Transitional furniture to see at Atlanta, Vegas shows

Massoud creative director Ronna Griest will showcase her newest color stories during the upcoming Winter 2012 Gift and Home Markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas.

SOFA IN ORIENTALIA WHITE

First shown at the autumn High Point furniture market, her persimmon/papaya/mango and pewter/flax/zinc stories are reflected on many of the upholstered furniture company’s newest designs on view in the Ambella Home Showroom, space 14A-2 at AmericasMart Atlanta and in the Dillon-Wells showroom, space A120 at the World Market Center.

SETTEE IN PARSON FLAX

"With our newest designs, I looked to clean, transitional lines to reflect a sense of understated, simple elegance,” explains Griest. “For color, I focused on a grey family of zinc, pewter and flax tones to create a natural story and bright persimmon, mango and papaya hues to reflect a warm, rich color story."

Smart details in youth furniture

The Smartstuff line of youth furniture offers what the maker calls "an innovative combination of great styling, better construction, strategic pricing and game-changing smart features not currently found in youth furniture."

Smartstuff is available from Universal Furniture International Inc.At the autumn 2011 High Point Market, Universal introduced four collections, called Classics 4.0, Freestyle, Gabriella and RoughHouse.

Shown below are some of special features and options available. 

The Snake Light is built into the bed to allow for ease of use when more light is needed.

 The Flip Top Desks are patented and provide extra electrical outlets for charging capabilities.

 The Nightstand-in-the-Sky attaches to any bed or bunk for extra shelf space.

Transitional furniture for living room, dining room

Habersham showed newest additions to its American Treasures collection at the October 2011 High Point Market. The pieces are said to feature clean, simple design lines and transitional styling at moderate price points.

The Tribeca dining table  (top photo) includes a 24-inch self-storing leaf that can extend the table’s length from 90 inches  to 114 inches.

The Nine-Drawer chest  (above) blends classical lines with understated elegance.

The North Sea chest has an adjustable shelf  behind the front doors.

The Home Theatre is available with or without doors.

The Fairmont chest has 14 drawers, providing plentiful storage space for linens, tableware and other items. Search "Habersham" on this blog to find more furniture.

Bedroom furniture designed for girls

Gabriella is a new collection of bedroom furniture from Universal Furniture International. It is part of the company's SmartStuff division of youth furniture that accommodates the technology found in children's rooms. Features include charging stations for phones and iPads, lighting, organizers and storage.
Gabriella offers four bed designs: low post, panel, sleigh and bunk. The entire collection consists of about 25 pieces. It was shown at the High Point furniture market in October.

Cheval storage mirror

Hutch with shelves

Desk and cheval

Full panel bed

Contemporary furnishings for the dining room

Ve buffet from Roberta Schilling's Moderna collection

The Ve buffet, open

At the High Point furniture market in October, Roberta Schilling showed the Leque dining table and the Ve buffet, two pieces from her Moderna Collection. The collection is marked by smooth metal, exotic woods, fine leather and delicate fibers which are cut into clean lines and striking shapes.

Leque dining table

New furniture is designed for and by young adults

At the Las Vegas Market in August, Groovystuff announced a new product collection from Appalachian State University student Alex Parker. His Echo collection is one of the many new Groovystuff products that are said to provide retailers with designs to fill the trend gap between emerging young adults and established consumers.

These new products meet a price point that is attractive to this emerging demographic and the style points that more established consumers look for when furnishing their homes, according to Groovstuff. 

According to a press release: "The Echo Captain’s and Side Chair were designed specifically to take the grittiness of the old organic movement and soften that earth-crunchy look into a more elegant and sophisticated product. Sustainably harvested teak flooring provides the framework for the Echo Collection. The chair is then adorned with reclaimed teak branches. The flat, lacquer finish softens the contrast between these two types of teak and gives the chairs a modern, elegant look. "

NY gift show honors four exhibitors

Four companies exhibiting in Accent on Design at the New York International Gift Fair were recognized for excellence, innovation and creativity in product design. Accent on Design runs through Thursday, Aug. 18, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“Across product categories, these Accent on Design participants have incorporated superlative design qualities which stand above an already impressive collection,” said Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director and GLM senior vice president. “These products combine form and function with exemplary design.”

