HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from December 2005

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from December 2005

LOUNGE ACT.
December 5, 2005... On the cover: Landscape Chair designed by Jeffrey Bernett for B&B Italia, $4,179, bebitalia.it. Embossed leather table by Armani Casa, $ 3,195, armanicasa.com. Beo Sound 4, $2,750, and BeoLab 4-1 compact loudspeaker with interchangeable covers,...

EDITOR'S NOTE.(management of real estate industry)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Arnold J. Karr What exactly transforms a house into a home, anyway? The question has long confounded philosophers, psychologists and songwriters. Even the standard dictionaries have a hard time making the distinction between...

TRENDS; THE HOME GETS EVEN MORE STYLISH WITH THESE ITEMS.(I-deck Personal Stereo from Monitor Audio)(Lulu deKwiatkowski's printed leather pillows)(Maarten Van Severen's cantilevered chair )(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine 1. I-deck Personal Stereo Companion's compact Hi-Fi two-way speakers allow iPod enthusiasts to enhance their MP3 listening experience. $349, from Monitor Audio, 905-428-2500, i-deckusa.com. 2. Superstar...

WELCOME TO TIMBERLAND; THE POWER OF WOOD, PERHAPS MOST APPARENT IN ITS NATURAL SHAPE AND GRAIN, SOFTENS MODERNISM'S HARD EDGES IN THIS FUNCTIONAL YET PLAYFUL FURNITURE THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT VERSATILITY.(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Wood is the most commonly used material for making furniture in all cultures. Most of the time, the natural pattern of wood is painted, covered and made into forms far from its origins. Every once in a while, there is a reverential reference to...

NATURE'S CALL.(BDDW's Tyler Hays and Jack Sheldon created bachelor pad music machine)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Known for their loyalty to wood and its natural beauty, BDDW's Tyler Hays and Jack Sheldon have created the ultimate environmentally conscious bachelor pad music machine. Produced by Marcus Teo Caption(s): BDDW turntable, designed by...

KAGAN'S KINGDOM; VLADIMIR'S LATEST CONQUEST IS THE FUSION OF STYLE AND PRICE.(Vladimir Kagan's Mallory Collection for Bassett Furniture Industries)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine For more than half a century, Vladimir Kagan has made a significant contribution to the world of modern furniture. Since getting his start in his family's New York shop in the 1940s, he's created a buzz with just...

STILL LIFE.(sculptures and statues for interior decoration)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Greek gods and French royalty are keeping company in the best homes. Busts and other interior statuary forms had taken a back seat to the onslaught of modernism. With the return of classicism, however, the stony beauties are making a...

THE HOT SEAT; RON MASSON PRESENTS A COUCH POTATO'S DREAM.(Personal Rockin' Computer)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine It's like a return to the womb, except enhanced with videos. The Personal Rockin' Computer was "designed to transport the user to a magical and futuristic environment," according to designer Ron Masson. Featuring...

SHINING A LITTLE LIGHT.(Marsia Holzer found Xelogen bulb)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Designer Marsia Holzer has found the light -- the Xelogen bulb, that is. It's just bigger than a Christmas tree light, but is as strong as a 60-watt bulb and stays cool to the touch. Holzer's newest lamp is crafted from Costa Rican Quanacaste...

REFLECTIVE MOOD; A LITTLE SHINE CAN CONJURE UP THE ELEGANCE OF A BYGONE ERA.(Bombay Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... No piece of furniture is more synonymous with the glamour of Hollywood screen legends than a mirrored vanity or dressing console. They instantly evoke Jean Harlow and Joan Crawford leaning in repose, ready to pounce on their next hero....

GLAMOUR EFFECT; DESIGNERS ARE TAKING THEIR CUES FROM HOLLYWOOD.(Class Act William Haines: Legendary Hollywood Decorator )(interior design inspired by Hollywood)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail For generations, the world has looked for inspiration in the glamour of Hollywood stars. We emulate their wardrobes and their hairstyles, the roles they play on the big screen and in their everyday lives. But as...

RELATIVE CREATIVITY; THE TALENT BEHIND IBRIDE SHARES MORE THAN DESIGNS THAT ARE MAKING AN IMPACT ACROSS THE WORLD; THEY'RE ALSO FAMILY.(Ibride, home furnishings company)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine It's a family affair at the design group Ibride. The company's three creative talents come from the same family and design some of the most sought-after, amusing home furnishings products in the industry. Based in...

