HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from April 2002

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from April 2002

THREE QUESTIONS WITH DONNA KARAN.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... 1. What is your favorite house and why? "I love my beach house in the Hamptons. It's a spa house, it's very restful and it's a place that I can meditate in. It's very soothing because it's done in neutral colors, overlooks the bay and has...

HOUSEWARES FACE-OFF.(disposables coming on strong)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-First the Swiffer came to battle traditional dust mop manufacturers, and now there is an onslaught: Consumer products companies are attacking the housewares industry with lower-priced, usually disposable goods in categories such as...

LET THE APRIL SHOWS BEGIN...(textiles show (New York) ,furniture market (High Point) and Gourmet Show San Francisco)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Is the recovery for real? The home furnishings business is about to find outfor real. Starting next week with the textiles show in New York and the furniture market in High Point, N.C., and continuing later in the month with the...

UPSCALE GOODS TREAD ON BASIC TURF.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... For all the talk about disposable products challenging durable goods in the marketplace, there's seemingly no end to the reverse -- but with more than a little difference in the prices. One of the more controversial examples is a Sanyo...

MARTHA STEWART AND SHAW TO LAUNCH FLOORING COLLECTION.(Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Shaw Industries)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Shaw Industries are launching their new flooring collection, a partnership that capitalizes on Shaw's broad product assortment of broadloom, porcelain tile, hardwood and linoleum. The...

SHOPPING WITH THOMAS O'BRIEN IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-A bed ensemble is like a symphony of tricky notes: They must work together in perfect harmony. HFN set out to uncover the makings of the perfect bed with designer Thomas O'Brien during a visit to Manhattan's ABC Carpet & Home's...

SIX IN THE CITY.
April 8, 2002... 1 Surreal Situation Take a walk on the wild side: Visit "Surrealism: Desire Unbound" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit explores the works of the Surrealist artists and their vivid inspirational dreams. The Met is at Fifth Avenue...

BED BATH POSTS PROFIT INCREASE FOR THE 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.(Bed, Bath and Beyond)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... UNION, N.J.-Bed Bath & Beyond posted a 27.7 percent increase in earnings for fiscal 2001, marking the 10th consecutive year of earnings increases since the company went public in 1992. Earnings for the year were $219.6 million, or 74 cents...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Kmart Asks Approval on Pay Plan for Adamson Kmart Corp. is seeking U.S. bankruptcy court approval to pay James Adamson, its chairman and chief executive officer, $1 million in salary and an additional $4 million if the discounter emerges...

TARGET'S STOCK IN STARCK TO RISE WITH NEW LINE.(from designer Philippe Starck)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... MINNEAPOLIS-Target will kick up its hip quotient even further next month with the debut of Philippe Starck-designed exclusive home, kitchen, bath, office and baby products that reflect the designer's mission to bring good design to everyday...

VENDORS' OPINIONS SPLIT ON JAVITS CENTER RUG PAVILION.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Maximizing traffic was behind several rug vendors' decisions to join -- or not to join -- the new area rug pavilion at the New York Home Textiles Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Although some retailers thought...

SOME FAVORITE THINGS ARE POPPING UP IN ACCENT RUGS.(coastal and garden themes)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-If there was a theme song for this spring's new accent rugs, it would be the Julie Andrews classic "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music." Suppliers are trying to connect with consumers and stir up nostalgia by designing...

PORTUGAL'S HABIDECOR, AT 25, SEEKS GREATER U.S. PRESENCE.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... VISEU, Portugal-Habidecor has come a long way since its beginnings in a small garage in northern Portugal. This year the company is celebrating its 25th anniversary -- a decade after its entry into the U.S. market. Habidecor was...

SENSUAL BECOMES ESSENTIAL IN THE NAMING OF RUGS.(rugs from Carpet-Art-Deco and Lacey Mills)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Rugs are becoming sensual and hip -- characteristics not normally associated with floor coverings -- if the names of some of this year's introductions are any indication. Seduction is the name of one Lacey Mills' newest rugs (see...

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES MOVE UP ON FORTUNE 500 LIST.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... CALHOUN, Ga.-Mohawk Industries moved up from 491 to 455 in the Fortune 500 listing of largest American companies for 2001. The annual report listed the company's revenue as $3.45 billion, up from $3.26 billion in 2000. Mohawk was also on the...