The following Accent on Design Awards were presented for Excellence in Product Design, Best Booth Presentation and Best Collection.

Excellence in Product Design:Flux (Amsterdam, Netherlands) for Flux Chair, weighing less than 10 pounds and available in eight colors, the Flux Chair supports 300 pounds and takes furniture to the 21st century with a clever combination of the practical advantages of foldable furniture and the looks of a classic design chair.  


Excellence in Product Design:Alessi (New York, NY) for Tèo, an innovation on the typology of the tea spoon, in addition to its normal function, the 18/10 stainless steel Tèo makes it possible, after tea is ready, to remove the bag from the cup and gently squeeze it, pulling it up through the hollow handle. 

Best Booth Presentation:Mio (Philadelphia, PA) for its wall to ceiling booth presentation made of its own environmentally and socially sustainable products including Paperforms, modular 3D wallpaper tiles made from recycled paper; Crystal Drop Ceiling modules made from recycled cardboard that provide a cost effective and dramatic solution for spaces that require suspended ceilings; and Nomad System, a modular architectural system made from recycled, double-wall cardboard that can be assembled into freestanding, temporary partitions without hardware, tools or damage to existing structures.  


Best Collection:Urban Butik (Montreal, Quebec) for the Born in Sweden collection which combines highly innovative design with simple product solutions. The collection includes a minimalist coat rack crafted from a single piece of rigid, powder coated steel; a streamlined, lockable mailbox in molded fiberglass features a separation lid inside that can be removed to increase storage capacity; and functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing watering cans made of 18-0 stainless steel.

The Accent on Design Summer 2011 Selection Committee members are: Miguel Calvo of Calvo.co; Ilene Shaw of Shaw + Co! Productions; Kathy Thornton-Bias of MoMA; Wilma Wabnitz of Wabnitz Editions; and Laura Young of Areaware. 

New contemporary wall designs are moderately priced

Nova introduced 19 competitively priced additions to its Art Studio collection of gallery-quality, three-dimensional wall sculpture during the Las Vegas Market this month. Starting as low as $99, the newest handcrafted additions – each signed and dated by the original artist – balance bold, colorful, retro and modern styles with more tonal, natural, metallic, contemporary/transitional designs.


These pieces, as well as many other lighting, home accent and wall décor designs, were seen in Nova's relocated and expanded space at the World Market Center, A-355. Some of the pieces in the new collection incorporate materials like glass and wood. In addition, a number of the new designs come in a set of three or four and have a variety of layout options. All of the new designs, including sets and individual pieces, can be hung vertically or horizontally.

Through recent acquisitions and ongoing product development, the company continues to expand its product line to include a complete lifestyle assortment of home accents and furnishings.

Furnishings industry honors Allan H. Palecek

Allan H. Palecek to Receive Academy of Achievement Honor at 23rd Annual ARTS Awards

DALLAS – Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, and the Accessories Resource Team (ART), the trade association representing the decorative accessory industry, today announced that Allan H. Palecek, founder/CEO and lead designer of Palecek, will receive the Academy of Achievement Award at the 23rd annual ARTS Awards taking place on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

“Allan’s dedication to design, function and craftsmanship have led his brand to become one of the most recognized and well-respected in the industry,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “His contribution to the home décor industry is immeasurable and we are pleased to recognize his nearly 35 years of excellence with this honor.”

The ARTS Awards is the premier awards program for the home decorative accessories industry. The Academy of Achievement honor is awarded each year to recognize companies and/or individuals that have made significant contributions to the industry. The award will be presented at the ARTS Awards new location, the Hilton Anatole Hotel.