CENTER PIECE: MEDIA CENTER...LADIES WHO LOUNGE...NATURE LOVER.(home furnishings such as iPods, loudspeakers, chairs, TV cabinets)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... MEDIA CENTER Chill with some light jazz or pop some corn to the oldies. There's a look for every genre. Tiny Dancer The wave of the future, in the palm of your hand Ipod, 60GB, $399, apple.com. Miniature Marc Newson...

SIX GREAT STORES; A LOOK AT SIX HOT SHOPPING DESTINATIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.(Home furnishings stores)
December 5, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine Fata Morgana 8 Passage de la Bonne-Graine, Paris, France, 011-01-47-00-32-00. The mysterious location of Fata Morgana (it's at the back of an enclosed courtyard) only adds to the temptation of shopping there....

LIVINGROOM: BROADLOOM...ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS...END TABLES.(trends in the living room furniture)(home furnishing stores)
December 5, 2005... With so much attention being paid to showcase kitchens, the "great room," and the "outdoor room," the living room tends to be neglected. But there's no reason not to make the most prominent space in the home the most inviting and livable on a...

DININGROOM: DINNERWARE...BARWARE/WINEACCESSORIES...FLATWARE.(trends in dining rooms)
December 5, 2005... We've all heard the talk about how the "great room" has replaced the dining room as the place where the family gets together. But many of us still have a dining room and a desire to put stuff in it, whether that stuff is germane to actual...

KITCHEN: JUICERS...COOKWARE/BAKEWARE...COFFEE/ESPRESSO MACHINES.(Housewares industry)
December 5, 2005... In many homes, the kitchen is a showplace where shiny, expensive appliances remain in full view instead of tucked away in cupboards. We know how good it feels to have these trophies displayed all the time, even if your most frequent visitor is...

BEDROOM: COMPUTER DESKS...TOP-OF-BED COVERINGS...WINDOW TREATMENTS.(Home furnishings industry)
December 5, 2005... The bedroom is the only room in the house that takes its name from a single piece of furniture. Perhaps that's because we put such a large burden on our beds, relying upon them for rest, privacy, intimacy and activities ranging from eating and...

BATHROOM: NOVELTY RUGS...LUXURY TOWELS...BATH ACCESSORIES.
December 5, 2005... More than just a place to take care of personal business, the bathroom has become a hub for design and creativity. It may be smaller than the other rooms in your house, but home furnishings manufacturers are taking this room more seriously and...

UTILITY ROOM: CLEANING GOODS...VACUUM CLEANERS...TRASH CANS.
December 5, 2005... Whether in the bowels of the basement or the elevated mothball-ridden attic, the utility room typically serves as a glorified storage bin for a grab bag of miscellany, from photo albums to the clothes that time forgot. Clear out dad's old...

BACKYARD: OUTDOOR RUGS...OUTDOOR FURNITURE...OUTDOOR FIREPLACES.(backyard furniture)
December 5, 2005... It used to just be the yard, home to cheap plastic chairs, Dad's failed gardening attempts and the doghouse. But no more. It's out with the citronella candles and in with the dramatic lighting, setting the stage for what is fast becoming the...

RESEARCH; A SURVEY SHOWS HOW MEDIA INFLUENCE OUR DECORATING AND COOKING CHOICES.
December 5, 2005... Byline: Nathan Weber The messages from the masses are mixed when it comes to cooking and decorating. On the one hand, we're driving an explosion in cooking and home decorating television programs, and there seems to be a new magazine...

HOROSCOPE.
December 5, 2005... Byline: Suzanne Gerber SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 20) You're happier noodling behind the scenes with your ruling planet, Jupiter, tucked away in the wings all winter. But you have no problem with your voice being heard when Mercury...

WHERE TO BUY IT.(home furnishings)(Directory)
December 5, 2005... 10 Crescent Lane 800-350-1481 10crescentlane.com 3M 248-463-1000 kmart.com Abbyson 800-600-7729 abbyson.com ABC Carpet & Home 212-473-3000 abchome.com A Cook's Wares 800-915-9788 ...

SHRUBBING, SCRUBBING; THE BIOLOGICAL ANSWER; RELAX AND CLEAN YOUR CLOTHES WHILE YOU WATCH THE GRASS; GROW.(Whirlpool BioLogic washing machine)(Brief Article)
December 5, 2005... It's a planter. It's a passageway seat. No, it's a washing machine. And in this age of appliances built for convenience and speed, it's a return to s-l-o-w, natural processes. Whirlpool's BioLogic is an experimental system for continual...

