February 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Social Media on February 10, 2011
The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) is now accepting entries for the 11th Annual HOME Awards.
AHFA developed the HOME Awards to Honor Outstanding Media Efforts in covering new home furnishings products and trends.
The HOME Awards are part of AHFAs ongoing public relations effort on behalf of the home furnishings industry now the longest-running and most successful campaign in the industrys history. Since 1999, the program has focused on nurturing media relationships and developing strong editorial messages to inspire American consumers to take a greater interest in furnishings their homes.
Through the HOME Awards, we have been able to recognize dozens of outstanding journalists who produce lively and relevant articles to both educate and inspire consumers, said Jackie Hirschhaut, AHFA vice president.
HOME entries are accepted in five categories: Newspaper, Consumer Magazine, Consumer Broadcast, Online/Social Media and Trade. AHFA will announce winners and present the awards at a press breakfast Saturday, April 2, during the
High Point Market.HOME Award entries will be judged by a distinguished panel of top communications professionals from leading home furnishings companies, as well as by winners from the 2010 competition. (Journalists who won in 2010 are not eligible to enter the 2011 HOME Awards competition.) There is no cost to enter.
All consumer media entries, including those in the social media category, are judged on the degree to which they do one or more of the following:
* Raise consumers awareness of and interest in new home furnishings products or trends.
* Inspire consumers to enhance their homes with new home furnishings products.
* Provide consumers with information to help them make home furnishings buying decisions.
Trade entries are judged on the degree to which the writer or publication helps raise industry awareness of consumer marketing issues, consumer trends and product trends.
All entries for the 2011 competition must be postmarked by Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. The entry form and instructions for entering are available on
AHFAs media Web site. Questions about the HOME Awards may be directed to
Jackie Hirschhaut, or
Pat Bowling.
February 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on February 10, 2011
Vermont wood furniture manufacturer Lyndon Furniture is the Sustainable Furnishings Council's newest member.
"Lyndon Furniture's commitment to sustainability and environmental practices has been at the foundation of this Vermont company throughout their history," said SFC President Jeff Hiller. "Purchasing from local forestry sources and utilizing significant energy efficiencies are among their best, longstanding practices. We are proud to have them as a member."
Lyndon Furniture and Owner David Allard are celebrating 30 Years of craftsmanship this year, beginning with the launch of a new Web site and introduction of 25 newly designed pieces. Lyndon started hosting special events for its retailers in January and will continue those throughout 2011. Store owners from across the country will attend the events, which will include factory tours, workshops, one-on-one product education and personal introductions to the new designs for 2011.
Lyndon has flourished despite the economy's recent instability, and the company has expanded its workforce by approximately 15 percent to 65 employees and promoted several long-term employees to key positions.
Lyndon Furniture has grown from being one man in a small furniture shop to a business with 65 employees in three factories, presently shipping handcrafted furniture throughout the United States and other parts of the world.
February 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Rent-To-Own on February 10, 2011
Rent-to-own specialist UHR Rents has introduced a "Bed Bug Free Gaurantee," APRO reported Wednesday.
Cincinnati, Ohio-based UHR says its guarantee, which covers all products and merchandise, is a first for the rental industry.
"Our customers have already been asking about this kind of guarantee, but until now, we hadn't perfected a system that could allow us to really offer one confidently. Now we do," said UHR President Ernie Lewallen in the the report. "We need business and we need our customers to be happy with the items found in our stores. We are doing everything we know to eliminate this worry."
The deal includes a one week guarantee that provides for immediate retrieval of the merchandise and a full refund of payments if any type of bed bug infestation is discovered. The merchandise will be replaced free of charge for two weeks and in some cases, UHR will even send a professional out to treat affected areas of customer's homes.
Click here for an example of UHR's "bed bug free" promotion.
February 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on February 10, 2011
Montana outdoorsman and artist Dick Idol and furniture licensee Shadow Mountain look to revive the rustic category with Mountain Loft.
The new collection offers refined rustic home furnishings with a distinctly modern twist. Shadow Mountain will launch the collection at the spring 2011 High Point Furniture Market in Market Square Suite M-90.
Mountain Loft includes around 55 SKUs, both case goods and a full line of coordinating upholstery, targeting customers looking for "modern rustic" designs that appeal to today's more transitional, eclectic consumers.
The launch coincides with a major new product push across the Dick Idol brand to include new lighting, accessories, wall decor, and accent furniture from Crestview Collection, area rugs from Surya, unique reclaimed accents from Groovystuff, and bedding from Silverado Home, among others.
"We believe that the Dick Idol brand will continue to be on the forefront of rustic design by offering consumers two very distinct styles: 'Traditional Rustic' and 'Modern Rustic," Idol said. "Shadow Mountain has done a great job covering both categories ... the Montana Reflections Collection is more traditional rustic while our new Mountain Loft Collection offers the modern rustic look."
"We would like to sincerely thank our customers and the Dick Idol team for their support and patience during our recent transition into the Furniture Origins family," said Chad M. Turney, Shadow Mountain COO. "As a result, we are now much stronger as goods are flowing and key products such as Montana Reflections are in stock and available. We believe that the new Mountain Loft Collection with Dick Idol clearly demonstrates that Shadow Mountain is moving forward as the leading supplier in the rustic elegance category."
February 9,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on February 10, 2011
Home furnishings and bedding industry charity WorldBed has honored industry leaders who helped the non-profit humanitarian organization in 2010.
Major donors Anatomic Global, Deslee Textiles, International Sleep Products Association, Leggett & Platt, Relax the Back, Specialty Sleep Association and Wright of Thomasville received awards in a ceremony at last month's Las Vegas Furniture Market.
"If not for the invaluable contributions of our honorees, thousands of children and families who are victims of disasters would still be sleeping on the ground," said Laura Castro, WorldBed executive director. "These companies and organizations are making a difference in displaced people's lives that is recognized locally and globally, by the recipients of WorldBeds and the customers of these companies."