Award-winning lacquerware for the home

J. Fleet Designs won the Best of the Best Award for Accessories from the American Society of Interior Designers. The company says its round trays and vide-poches were successful at shows in Paris and New York.

Established in 1995, J. Fleet Designs offers luxury lacquerware products for the home, including  bowls, trays and bath accessories. The accessories are made in Vietnam, and marry a centuries-old artisan tradition with contemporary, up-to-the-moment designs.

Guest blog: SURTEX Preview

Surtex 2011

Gift & Home Today invited Penny Sikalis, the vice president of show producer GLM and manager of the SURTEX show, to share insights into the trends and resources at SURTEX. Here is her report.

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Penny Sikalis

If it's spring, then it's time to attend SURTEX®, on May 20-22, 2012 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Why? Because it’s the market that influences product trends across all home categories! Think of it as the crystal ball of emerging trends, and the indicator of product colors and designs that will soon be making their way into shops and then homes. 

In its 26th year, SURTEX features more than 300 exhibitors representing the works of more than 1,000 artist and designers from around the world … all of whom are on the cutting-edge of the design business. They’ll be offering the latest original artwork and brands to the 6,000 attendees (art buyers and licensees) who annually seek surface designs, from textile and graphic design to illustration, photography and mixed media. 

These designs will take shape in a broad spectrum of markets, including decorative fabrics, tabletop, giftware, stationery, greeting cards, gift wrap and other paper products, ceramics, linens and domestics, wall coverings and floor coverings, apparel textiles, toys, packaging and publishing. It’s an all-inclusive marketplace for not only product developers, but also smart independent retailers who want to stay ahead of their competition. They’ll get a sneak peek of what will be in development and launched for 2013 delivery. 

Here, two SURTEX exhibitors share a bit about their upcoming offerings. 

Sam Abell is President and CEO of Courtney Davis Inc.,  a leading art licensing agency for more than 37 years. His unique perspective for what’s ahead includes four themes:

1. Color: fresh, bright and being used in a dominant fashion as well as accent 
2. Mix & Match: patterns are being juxtaposed in a unique, playful manner 
3. Burlap: a key accent in higher-end design 
4. Organic: a growing area of interest in both design and subject matter 

Nancy Fire is founder and creative director of Design Works International, a well-known design studio and trend service firm of more than 20 years. 

Surtex 2011

"This year we are focusing on eclectic mixes of patterns, like large scale floral designs paired with geometric accents. In addition, there are lush tropical patterns in deep color combinations, sun-struck mid-tone colors for retro florals, and coconut grove brights for junior conversationals. Nature remains strong, including birds with pattern-fill images in many styles."

In addition to seeing exhibitors’ offerings, SURTEX participants will have access to an all-new Trend Theater, where world-renowned forecasting companies will share their future visions via daily multi-media trend presentations. Complimentary and exclusive to SURTEX, these 30-minute sessions will inspire viewers with the pulse of the market, from consumer attitudes and street happenings, to color, design and theme directions across multiple categories.

To get the full picture of what’s ahead, and what every design-related business – whether manufacturer or retailer – should be planning for 2013/14, SURTEX is a must-attend. A comprehensive Conference Program as well as networking activities, will round out the experience.For registration and attendance details, visit www.surtex.com.

Award-winning products from textiles show

Press release

Five companies participating in the winter 2012 Home Textiles Market Week® in New York were presented with “Best New Product Awards” today, with Qi receiving the “Best of Market” award for its Plaited Cable Blanket. All of the winners and finalists are exhibitors in At Home featuring Home Textiles, which runs through Thursday, February 2, at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®).

 

In addition to the overall “Best of Market” distinction, Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product Awards are presented semi-annually in four categories: Bed, Bath, Dining and Home Accessories. A panel of editors select winners and finalists based on innovation in design, creative use of materials/construction and new fiber, material or technology.

The winter 2012 winners and finalists, selected from more than 100 products, are:

 

BEST OF MARKET:
Qi (New York, NY) for its Plaited Cable Blanket, a 100% cashmere blanket knitted with mouline and solid threads to create visual and tactile textures.

BED CATEGORY:
Winner: sefte (San Francisco, CA) for its Seda Throw, a luxuriously soft throw of 20% silk and 80% baby alpaca, loom-woven in Peru.
Finalist: Aalamwaar Textiles Inc. (Tarpon Springs, FL) for The Linen Collection.
Finalist: CGG Home Fashions® (Yonkers, NY) for its Allegro bedding collection.

BATH CATEGORY:
Winner: Pluto On the Moon (Ninove, Belgium) for its Kaneka blue robe, a lightweight robe of blended wool and nylon in blue and gray, and red and beige palettes that match easily with other lounge and sleepwear.
Finalist: Turkish-T (Nashville, TN) for its Beach Candy Basic hand loomed towels.
Finalist: Teresa Alecrim (Portugal) for its Granite Monogram Hand Towel.

