Stylish recipe organizer adds flair to a kitchen

The Recipe Nest is an organizer of recipes clipped from magazines or newspapers, or hand-written recipes. There are two versions of the cover: colored vinyl (available in many options) and printed, glossy laminated board. Each holds about 200 recipes. The built-in easel folds out to hold the recipe at a convenient angle so a cook can consult it while cooking. Recipe Relish exhibited the product at the Gourmet Housewares Show held during the New York International Gift Fair this month.

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. "

Throw rugs and matching pillows by Valori Wells

Peking Handicraft Inc. (PKI), added to its rug and pillow collection with the Bloom series by Valori Wells. Comprised of two rug and pillow designs, the series showcases an oversized flower pattern, like that of a magnified carnation, with a multi-dimensional appearance.

The series is offered in two rich colorways, cobalt and cocoa. The cobalt pieces boast four eye-catching shades of blue and tan on a pale blue background, while the cocoa set presents charming shades of brown, tan and orange on a beige background.

The wool and cotton blend rugs feature three different sized, seamlessly overlapping blooms and are available in two sizes, 4 feet x 6 feet and 3 feet x 5 feet. The complementary wool-and-cotton blend pillows (18 inches by 18 inches) feature a single, large bloom design.

The Bloom series, and other new products, can be seen during the New York Home Fashions Market, Sept. 19 to 23 in the Peking Handicraft showroom (suite 912) at 7 W 34th Street.

Dallas Market Center reaches Facebook milestone

Dallas Market Center Reaches Social Media Milestone 

More than 5,000 people “like” company’s Facebook page

By Dallas Market Center

DALLAS – August 22, 2011 – Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale resource, today announced that its Facebook page has reached more than 5,000 “likes.” This important milestone comes just over 18 months after the company launched its Facebook in January 2010. The Dallas Market Center Facebook page has become a community for ongoing conversations with customers and those interested in the industries the company serves. Participants engage with the brand every day and receive useful information on their own schedule.

“We are thrilled that so many of our customers are engaged in our social media platforms,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center. “Through Facebook and Twitter our buyers and exhibitors have a more personal way to interact with our brand, while in turn we are able to share important information about our business and the entire industry.”

Facebook is just one part of the social media strategy of Dallas Market Center, which also includes more than 2,700 followers on Twitter and the Dallas Market Center YouTube channel. Information is shared daily through social media sites including industry news, market announcements and much more. During Markets, dozens of updates are issued regarding special events, educational opportunities, trend information, hospitalities and buyer giveaways.

“Social media is an excellent tool for us to reach our customers and talk with them, not just at them,” said Jane R. Robertson, EVP of marketing, Dallas Market Center. “Our social media team continues to seek new ways to connect with retailers, manufacturers and sales reps – more exciting things are to come.” 

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.

Self-watering ceramic planters

Marduk Productions LLC has a new brand of unique self-watering ceramic planters, the vision of Kourosh Hessam, a graduate from San Francisco State University with a degree in Industrial Design. He decided to pursue his love of ceramics, but also recognized the need for an innovative product design that was attractive, useful, and provided a real benefit to consumers who love plants,but don’t necessarily have a “green thumb.”
In November of 2009, Hessam partnered with longtime friend David Sharma to continue in their extensive research and development. They self-funded the project, one step at a time, buying materials, tools and equipment, building molds and creating new designs. After successfully building the working prototypes, they filed for a patent and in November of 2010, founded Marduk Productions, LLC. The company is now receiving substantial funding interest from investors that will allow the full launch of its initial two product lines this Fall. 
Clay’s natural porosity combined with a unique, double-walled design allows water to pass through the planter at a perfectly regulated level, hydrating the plant for up to 30 days. These hand-made molds are completely biodegradable, use only natural materials so they are 100% “Green” and allow plants to automatically absorb the right amount of water through the lining of the interior wall of the planter. This enables people who are plant lovers, but don’t necessarily have the time or knowledge to care for a plant’s daily needs, as well as the elderly and even children to experience the delight of growing even the most sensitive plants in a flourishing, nurturing environment.

