Daily News Archive
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August 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on August 25, 2011
The Antique & Design Center at Market Square has expanded its educational offerings for October High Point Furniture Market.
The free seminar sessions will focus on the business of antiques, social media, entrepreneurship and design, and more.
"We were thrilled by the response from buyers and designers to our inaugural effort last Spring, and we're planning to wow Market guests once again with an expanded offering of educational seminars featuring world-class speakers, each of whom are considered rock stars in their chosen fields," said Karen Luisana, founder and managing director of the Antique & Design Center at Market Square.
The seminars will be free to all Market-goers thanks to the sponsorship commitment of VandM.com, an online source for unique vintage furniture, antiques, art and jewelry.
The series kicks off Saturday morning, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. with social media guru Leslie Carothers and a special breakfast presentation "Breakfast in Bed with Leslie: Waking Up to the Power of Social Media," sponsored by Pandora de Balthazar, a worldwide collector and purveyor of classic antique textiles, exhibiting in High Point at the Antique & Design Center for the first time.
Next up on Saturday at 2 p.m. is Chicago Interior Designer Julia Buckingham Edelman, principal of Buckingham Interiors & Design(http://www.buckinghamid.com/), who presents "Modern-ique: Integrating Antiques and Artifacts with Modern Design for Today's Lifestyles." With a reputation for mixing styles and eras to create surprising, whimsical and unique environments, and an educated eye for only the best and most unique pieces, Edelman sees aged objects as modern art.
Sunday, October 23 features an encore performance by Bill Indursky, co-founder of VandM.com.
"Bill is returning for 'Yearbook 2011/2012: Trend Forecast for the Antique and Home Decor Industries,' and anyone who attended the Spring session will tell you this is a not-to-be-missed, in-depth and up-to-the-minute analysis of where the antique and home decor industries are headed," Luisiana said. "We know from experience that he rivets audiences with a fact-based forecast that is thought-provoking and lively. If its been awhile since your last aha moment, you dont want to miss this session."
Retail Sherpa, stylist, designer and entrepreneur Suzi West follows at 3:30 on Sunday with "Passion and the Six P's of Successful Retailing."
A panel discussion is set to wrap up Sunday's offering at 5 p.m. Entitled "You Don't Smell Potpourri in Here: Reinventing the Antiques Business," the panel features Luisana as moderator, along with panelists Hilary Eklund, Tandem Antiques; Breck Armstrong, Moss Studio; and Blogger Allison Watts, the force behind the popular blog heirloomphilosophy.blogspot.com.
"Our panel of experts will provide an insider's take on the evolution and revolution underway in today's antiques business," Luisana said. "If ever there was a time to be dealing in antiques, this is it. People are tiring of disposable, mass-produced goods that dont last. Everywhere we look, we see that consumers are craving furnishings of real quality. More and more want to invest in pieces with a story behind them that will continue to increase in value over time, and they are gravitating toward the sustainable nature of antiques as well. If you think this is your grandmothers business, these panelists are gunning to change your mind."
Monday, October 24 at 2 p.m. brings another popular speaker back to the series with David Lindquist and "Understanding the Value of Antiques in Today's Market." With slides and actual objects drawn from the floor the Antique & Design Center, the presentation will prepare participants to speak intelligently about what is currently happening in the world of antiques, "particularly the astonishing decline of antique prices, which is bringing antiques into sharp competition with modern reproductions and fine modern furniture," Lindquist said.
Breck Armstrong, principal of Moss Studios takes the podium at 3:30 on Monday for "Found Objects Repurposed for Modern Home Decor." Armstrong left his job in Chicago, working with antiques and salvage, for the space and serenity of a farm in Michigan. Since starting his own business "with a unique and ever-changing collection of industrial salvage, he has gained a reputation for creating industrial modern furniture and home accessories and his 'objects with stories' are featured in an enviable list of the country's leading-edge home and style retailers," Luisiana said.
Clayton Oxford, principal of Clayton Oxford Designs, wraps up the series on Tuesday, October 25 at 2 p.m. with "Entrepreneurship & Design: The Benefits of Local Sourcing."
All seminars take place in the Mezzanine Level Seminar Space in the Antique & Design Center in historic Market Square.
