July 26,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Internet on July 27, 2011
Sligh Furniture will promote its new digital initiatives at Las Vegas Furniture Market by giving away an iPad 2 at next week's show.
Every retailer who visits Sligh's World Market Center Las Vegas showroom, WMC-C1189, will be entered into a drawing for an iPad 2 32GB with Wi-Fi and 3G to be given away on Friday, August 5.
Sligh introduced several new digital tools for furniture retailers and consumers in March. Those include two enhanced Web sites, an expanded social media presence on Facebook and Twitter, a new YouTube channel and the launch of the companys first iPad application.
July 26,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rugs on July 27, 2011
Finalists have been named for the First Annual Savannah College of Art and Design rug design contest.
Following the May submissions, five finalists were selected, and their designs submitted for conversion to rug 2-by-3-foot strikeoffs, currently in progress. Contestants were offered a variety of fiber options including wool, silk, viscose and hemp in any combination. Knot counts from 60-100 were accepted.
The competition was conceived and implemented jointly by Tamarian Carpets and KPM Flooring. Tamarian is a Nepal-based custom rug producer specializing in unique and "to order" designs utilizing traditional fibers and processes synonymous with fine Nepalese carpets. KPM Flooring is a Hilton Head, S.C.-based floor coverings vendor specializing in high design, custom rugs, and is a distributor for Tamarian. The firms have partnered previously on a number of original designs.
Upon receipt in early September, the strikeoffs will go on series of two-week exhibits for public viewing and voting to determine the ultimate winner. The fist showing is at at 24e, a boutique interiors and design firm in Savannah, Ga. Next, the exhibit will shift to KPM in Hilton Head. The final stop will be at the Tamarian showroom in the Suites at Market Square at the October High Point Furniture Market for additional review and balloting by rug retailers and interior designers.
In November, the winning design will go into production of both 4-by-6-foot and 8-by-10-foot versions. The winner will be announced Spring of 2012 and will receive a $500 prize as well as the smaller production rug. Plans call for possible inclusion of the winning design in Tamarian's line.
July 26,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on July 27, 2011
The Sustainable Furnishings Council will roll out a new standard for "green" home furnishings retailing at next week's Las Vegas Furniture Market.
After its founding in 2006, SFC's first order of business was to establish credible standards defining what it meant to be sustainable, borrowing the template of the highly successful U.S. Green Building Council's LEED model, which recognizes levels of Silver, Gold and Platinum Exemplary performance based on points earned in a menu list of possible choices. Fifteen manufacturers having earned Exemplary status since its inception.
Now the SFC has applied the same rigor in defining a new standard more directly applicable to retailers, something that has been generally lacking in the market. A committee of prominent retailers, including SFC board members Steve Freeman of Room & Board, Christina Nicholson of Williams-Sonoma Group, Peggy Burns of Circle Furniture, Laurie Messman of Ligne Roset, and Tom Megna of NatEco led development of a point list that covers areas such as energy conservation, on-site recycling programs, wood sourcing, use of reclaimed materials, training and education. It is intended to recognize those companies who are already employing a variety of sustainable practices, giving consumers a sign of assurance they can look for, as well as to provide guidance of best practices for those retailers trying to improve. Details of the list can be found here.
"We are delighted to participate in developing and releasing the first, credible sustainable Retailer standards," said Mitchell Gold, SFC Board member. "We had been admirers of the work of the SFC for some time, and it has been a tremendous experience for me to become personally involved and make such a profound contribution to the entire industry. We hope others follow our lead in joining the cause, something we at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams have passionately supported for years."
In addition to its work in setting standards, the SFC remains a primary source for market education, providing certified training at major trade shows, via webinar and online for manufacturers, reps, designers and retail sales staff. The focus is on providing a fundamental understanding of the environmental issues related to home furnishings, product based solutions and the knowledge to translate this information in a compelling manner to customers and clients. SFC has graduated more than 550 participant from the GREENleaders Certified Sustainability Training program, which it will offer again at World Market Center Las Vegas.
For information on standards, membership or certified training, please contact SFC by e-mail or at 919.967.1137.
July 25,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on July 26, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z4997644007&z=1250249032
Jake Jabs at American Furniture Warehouse is among Denver-area furniture retailers actually looking forward to Ikea's store opening in Centennial, Col.
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July 25,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Leather Upholstery on July 26, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5000565994&z=1250249032
Paul Brayton Designs has launched a quick-ship program for 15 items of leather upholstered furniture.
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