LINN LEAVES PARK B. SMITH.(Valborg Fletre Linn, Park B. Smith Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Valborg Fletre Linn has resigned as director of design and merchandising for Park B. Smith Ltd. "She was an extremely dedicated employee and contributed enormously to the company," said Park B. Smith Jr., president and chief...

IN AREA RUGS, A LIMITED PALETTE SPOTLIGHTS PATTERNS.(Ebisons Harounian Imports, Momeni Inc. rugs)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Limiting the color palette to a few subtle shades puts the spotlight on the intricacy of traditional Oriental patterns. Such is the case with new area rug styles from Momeni and Ebisons Harounian Imports, which will be on display...

TOLAND TURNS FLOORS MATS INTO AREA RUGS.(Toland Enterprises Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-The polyester-face floor mat with rubber backing is often confined to doors and sinks, and is seldom seen elsewhere in the home. Now, Mandeville, La.-based supplier Toland is attempting to change that by making this highly...

RUG SUPPLIERS TRY THEIR LUXE AT TURNING THE BATH INTO A SPA.(products from Glenoit Corp., Habidecor U.S.A. Inc., and Park B. Smith Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-When is the bath not a bath? When there's a luxurious bath mat on the floor, because then it's a spa. New collections being shown at the New York home textiles market have the neutral color palette and subtle details associated...

VETERAN STEUBEN DESIGNER LLOYD ATKINS DEAD AT 80.(Brief Article)(Bibliography)
April 8, 2002... CORNING, N.Y.-Steuben designer Lloyd Atkins has died at the age of 80. Atkins, one of Steuben's most versatile and prolific designers, joined the company in 1948. He was responsible for designing scores of representational and decorative...

MINI DRIVERS.(Mini vehicle launched in New York)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Enthusiasts of the Mini, a car that was once found only on the other side of the Atlantic, will be happy to know it is now available in the United States at a starting price of $16,850. A recent New York launch party was held for the car with...

U.S. HOME IMPROVEMENT CHAINS RULE.(Lowe's Companies Inc., Home Depot Inc., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., company sales)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Eight of the top 12 home improvement retailers worldwide are U.S.-based companies, according to a recent Retail Forward report. As expected, Home Depot tops the list with $43.4 billion in home improvement category sales. Lowe's...

NEWS BRIEFS.(various department stores, earnings predictions and forecasts)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... Analyst Ups Cost Plus Estimate Lehman Bros. analyst Alan Rifkin raised Cost Plus' earnings estimate last week after the retailer brought in better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. Rifkin said the retailer is well positioned "for the...

PAYING POLITICS: RETAILERS HELP TO FILL THE COFFERS OF KEY ELECTED OFFICIALS.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... WASHINGTON-In the current election cycle, the retail industry has given out more than $4.95 million in political contributions. More than half is in the form of soft money, which will be banned after this coming Election Day. The remainder,...

SILICONEZONE AIMS TO BE A HOT COMMODITY IN BAKEWARE MARKET.(SiliconeZone U.S.A. Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Once the secret weapon of starlets, silicone is now likely to be found in home kitchens as baking mats and other kitchen tools made of silicone are being embraced by consumers. The market for silicone products -- which consumers...

CATS RULE OFFERS ITEMS FOR THE FELINE WITH FLAIR.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Looking to bring a portion of the $28 billion pet-product market to housewares departments, a new company called Cats Rule has developed a line of goods with both fashion and functionality in mind. "I wanted to look at a category...

HEAVY INTO METAL; IN PHOTO FRAMES, STAINLESS STEEL AND SILVERPLATE ARE GAINING A SOLID FOOTING.(metal products industry)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Regardless of the retail channel or department, metal remains a mainstay of the photo frame category. In upstairs tabletop departments, most of the frames are supplied by the traditional silver companies, such as Wallace, Towle,...

ALESSI MAKES A HOME FOR ITSELF AT THE MICHAEL C. FINA STORE.(Alessi store advertising)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Over the past three years, Alessi's presence at Manhattan specialty retailer Michael C. Fina has grown from a mere two shelves to a cabinet space fronted by Alessi-designed display tables that were introduced last month. There are also...