Allan H. Palecek was born in 1944 to Eddie and Laverne Palecek in Munden, Kan. Eddie and Laverne raised Allan and younger sister Patricia on the family’s wheat and cattle farm; instilling in them a deep respect for hard work. Allan’s education began in a one-room country school house and he went on to graduate from Emporia State University with a degree in business. After college, Allan joined the Air Force and spent six years as a pilot. Following flying missions in Vietnam, Allan was stationed near San Francisco, Calif., where the idea for Palecek first came to him while waiting for a job as an airline pilot. The Bay Area has been home ever since for him and his wife Nancy, whom he met in 1973. The following year, Palecek was first introduced to the industry at the San Francisco Gift Show on the bottom shelf of another vendor’s display. Despite the placement of the product Allan had an incredibly successful show and set up shipping from his garage. He received his first shipment from Asia in 1974, one box of baskets that fit into the back of a borrowed pickup truck. After landing his first major customer, Bloomingdales, in 1975, Palecek moved to a 3,000-square-foot basement without windows, plumbing or an elevator.

After two years of traveling the globe looking for beautiful items, it became evident to Allan that there was a need for the design of accessories focusing on function, beauty and style. Designing products soon became a passion for Allan. By 1979, he had designed extensive furniture, lamp and gift lines. Today, in-house custom lamp production, furniture finishing, custom upholstery and a hospitality division make Palecek unique in the industry. Allan has designed collections of home furnishings that blend old world inspired designs, modern flair and a traditional aesthetic with a commitment to natural and sustainable fibers and handcrafted elegance.

Residing in the heart of San Francisco, Calif. for seven years, Palecek headquarters then moved to Richmond, Calif., where the brand became one of the largest employers in the area; at one point occupying five separate warehouses. Today, Palecek occupies a 220,000-square-foot facility, housing all departments as well as corporate offices. There are now seven Palecek showrooms and numerous designer trade showrooms across the country.

Some of Allan’s numerous charitable contributions include: Habitat for Humanity, Hospice, Red Cross disaster relief, Build the Cure Dream House, Children in Crisis, Child Haven, Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief, New York Lower East Side Settlement, Neighborhood House, El Cerrito/Richmond Police and Firefighters, the Bay Area Rescue Mission, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, as well as local schools and womens’ shelters.

Allan and wife Nancy are parents to son, Andrew, and daughter, Karey, both of which have spent time as Palecek designers. Andrew Palecek currently serves as the company’s vice president and Karey now works for Ralph Lauren Home. Nancy acts as the general merchandise manager and director of marketing and merchandising for Palecek.

The 23rd annual ARTS Awards are sponsored by Contract Lighting, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, HFN, Home Accents Today, Home Fashion & Hospitality, Home Lighting & Accessories, Overcoffee, Residential Lighting and the Sustainable Furnishings Council. Reservations to attend the ARTS Awards will be available online in November 2011.

The Accessories Resource Team (ART) is the association representing accessorymanufacturers, retailers, representatives and other industry individuals and companiesinterested in promoting the decorative home accessories industry. The association’s goal is toenhance the market position of decorative home accessories. Each year ART sponsorsprograms such as the ART conference, regional educational seminars and the ARTS Awards. See the Accessories Resource Team website.

About the ARTS Awards
The ARTS Awards is the premier awards program dedicated to the home decorative accessories industry. Twenty-six categories exist under the headings Manufacturer, Retailer, Product Designer, Sales Representative, Rising Star, Green Design and Academy of Achievement. Anyone in the industry can nominate including manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives, designers, suppliers, consultants and other industry officials. The Academy of Achievement honoree is selected by the ARTS Awards committee each year. Companies that have won the ARTS Awards five times are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame members are: BJ’s Home Accents, C.S. Wo & Sons, Distinctive Designs International Inc., Feizy Rugs, Fine Art Lamps, Global Views, Montaage, Natural Decorations Inc., Palecek, Paragon, Robb & Stucky and Schonbek Worldwide Lighting.

