DreamSurfer: another reason to stay in bed

"DreamSurfer" is an innovative bed that marries the features of an upscale recliner and a luxurious bed. Armrests fold-down for extra comfort and support. Folding down from the headboard is a center console with matching cup holders and a power station that includes ports for an iPod dock, USB power and flash cards.

Three speakers—two on each side and one in the center—serenade one to sleep. The top of the headboard flips up revealing two practical reading lights.

DreamSurfer is a product from SLF, the strategic marketing unit of Home Meridian International.  It showed the furniture at the autumn 2011 High Point market.

"Since so much reading and TV viewing or done in the bedroom, we wanted to create a bed designed for those purposes" said Guy Walters, Vice President of New Product Development for SLF. “We called it ‘DreamSurfer’ because that is what Millenials do. They surf channels, the internet, and the radio. This turns the bedroom into an oasis for relaxation when you want to sleep in on the weekend or just unwind after a long day at the office.”

Las Vegas souvenir show reports 21+% increase in traffic

SEPTEMBER 2011 LAS VEGAS SOUVENIR & RESORT GIFT SHOW RECORDS 21.4% ATTENDANCE INCREASE; ATTRACTS INDUSTRY'S PREMIER RETAILERS 

The National Souvenir Show's Expanded Selection, Extended Date Pattern,$15.99 Hotel Rates Attract Increasing Numbers Of Buyers From Around Country 

Press release

ATLANTA (September 28, 2011) - The September 20-23, 2011 edition of the Las Vegas Souvenir and Resort Gift Show recorded a 21.4 % increase in attendance over the 2010 edition. Drawn by the show's extensive, targeted product selection, show-sponsored hotel rates starting as low as $15.99, and a growing reputation as the "must-attend" national industry event, souvenir and resort buyers from casinos, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and premier tourist destinations flocked to the sixth annual edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"This marks the show's third straight year of significant attendance increases and I attribute this growth to the wonderful feedback we continue to receive from our exhibitors and buyers," explains Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions. "When we launched this show six years ago, our goal was to create a national event that truly catered to the specialized business needs of the souvenir and resort industry. From requests to extend the show dates, to input on ways to fine-tine and enhance the show floor selection, we have worked hard to act upon industry suggestions to ensure that we are offering the very best possible business and networking event."

More than 20% larger than the 2010 edition, the 2011 Las Vegas Souvenir & Resort Gift Show was extended from three to four days to give buyers the extra time needed to explore new resources after completing long appointments and detailed product development meetings with vendors. Bringing together more than 1000 booths, the show highlighted the newest designs and introductions from top-name brands and innovative newcomers in destination, resort and tourist merchandise, souvenirs, t-shirts, beach items, coastal and nautical, lake, mountain and lodge, ski-themed products, logo products, shell items, giftware, jewelry/fashion accessories, toys/games and more.

The additional time and expanded selection received rave reviews from attending retailers.

"We love working this show and the extra day has been a tremendous benefit," explained Terri Scheunemann, Como Zoo & Conservatory, St . Paul, MN.

"The show's timing is also perfect in that it gives us time for product development for the next season.""This is the only show that can get us to leave our stores during our busy season," added Dave Coates, Skagway Mining, Ketchikan, AK. "This is simply the show you must attend."

"This has become the show I do the majority of my buying from, " agreed Lisa Racutt, M&K Enterprises, Las Vegas. "This year was the best ever."

"I loved exploring the expanded selection. This show brings together the top notch people at the top of the game," noted Lorraine Massey, Multnomah Falls Lodge, Troutdale, OR.

Exhibitors reports of brisk order-writing and new business added to the buzz on the show floor.

"This show, by far, has the best qualified buyers in the industry," explained Pablo Merlo Flores, Pampeana. "It's one of the least expensive shows to attend with the highest quality of buyer orders ..always."

"We've had great traffic at this show," added John Potts, Duck Company. "It's been an excellent show and we've seen a good mix of buyers from everywhere."

"The show improves by leaps and bounds every year," said Bruce Miller, Karol Western. "No souvenir buyer should miss it!"

Further strengthening the growing buyer base, Urban Expositions worked with leading industry associations like the National Association of Retail Buyers (NARB), the Zoo & Aquarium Buyers Group (ZAG) and others to host seminars, hospitality and networking events for their members during the show.

The next edition will be held September 11-14, 2012 in Hall C of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Urban Expositions management team is already working on programs and promotions to ensure the show's continued growth. Urban will continue to invest a significant part of the show's marketing budget to buy down hotel rates at quality properties to once again offer rates starting in the $15.99 range.

In addition to maintaining the four-day date pattern, Urban will also work to continue enhancing the show's product depth in a number of categories identified by the show's retail advisory board, including more gourmet food products, books/publishers and other souvenir/resort niche items. Exhibitor/Attendee Information

For exhibitor information, contact Lisa Glosson, Urban Expositions, 1690 Roberts Blvd, NW, Suite 111, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Phone: 678.370.0334, e-mail: lglosson@urban-expo.com.

For buyer information or to register, attendees can contact Briana Mackey at bmackey@urban-expo.com or Jhana Jordan at jjordan@urban-expo.com or call 800.318.2238 or visit www.lvsouvenirshow.com.

Table lamps with gold, silver bases

The Bubble lamp

Nova showed its new Matrimony collection at the October High Point Market. The portable table and floor lamps feature a modern twist on traditional wedding bands. Nova featured the new designs  alongside a host of other lighting, home accent and wall décor introductions.

From the Matrimony collection

Matrimony collection

Cozzolino wins Las Vegas design award

By Las Vegas Design Center

Las Vegas, NV -- Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC) is proud to recognize Kelley Cozzolino from Bigelow Interiors as the winner of its inaugural Design of the Year award.