California gift show wrap-up

JULY 2011 CALIFORNIA GIFT SHOW® CULMINATES IN A STRONG MARKET PERFORMANCE

Refreshed, California-centric positioning along with increased traffic, healthy order-writing, innovative product concepts and authoritative presentations set stage for 2012 expectations.






By the California Gift Show

LOS ANGELES, CA (August 15, 2011) - MMPI and California Gift Show® (CGS) report a robust Market experience with positive indicators on multiple fronts defining an encouraging CGS trajectory. The show's California-centric focus delivered, in a uniquely L.A experiential manner, a broad array of new and on-trend merchandise across all of the most popular, volume generating categories. More than 10,000 lines from over 1,200 temporary exhibitors and permanent showrooms, at two dynamic venues, provided buyers a myriad of product offerings, with emphasis on the region's emerging product designers, artists and craftsmen.

"We are extremely pleased with the performance of this July Market," said Jeff Sampson, vice president marketing L.A. Mart/CGS/L.A. Mart Design Center. "Placing greater import on California as our brand position differentiated the overall show experience, emphasizing the significance of this region to the gift industry and beyond. Redefining CGS as a celebration of California style and innovation supports our permanent showrooms and temporary exhibitors as they continue to present innovative concepts in the most sought-after categories with the modern retailer in-mind."

A 24% increase in traffic over July 2010 reinforced the strength of CGS and the California marketplace as a unique and highly desirous resource destination among buyers from across the country and around the globe. Attendees from as far east as New York and Boston in the Northeast, to Atlanta and Miami in the South, joined buyers from New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas and more, representing 42 U.S. states seeking what only CGS can offer.International attendees in search of California's mystique were also present in force. North American neighbors in Canada and Mexico shopped side-by-side Pacific Rim buyers from Hawaii, Auckland, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul, as well as Middle East retailers from Dubai and Kuwait.

From high-end corporate brands to boutique independent retail shops, CGS served as a must-stop Market for such best-in-class retailers as Forever 21, Fred Segal, Hallmark Corp., Knott's Berry Farm, Vons, Whole Foods Market, Williams Sonoma Home, Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Bloomingdale's, Firefly, Harvard Museum Of Natural History, Kaiser Permanente, Kitson, Ritz Carlton Hotel, University Of Southern California, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Universal Studios, Warner Bros Studios, Bel Air Country Club, Disney Consumer Products, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Four Seasons Hotel, H&M Enterprises, Paramount Pictures, Ross Stores, San Diego Zoo, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Target.Com, TJ Max Companies, Vroman's/Book Soup and Wynn Resorts among others.

"This vigorous uptick in traffic and vitality of buyer, in light of continued economic challenges, further demonstrate the value of California Gift Show as a Market of strategic importance to the buying trade," said Mark Furlet, vice president of Gift & Home, MMPI. "As consumers become ever-more informed and discriminating in their purchasing habits, retailers are sourcing unique products with greater intelligence. CGS is their entrée to manufacturers known worldwide and to the innovations for which California is renowned." 

FOCUS ON CALIFORNIA + PRODUCTS + EDUCATION + EVENTS
California Bespoke - a gallery-inspired design showcase debuted one-of-a-kind, limited edition and new-to-market furnishings, home accessories, hand-crafted objects and original works of art from the region's next generation of design tastemakers. Curated by contributors from The Editor At Large ... Vanessa Kogevinas, Marisa Marcantonio, Jason Oliver Nixon and Jennie Nunn ... California Bespoke was brought to life against a sophisticated, three-dimensional backdrop inspired by the diverse natural terrain of the region as conceived by interior designer Christopher Gaona.

Destination L.A.: Pop-Up Case Studies - four conceptual exhibitions located in the main entry aisle of LACC's South Hall featured Los Angeles-based product artisans demonstrating how their innovative products are made and used. Hysteric Haus, SKULLASTIC, Dollhouse Republic/Better Than Naked, and Velvet Rope Bake Shop represented show categories (home décor, stationery, fashion accessories and gourmet), offering buyers the opportunity to experience and source their offerings in a fresh, compelling format.