LAMPERT RESTRUCTURES, RESPONDS TO THE CRITICS.(Edward Lampert, chairman of Sears Holdings Corp.)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK- Sears' and Kmart's merchandising teams are finally combining. In a letter to shareholders last week, Edward Lampert, chairman of Sears Holdings Corp., outlined key appointments that reflect a centralized...

WAL-MART GOES UPSCALE ONLINE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Wal-Mart is pushing the limits of its upscale store strategy in cyberspace. The online arm of the world's biggest retailer is stoking its mix of upmarket, trend-right goods -- such as leather furniture from...

TRADE SHOW SHUFFLE.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... As they prepare to hit the road again, buyers and suppliers will have to make some changes to their traveling plans.

JANE SEYMOUR HOME LINE UNDERGOING GROWTH SPURT.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-The Jane Seymour Home Collection is growing nearly 20 percent and gaining 120 SKUs at the former Department Store Group of Saks Inc. The Northern department store chains that carry the line -- Carson...

CASABELLA MAKES IT REAL SIMPLE FOR ITS NEW LICENSING DEAL.(Casabella Home and Garden Decor)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Bernard ATLANTA-Casabella has signed an exclusive licensing deal with Real Simple magazine to create a line of cleaning tools under the Real Simple brand. The line will make its debut early next year in Target and will be...

SEARS' MERCHANTS MOVE ON.(Gwen Manto, Cathy David and Steve Ryman leave)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... The merchandising departures at Sears continue. Gwen Manto, executive vice president and general merchandise manager of soft lines, including soft home, has left the retailer to join Dick's Sporting Goods as executive vice president and...

IN BRIEF: SHUFFLE IN SALTON'S FINANCIAL POSTS...HOME DEPOT ACQUIRES YARDBIRDS...WORLD KITCHEN'S DENISCO DEPARTS.
December 12, 2005... SHUFFLE IN SALTON'S FINANCIAL POSTS Salton Inc. announced last week that David M. Mulder resigned as Salton's executive vice president, chief administrative officer and senior financial officer to pursue other interests. Meanwhile,...

HOME RETAIL SALES SLIP IN NOVEMBER.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Home furnishings retailers in November recorded the lowest total average same-store sales increase since July. These retailers logged a 1.4 percent total average same-store sales increase. This softness...

PRESENTS PERFECT.(holiday gifts)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine The happy holidays are here again and the demands are many, but time is in short supply. Here are a few desirable items that will fit the bill for last-minute needs for overnight guests or a surprise gift for...

TRADE SHOW SPOTLIGHT.
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-There's never a dull moment in the world of trade shows these days. Long-established dates have shifted, even to different seasons in some cases. Shows are aligning themselves to take advantages of shared buyers. Other shows are...

TRADE SHOW SPOTLIGHT.
December 12, 2005... Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference McCormick Place, Chicago April 21-23 Everyone who is anyone in the major appliance business goes to the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show. The last gathering included about 60 exhibits of white...

TRADE SHOW CALENDAR.(Calendar)
December 12, 2005... 2006 JANUARY 5-8 International Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas 866-233-7968 cesweb.org 11-14 International Home Builders Show Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Fla. 800-368-5242 ...

DECK THE CARDS.(gift cards and its effect on environment)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Arnold J. Karr The original intelligence about the Computer Age indicated that it was likely to make us a paperless society. Of course, the opposite has happened and entire tracts of the rain forest have been sacrificed so that...

IT'S SHOWTIME FOR ITMA AND FABRIC BUYERS.(International Textile Market Association)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-The International Textile Market Association is hosting its 32nd biannual Showtime fabric market this week in High Point, N.C., where some 2,500 participants are expected. The show is the first to reflect the date changes ITMA...

THROWS A HIT; A VIBRANT WAVE OF COLORS AND TEXTURES IS HELPING THE CATEGORY EMERGE AS A SURPRISE SALES LIFT FOR SUPPLIERS.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Leticia Leizens NEW YORK-A new mix of color, fashion and texture is giving throws a new look and making it a product category definitely worth more than a second glance. "We are finding the throw business very, very vibrant...

PAKISTAN MILLS INCREASE SIZE TO REDUCE PRICE.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Mahlia S. Lone LAHORE, Pakistan-Pakistan mills Al Karam Textile Mills and Afroze Textile Industries said that the large investments they have made in their manufacturing operations in the past few years will reap rewards for them...