Source: Dallas Market Center

Contemporary dining room buffet

The Mole buffet, from Roberta Schilling's Moderna collection, is made of smooth metal, exotic woods, fine leather and delicate fibers. These materials are cut into clean lines and striking shapes. Find furniture and decorative accessories for the home in the Roberta Schilling showroom in Building 1, Floor 9, Showroom #9-C-7, 9 of Americasmart, Atlanta.

Social Media Bar returns to Las Vegas market

The Hot Spot: Social Media Bar Returns for Summer Market

Popular Market Feature Designed to Help Attendees Increase Social Media Presence 

By Las Vegas World Market Center

LAS VEGAS – (July 15, 2011) — Attendees of World Market Center Las Vegas’ Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market will once  again have the opportunity to “join the conversation” as they learn about all the ways they can increase their social media presence – and ultimately their bottom-line – with the return of The Hot Spot: Social Media Bar.

The Hot Spot: Social Media Bar, now in its third incarnation, will allow for market attendees to meet with experts who can provide the latest tips and techniques on how to maximize their presence and fully connect with their customers in the ever-changing medium of social media. This summer’s Hot Spot will also boast a new location at C-301, and will feature informational sessions twice a day, Monday through Wednesday, one for beginners and one for intermediate users, that will provide hands-on training for social media and tips for online marketing.

“Social media continues to be an important platform where businesses can connect with their key audiences,” said Dana Andrew, vice president of marketing and public relations for World Market Center Las Vegas. “But, the fact remains that many people do not know how to take full advantage of this medium as a method of generating business. We see Hot Spot as a value-add for our attendees that will get them tweeting and updating their fans and followers in a way that will ultimately benefit their bottom-line.”

The Hot Spot: Social Media Bar was inspired by the Apple Genius Bar and was introduced at the 2010 Summer Las Vegas Market. Free assistance is provided by Christi Tullis of PuTTin’ OuT, who in addition to providing the latest tips for social media usage, can also help market visitors register their companies and brands on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Catch the twitter conversation going on now, simply search #lvmkt.

About PuTTin’ OuT
PuTTin’ OuT is a renowned online marketing & social media consulting firm planning, consulting, and executing marketing campaigns for businesses for sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Foursquare, Digg, and Tumblr.  CEO of PuTTin’ OuT, Christi Tullis was an early adopter of social media when marketing her suburban, award winning Atlanta-based retail store, Ambiance Interiors & Gifts, Inc. In 2003, Tullis began a “Spot the Dot” campaign on MySpace utilizing her black H2 Hummer with white polka dots mimicking the Ambiance branded gift wrap instantly became an instant social sensation. Tullis understands the unique marketing position of the gift and home industry from markets, buyers, storeowners and interior designers. For more information on Tullis and PuTTin’ OuT, visit www.PuTTinOuT.com or find her on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

About World Market Center
Las Vegas 
World Market Center Las Vegas is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom and trade complex. The campus showcases furniture, decorative accessories, gift, lighting, area rugs, home textiles and related segments, as well as the Las Vegas Design Center open daily to consumers and designers. For more information on World Market Center Las Vegas and its trade shows including the bi-annual Las Vegas Market and Gift+Home, visit www.wmclv.com. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

World Market Center Las Vegas is a property of International Market Centers, L.P. (IMC), the world’s largest operator of premier showroom space for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries. International Market Centers owns and operates 11.5 million square feet of world-class exhibition space in High Point, N.C. and Las Vegas.  IMC’s mission is to build and operate an innovative, sustainable, profitable and scalable platform for the furnishings, home décor and gift industries.  For more information on IMC, visit imcenters.com.