DINING CATEGORY:
Winner: SFERRA (Edison, NJ) for Spectrum, its collection of European-woven linen cocktail napkins, dinner napkins and placemats in six colors that complement the 101 colors available in Festival, the company’s top selling table linen program.
Finalist: Fino Lino (Ocean, NJ) for its Linen Mist Napkin.
Finalist: COCOCOZY (Beverly Hills, CA) for its linen tabletop placemat runner and napkin set.

HOME ACCESSORIES CATEGORY:
Winner: Woven Workz (Framingham, MA) for Charlotte, a decorative throw uniquely constructed with playful ruffles on one side and a sweater knit on the reverse, available in six natural colors.
Finalist: Qi (New York, NY) for its Curly Fur Throw.
Finalist: Libeco Home (New York, NY) for its Santa Cruz Blanket.

“The judges identified stand-out products from 100 high-quality submissions,” said Danielle Giacoponello, At Home featuring Home Textiles sales manager. “The winners and finalists exceeded in terms of design and innovation.” 

The Home Textiles Market Week Best New Product judges were: David Gill, Senior Editor, HFN; Shanna Casey, Managing Editor, Home Fashion Forecast; Jennifer Marks, Editor-in-Chief, Home Textiles Today; Susan Tucker, Talcott Publishing Home Fashion; Wanda Jankowski, Editor-in-Chief, LDB Interior Textiles; Brielle Ferreira, Features Editor, Luxe. Interiors + Design; and Victoria Jones, Associate Decoration Editor, Veranda. 

New York Home Textiles Market Week offers buyers access to nearly 600 better bed, bath, linen and home products vendors at the New York International Gift Fair (located at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94), 230 Fifth Avenue, and 7 West 34th Street. Products represented at each of these venues include bed and bath fashions, table linens, kitchen textiles, towels, decorative accessories, area rugs, window treatments and decorative fabrics. 

The summer 2012 Home Textiles Market Week will take place Friday, August 17, through Thursday, August 23, 2012, at four locations throughout New York City. At Home featuring Home Textiles will run August 19-23, 2012, at the Javits Center, as part of the New York International Gift Fair. Additional information is available online at www.nyigf.com.

 

Boutique Design New York saw increase in buyers

More than 4,600 buyers packed the aisles for the second annual Boutique Design New York trade fair, an increase of 61% over 2010 registration, according to the organizer, GLM shows.

Co-located with the 96th annual International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show, BDNY featured 200+ exhibitors of high-end FF&E for hospitality interiors, attracting designers, architects and purchasing execs, as well as owners and operators who attend the IHMRS.

"This show has a very discerning audience," said designer and trend forecaster Stacy Garcia, who curated the Show's Trend Walk installation. "We're talking about a group of people who are educated, who know what it means to have a design aesthetic, who know what good design is, where the influences come from. These are the movers and shakers of the industry."Watch a short video round-up of the show.

Record Attendance at New York Market

7 W HOME FASHIONS MARKET WEEK DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE

A Well-Received Show Featuring New and Unique Product Offerings 

By 7 W New York  
Hot on the heels of a recent series of successful markets, 7 W New York hosted a rewarding and productive Home Fashions Market, September 19-23. The building’s entire roster of top-notch home fashion suites were ready for attendees, with a wide range of products from elegant classic to cutting-edge chic.

According to Chris Collins, VP & President, 7 W New York, "Our Home Fashions Market Week was an extraordinary success! Once again, we endured very difficult financial news right in the middle of the market. However, it seemed to have no effect on the good mood and positive approach that buyers and sellers displayed throughout the week. All reported a great market while showrooms across the board where thrilled with the results of the week’s meetings and the enthusiasm of the buyers."

The building houses some of the most dynamic names in home fashion such as Berkshire Blanket, Bellino Fine Linens, Peking Handicraft and Abhiasmi Inc. – Jovi Home, just to name a few. With an increase in associate buyers accompanying main buyers and the finest and most exclusive merchandise, it is no wonder 7 W reported a 20% uptick in attendance over last year- a clear sign 7 W is an invaluable resource.

Betsy Blancett, a buyer from Soft Surroundings in St. Louis, commented, “This market has been extremely productive. We’ve seen a lot of fashion-forward products and are very excited to be here.

Patricia Feiwell, a New York- based designer, “I love this building’s bright and open layout because you can see everything. In addition, 7 W is a fantastic source for textiles. I’ve visited every floor!”

The week’s new suites, including Kaleen Rugs, Berkshire Blanket, Nishat Chunian Ltd. and Texstyle Bolan USA experienced a positive reception, while Sam Salem and Son and aaa Bath Fashions, in newly expanded suites, were able to wow show-goers with more fresh and appealing merchandise than ever before.