NEWS: BIEDERLACK...VALDESE WEAVERS LLC...DECOSIT.(Biederlack of America appoints Peter McCabe)(Valdese Weavers Inc. plans two more manufacturing facilities)(international trade fair for fabric and furnishings to be held at Hong Kong)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... BIEDERLACK, a Germany-based manufacturer and supplier of throws, blankets and pillows, has named Peter McCabe president of its U.S. operations. McCabe has been with the company for 22 years and was most recently executive vice president of...

NEW IDEAS RISE AT SURFACES FOR WOOLS OF NEW ZEALAND; THE COMPANY PLANS TO SHOWCASE CANESIS' LATEST TECHNOLOGY.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Wools of New Zealand has redesigned its booth for next month's Surfaces 2006 show at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas. The group is also planning to again occupy the largest area of dedicated...

MATERIAL GAINS; POLYPROPYLENE IS CHALLENGING WOOL AS THE TOP CHOICE FOR AREA RUGS AND HELPING VENDORS EXPERIENCE SALES GROWTH.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-The polypropylene rug business is often looked upon as second-rate when compared with the wool business, but the material has been responsible for the growth and expansion that many vendors have...

STANTON EXPANDS CUSTOM SERVICE.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Jennifer Quail NEW YORK-Stanton has created a new custom-woven broadloom and border fabrication service from its in-house, full-service rug fabrication department. Jonathan Cohen, executive vice president for Stanton, said that...

IDG RECOGNIZES TOP DESIGNERS.(International Design Guild)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-Recipients have been named of the International Design Guild's 2005 Designer Showcase Awards, created to recognize outstanding work by professional designers. The award winners were decided by a panel of luxury floor covering Guild...

GARDNER, ARCHITECT BRING NATURAL TOUCH TO WILDLIFE TRUST.(Emma Gardner's collaboration with David Kriegel)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-Emma Gardner, principal of Emma Gardner Design, has collaborated with architect David Kriegel for custom flooring and lighting for Wildlife Trust's Manhattan office space. The floor tiles used in the space are from Interface and...

ORIAN NAMES DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.(Jeffrey Hughes appointed)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-Orian Rugs has named Jeffrey Hughes to the newly created position of director of product development. Hughes has a background in the design and development of area rugs, including past employment with Mohawk and Burlington. He was...

MOHAWK, 3M PARTNER ON ADVANCED STAIN-RESISTANT TECHNOLOGY.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Rosamaria Mancini NEW YORK-Mohawk and 3M have teamed up to produce carpets and hardwood flooring that feature stain-resistant technology. The Scotchgard Protector Advanced Repel Technology is part of the carpet manufacturing...

NEWS: SHERMAG...IKEA...CRAFTMADE INTERNATIONAL.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Shermag, a furniture manufacturer based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, will shut its factory in Saint-Leonard, Quebec, and consolidate upholstery operations in its Jaymar factory in Terrebonne, Quebec. The move will eliminate about 70 jobs. In a...

MAKING MATTRESSES TICK; MANUFACTURERS RELY ON DISTINCTIVE COLORS AND TEXTURES TO CREATE PRODUCTS THAT ENTICE CONSUMERS WITH A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Karl Kunkel HIGH POINT, N.C.-Mattress ticking is the Western Union of the bedding industry -- it sends a monster message to the consumer. Ticking, or the mattress cover, as some now call it, is the first contact a consumer has...

BIA NAMED U.S. DISTRIBUTOR FOR PHILIPPE DESHOULIERES.(BIA Cordon Bleu)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-Philippe Deshoulieres has appointed BIA Cordon Bleu to be its exclusive U.S. distributor to the retail and hospitality trade. Paul Baughman, president and chief executive officer of BIA, is part of a group of investors that in...

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION; ENESCO IS CONTINUING TO MAKE CHANGES AND ADD PRODUCT LINES TO IMPROVE BUSINESS.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor New York--Ending what was a difficult year for the company, Enesco Group announced further logistical changes and staff reductions, as well as a new product program. The company is transitioning its...

IN FRAMES, COLOR, TEXTURE DOMINATE.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko, Carla Webb contributed to this report. NEW YORK-Many of the trends in photo frames echo those seen in tabletop and other home decor categories: namely, an emphasis on color and texture. Bright metals, brushed...

NEWS: LALIQUE NORTH AMERICA...WOLF DESIGNS...ORNAMENT SUPPLIER KURT S. ADLER INC.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Lalique North America has named Guillaume Gauthereau president and chief executive officer. Gauthereau succeeds Daniel Barth, who left the company to pursue another opportunity in Europe. Gauthereau, who will take over the position Jan. 16,...