SALES OF HOUSEWARES DINNERWARE BOXED SETS OUTPACE OPEN STOCK, NPD REPORT FINDS.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-With open stock accounting for only 16 percent of housewares dinnerware pieces sold, according to NPD Hometrak, and sets representing 80 percent and multipacks 4 percent, are boxed sets the more popular choice for consumers or...

HIGHER HOPES HOME DECOR VENDORS ARE ANTICIPATING A SOLID SPRING MARKET.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... HIGH POINT, N.C.-From all indications, the spring market will be a strong one for the decorative home business. The International Home Furnishings Market, which officially opens Thursday, April 18, is expected to draw many more buyers than...

KICHLER MOVES THE PRODUCTION OF WESTWOOD LAMPS TO ASIA.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... JUAREZ, Mexico-In its final phase of exiting the manufacturing business, Kichler has subleased its enormous lamp factory here to a company outside the home furnishings industry and has begun sourcing Westwood lamps from Asia. The zinc...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Magnussen Presidential Furniture, Bailey Street Trading Co.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... Bailey Street Signs On for Vegas Bailey Street Trading Co., the wholesale subsidiary of The Bombay Co., said it has signed a lease for the proposed home furnishings market in Las Vegas. The company plans to open its showroom at the World...

A RENAISSANCE FOR TAPESTRY.
April 8, 2002... For textile aficionados, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's new exhibit, "Tapestry in the Renaissance," is a must-see. With rare examples of handwoven tapestry from some of the exclusive collections, it is a chance to see some of the...

SEALING THE DEAL; ALLTRISTA'S ACQUISITION OF TILIA IS EXPECTED TO CREATE A NEW FORCE IN FOOD PRESERVATION.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO-Two leaders in food preservation, Tilia and Alltrista, will become one as the deal for Alltrista to purchase Tilia awaits final approval. The purchase, expected by the close of the second quarter, will find Tilia operating as a...

SEARS SHOWS WHAT'S IN STORAGE WITH CLOSET SHOP.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Sears will unveil its exclusive Closet Shop this August in nearly 600 stores nationwide. The department will focus on the burgeoning closet and laundry organization category with a line of private-label products under...

VAC MAKERS SPRING INTO NEW PROMOTION.(vacuum cleaner makers, various products)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-The daffodils are out, spring training is done, but the pitches for vacuum cleaners continue. In this business, it's always time for a promotion, and spring has its own particular messages. Spring cleaning, Mother's and Father's...

CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS: HELEN OF TROY, ROYAL GAIN IN '01.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-An economic slowdown and several retail failures made 2001 a year most housewares suppliers would rather forget, but two major companies turned a profit. It was a year when more value-conscious shoppers prowled the aisles and...

DAN RIVER SET TO INTRODUCE TWO COMFORTER ENSEMBLES.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Dan River is introducing two comforter ensemble programs for the upcoming textiles market. "We have not marketed it significantly in the past. We have not done it as a collection," said John Hall, senior vice president of sales...

PACIFIC COAST'S NEW FILL IS FROM A DIFFERENT CROP.(NatureWorks fiber from Cargill Dow L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... The newest fill in Seattle-based Pacific Coast Feather's basic bedding products spans the gap between natural and synthetic, creating a new category in the bedding world. Called NatureWorks, the fiber is derived from corn and was developed...

GROUP LAUNCHES SUPIMA AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.(Supima Association of America)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... PHOENIX-"Supima is not a household word," said Jess Curlee, president of the Supima Association of America. Not yet, at least. The Supima Association hopes to boost awareness for the luxury cotton fiber with a new advertising campaign that...

NEW YORK'S NEW LOOKS; VENDORS ARE GOING BEYOND THE BASICS IN BEDDING INTRODUCTIONS AT THIS MARKET.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Anticipating a strong market and a rosy fall selling season, suppliers are incorporating such luxuries as higher thread counts, expanded offerings in fill types, and new pillow and pad construction technologies into their basic bedding...

BLASS FROM THE PAST: SPRINGS BRINGS DESIGNER BACK.
April 8, 2002... FORT MILL, S.C.-Springs is resurrecting the Bill Blass designer brand. Among the mill's introductions for the April market are two bedding ensembles from the apparel designer, which are positioned as part of the company's luxury...