Temporary suites Charisma, Inovatex, NuSteel by Tatara and CMN International enjoyed recognition; and the second annual Home Textiles Today’s Global Interiors Home Collection Show was met with considerable enthusiasm and interest.

Kirk Shipley, VP, Sales and Marketing, Texstyle Bolan USA, remarked, “It’s only the first day and already there are many people coming through. The building is fresh, we like our new space and customers are positive about it. We have some very unusual new merchandise…so far, so good!”

Joe Barkely, Executive VP, Kaleen Rugs, stated, "The national account is here so we need to be here. We see a lot of promise with this showroom and, although we've only been here a short time, we've already seen a lot of success."

Richard Eidler, VP, Sales and Product Development, Sam Salem and Son, commented, “We are thrilled to be at 7 W. it’s a great location and we love our new space.”

For complete and continually updated information about 7 W New York, keep visiting www.7wnewyork.com. You can also find 7 W on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

7 W NEW YORK® is a wholesale mart building, catering to the buyers of Home Décor, Table Top, Giftware, Textiles, Decorative Accessories, Fine Arts and related industries. Located at 7 W 34th Street, its daily hours of operation are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm with extended hours during special market weeks. 7 W New York is a trademark of Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI).

MMPI is the world’s leading owner and operator of showroom buildings and trade show facilities, bringing buyers and sellers together in more than 300 market events, trade and consumer shows and conferences each year. MMPI manages The Merchandise Mart and 350 West Mart Center in Chicago; Market Square, the Suites at Market Square, Hamilton Market, Plaza Suites, Furniture Plaza and the National Furniture Mart in High Point, N.C.; the Architects & Designers Building and 7 W New York in New York; the Boston Design Center in Boston; the L.A. Mart in Los Angeles; and the Washington Design Center and Federal Center Southwest in Washington D.C.

VORNADO REALTY TRUST, owners of MMPI, based in New York City, is a fully integrated equity real estate investment trust. Vornado’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbol VNO.

Give the gift of barware for Father's Day

OGGI Corp. has a new striped barware collection. The nine SKU stainless steel collection is available in either Red or Black strip. The  four-piece mini cocktail shaker set is in mixed colors. The cocktail shaker set includes two red  and two black 8.5 oz. mini-shakers. The Red Stripe cocktail shaker (also available in black) has a 0.75-liter (26 ounce) capacity.
A Black Stripe jumbo shaker holds 1.75 liters (60 ounces). The collection also includes an ice bucket and wine cooler. The company will exhibit at gift shows in Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Minneapolis.

OGGI Corp. serves the housewares, gourmet, gift, specialty, hospitality and direct market industries. Categories of expertise include Thermal Carafes and Beverage-ware, Stainless Steel Sport Bottles, Canisters/Food Storage as well as Melamine and Stainless Barware. The company specializes in custom resourcing and private label products.

Contempo plates based on 19th century Brooklyn prints

Click to enlarge

Last week, Think Fabricate launched a new line of transferware plates at 7 W New York Tabletop Week in Gallery on Six (Suite 604). Jason Gorsline, co-founder of Think Fabricate, said “Since our first collection of furniture included a wall-mounted display cabinet, it seemed fitting that we design a special group of plates to adorn the shelves and show our connection to Brooklyn, where we live and work.”
Each of the three transferware plates features a portion of a lithographic print by Currier and Ives dating back to 1879, showing a “balloon view” of Brooklyn with its south and west waterfront in the foreground. The three details from the map used on the plates illustrate the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights and the Navy Yard with Wallabout Bay in the foreground. The reverse side of the each coupe-style plate depicts the Think Fabricate logo – a composition of two overlapping heads forming a light bulb.

The color of the plates is the same blue that is featured in the Think Fabricate logo. Susan Doban, co-founder of Think Fabricate, explains, “It’s a bit more intense and rich than a traditional Wedgewood blue, giving the historical imagery on the plates a more modern appearance. In our interior design and architectural projects, we often find that the right color can make an important impact and breathe new life into a historical space.” See Think Fabricate on Facebook.

Ritzenhoff Spring 2011 preview

Auge, from the Bacione collection

Ritzenhoff is previewing its Spring 2011 Design Collection during New York Tabletop Week at 7 W New York (April 12-15). The German manufacturer of whimsical tableware and gifts has collaborated with almost 300 emerging and established artists worldwide to create an extensive selection of contemporary design on glass and porcelain.
Products include Pilsner-type beer glasses, proseco glasses, champagne flutes, espresso sets and breakfast boards.
Chicago-based Kress International Importers has been the exclusive distributor of Ritzenhoff products in the United States since 2004. Kress runs a full-fledged sales and logistic operation focusing on high-end German design-ware for the table.

Pilsner glasses

Michel Canetti flute from the Champus collection

Martina Schlenke for the Weizen collection

Shinobu Ito's espresso set

Karim Rashid's breakfast board in the Simply Brett collection

Proseco flutes in the Pearls collection