Magazine rack combines functionality and sophistication

Since its introduction of eco-friendly home décor products, Oceanstar Design Group Inc. has now launched a new line of functional yet modern looking magazine racks. The contemporary espresso-finishwooden magazine rack fits  into the modern home.

Made with bentwood, this magazine rack holds magazines and books, and can complement any living room, bathroom, office, family room or bedroom with its beautiful espresso finish. This magazine rack’s modern and sophisticated design, along with its storage functionality, makes it a very popular item as a home décor product or as a gift.

The magazine rack also has cut-out carry handles on each side for easy handling and transferring between places. It is said to be easy to assemble, with and no tools required.

Oceanstar Design Group is a manufacturer and distributor focusing on eco-friendly home décor and furnishing products, with the vision to help customers live green and provide home improvement and solution.

FINDS Dallas Temp Show Features Hundreds of New Lines

press release

FINDS Dallas Temp Show Features Hundreds of New Lines

– New product category, guest artists, dozens of special events, and more during June Market –

DALLAS – June 14, 2011 – Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, today announced that the FINDS Dallas Temp Show being held June 23-26 will feature hundreds of new lines showing during June for the first time. The June show will mark the debut of a brand new category, Handmade & Vintage FINDS. Also, one of the many highlights of the show will be artists from the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Collection.

“We are amazed by the growth and success of the FINDS Dallas Temp Show market after market,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center. “With the addition of Handmade & Vintage FINDS, The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Collection and countless new lines, June is sure to be one of our best shows yet.”

During June, Design FINDS will relocate from the World Trade Center (WTC) 13th floor to the Trade Mart (TM) 1st floor atrium and include new lines such as: Aid to Artisans, Ann Gish, Cardboard Safari, Catstudio, JM Piers, Oxidos and Spaceform London.

Located on the WTC 13th floor, the new product category Handmade & Vintage FINDS will feature independent creators and designers including: Baabaazuzu, Farrah B, Global Handmade Hope, MPressions, Regina Lorraine, Saline River Diamonds, Sweet Talk and Vintage Rose Wraps.

The Santa Fe International Folk Art Market Collection will be located on the TM 1st floor atrium next to Design FINDS and feature more than a dozen artists from the International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For more information visit www.folkartmarket.org.

Highlights of new lines that will be shown at the FINDS Dallas Temp Show are:
WTC 6th Floor 
Home & Hill Country
Adagio Water Features, Bit of Santa Fe, Darzzi, EZ Designs, Fresco Fabrics, Lampworks, Lulu & Co., Moon Rein by Christi Proctor, Shine Handmade, Tiles Across Texas and White x White

WTC 12th Floor
Christmas & Floral
Crafty Innovations, Cross Tread Industries, Heeney Company, Holispheres and Karen Didion
Designs

Collegiate & Souvenir
All Star Dogs, Ariki New Zealand, Champion Treasures, Prints Charming, Prizes!, Randy Smith Limited, Smith-Southwestern, Sticker Universe and Team Sports America

Garden & Outdoor 
 A’Cero, Amedeo, Fullei and Star Imports

Gift
Bennett by Design, Clay Chick Ceramics, Dog Is Good, EM Designs, Epic Products, Inspired Generations, Rickshaw Trading and Scent Sationals

Kids 
Baby Legs, Bunnies by the Bay, Caden Lane, Elly La Rue, Moby Wrap, Mogo, My Buddy, Pick Your Pocket, Pop-In-Kins and SOZO

Paper & Party
Fair Earth Gifts & Paper, Lily For Hangables, Orange Circle Studio, Parc Packaging, Pumpernickel Press and Wexel Art

WTC 13th Floor 
Bath & Body
Bec and Chelle, BiNu Soap, Berjang USA, Dead Sea Spa Care, Do Not Disturb, Feeling Smitten, Instantly Ageless, Lovely Dorothy and Mojo Cosmetics

