Daily News Archive
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January 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in economic news on January 5, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z3902848645&z=1250249032
New data show Americans spent more on clothes, shoes, luxury goods and electronics in December than a year earlier, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse.
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January 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on January 5, 2011
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z3899580821&z=1250249032
Home furnishings retailer Ikea is the first major retailer to stop selling incandescent light bulbs in its stores.
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January 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in licensing on January 5, 2011
Lifestyle home furnishings vendor Four Hands has been tapped as exclusive North American distributor for British designer Kelly Hoppen's furniture collection.
Hoppen recently launched a furniture collaboration with Halo Licensing at High Point Furniture Market. The collection features case goods with wood and lacquer finishes as well as upholstery in linen and leather options.
Before Halo, Hoppen had a furniture line with Century Furniture.
"This furniture range has been inspired by all the great vintage pieces I have used over the years," Hoppen said. "I wanted to create a collection that I felt anyone could incorporate into their homes, allowing every piece to melt into the surrounds but at the same time stand out as a star piece."
Hoppen is a world-renowned British designer who has pioneered a simple yet opulent style that has permeated interior design at every level. Her work has been featured in newspapers and magazines around the globe. In addition to designing homes, apartments and yachts for an international list of private clients, Hoppen also undertakes commercial commissions including hotels, restaurants, offices and aircraft interiors. As well as sharing her knowledge in the Kelly Hoppen Design School, Hoppen also designs a selection of branded paints, fabrics, rugs, carpets, wallpapers and ceramics.
"Kelly Hoppen is a power house in the design industry, and her brand name recognition is worldwide," said Matthew Briggs, president and CEO of Four Hands, Austin, Texas. "Her design aesthetic is unparalleled, and it shows in the pieces she has created for this new furniture collection."
Four Hands offers a comprehensive marketing resource package for the Kelly Hoppen brand based on the needs of its retail partners. The package will include collateral material for visual merchandising, advertising, promotion and sales training.
January 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Obituaries on January 5, 2011
Robert Hodgson, an owner and chairman of Standard Furniture died Monday at age 83, the Mobile, Ala., Press-Register reported Tuesday.
"He was always a hard worker and a loving parent," his son, Philip Hodgson, an executive vice president at the Bay Minette-based company, said in the report. "He was very generous with his time and resources, especially in the Bay Minette area, but in other areas as well. He was also a great advocate of the outdoors."
After graduation from University of Alabama, Robert Hodgson returned to Bay Minette and worked for another family business at Standard Oil before joining Standard Furniture/
In 1997, Hodgson was among the executives from 100 businesses recognized by President Bill Clinton in a White House ceremony for hiring practices that helped put welfare recipients to work, according to Press-Register reports. In addition to numerous community and business activities, the Alabama legislature honored him for extraordinary professional achievement and community service in 2008.
Hodgson is survived by his wife, Doris Crawford Hodgson; daughter, Kimberly Hodgson Jardine of Daphne; son, Philip Morton Hodgson of Daphne; two granddaughters and other family members.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Presbyterian Church of Bay Minette.
January 4,
2011 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Green on January 5, 2011
Chair prototypes from One Good Chair competition finalists will be on display at the Las Vegas Furniture Market, Jan. 24-28.
The 2010 theme "Minimum/Maximum" called on designers to demonstrate that smart design can not only minimize material consumption but also maximize comfort. Contest judges specifically looked for pieces that minimized material, production, shipping and assembly while maximizing comfort, utility, durability and beauty in the product.
This year's competition also will feature a People's Choice component, which will allow members of the furnishings industry to vote for their favorite chair design by visiting Las Vegas Furniture Market's homepage at lasvegasmarket.com. The general public and furniture aficionados are also encouraged to vote via HomeYet.com and socially through its fan pages on Facebook. The votes will then be tallied and two winners will be crowned at market, one chosen by the public and one chosen by the One Good Chair judging panel.
The finalists selected include:
* Eric Tong from the United Kingdom for his Zpine Lounge Chair.
* German team Pitt Berkemeyer and Georg Thesing, who designed the ELXE chair.
* Helena Bueno and Heinz Miller of the Baita Design Studio in Brazil for their Broom Chair.
* Juan Mercado from the United States, who designed the RE_Flex chair.
* Australian Tom Fereday for his Allt Chair design.
"All of the finalists epitomize what the Minimum/Maximum challenge is all about, not to mention, these designers hail from across globe bringing a fresh, universal perspective to the competition," said Margaret Casey, director of programming for World Market Center Las Vegas. "This was not an easy challenge and we received entries from literally all over the world. These designers should be very proud of their prototypes and their efforts to create a chair that is both appealing and sustainable."
The winner of the competition will be announced at a panel discussion and reception moderated by competition organizer and author of The Shape of Green Design, Lance Hosey, who is President and CEO of GreenBlue, a nonprofit that helps businesses make their products more sustainable. The reception will take place Wed., Jan. 26, 1-3 p.m.
Now in its third year, The One Good Chair competition is sponsored by the Sustainable Furnishings Council and the Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas. Other supporters of the 2010 competition include Metropolis magazine as a media partner and manufacturers Handy Living, the Phillips Collection and Weyerhaeuser serving as prototype production partners.