Extreme Art Challenge, presented by L.A. Art Machine - Located in LACC's atrium, Los Angeles' urban artists Hans Haveron, John Park, Mear One and Abcnt competed in a dynamic performance-art challenge where large scale art installations were painted to reflect California culture as attendees made their arrival to South Hall Gift and Kentia Global Marketplace.

Fred Segal: A California Success Story - Owner/designer of Fred Segal Originals, Annie Segal presented to a captivated audience how the family-owned, multi-generational business grew from a Los Angeles concept emporium to international retail icon. According to Segal, "having great product" is key to success. Segal followed-up " ... that when times are bad, it's the perfect opportunity to create something new."


Editors' Panel: Retailer Business Review - Editors-in-Chiefs Caroline Kennedy of Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Jenny-Heinzen York of Home Accents Today and Design & Style Editor Krissa Rossbund of Traditional Home engaged in a dynamic dialogue moderated by Marisa Marcantonio of Editor-at-Large and Stylebeat.com. The powerhouse panel addressed the new generation of empowered consumers, offering insights on fresh, relevant products, marketing, and merchandising, helping the modern retailer stay ahead of the curve.

Styled for Success: Perfecting the Accessorized Space - Traditional Home's Krissa Rossbund shared fresh merchandising and accessorizing tips that captivate and sell, including space planning and vignetting that integrate accessories, table-top, wall art, florals, textiles, and more. A reception with Ms. Rossbund celebrating the debut of L.A. Mart Design Center's new Designer Lounge followed.

World Style Stories - A special presentation recognizing five inspirational exhibitor essays recalling the journey each Kentia Global Marketplace exhibitor traveled in creating the products they've made, as well as the positive impact on the people and communities served by these international craftsmen. The honored list included SPIRAL Foundation | Healing the Wounded Heart Project, Project Have Hope, Good Paper, Heavenly Treasures and Dunitz & Company, Inc.

Two's Company Celebration - A ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception for the industry titan celebrating their long-term lease renewal and showroom redesign. Tom Zimmerman, vice president marketing and sales, welcomed buyers for a champagne reception. For nearly 30 years, Two's Company has served the West Coast gift and design communities from its L.A. Mart address.


HEARD AT MARKET

Tom Zimmerman, vice president sales & marketing for Two's Company made the L.A./California connection clear. "Our day-to-day business is stronger in Los Angeles than anywhere else in the country," said Zimmerman, on the heels of the brand's recent multi-year re-commitment to L.A. Mart.

"The success we have experienced thanks to L.A. Mart's ability to drive trade traffic substantiates our recommitment to MMPI and the marketplace."Stephen Young, principal of his eponymously named showroom, shared, "I've seen a nice, healthy jump in traffic. Every day has been busy. We had a lot to talk to buyers about, keeping them in the showroom longer."

Daniele Semeraro of Sempli enthusiastically expressed, "This show is our worldwide debut! We just started the business in January and decided to launch at L.A. Mart's Beckman's Handcrafted Show. The traffic has been steady and we are getting a great response from the buyers, designers and media who have stopped by."

Kevin Ebert, assistant director of operations for Harvard Museum of National History furthered the California advantage. "This is our fifth year coming to L.A. Five years ago we found our best-selling product ever at the L.A. Mart. We continue to buy it and it continues to sell very well. We don't even bother with the shows on the East Coast anymore, everything is the same. We see different, fresh and unique merchandise here at the California Gift Show."

For a complete listing of CGS show information, please visit: www.californiagiftshow.com.

ABOUT L.A. MART and CALIFORNIA GIFT SHOW
L.A. Mart® is a registered trademark of MMPI. The California Gift Show® is a registered trademark of MMPI. Beckman's Handcrafted Show(TM) L.A. is a registered trademark of MMPI. L.A. Mart is home to nearly 200 permanent year-round, residential, decorative accessory and gift showrooms serving the retail and interior design industries.

