesse Jeramczak of Ledgewood, for example, awoke to a rescue boat in his front yard and more than five feet of water in his basement.
"Our sofa was pinned to the basement ceiling and firemen were going door to door to assist with evacuation," said Jeramczak, a product specialist at the Ledgewood Ashley store. Flood insurance covered the structural damage to his basement but not furniture, art supplies and other personal items.
"There was no question we would help Jesse replace his furniture," said Barry DiMaio,store owner. J"esse challenged us to help other home owners who are struggling with water damage from the hurricane. ... We created a Flood Relief Program to create our highest discount ever, special financing offers and a layaway option."
In the past week, DiMaio worked with suppliers to identify products that could be available for immediate delivery and created space at the warehouse to store new furniture for customers who are repairing their homes.
"We've helped families recover from disasters before, but with this Flood Relief Program, we can help many put their home back together," said Sales Manager Steve Gergar.
For details on the Ashley Furniture HomeStore Flood Relief Program visit the Ledgewood store's Facebook Page or the Phillipsburg store's Facebook Page.
September 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on September 8, 2011
Beach living lifestyle brand Panama Jack has partnered with Pelican Reef for "Island Breeze," a new collection of casual outdoor furniture.
"The Panama Jack brand is all about having fun, being adventurous, and experiencing a sense of escape in our everyday lives, so having the brands trademark spirit carry over into peoples homes, patios and yards is very exciting for us," said Orlando-based Panama Jack President Kim Manna. "As a leader in the casual market, Pelican Reef understands people's connection with the outdoors, and how rejuvenating eating, entertaining or lounging outside can be. Pelican Reef is the perfect partner for us for this collection."
Panama Jack and Pelican Reef will preview several pieces from the collection--a three-piece bistro set, five-piece-dinette set, barstool and chaise lounge--at the Sept. 12-15 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market at Chicago's Merchandise Mart. They also will showcase pieces at the High Point Furniture Market, Oct. 22-27.
"Everyone at Pelican Reef is excited about launching Panama Jacks new Outdoor Collection," said Pelican Reef President Allen Calzadilla. "For years, we have been providing consumers with island-style casual furniture. Now, with this partnership, they'll be able to enjoy Panama Jack's laid-back style in their own backyards."
Panama Jack has added several new product offerings in recent years. The company introduced branded luggage, beach-cruiser bikes, and retail stores last year. It also unveiled the Panama Jack Home Collection of indoor furniture this Spring, debuting two inaugural linesOld Havana and Eco-Jack.
September 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on September 8, 2011
Bedding producer Kingsdown will close a small plant in Knoxville, Tenn., as it consolidates regional production in facilities in Oklahoma, Florida and Virginia.
"We had assumed responsibility for this small plant many years ago as part of a larger acquisition, but since that time we have opened other facilities where production shifted and from where we can much more efficiently service our customers," said Kingsdown Senior Vice President of Operations Joe Schmoeller. "While we recognize and cannot minimize the financial loss to the small number of employees at the plant, it no longer made economic sense for us to operate the facility as our production matrix had changed over the years."
Kingsdown Inc., headquartered in Mebane, N.C., produces premium mattress systems for retailers across the United States and in more than 20 countries. International offices are located in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tokyo, Japan. Additional manufacturing and distribution centers are located in Winchester, Va.; Muskogee, Ok.; Lakeland, Fla.; Stockton, Calif.; Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, Canada; Derby, United Kingdom; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Istanbul, Turkey; Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Australia.
September 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on September 8, 2011
Adrian Mount Pearsall, furniture designer, yachtsman, and philanthropist died in his sleep Tuesday at age 85.
Pearsall was born Sept. 18, 1925, in Trumansburg N.Y., and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following the war, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in architectural engineering, class of 1950.
He left the architectural field after two years to found Craft Associates, becoming one of the country's most prominent furniture designers during the mid-century "Atomic Age." With the help of his wife, Dorie, he began building furniture in the basement of their Kingston, Pa., home, and selling pieces from the back of their truck to Macy's, Wanamaker's, and other prominent New York and Philadelphia department stores.
Joined by his brother Richard, Craft Associates went on to become one of Wilkes Barre's top employers in the 1950's and 1960's. Known for his daring designs which brought high style to the masses, he is credited with the creation of long and low gondola sofas, free-form walnut and glass tables, and the popularization of the venerable bean bag chair. As an industry testament to his achievements, Adrian was nominated for consideration into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2008.¨¨After selling Craft to the Lane company in the late 1960s, he went on to launch a new company, Comfort Designs with business partner John Graham, and successfully transitioned from the atomic age, into the "comfort" look of the 1970s and 1980s. Pearsall eventually left the furniture business, but never really retired. His passion for preservation and meticulous craftsmanship led him to the hobby of classic yacht restoration, where he is credited with rescuing and personally restoring several treasured vessels.¨¨A philanthropist for causes large and small, he was private about his contributions, but most notably personally designed and with his brother Richard funded a new home for the Ulysses Historical Society, based in Trumansburg, N.Y. in the spring of 1998.
In addition to his wife Dorie and brother Richard, he is survived by his children, Adrian James Pearsall and wife Shauna, Dr. Cindy Pearsall Sussman and her husband Steve, and Jed Pearsall and his partner Bill Doyle, and his five grandchildren.¨¨Viewing services will be held at Snowdon Funeral Home, Shavertown Pa., on Saturday, Sept. 10th, 4-7 p.m. followed, by a funeral on Sunday, 2 p.m. at Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston Pa. ¨¨Memorial gifts in honor of may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association and the SPCA of Luzerne County.
September 7,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on September 8, 2011
Accent furniture vendor Guildmaster has announced a contest offering a trip around the world to one retailer and sales representative.
The Guildmaster Amazing Race contest, which includes stops in nine of the top global fashion capitals or $10,000 in cash, kicks off this week. For each $1,000 in product purchased by a retailer or sold by a sales representative, one entry is earned so that the chance to win increases with the value of the orders. The contest ends on Friday, Nov. 19, when five finalists in each group will be pulled from the entries. The following week on Black Friday, Nov. 25, one winner in each group will be drawn from the five finalists and Springfield, Mo.-based Guildmaster CEO Steve Crowder will personally deliver the news to the winning retailer and sales representative. Each of the winners will receive either two tickets for a dream trip around the world or $10,000.
The Top 25 Global Fashion Capitals according to the Global Language Monitor are in this order: London, New York, Paris, Milano, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Barcelona, Singapore, Tokyo, Berlin, Sydney, Madrid, Rome, Shanghai, Monaco, Las Vegas, Melbourne, Moscow, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Bali, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai and Sao Paulo.
"A trip around the world is on the bucket list for many people and we want to know which of the top fashion capitals should be on the itinerary and why," said Crowder. "With the current state of the economy, it' time to step out and celebrate success with something that is both fun and adventuresome."
To identify the favorite cities, Guildmasters Facebook fans are asked to "Tell Us Your Dream City" by telling why and by posting photos of the cities on the company's Facebook page. During the course of the contest, Guildmaster will highlight the top global fashion capitals, along with ongoing posts revealing the top dealers and reps. The winning destinations will be based on the response from Guildmaster's Facebook fans.
"We plan to make The GuildMaster Amazing Race one of the themes of our fall High Point Market," Crowder said. "The showroom will feature internationally themed foods, music and videos as well as travel giveaways. It will be an atmosphere designed to re-charge our energies and to just take a break from business to have some fun."