Fashion
Accessories by M, Apron Flings, Felicia, Jab-Wear, Peacock International, Pin & Tube, Primrose Accessory, Tangerine, Troo and Wenzhou Lookee Optical

Red Haute 
Barbosa Collection, Ciccia Bella, Elements Jill Schwartz, Good Works Make a Difference, Jillery, Judy P Apparel, Lori Bonn, Marigot, Novo and Scandolous

Market Hall
Cash & Carry (Open through June 27) 
Ace International, Hip Together, Joli Jewelry, Le Muse, Lisa Toland, My Mothers Buttons, Retro-E, Silver Spoon Jewelry, Unforgettable and Water Gems

Furniture 
Casa Bonita and Grandeur Couture

A complete list of all special events and seminars is available on the Dallas Market Center website. Also, to keep up-to-date on market information visit Dallas Market Center on Facebook and Twitter. Make plans now to attend the next Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, September 10-12.

Attendees may contact the Dallas Market Center’s in-house travel agency, Market Travel®, for substantial travel and hotel discounts by calling 1-800-DAL-MKTS.

About Dallas Market Center Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace. Within its marketplace of more than five million square feet, retailers from around the globe source products ranging from home furnishings, gifts, decorative accessories and lighting to textiles, fashion accessories and men's, western, women's and children's apparel. With more than 50 markets each year attended by more than 200,000 retail buyers from all 50 states and 78 countries, Dallas Market Center offers hundreds of events and seminars geared toward
helping retailers expand business and increase profits. As a result, more than $8 billion in estimated wholesale transactions are conducted annually within the Dallas Market Center complex. The Dallas Market Center website is available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com.

SOURCE: Dallas Market Center

Furniture, lighting, decorative accents from Maitland-Smith

Maitland-Smith introduced furniture, lighting and decorative accessories at the spring furniture market in High Point.




The amber-finished brass and tiger penshell inlaid lamp with cream silk shade is part of Mack’s Lounge, a new lifestyle Group inspired by the exclusive tuxedo clubs in Palm Springs frequented by the Hollywood Rat Pack. It measures 17 inches wide by 12 inches deep by 31 inches tall.

Faux birch mahogany box on pair of Pompeian patina brass squirrels.

Parisian walnut-finished king bed with raffia inlay and vintage leather headboard.

The Safari brown-finished chest of drawers with luggage motif and leather accents is part of the Cape Colony Lifestyle Group, inspired by an African holiday.

Contemporary nesting tables by Jason Phillips Design

The Treforma collection from Jason Phillips Design is inspired by objects and the way they reflect and transmit light. The color of objects is determined by the parts of the spectrum of light that are reflected without being absorbed. Secondary attributes like glossy, sheen, and translucency are made clear by the directional distribution of the reflected or transmitted light.

Treforma is a study of diffusion and scattering; where surfaces can change in many directions, without the change in inherent nature of the components. Three tables, formed by bending tinted glass, nest together to form a single unit. Dimensions range from 24 inches by 32 inches by 14 inches tall (small) to 54 inches by 32 inches by 18 inches tall (large).

Saturday special: European trends at 2012 imm cologne

(The following information was taken from a press release submitted by imm cologne.)

LivingInteriors will open its doors in Cologne for the first time in 2012. Together with the imm cologne, LivingInteriors will show a comprehensive and innovatively staged picture of the entire world of interiors. LivingInteriors will occupy the same spaces used by LivingKitchen and will alternate with the kitchen event, taking place in even years. The new LivingInteriors event stands for holistic living and interior design concepts and will feature national and international exhibitors from the bathroom, flooring, wall and lighting sectors.

LivingInteriors will be showing perfectly staged interior worlds consisting of furniture, bathrooms, floors, walls and lighting for the first time. It is aimed at trade visitors and consumers alike.

“The new concept is a consistent further development in the imm cologne’s evolution as an interior design fair. With LivingInteriors we will achieve a new dimension in the combination of business and event,” says Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse.