The California Gift Show Temporaries feature over 800 temporary exhibitors of lifestyle merchandise, home décor and furnishings, in the newly enhanced and expanded Temporaries at L.A. Mart and Los Angeles Convention Center, making the California Gift Show the preeminent market for gift and home furnishings products on the West Coast. L.A. Mart is located at 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

For more information call 213-763-5800 or visit www.californiagiftshow.com or www.lamart.com.MMPI is a trade show and property management firm, specializing in managing buildings devoted to wholesale showrooms and commercial office space.

MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 W. Mart Center in Chicago; Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; Boston Design Center in Boston; L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

Vornado Realty Trust, owner of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. Vornado's common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

2012 preview of outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture manufacturer Oxford Garden showed its new products for 2012 at the Casual Market in Chicago earlier this month. President Randy Meek said, “Using new materials while adding to well-loved collections, we have worked hard to create an outdoor experience our customers will enjoy.”Based in Louisville, KY, family operated Oxford Garden seeks to provide furniture for the outdoors while remaining reasonably priced. Known for its affordable luxury, Oxford Garden creates a classic timeless style of outdoor furniture unrivaled in craftsmanship and unique in design.

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. 

Meanwhile, back at the NY gift show

Colorful dinnerware collections from Rosanna

Les Fleurs En Rouge

Les Fleurs En Rouge is a new collection from Rosanna Inc. It features refined botanical prints in a vibrant combination of red and green, making it a fresh approach toholiday entertaining. The company states the "botanicals’ contemporary look makes it easy to grace spring and summer tablescapes as well." The collection is comprised of baroque mugs, dipping dishes, appetizer plates, a rectangular tray, a French pitcher, and a teapot. Each item is made of porcelain and comes in Rosanna’s signature decorated gift box.

A new decoupage collections of moderately priced gifts includes round, square and rectangular trays made of pressed glass. The felt back makes them suitable for jewelry, makeup or soaps.

The Chocolaterie collection

The Chocolaterie collection is comprised of porcelain mugs, dessert plates, a pitcher, and a two-tiered tray with antique label prints of famous European chocolate makers.

Search "Rosanna" in this blog to see the company's winter 2011 collection.

NY's night of celebration

Day One highlights from NY gift show

NY gift show is up and running

Stacking wood votive set for holiday gift giving

Teroforma has partnered with Rhode Island independent designer Ayako Takase to offer a whimsical way to sleekly store numerous small votive holders. Inspired by the traditional Japanese children’s game daruma otoshi (whose rounded pieces stack on an accompanying mallet), they conceived a system of pierced votives to store totemlike on the internally embedded handle of a complementary snuffer.  

The Avva style (top photo) consists of 3 flare-in votives and 2 flare-out. It is 9 3/4” tall stacked. The Ekke style (above) is cylindrical in shape and also measures 9 3/4” tall when stacked. The company is exhibiting at the New York International Gift Fair this month.

Dishes and serveware for the winter holidays

Rosanna Bowles, the so-called Diva of Dishes, is showing her fall/winter collection from Rosanna Inc. at the New York gift show this month. Also, her lifestyle book, "Coming Home: A Seasonal Guide to Creating Family Traditions" following a successful printing, is available for download as an e-book.

The Happy Christmas Collection (above) features prints inspired by vintage wrappings from Rosanna’s grandmother. The collection is comprised of mugs, large and small trays, dessert plates, a two-tiered tray, and a canvas tote.

The 12 Days of Christmas returns to the collection. The set of 12 square scalloped plates are made of refined porcelain and come in a decorated gift box.

Cute gifts and apparel for babies, tots

New York gift show begins Aug. 13

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.

New licensed textiles from Winterthur collection

Andover Fabrics has been a licensee of Winterthur since 2008. Andover Fabrics began in 1920 as a small office in downtown Manhattan that sold velvet cloth to the women’s hat trade. Today, the company is run by the grandson of the founder and continues to sell fabric but as an independent company devoted to the quilt trade.

Inspired by designs found in the vast textile collection at Winterthur, Andover’s Winterthur Collection offers quilters the opportunity to work creatively with beautiful patterns that reflect the quality and authenticity of the museum’s collection. The new collection of quilting fabrics is based on the late 18th-century John Hewson coverlet in Winterthur's textile collection. It consists of nine patterns in multiple colorways.