Cardiff Cottage by Bigelow Interiors

The first-of-its-kind local design competition was created to recognize excellence in design among Southern Nevada interior designers and design students.Cozzolino was recognized for her Cottage in Cardiff remodel.

According to Randy Wells, VP of LVDC and one of the judges for the competition, "Kelley and her team did an exceptional job of ensuring there was strong continuity throughout the home. She kept the original cottage structure yet transformed the interior to ensure it was up-to-date and comfortable. This competition was created to inspire designers, and it's been inspiring to see the depth of talent in our local design community."

Seven judges, consisting of select LVDC showroom owners and managers along with World Market Center Las Vegas senior management, juried the submissions and ultimately awarded Cozzolino the grand prize during an awards luncheon at LVDC featuring cuisine from Mundo on Thursday, November 10.

"I'm thrilled to win this competition. What an amazing experience," said Cozzolino. "I'm very passionate about design and appreciate that LVDC has pioneered this competition to pay homage to local designers."

LVDC also recognized the third and second place winners, along with the winner of the student category.

• Third place was awarded to Heather Soto and Michelle Dimauro from Inhabit Design for their project, Lock Residence Addition. 
• Second place was awarded to Alice Roussos from Interior Motives for her project, Meyer's Residence. 
• The winner of the student category was given to Divina-Grace Balazo, a student at UNLV's School of Interior Design & Architecture, for her conceptual design of an Aveda store in Cape Town, South Africa. 

As the winner of the competition, Cozzolino received a VIP weekend for two at the luxurious Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hill, California.

All winners received engraved crystal awards from Tiffany & Co.For additional information on this and other LVDC programs, please visit www.lvdesigncenter.com 

About Las Vegas Design Center at World Market Center Las Vegas
Sitting at the epicenter of the world's fastest growing home furnishings complex, Las Vegas Design Center (LVDC) at World Market Center Las Vegas, an IMC property, is a year-round resource for design-seeking consumers and designers showcasing top names in fine furniture, decorative accessories, wall décor, lighting, floor coverings, fabrics and trim. Open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., LVDC boasts hundreds of leading manufacturers' lines.

An important source of education for the industry, Las Vegas Design Center also attracts many of the industry's most prominent thought leaders to its comprehensive slate of seminars, networking receptions and other sought-after events. Las Vegas Design Center is home to the restaurant Mundo, A Culinary Haute Spot.

For more information, visit www.lvdesigncenter.com.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 www.imcenters.com

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.

Decorative pillows for a contemporary decor

Kevin O'Brien Studio celebrates its 25th anniversary with a collection of new pillows. Two of the items are shown here: Black Swan (top) and Elephant (above), part of the Hand Shadows line. The gray and white prints are on white cotton. The swan pillow measures 20 inches by 20 inches; the elephant is 14 inches by 14 inches. The company also produces rugs, throws and stuffed animals.

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

Manual Woodworkers & Weavers celebrates 80 years

Manual Woodworkers & Weavers will celebrate 80 years of American design in 2012. Four generations of the Oates family have produced made-in-America home accessories, including rugs, throws and gifts. The family-owned business, which began as a small souvenir store in Bat Cave, N.C., today occupies over 500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution space in the mountains of western North Carolina.
The company will celebrate its anniversary with customers at the Atlanta International Gift Show (showroom in Building 2, West Wing, Suite 697) and at its new location at the Dallas Home & Gift Show (Trade Mart, Suite 1355).

High Point's best showrooms

High Point Market Exhibitors Recognized for Display Excellence 

in Showroom Design Competition  

By the High Point Market Authority


High Point, NC , Oct. 24, 2011 —The home furnishings industry’s annual showcase for excellence in showroom design culminated tonight with the presentation of two awards honoring the High Point Market’s most creative and innovative exhibitors.

On the Stars Under the Stars stage, High Point Market Authority COO Tammy Nagem presented High Point Market exhibitor Red Egg (415 W. High Ave) with the prestigious Best of Market Award in the High Point Market Showroom Design Competition.

The award singles out the best display for Fall 2011 as determined by a jury of respected industry editors. The panel of judges for the annual event included Margaret Russell, editor in chief of Architectural Digest; iconic designer and architect David Easton; and Tracy Bulla, senior product editor for Home Accents Today.

Red Egg was recognized by the judges for its serene display space and its use of accessories to layer a white-on-white palette.

According to the judges, runners up for the Best of Market award this season were:

• C.R. Laine Furniture (IHFC H1004), and 
• BeeLine Home by Bunny Williams (310 North Hamilton St.). 

For the People’s Choice Award, all marketgoers were invited to vote for their favorite showroom design via Twitter or text messaging. Judging criteria is left to the discretion of individual Market attendees.

This year’s People’s Choice Award winner, for the third year in a row, was Four Hands (Union Square 201). Runners up in the People’s Choice competition included Roweboat Art (430 N. Wrenn St.), and Dorya (200 Steele 144). Winning entrants in each category were presented with a crystal trophy cup for display in their showroom.

About the High Point Market Authority 
The High Point Market Authority, www.highpointmarket.org, is the official organizer and sponsor of the High Point Market in High Point, N.C. Featuring an extensive selection of exhibitors spanning every category, style and price point and attracting thousands of visitors from more than 106 countries twice each year, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry

New bedding line from Barclay Butera

Interior designer Barclay Butera has created a wide range of luxury bedding and decorative pillows for Eastern Accents. The textiles are hand-crafted in Eastern Accents’ Chicago studio. The collection was shown at the furniture market in High Point in October.

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