The LivingInteriors concept is based on three pillars. The first of them stands for bathrooms, floors, walls and lighting, with the aim of providing sales momentum, generating business and developing new sales channels. The second pillar is the public relevance of the event, which leads directly to the third and final pillar: the creation of a broad-based and sustained media presence.


An extensive supporting program with lectures and project reports will round off the LivingInteriors agenda. Experts from the various product categories will shed light on the latest trends and innovations in interior architecture and present some stimulating ideas for architects and designers.


imm cologne + LivingInteriors
16 – 22 January 2012.
Public Days: 20 – 22 January 2012

Transitional sofas, chairs with classic details

Casali sofa from Taylor

“Essence of Elegance” is a collection of architecturally inspired, moderately scaled upholstery silhouettes from Taylor King.  The collection is represented with the Casali sofa. The vendor states, "the extreme front-to-back convergence of the graceful arms, adorned with pewter nails, allow this sofa to make a style statement when shown as a pair in a room. An ultra femme feeling is created by the use of lush, graphic beautifully appointed textiles."
The Tresor chair (left) is available with a dressmaker skirt.

“Urban Archeology,” an urban mystique that focuses on a casual approach to elemental beauty, is featured with the Smythson sofa. Intricate American craftsmanship is featured with the sophistication of the diamond tufted treatment on the outsides of the sofa.

Smythson sofa

U.S. furniture made from reclaimed trees

Robin Wade Furniture rescues trees from the local landfill and turns them into hand-crafted furniture. The U.S. company exhibited in IHFC’s Interhall during the furniture market in High Point in April.

Value-priced furniture designed for Gen Y's budget

Tamarind dining table set

Tamarind

The Gen Y generation is drawn to the stylish, less expensive furniture collections named Lincoln Park (below) and Tamarind (above), says aspenhome, which revealed these new lines at the April furniture market in High Point. The company says the "scaled-down sophistication [fits] into their starter homes but with the extra features to meet their 'high-tech' lifestyles."

The company also designs furniture for the tastes of Baby Boomers. To further help retailers tell the story to their Baby Boomer and Gen Y customers, aspenhome has a complete POP package along with floor plans.

Lincoln Park dining set

Lincoln Park bed with drawers in the footboard

Retailer turns wholesaler with antiques-inspired line

White x White was founded in 2010 by owner/designer Kristen White, who has owned a 10,000 sq. ft. retail store in Topeka, Kan., since 1987. Kristen has been traveling to Europe since l990 and her product designs are inspired by the homes, gardens and antique shops she sees on her antique hunting excursions. She launched a wholesale line at the winter gift show in Atlanta, and she will be exhibiting next month at the Dallas gift show.

In addition to being a product designer, Kristen is an artist and interior designer who saw the need for affordable home décor made of sustainable and natural materials such as willow, reclaimed wood, glass, iron and terracotta. The White x White mantra is “repurpose, reclaim, restyle.”

“We’ll offer buyers our entire line of home décor at the Dallas show, including furniture, lamps, baskets, statuary, lanterns, trays and mirrors, all with a hip vintage vibe”, said Kristen White, owner and designer, White x White.  “Our line was very well received at our first show in January and we’re excited to announce that White x White will have twice as many SKUs available to order at the summer markets.” 

The White x White space will feature a backdrop of brown kraft paper with aluminum grommets hung with heavy weight jute.  “Our booth in Atlanta was the talk of the temps.  We had so many positive comments about our booth including, not only the backdrop, but our cutting edge products as well.  Order response was tremendous,” White said.  
“I’ve been in retail for 24 years.  I know what other vendors offer, including their price points, and I have a good feel for what’s missing in the marketplace.  White x White is the start of some-thing huge and I’m so excited it’s finally off the ground”, said White.  “I’ve been a buyer at the Dallas Market Center for almost 25 years.  It’s a fantastic market and now I’m proud to be on the other side, as a vendor.”