See more John Hewson patterns here.

Tastemakers shop the Las Vegas Summer Market

Tastemakers Get Ahead of the Curve of Interior Design Trends


Anthony Baratta, Jeffrey Alan Marks and Nathan Turner Scour Las Vegas Summer Market for Next Season’s New Looks and Coveted Pieces

By Las Vegas Market

LAS VEGAS – Aug. 3, 2011 –Three of the nation’s most celebrated interior designers, Anthony Baratta, Jeffrey Alan Marks and Nathan Turner shopped five-million-square-feet of showrooms during this week’s Summer Las Vegas Market. Today they uncoveredwhat will become next season’s most popular trends during their presentation, Ahead of the Curve, moderated by style guru and “Today” show contributor Susanna Salk. The program, which featured a live in-studio audience and webcast viewers from around the globe, gave the world a chance to watch top design stars reveal their favorite discoveries.

“We are very proud of the reputation Ahead of the Curve has gotten over the last few years,” said Robert Maricich, chief executive officer of International Market Centers, World Market Center Las Vegas’ parent company. “We know that media, designers, buyers and mainstream consumers all anticipate what our trend forecasters will divulge. Fall is such a busy season for decorating so this is the perfect time to get ahead of next season’s trends.”

Throughout their tour of the three inter-connected buildings of World Market Center Las Vegas, the design experts uncovered some new additions to the exhibitor scene as well as interesting innovations, products, and trends.

“I never tire of identifying the stand-out pieces and trends year-after-year,” said Susanna Salk, design expert and author. “Las Vegas Market has an amazing variety of products, from very luxurious high-end manufacturers, to very affordable well-built pieces and even the more obscure, whimsical pieces.”

“I’ve found the experience at Las Vegas Market to be incredibly inspiring,” said Baratta. I have found some great new pieces to incorporate into current projects and have so many new ideas to take home to New York with me. I was non-stop shopping.”

We had an amazing time going through each showroom and picking our favorites,” said Marks. “From comfort, to fun design elements, and great colors, this season’s Las Vegas Market really had it all. It was extremely difficult for me to narrow down my choices for the Ahead of the Curve presentation. There just wasn’t enough time to highlight all of my favorites.”

“Because I have a retail store I am always on the hunt to look for new and exciting things, and was not disappointed here in Las Vegas,” said Turner. “I saw so many different types beautiful pieces and spotted numerous trends. I can’t wait to bring some of these things back to my own store in Los Angeles.”

The trends discovered included:
Red Hots
Nearly every showroom featured pieces in candy apple red. Hot red combines well with chocolate, gray, navy and white. It has a tendency to give a graphic quality to a room and is an easy way to add instant spice to a project. It’s all you need to make a room sizzle.

Au Natural
Natural, unfinished materials that incorporate hand craftsmanship do not have to be exclusively rustic. At Las Vegas Market, several of these “natural” pieces had sexy and sleek shapes.Going au natural can add depth, soul, and character to a room.

Basketweave
Basketweave knew no limits in Las Vegas. It was featured on pieces with metal, rope, and wicker and caning accents. It brings outside in, allowing something you typically associate with the outdoors to be inside the home in a very chic, stylish manner. It could even take the place of a pattern.

Small Scale
In the 90s, the trendwas to do everythingbigger. Big houses, big rooms, big furniture. Now things are smaller with more details. Small scale pieces provide a more tailored, very sweet look.The economy has had a lot to do with it. McMansions are out and people aren’t looking to just fill up a house. And more than anything, they want their home to have pieces with personality.

Swivel
Because rooms are smaller they are required to be more dynamic, so multi-purpose pieces are critical. From the end of a bed to in front of a fireplace, pieces that swivel, rock or roll bring life and movement to a room while saving space.

Pop of Color
One of the latest crazes has been light grey, rough woods. But it can grow stale or boring. Dress up your neutrals with a jolt of color. At Las Vegas Market there has been a pop of color trend showing up in rustic pieces, wherethe color really emphasizes the contrast between the rough edges and a smooth, modern finish.

