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From Home Furnishing Business

SFC Opens Gallery in DC

August 26, 2014  by in Green, Industry   

The SFC Next Gallery is SFC’s latest consumer-facing initiative designed to raise awareness about sustainability, promote healthy environments inside and outside the home, and ultimately encourage consumers to shop for and buy responsibly manufactured home furnishings.

The showcase features products from SFC manufacturer members who sponsored conversations during SFC’s inaugural virtual conference, which was held earlier this year. The SFC Next Gallery participants are: Gat Creek, Home Trends and Design, McCreary Modern, Nourison, Surya, Thom Filicia Home Collection by Vanguard Furniture and Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co.

“The SFC Next Gallery builds on the momentum generated during our SFC Next conference, which, months later, continues to earn views and influence both professionals and consumers alike on our YouTube channel,” said SFC Executive Director Susan Inglis. “The vignettes, which were created by SFC retail member Belfort Furniture, make a compelling—and attractive—case for how easy it is to take a small step for the planet as we choose furnishings for our ideal home environment. We really appreciate the Reagan Building’s making it possible for us to share this important lesson.”

Belfort Furniture Visual Merchandising Manager Heidi Nelson curated and designed the SFC Next Gallery display, which includes useful signage that pinpoints featured products’ environmentally responsible attributes.

“While working with both the sponsoring manufacturers and the SFC to create this educational display, the passion that these organizations have for designing beautiful, sustainable, quality furnishings was evident every step of the way,” said Matt Huber, executive vice president of Belfort Furniture, the largest furniture store serving the Washington, D.C. area. “Belfort Furniture is excited to educate and even inspire the public by featuring stylish, sustainable furniture. The SFC Next Gallery demonstrates that sustainability isn’t restricted to a single style or price point; making better choices for the environment can fit in with anyone’s lifestyle.”

The SFC Next Gallery display is located in the heavily trafficked Atrium Gallery on the Concourse Level of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, currently the largest structure in Washington, D.C., and headquarters for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, among many others. Blocks from the White House, the facility is accessed by more than 2 million people a year; SFC Next Gallery will be viewed by thousands of consumers during its run.

In addition to the product display, SFC has made the education sessions and conversations from the SFC Next conference available for unlimited viewing here.