HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network articles from June 2008

HFN The Weekly Newspaper for the Home Furnishing Network archives from June 2008

In tough business climate, retailers turn to accessories.(home page)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK -- Accessorize: That's what home retailers are urging shoppers to do as the downturn in the economy and housing malaise has taken the wind out of home goods sales. The implicit message is that while cash-strapped shoppers won't...

Is GE appliances headed abroad?(news)
June 2, 2008... FAIRFIELD, Conn.-The General Electric appliances division, manufacturer of one of America's iconic product lineups for more than 80 years, could be headed for foreign ownership. The mid-May announcement that the industrial giant is...

Experts: Linens' interim CEO will take financial approach.(news)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK -- Michael Gries, the interim chief executive officer and chief restructuring officer of bankrupt Linens'n Things, is no merchant. He's a restructuring executive with an accounting background, whose specialty is examining the...

Correction.(news)(Correction notice)
June 2, 2008... The rug licensee for the Walt Disney Signature collection was misidentified in the April 21 issue of HFN. The Rug Market is the licensee.

Target's home sales tepid in Q1.(news)
June 2, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS-Target posted "disappointing" sales dues to the weak economic environment for its first quarter, with home pulling in "essentially flat" results, said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman and chief executive officer, during a conference call...

Very Vera: Wang's partnership with Kohl's exposes the designer's style to a wider audience.(licensing)(Cover story)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK -- Vera Wang is a study in contrasts. She made her name in high-priced, near-couture-level wedding gowns, yet her newest success is several layers down the retail food chain at midtier Kohl's. She is very much the epitome of...

Captive audience: retailers are finding success with licensed products kept exclusively in-house.(licensing)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Captive brands--well-known licensed brands that are exclusive to specific retailers--are the latest chapter in a long history of licensed products in home furnishings. As is often the case with...

Quite Contemporary.(trends)
June 2, 2008... The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, the quintessential domestic show for daring and dramatic design, more than lived up to its reputation this year. The green theme was not lost on this crowd, with companies around every bend calling...

Bringback the basements.(HOME ALONE 2)
June 2, 2008... Sometimes an oldie is still a goodie. That's why department stores should bring back their bargain basements. I know, I know. They've spent years trying to trade up and get rid of their images as purveyors of schlock. And yes, back in...

On the road again.(trade show preview)
June 2, 2008... Home furnishings vendors and retailers will soon start packing their bags for the next round of trade shows. HFN's exclusive Trade Show Preview lists all of the important events and updates on changes and special programs as, like a band of...

United States of aspirations: exhibitors at the Global Home Textiles/Global Home Decor shows were optimistic about building their U.S. business.(textiles)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LAS VEGAS -- Despite the uncertainty over both the U.S. and world economies, exhibitors at the combined Global Home Textiles/Global Home Decor shows in Las Vegas last month said they think the time is now right for...

Perchance to dream.(opinions)
June 2, 2008... The media has been blanketed with articles and research about how consumers are worrying more about the quality of their sleep. Mattress vendors have responded with advertising directing shoppers toward their mattresses as ways to improve their...

1 Calvin Klein Home.
June 2, 2008... 1 Calvin Klein Home [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The imported Palm bed ensemble by Calvin Klein Home follows the minimalist design orientation established by this collection when it was launched in the mid-1990s. This ensemble is designed...

2 Springs.
June 2, 2008... 2 Springs [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Twilight colors of silver and pale lilac provide the palette for Court of Versailles' new Aurora bed ensemble. Pucker effects enhance and add dimension to the collection's jacquard/damask weave. The...

3 Croscill.
June 2, 2008... 3 Croscill [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ashwin ensemble from Croscill features an allover stylized print, along with a flange of sage green faux silk that surrounds three sides of the comforter. It reverses to an antique gold polyester/...

4 Ralph Lauren Home.
June 2, 2008... 4 Ralph Lauren Home [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Retro is the style that characterizes the Ralph Lauren Home Barrymore collection. It's designed with a clean navy blue and white palette that complements the simple stripes and deco-dot...

5 Nautica home.
June 2, 2008... 5 Nautica home [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fresh and contemporary is the style point behind Nautica's Westwind bed ensemble. Also part of the ensemble are European shams, standard shams, a square toss pillow, a boudoir toss pillow and...

The name almost says it all: while more licensed products are making their way to the floor, many say it's the item's quality that makes the difference.(floor covering)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Licensed rugs are on the rise as everything from magazine titles, interior designers and celebrity chefs find a home in the floor covering industry. "Licensing gives more attention to a particular rug...