BURNES APPOINTS CLANCY PRESIDENT.(Celia Clancy )(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... NEW YORK-The Burnes Group has named Celia Clancy president, a position that had been vacant. Clancy will report to Tom Ferguson, chairman and chief executive officer of parent company Global Home Products, which acquired Burnes from Newell...

THE FRAME AND ALBUM REPORT.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Frame and album sales declined in 2005. Some manufacturers are looking to new categories to grow business. Rising oil costs and competition from overseas are affecting sales.

THE BIG PICTURE; THE INDUSTRY HAS HAD TO ADJUST TO SEISMIC SHIFTS IN THE MARKET.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko, Carla Webb O'Connor contributed to this report. NEW YORK-Increasing competition from overseas, decreasing margins, rising material costs and the diversification of retail channels were among the many challenges faced...

BORDER CROSSING; WHETHER IT'S SOMEWHAT SIMILAR PRODUCTS OR LESS OBVIOUS ACCESSORIES, MANUFACTURERS ARE LOOKING TO OTHER CATEGORIES IN AN EFFORT TO GIVE SALES A BOOST.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Carla Webb O'Connor, Allison Zisko contributed to this report NEW YORK-In much the same way that photo album manufacturers had to turn to scrapbooks to grow their business, many photo frame companies are adding new categories to...

CHANGING CHANNELS; MASS MERCHANTS STILL LEAD IN SALES WHILE DEPARTMENT STORES FALL OUT OF THE PICTURE.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Allison Zisko NEW YORK-Department stores are fading from the picture when it comes to sales of photo frames. Although they still account for about one-fifth of all sales, their strength in the category has diminished as they...

WHITE GOODS, VAC COMPANIES EARN GOOD BUYS.
December 12, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty NEW YORK-There's usually a vacuum cleaner and a major appliance among the winners of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Good Buys Awards. But the categories outdid themselves when this year's awards were announced,...

GROOMING FOR SUCCESS.(christmas business and personal care product sales)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Jennifer White NEW YORK-This year, retailers pushed the holidays into consumers' consciousness even earlier, a move that also likely triggered the annual panic over gift-giving weeks earlier. Of course, housewares retailers had...

NEWS: DYSON...RUBBERMAID...MAMY.
December 12, 2005... DYSON is giving a working small DC07 upright as a holiday premium to each consumer who buys a vacuum cleaner. The English manufacturer said it's also donating hundreds of the toys to children's charities in and around Chicago, its American...

POLDER-WESCO DEAL KEEPS PRICES SHARP.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Bernard ATLANTA-The recently signed development and distribution deal between Polder and Wesco GmbH brings together Polder's sourcing contacts with Wesco's high-end designs. The result is that Polder will now be able to...

HOOVER STARTS SHIPPING NEW Z BAGLESS TO SEARS.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty NEW YORK-Hoover is beginning to ship to Sears its Z bagless upright, a feature-laden machine that folds down to perform as a canister. The segmented unit was designed in response to the increase in homes with multiple...

BSH TOUTS VERSATILITY OF ITS NEW THERMADOR FREEDOM LINE.(BSH Home Appliances Corp.)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Gerry Beatty NEW YORK-BSH has developed full-sized refrigerator modules -- independent chilling and freezing columns -- for "full flexibility around the kitchen of your dreams." Michael Bohn, director of brand marketing, also...

NEWS: CONSUMER DEBT...DILLARD'S...WHIRLPOOL CORP.
December 12, 2005... CONSUMER DEBT dropped more than $7 billion in October, with more than $5.8 billion of that in "non-revolving credit," largely auto loans and mortgages. The decline, after seasonal adjustments, reflected a drop of 4 percent on an annual basis,...

ELECTRONICS SALES HELP TO IMPROVE COSTCO'S FIRST QUARTER BOTTOM LINE.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Costco had double-digit sales and earnings gains for the most recent quarter, thanks in part to a lift in electronics volume. The wholesaler recorded a 12 percent net income increase to $215.8 million,...

THE HFN STOCK INDEX.(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Manufacturers dragged down the HFN Index for the Dec. 1 to 8 period, declining 5.9 percent. Oneida plummeted 27.08 percent to close at 70 cents, following news of a double-digit sales loss for the most recent quarter. Retailers declined 0.41...

SAVING GRACES.(Sotheby)(18th annual Holiday Bazaar)(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... There's no denying that even the weell-heeled love a bargain. Crowds of people flocked to Sotheby's to snap up the well-priced goodies at the 18th annual Holiday Bazaar for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, a large tag sale of sorts that...