August 24,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Lighting on August 25, 2011
Meyda Lighting named Max Cohen New England area sales manager.
Cohen continues to serve as Sales Manager of Upstate New York and Meyda's factory showroom in Yorkville, N.Y. Meyda Lighting is a Meyda Tiffany company and a leading manufacturer and designer of custom lighting and decor.
With his additional responsibilities, Cohen is in-charge of working closely with lighting showrooms, electrical distributors and specifiers throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. He will service all customers in the region and help create complete custom and decorative lighting programs.
Cohen has worked with Meyda for the past six years, offering sales support in the factory showroom and special projects. He has represented the company at major trade events throughout the nation including LightFair International, Hospitality Design Expo, the American Lighting Association Convention, and the International Lighting Market.
Cohen also has been featured on regional television shows that covered trends in lighting, home decorating, interior design and other related topics.
August 23,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on August 24, 2011
Veteran furniture executives Bill Benton, Sean Slack and James Martin Jr. have partnered to form
Folio 21, a new case goods company.
Folio 21 will launch at
High Point Market in October with a line of hip bedroom designs best described as contemporary/transitional with an edge. The company has leased a showroom in the IHFC Wrenn Wing, Space 647, and also intends to show at pre-market in September. Corporate offices for the concern will be located on the 8th floor of the Radio Building at 164 South Main Street as of Sept. 1.
The company's well-known management tea brings to the table years of retail, product development and sourcing experience at all price levels. Benton, who serves as president and chief executive of the new concern, was most recently president of CR International and formerly president and chief executive of the
Powell Co. Prior to that, he spent more than two decades with Levitz Furniture. Slack, who serves as executive vice president of merchandising and product development, most recently held that title at CR International, with similar positions at both Powell and
Lane. James Martin Jr. most recently a sales representative with
Broyhill Furniture Inds., has been named vice president major accounts.
Folio 21 plans to introduce a broad range of bedroom groups at premarket with correlated dining room collections to follow. Initial introductions will be unveiled for major dealers during premarket, and the company will show its complete offering at the Fall Market.
In preparing for the launch, the executive team spent months in market research.
We launched this company to address the void weve identified in the marketplace for quality features at affordable retails, Slack said. Our target is retailers who are looking for the next level of product and our focus will be unique design and hip styling combined with all of the best construction standards, including full-extension side guides and English dovetailing. Our products emphasize high quality, multi-step finishing and unique veneers, which are not usually found in goods at this price level.
Were coming to Market with an edgier look aimed at younger consumers who have been proving indifferent to the me-too products that have characterized retail floors for the past few years, Benton said. The industry has been chasing cheap goods and we all know its not working; the majority of average-unit-dollar sales are dropping while costs have continued to rise. Our goal is to give consumers a compelling reason to step up.
Retail price points will range from $1,699 on complete five-piece sets to $2,499, with the bulk of the product line between $1,699 and $1,999. Thanks to the structure of our partnership, our overhead costs are such that we will be able to offer values that dont currently exist in the marketplace, Benton said.
August 23,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on August 24, 2011
Acton, Mass.-based Circle Furniture is opening a sixth showroom in downtown Boston this fall.
The 5,000-square-foot store will be located at the corner of St. James Avenue and Arlington Street in the Park Square building, and should be open by Thanksgiving. The new store is about half the size of Circle's other stores.
"We are so excited about this opportunity and to be able to have more of a presence in the Boston market," said Saray Cooney, communications director.
August 23,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on August 24, 2011
J.P. LeDoux has been named senior vice president of sales for bedding supplier Spring Air.
LeDoux joined the company in 2009 as vice president of sales. In his new position, he reports to Rick Robinson, president.
Over the past two years J.P. has made significant contributions to our account base which has been invaluable to our growth and success, Robinson said. Hes also forged a strong line of communications between Spring Air and its licensees and has served as an excellent resource for sales and training information to the field. His youth and energy have helped drive our business and establish a level of momentum that will serve the company extremely well in the years ahead.
In addition to his current responsibilities for overseeing the corporate sales team, recruiting new national accounts and assisting licensees in developing regional accounts, LeDoux will now chair Spring Airs merchandising committee and oversee its customer service functions and team.