DESIGN WORKS IS TRADING UP THREAD COUNT IN ROYAL SATEEN.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Design Works is upgrading its Royal Sateen sheets in time for the New York home textiles market. Marcia Brandwein, director of design, said the company is phasing out its 310-thread-count, solid-color Candlelight sheeting program...

STROUDS TO RELOCATE CORPORATE OFFICE; CATALOG GETS REVAMP.
April 8, 2002... CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.-Strouds, a regional bed and bath retailer, is consolidating its headquarters in a new facility about 3 miles east of its current corporate offices here. The company will move in July. "We currently have three...

MARKET FIRST-TIMERS TO MAKE THEIR MARK.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Buyers have plenty of opportunities to check out first-time exhibitors at the New York Home Textiles Show and in market showrooms. Each exhibitor has its own take on what will be popular on retail shelves. Here's a rundown of who's...

HOME TEXTILES SHOW AT JAVITS CENTER GAINS INTERNATIONAL CLOUT.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Nearly 200 international companies from 30 countries will exhibit at the 20th semiannual edition of the New York Home Textiles Show, which runs April 12 to 15 here at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Show organizer George...

SLIPCOVER LEADER SURE FIT STILL SEES ROOM FOR GROWTH.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Visitors to Sure Fit's showroom during the New York home textiles market next week will be dining on caviar and barbecue. An incongruous combination, perhaps, but one that aptly reflects the company's move to diversity in slipcover...

POISED FOR A REBOUND; SIGNS INDICATE THIS NEW YORK TEXTILES MARKET WILL BE MORE UPBEAT THAN THE ONE LAST FALL.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Tune in to see if six months have made the difference at the spring 2002 New York home textiles market. After Sept. 11, the fall market was a quiet affair, with low attendance and no show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center....

FEDERATED'S MENDOZA: EYES ON THE BRIDES.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Peter Mendoza is on a mission to transform Federated Department Stores' bridal business into a national brand. In February, the $15.7 billion department store conglomerate named Mendoza to the new position of senior vice president...

ANALYSTS ARE MIXED ON KMART'S FISCAL FITNESS FOLLOWING LOSSES.
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-After Kmart filed for bankruptcy protection the last week in January and then posted a $753 million loss for February, some industry observers wondered if shoppers had abandoned the retailer. But some are quick to note that a loss...

CONAIR FOUNDER PLEADS GUILTY TO TAX EVASION; FACES PRISON.(Lee Rizzuto)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y.-Lee Rizzuto, Conair's founder and former chairman and chief executive officer, pleaded guilty to tax evasion in a federal court here last week. Rizzuto, who founded the company from his parents' Brooklyn, N.Y., home...

A BEAUTIFUL MIND-SET.(Letter to the Editor)
April 8, 2002... To the editor: I've come to the sad realization that my picture could never grace the pages of your fine publication. I am not one of the beautiful people. My hair style emulates Rob Petrie's and coincidentally hasn't changed since "The...

SEARS RESTRUCTURES HOME DIVISION.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Sears has retooled the organization of its home fashions division, splitting the business into two categories. The growth of the home business and the addition of mattresses and closet organization necessitated the move,...

CULINARY CENTER ON GOURMET SHOW MENU.(in San Francisco)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO-To emphasize the culture behind the name, the Gourmet Products Show will present a new Culinary Center at the show here later this month. The center provides exhibiting manufacturers a venue for demonstrating their most...

TYLER JOINS SAKS AS VP, HOME CREATIVE DIRECTOR.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises has named Corky Tyler vice president and creative director for home, a new position. Tyler will join the company April 22. She will report to Wayne Meichner, executive vice president of merchandising. ...

TEXTURE WITS.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Touch factor is what it's all about. Whether warm and fuzzy or cool and sleek, the warp and weft are getting serious attention from designers. The textures to especially look out for are anything woven. From woven leathers and seagrasses for...

A BEG TO DIFFER.(give consumers reason to shop)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... As I travel from city to city, shopping mall to shopping mall, department store to department store, I feel as if I am drowning in the middle of a beige sea. Big can be good, uniformity can make operations more economical, companies may be...