Woolshire unveils new eco-friendly carpet backing.(floor covering)
June 2, 2008... CALHOUN, Ga. -- Woolshire Carpet Mills is upping the green factor of its already sustainable wool carpets by offering an optional EnviroCel backing. The soy-based backing from Universal Textile Technologies is designed specifically for the...

Artistic Tile to open 2nd NY showroom.(floor covering)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK -- Artistic Tile is set to open another retail showroom in New York this summer. The 3,500-square-foot showroom will be located in Manhasset, on Long Island's North Shore. The opening comes quickly on the heels of the opening...

NY Historical Society hosts Exotic Rug Exhibit.(floor covering)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] NEW YORK -- The New York Historical Society is currently hosting an exhibition that explores New Yorkers' longtime fascination with Oriental rugs. Woven Splendor From Timbuktu to Tibet: Exotic Rugs and Textiles...

Homefires gets a jump on the holidays.(floor covering)
June 2, 2008... ATLANTA -- Following a successful pre-booking program last spring, Homefires is offering the same early-look option to its customers for the upcoming holiday season. The Holiday PreBook program offers retailers an early glimpse of the...

Attractive ImmCologne: the home fair uses high technology and enhanced design and business trend forecasting to lure more American buyers.(furniture & lighting)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] NEW YORK -- As trade shows feel the effects of a challenging global economy, they must constantly reinvent themselves with new features to offer the best experience for their guests. ImmCologne, is doing just...

Furniture Brands wants to focus on the brands.(floor covering)
June 2, 2008... HIGH POINT, N.C. -- While the battle goes on at the corporate level for who will ultimately control Furniture Brands International, at the furniture level the new executives running the business said they are making progress in their efforts to...

Can brighter days return? As economic conditions worsen, both vendors and retailers try to adapt.(LIGHTING REPORT)
June 2, 2008... THE OUTLOOK HAS dimmed in the residential lighting market, as vendors and retailers come to grips with the most challenging economic environment in memory. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What's different today from past recessions is the depth...

Fixtures in a fix: as consumers do less remodeling, the hardwire segment is feeling the impact.(LIGHTING REPORT)
June 2, 2008... THE HARDWIRE LIGHTING BUSINESS has fallen on hard times. Directly attributable to the sharp decrease in new home construction and a subsequent decline in remodeling, the lighting fixture business plummeted 15 percent in 2007, to $2.6...

Dimming the lights: the portable lamp business saw a decrease in sales, compared with the prior year.(LIGHTING REPORT)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THE PORTABLE LAMP business decreased by 8 percent in 2007 as a reflection of the overall malaise at retail. The category, which encompasses all manner of styles, from basic student desk lamps to high-end crystal...

Should the buyers beware?(LIGHTING REPORT)
June 2, 2008... LIGHTING RETAILERS ACROSS THE channels are being affected by today's tough economy. The two lighting market-share leaders, Home Depot and Lowe's, have cut back on store growth and are focusing on managing inventories, according to vendors....

The impact on imports.(LIGHTING REPORT)
June 2, 2008... THE DOMESTIC HOUSING DOWNTURN, WHICH has had a predictably harsh impact on retail sales of home furnishings in general, has finally put a dent in imports of lighting fixtures. That is somewhat surprising, because imports to this country do...

Wal-Mart lights the way: compact fluorescents gain ground in unit sales and market share, thanks to the retailer.(LIGHTING REPORT)
June 2, 2008... LEAVE IT TO WAL-MART TO TRANSFORM A MARKET. By setting a goal to sell 100 million compact fluorescent light bulbs in 2007, and then exceeding it, the mega-retailer helped catapult the overall retail market and market share of CFLs. ...

The great divide.(opinions)
June 2, 2008... On its surface, a three-day, midweek tabletop show is a great idea. The new schedule, the result of a well-intentioned poll by 41 Madison Ave., creates a concentrated time flame that imparts a sense of urgency and vitality to a sluggish...

Lalique looks ahead.(tabletop)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK--As he develops the Lalique brand around the world, Silvio Denz, the new chief executive officer, is hewing close to the philosophy of company founder Rene Lalique, who believed in "art in every place." Denz, chairman of Art &...

Clarification.(tabletop)(Correction notice)
June 2, 2008... Oneida's new Culinaria dinnerware program is made of stoneware, clarifying the description of it in the May 19 issue.

Vibrant Vegas: colorful statements were made in the product introductions at the Gourmet Housewares Show.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Though many stars shine in Las Vegas, inside the Sands Convention Center it was all about color, as companies included a vibrant range of hues in their product lines at the recent Gourmet Housewares...

Henckels looks to go premium with deal for Staub.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... SOLINGEN, Germany -- J.A. Henckels' plan to acquire French cookware manufacturer Group Staub is near completion, according to the company. Final details were expected to be resolved at the end of May, but were unavailable at press time. ...