Retro Redefined
Forms from the 40s, 50s and 60s are now being made with materials to make the look more modern. These pieces give a whimsical element to any room, and offer more compatibility with today’s design options.

Black and White – the ultimate neutral
Black and white allows color to stand out in a room, and can bring a room to life. A lot of the black and white pieces at this year’s Las Vegas Market are very graphic, which really allows a piece to give a room a whole other dimension.

Chrome in the Home
Chrome gives any piece a clean, fresh look. Las Vegas Market featured countless retro pieces that were updated with a chrome element. Chrome adds a nice sparkle to a room and will work in both modern and traditionally designed homes, giving them a sharp, crisp finish.

The complete Ahead of the Curve webcast will be available for download on the Las Vegas Market’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/WorldMarketCenterLV. For more information on Las Vegas Market visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.


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.

Religious/inspirational picture frames

Prinz launched a new collection of frames and albums featuring popular religious themes for the faith/inspirational market. The introduction features a variety of religious/inspirational themes designed to celebrate faith and family, including designs depicting Christening, First Communion, Confirmation and general inspirational. The Inspirational Collection debuted at the summer markets and is available for Sept. 1 shipping.

The Sacraments series, with offerings for Baptism, Christening and First Holy Communion, features metal frames with a matte silver finish. The frames hold 6x4 photos. Godparents and Godchildren are spotlighted in three frames in the You’re A Blessing series, which include an inspirational expression celebrating this special bond.

Wood frames with hand-painted resin cross accents are the focus of the In God’s Love collection, featuring offerings for Godparents, Godchild, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Each frame also includes a special inspirational expression.

See the Prinz website for information about the religious and inspirational picture frames.

New candle fragrances for the holidays

Six new Colonial Candle fall and holiday fragrances are designed to inspire holiday memories and create year-round favorites with distinctive and exotic scents. Exclusive new fragrances include Crimson Festival, Falling Leaves, Moroccan Market, Fig Torte, Sparkling Pomegranate and Illusion. Colonial's new fall and holiday fragrances are available in 8 and 22 ounce classic oval containers; 10, 15 and 23 ounce Traditions containers; 4 and 12.5 ounce flared square containers; as well as textured and smooth pillars, tealights, trialights and votives.

Colonial Candle's new Zinnia Garden candle collection features a vibrant and fashionable assortment of candles including 10-ounce round filled glass container candles with four assorted floral designs, floating flower-shaped blooms in pink and orange, flower tealights, a vanilla Bath-lite gift set, tea lights and votive holders. Varieties include Fresh Aloe, Southern Magnolia, Rosewood and Apricot Mint.

Gifts from France at the NY Gift Show

This wine box is made from reclaimed boat wood. The holes, knots and cracks give a unique character to each piece. The lid holds a Laguiole type corkscrew and a wine stopper. The box comes with a pouch of wood shavings to cradle the wine bottle (not included). It is available from Arceau Marketing, which is showing at the SCIP Booth 2642 in the French pavilion during the New York Gift Show.

Olive wood has a distinctive grain and a Mediterranean look. It acquires a patina and ages beautifully. This collection is made in France by SCIP,  a respected Laguiole manufacturer from Thiers, France since 1850.

Resin planter with orange dowels

Pick Up Sticks is a game of physical and mental skill.  It is also the basis for Pick Up Planter, from the Phillips Collection. The piece marries an amorphic vessel with a ring of rods. Jason Phillips says, "Although the appearance is random, the way the configuration is achieved is quite mathematical. I find the advanced molding and manufacturing of this organic piece to be intriguing." The planter measures 20 inches in diameter and 16 inces tall. It is made from artist-grade resin and finished in a glossy black lacquer with orange dowels. (Other finishes can be custom ordered.) For more about this product, see the Pick Up Planter website.

Stunning contemporary wall decor

Roberta Schilling Collection exhibited new wall decor at the gift show in Atlanta this month. See more at the company's website or in the Americasmart building in Atlanta. The company's showroom is on the ninth floor of building one. Search "Roberta Schilling" on this blog to see furniture from this company.

Gold leaf wall decor, item CBV-257GD