HOME ALONE.(Kmart)(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... Mea Kulpa...Kind of Let the following serve as a confession for the crime of giving bad advice...sort of. It's not that I caused them to go bankrupt or cost the guy his job, but about a year ago, in this very space, I gave some advice...

PILLOWTEX NET LOSS NARROWS IN FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR.(Brief Article)
April 8, 2002... NEW YORK-Pillowtex Corp. reported sales declined during the last quarter of 2001, but its losses have been cut sharply, and it even reported a gross profit. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Pillowtex said...

APRIL POWERS.(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... AS THE HOME INDUSTRY gathers this week for its big markets, name-based programs -- designers, artists, literary figures and rock 'n' roll stars alike -- are playing an increasingly major role in product introductions. Donna Karan, Ralph...

NEWS BRIEF.(multiple news briefs)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... Young In, Grow Out at Drexel Heritage Jeff Young has been named president and chief executive officer of Drexel Heritage, the upper-end home furnishings vendor owned by Furniture Brands International. He succeeds Dan Grow, who has left the...

RAISING EYEBROWS, PODANY RESIGNS AS SHOPKO CEO.(Bill Podany)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... GREEN BAY, Wis.-Did Bill Podany leave ShopKo for personal reasons, as the company said, just as the retailer seems to be on the verge of a rebound? Some analysts think so. Podany surprised the investment community last week, resigning...

BLOOMINGDALE'S BRINGS DIRECT APPROACH TO CONSUMERS.(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... NEW YORK-Bloomingdale's wants its catalogs and Web site to have the same panache as its stores. That makeover mission is what's been keeping Marilyn Carracino busy as senior vice president of merchandising for Bloomingdale's Direct, a...

GIORGIO ARMANI SEEKING TO DISTRIBUTE EXPANDED CASA LINE TO OTHER RETAILERS.(furniture and textiles)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... MILAN, Italy-Designer Giorgio Armani announced last week that he is looking for a distributor to channel his Armani Casa line of home fashions to furnishings stores. Armani opened five Armani Casa stores last year featuring goods such as...

LA-Z-BOY PLANS TO SHUT DOWN TWO CASE GOODS FACTORIES.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
April 15, 2002... MONROE, Mich.-Hammary and American of Martinsville became the latest victims of the rush to imports in the U.S. furniture industry when parent La-Z-Boy Inc. announced plans to close two factories, which will eliminate 327 jobs. At the...

WHITE GOODS EARN A `WOW'.
April 15, 2002... A record crowd at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show saw an increasing emphasis on style, as a Nicole Miller design for this Jenn-Air refrigerator attests. For more on the show, see page 124.

FEEDING AT THE KMART TROUGH; (EDITOR'S NOTE: THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO HFN ANONYMOUSLY BY A KMART VENDOR.).(Letter to the Editor)
April 15, 2002... To the editor: Almost two months ago, Kmart Corp., the nation's second-largest retailer, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. To most of the retail world, including countless Kmart suppliers, this filing came...

THOMASVILLE MAGAZINE GETS A THOROUGH EDIT.(Thomasville Furniture Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... THOMASVILLE, N.C.-Thomasville is upping the ante in "magalog" publishing with the latest edition of its consumer magazine. According to Jim Adams, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Thomasville, the latest issue brings...

LIGHTENING THE LOAD.(home goods retailers cut inventories)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... NEW YORK-After sitting on bloated inventories following several quarters of better-than-expected sales, retailers pared down inventory levels during the past year as softer economic conditions prevailed. According to HFN's State of Retail...

NEWS BRIEFS.(Westfield America Inc., Big Lots Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... Urban Retail Properties CEO Named Westfield America Trust, the Simon Property Group and the Rouse Co. last week said Ross B. Glickman would serve as chief executive officer of the Chicago-based Urban Retail Properties Co., which is a...

STAINLESS-STEEL COOKWARE IS HOT, HOT, HOT.(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... Stainless steel is the hottest cookware material on the planet, and that has manufacturers lining up for a ride. T-Fal is coming out with its first stainless line in years. All-Clad, the granddaddy of the stainless boom is releasing a...