GLAD TIDINGS.("The Jonathan Adler Book -- My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living" written by Jonathan Adler )(Brief Article)
December 12, 2005... Byline: Michael D. Devine The invitation read, "Get happy" -- and the Jonathan Adler book signing for his latest work, "The Jonathan Adler Book -- My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living" delivered. The happening was hosted by Domino...

THE TOP 10 STORIES OF 2005.(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Many of The largest got even larger. Mergers and acquisitions dueled for headlines with natural disasters during 12 months of non-stop drama.

GRIBETZ BIDS FAREWELL TO MACY'S.(Lester Gribetz to leave Macy's Home Store)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK-Lester Gribetz is relinquishing the highest-ranking fashion post at Macy's Home Store. The centralized home buying arm of Federated department stores has yet to determine if it will fill Gribetz's senior...

BJ'S WHOLESALE ON INVESTORS' RADAR.(BJ's Wholesale Club Inc.)
December 19, 2005... Byline: Vicki M. Young NEW YORK-BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. is the latest leveraged buyout target in the retail sector as several heavy hitters within the merger-and-acquisition and real estate sectors are currently conducting extensive due...

HOME PAGE.
December 19, 2005... A LOOK AHEAD Bed Bath & Beyond will report its third-quarter sales and earnings on Dec. 21. New home sales for November will be released by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau on Dec. 23. Existing home sales for November...

REINVENTION IN MODERATION.(home furnishings market strategy)
December 19, 2005... Byline: Arnold J. Karr Nowadays, people don't change. Nor do they go back to the drawing board and develop something new. Generally, they reinvent. Individuals, organizations and businesses all have focused on taking existing systems...

SEARS BOWS HOLIDAY STORES IN MANHATTAN.(Sears, Roebuck and Co. opens three stores)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau NEW YORK- Sears opened three temporary holiday stores in Manhattan-one in Times Square and two in-store shops in Kmart, its sister chain-to test the retailer's performance in the Big Apple, where it has no store...

THE HFN STOCK INDEX.(Stock price indexes)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... Manufacturers led the HFN Index for the Dec. 8 to 15 period, gaining 2.33 percent. The group was partly driven by Applica's 10.94 percent increase to close at $1.42. The manufacturer recently named a new interim chief operating officer. Oneida,...

GOURMET SHOW FINDS TEMPORARY '07 HOME.
December 19, 2005... Byline: Jessica Goldbogen Harlan NEW YORK-The Las Vegas Gourmet Housewares Show will move temporarily to Orlando, Fla., in 2007, along with the National Hardware Show, which first co-located with the gourmet show earlier this year. ...

AS FISCAL PICTURE BRIGHTENS, ONEIDA MAPS COURSE TOWARD CONTINUED TURNAROUND.
December 19, 2005... Byline: Michael Rudnick NEW YORK-Oneida Inc.'s financial situation looks to be improving, as the tabletop manufacturer's narrowed loss for its most recent quarter also represents a consecutive earnings improvement. The dinnerware and...

WAL-MART PURCHASES SONAE'S IN BRAZIL.(Sonae Distribuicao Brasil acquired)(Brief Article)
December 19, 2005... NEW YORK-Strengthening its presence in Brazil, Wal-Mart Stores has purchased Sonae's retail operations in Brazil, which include 140 hypermarkets, supermarkets and wholesale units. The transaction is valued at approximately $757 million. ...

CORRECTION.
December 19, 2005... The story on Hunter Lighting Group in the Nov. 21 issue of HFN should have read that Nick Anderson reports to Todd Langner, president.

2005'S TOP 10 STORIES; HFN'S LOOK AT THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS OF THE YEAR COVERS EVERYTHING FROM THE SHRINKING FIELD OF RETAIL TO A GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON CHARGEBACKS.
December 19, 2005... Byline: Barbara Thau, Michael Rudnick, Gerry Beatty, Leticia Leizens, Nancy Meyer, Carla Webb O'Connor, Nathan Weber 1. Consolidation Fever 2005 will go down in the record books as the year of the big retail merge and purge. The...

QUICK TAKES: PAUL MCDONOUGH...WESTPOINT HOME...DALE TIFFANY.
December 19, 2005... RETAIL PAUL MCDONOUGH, executive vice president and chief financial officer of BJ's Wholesale Club, has resigned. McDonough, who has served as chief financial officer since May, left the retailer to return to the insurance industry, the...