While you were out: a recap of recent home decor news

NY Gift Fair welcomes the Gourmet Housewares Show in August
The New York International Gift Fair said this week the implementation of Phase Two of  a three-year strategic reorganization begins in August with the integration of the Gourmet Housewares Show into NYIGF, the addition of new product-focused “neighborhoods” in several divisions and continued refinement of existing categories.  Seminars, special events, displays and promotions are among other highlights of the summer market, which runs Aug. 13-18 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94.
“Through ‘Focus Forward 2013,’ NYIGF continues to transform and strategically reorganize to become the defining marketplace for fashion-forward, design-driven home, gift and lifestyle resources,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “The first time integration of The Gourmet Housewares Show will exponentially increase and complement the breadth and depth of resources for buyers, and a series of enhancements to other divisions will dramatically facilitate sourcing and shopping for buyers.”

Honors for designer Michael Aram
Gift for Life will honor Michael Aram with the Gift For Life Industry Achievement Award during Gifts & Decorative Accessories' 60th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, taking place Sunday, Aug. 14, at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City.


ADEX award for maker of massage chairs, recliners
Human Touch, a maker of massage chairs and Perfect Chair recliners received three 2011 ADEX Awards for design excellence in the massage chair category. Conducted each year by the Design Journal, the annual Awards for Design Excellence (ADEX) competition recognizes superior product design of furnishings marketed and sold throughout the international architecture and design industry.


Dallas Market names 3 'Next Big Thing' finalists
Dallas Market Center announced the finalists of The Next Big Thing, a national product search contest – IV Pole Pals ( www.ivpolepals.com ), The Feeling Bag (www.thefeelingbag.com) and The Pillow Bag (www.thepillowbag.com). The finalists will exhibit at the FINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 23-26, which coincides with the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, June 22-28.

Affordable Art Fair New York City begins May 5
7 W New York is the venue for the spring edition of the Affordable Art Fair New York City (AAF NYC).  It will take place on the 11th floor of 7 W 34th Street from May 5-8, 2011.  The AAF, a popular consumer art show started by Will Ramsay 12 years ago, was created to make contemporary art accessible to all and is now held in nine premier locations worldwide attracting a wide cross-section of art enthusiasts.

TrafficBuilder hits 2 million emails
SnapRetail said the sum of emails sent from hundreds of independent retailers using its TrafficBuilder marketing platform hit the 2-millionth mark this week. The platorm makes it easy for retailers to use email, Facebook and Twitter to market products and drive increased sales.   TrafficBuilder is said to be a quick and easy online marketing system that gives retailers the ability to create high-impact emails, Facebook, or Twitter posts in minutes. The unique solution includes tens of thousands of product images and branded content from leading manufacturers such as Vera Bradley, Mud Pie, Yankee Candle, Midwest-CBK, Evergreen and more.