MAJOR APPLIANCES BURST OUT OF THE BOX AT KITCHEN/BATH SHOW.(innovations abound)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... CHICAGO-Anyone who's tired of the word "innovation" would have hated the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. Everyone else here a week ago was exultant about business conditions, the record throng that jammed the exhibits, the excitement in major...

COUNCIL MEETING.(Robert Allen Group forms new Design Council)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... It was quite an evening at New York's Flatotel. The Robert Allen Group hosted a welcome dinner for its newly formed Design Council, which is composed of such design luminaries as Lou Gropp, Celeste Cooper and Libby Cameron, among others. It was...

READING MATERIAL.(Abrams to offer book on textile designs)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... A must-have for anyone with an interest in textiles and their history, "Textile Designs: Two Hundred Years of European and American Patterns," is being rereleased in June in paperback. The book by Susan Miller and Joost Elffers is organized by...

RETAILERS STOCKING UP ON STUFF THAT ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE.(Mother's Day marketing strategies)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... NEW YORK-Everybody loves mom. That's the premise retailers are banking on as they start lining their shelves and peppering their circulars with Mother's Day home promotions. In addition to seasonal staples, such as tabletop and gifts,...

A RINGING ENDORSEMENT.(Decorize Inc. executive rings bell at American Stock Exchange)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... Jon Baker, chief executive officer of Decorize Inc., a business-to-business home decor source, rings the bell at a session of the American Stock Exchange here earlier this month. He is joined by Gaylen Ball, Decorize secretary, and Salvatore...

SUR LA TABLE OFFERS CHANCE TO GET A TASTE OF FRANCE.(offers French cooking promotion)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... SEATTLE-Vive la France! Inspired by the travels of its notoriously Francophile president, Renee Behnke, Sur La Table is kicking off a nationwide promotion of French cooking this week. The promotion will run through the end of the month...

FLATWARE THAT'S FLAT-OUT FUN.(Art & Function)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... FRANKFURT, Germany-One piece of funky flatware at Ambiente came from Art & Function, a German metalware company that has introduced 18/8 stainless-steel flatware designed by Edith Axer with removable, exchangeable tips. Diners can thus bargain...

CRYSTAL GAZING; SWAROVSKI LOOKS TO EXPAND ITS PRESENCE WITH A NEW STORE ON MADISON AVENUE.(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... NEW YORK-Swarovski opened the doors of its new Madison Avenue shop here last week in grand style: Models strutted the floors decked out in white suits and bejeweled hats displaying Swarovski's Paradise crystal collection. A bare-chested male...

DUELING MARKETS: GOURMET, TABLETOP VIE FOR ATTENDANCE.(tableware trade shows)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... SAN FRANCISCO-Spring is here. And it is possibly the busiest time of the year for many in the tabletop industry, who are getting ready to show their latest designs and innovations this month at either the Gourmet Products Show, which is...

NTGA VOWS TO WOW WITH ITS FIRST-EVER BRIDAL CONFERENCE.
April 15, 2002... NEW YORK -In an effort to give the bridal market a national forum to share information and ideas, the National Tabletop and Giftware Association is co-sponsoring the National Bridal Market Conference with 225 Fifth Ave. and Modern Bride...

MARY MAYO ART AND MIRROR LINE TO BOW.(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... HIGH POINT, N.C.-Designer Mary Mayo has teamed with Liberty Frame of Lexington, N.C., to unveil a collection of framed art and mirrors at the market here this week. The new line, Mary Mayo LLC, will include 100 pieces and will specialize...

STEEL RESOLVE; T-FAL DECIDES IT'S TIME TO ENTER THE STAINLESS COOKWARE CATEGORY WITH ITS NEW 4U LINE.(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... PINE BROOK, N.J.-T-Fal has entered the stainless-steel cookware market with plans to launch a stainless version of its 4U line at this week's Gourmet Products Show. The new 4U line marks a concerted move into stainless by the company, said...

DIRT DEVIL'S LINEUP PICK UP POWER, FLEXIBILITY AND CHOICE.(Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. introduces new vacuum cleaners)(Brief Article)
April 15, 2002... GLENWILLOW, Ohio-The Dirt Devil is adding power, convenience and choice to its product lineup. Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. will display a 7-amp stick broom and two rechargeable hand vacs at the Gourmet Products Show in San Francisco...