October 31,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Closings on November 1, 2010
Las Vegas retailer Furniture Markdowns will go out of business after a liquidation sale.
The decision to close Furniture Markdowns was made after considerable analysis of the current economic conditions. Furniture Markdowns will honor all existing warranties and service agreements and until every item was sold, offer the same in home delivery and quality as previously offered.
"All customers should be assured that all on order merchandise will be delivered in the immediate future," said Owner Phyllis Paulson.
The liquidation sale, which offers price reductions of up to 75 percent, began Thursday and will continue until all inventory is sold.
Northbrook, Ill.-based home furnishings retail consultant Deere Park Associates is working with Furniture Markdowns on the sales event.
October 31,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on November 1, 2010
Furniture vendor Groovystuff will expand the
student furniture design competition that debuted at the
High Point Furniture Market last month.
Twenty-three of the 110 students in Appalachian State University's Industrial Design and Furniture Design programs led by Professor Richard Prisco participated in the design competition. The challenge was learning how to work with reclaimed teak and other materials typical of the Groovystuff line. The students were required to design an environmentally-friendly product that reflects the Dick Idol brand and can be produced using sustainable manufacturing practices.
Groovystuff Vice President Chris Bruning said the company will establish a "University Hall" at all the major markets across the country so that young professionals have a place to display their work and to encourage them to join the home furnishings industry.
"We are currently reaching out to all the universities from around the country that offer programs that would benefit our industry," he said. " ... Our ultimate goal is to publish this list to the industry so that retailers, designers, hospitality and contract professionals, and manufacturers and from all walks of the industry can reach out to whatever program is closest to them and employ these programs to benefit their companies and communities."
October 31,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Home Office on November 1, 2010
Case goods, home office and home entertainment vendor Sligh Furniture's Alante home office collection is set for its on-screen Hollywood debut.
Thanks to the efforts of Sligh salesman Bill Brubaker, television and movie set designers have "cast" Alante, which was recognized earlier this year as a 2010 Consumer's Digest best buy, in several "roles."
Alante will appear in a yet-to-be titled film by director Ivan Reitman, which stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, slated for release
in January 2011. CBS's Emmy-award nominated television show CSI:NY also has used the Alante wall unit in a scene set in a psychiatrist's office with the shelves filled with therapy books.
Showtime's breakout hit Weeds, which has won Emmys as well as the Excellence in Production Design Award from the Art Director's Guild, recognizing the show's set designer and set decorator among others, used the complete Alante collection to furnish a doctors office in one episode.
NBCs long-running hit, Law & Order, is using the collection's partners' desk, credenza, deck and bookcases as the setting for the district attorney's office in the new seasons spin-off, Law & Order-Los Angeles.
Brubaker, Sligh's southern California representative since 1987, created a new Sligh dealership, Faux Library Studio, in North Hollywood, Calif., to reach out to the area's film and TV set design industry.
"I know Sligh has great furniture that is also amazingly attractive, but it's exciting and rewarding to have people in the television and film industries recognize its style and design and choose it for their sets," he said.
October 31,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Occassional Tables on November 1, 2010
A news item that appeared in Monday's edition of HFBusiness Now! is old news.
The item in question, reporting on American Capital Strategies' investment in refinancing accent furniture vendor Stein World, was from a press release dated Oct. 31, 2005.
The release appeared in aggregated content news searches over the weekend, and was mistakenly reported as current news.
Home Furnishings Business regrets any confusion or concern this caused among Stein World customers or its employees.
October 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on October 29, 2010
Furniture Row Cos. has entered into multi-faceted agreement with Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.
As part of their relationship, Denver, Col.-based Furniture Row will provide consultation, interior design services and furnishings for Tebow's new home in Denver.
The agreement calls for Tebow to work with Furniture Row brand Denver Mattress Co. in its efforts to raise funds in support of orphanage services via the Tim Tebow Foundation.
"The Foundation exists to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need," Tebow said.
Upcoming Denver Mattress advertising will include a special promotional marketing effort featuring Tebow.
"Denver Mattress is pleased to be in a position to work with the Tim Tebow Foundation and to assist in their efforts to help orphans around the globe," said Dan Visser, president of the Denver Mattress. "Together with Tim's support, Denver Mattress can continue to positively impact lives worldwide."
Through Tebow's public speaking and special events, the Tim Tebow Foundation devotes significant effort in serving Christ-centered orphanages around the world.
Furniture Row Cos. operates more than 330 stores in 31 states. In addition to Denver Mattress Co., its retail brands include Sofa Mart, Oak Express and Bedroom Expressions.