Quickie addresses environmentalism, bacteria with new products.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... CINNAMINSON, N.J. -- Quickie is addressing today's hot topics in the cleaning category and beyond with new product lines that battle bacteria, are kind to the environment and even have a fashionable edge. Michael Magerman, chief executive...

1 Emerilware.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... 1 Emirilware The new Emerilware enameled cast iron line includes four pieces such as this 5quart Cassoulet soup pot. Finished with a Gulf blue high-gloss enamel and having an ivory interior, the line is 100 percent lead- and cadmium-free....

2 Linden Sweden.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... 2 Linden Sweden The Cut N Roll cutter has a plastic blade that is sharp enough to cut through pizza, dough, sandwiches, vegetables and more, but not sharp enough to be dangerous to kids. Its palm shape makes it fit easily into one's hand...

3 Bugatti.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... 3 Bugatti Making coffee in the morning just got a little more fun. The VuIcano coffeemaker is constructed of aluminum with a heat-resistant lid and handle, and crowned with a red flourish. For stove-top use, it comes in 1-, 3- and 6-cup...

4 Norpro.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... Norpro Ice cream gets easier to scoop out with the GRIP.EZ Aqua Ice Cream Scoop, as its handle can be filled with warm water for effortless use. The 7-inch handle is of non-skid santoprene for a solid yet soft grip. Twelve scoops are...

5 Mark Feldstein & Associates.(housewares)
June 2, 2008... 5 Mark Feldstein & Associates This travel-size UV-C Light Sterilizer--also available in a cell-phone.like size--kills 99 percent of germs, bacteria and viruses in seconds. Regular ultraviolet can take up to three hours to eliminate germs,...

South Korea emerging as key exporter to the U.S.: the tiny nation dominates exports of laundry equipment to the U.S.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
June 2, 2008... IS SOUTH KOREA BECOMING THE NEW China? Not in overall economic power, certainly, but perhaps in major appliances, where the tiny nation--less than 1 percent the size of its gargantuan neighbor in square miles--already dominates exports of...

Destination gap narrows between Sears, Home Centers: Lowe's and Home Depot continue to gain market share.(MAJOR APPLIANCES REPORT)
June 2, 2008... IT WAS NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT THE overwhelmingly favorite destination for major appliances by consumers was Sears. Over the past decade, however, that institution, an icon of American retailing, has watched the destination gap shrink between...

Muji opening U.S. flagship in New York.(news)
June 2, 2008... NEW YORK -- Muji U.S.A. Limited was scheduled to open Muji Times Square, its U.S. flagship store, in the New York Times Building at 620 Eighth Ave. on May 30. The store marks the second Muji location in the United States for the Japanese...

Housing downturn, price increases lead to drop in Lowe's profits, sales.(news)(Financial report)
June 2, 2008... MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Pointing to the housing meltdown, fuel and food price increases, and rising unemployment, Lowe's reported an 18 percent drop in net earnings to $607 million for the first quarter ended May 2. During the same period a year...

Blooming design.(HFend)
June 2, 2008... Traditional Home and the New York Design Center hosted their fourth annual Design in Bloom party at the McGuire showroom recently to celebrate fresh design and up-and-coming designers. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Locally grown talent.(HFend)
June 2, 2008... Adding to Brooklyn's growing reputation as a New York creative hub, BKLYN Designs 2008 showcased the talents of the borough's up-and-coming designers. The event was spread out to four locations in Brooklyn's DUMBO district. [ILLUSTRATIONS...

Difficult Climate Slams Williams-Sonoma in Q1.(home page)
June 16, 2008... SAN FRANCISCO -- West Elm and Williams-Sonoma Home were bright spots in an overall dreary report from Williams-Sonoma Inc. regarding its first quarter ended May 5. The corporation's lackluster performance was more a reflection of the poor...

Traditional home's best.(home page)
June 16, 2008... Traditional Home recently conducted an extensive research study to determine what brands consumers consider as the best style icons. The research helped editors formulate the annual "Best of Everything" June/July issue currently on newsstands....

New owners set to shape a different Sharper Image.(news)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- What does the future hold for Sharper Image? Will it be a retailer again or will it just be a brand? Sharper Image was purchased by a joint-venture group consisting of Hilco Consumer Capital, Gordon Brothers Brands and...

Muji makes Manhattan site of its U.S. flagship.(news)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Muji U.S.A. Limited recently opened Muji Times Square, its U.S. flagship store, in The New York Times Building at 620 Eighth Ave. The store marks the second Muji location in the United States for the Japanese...

Correction.(news)(Correction notice)
June 16, 2008... In the May 19 issue of HFN, on page 28, a photo of a ceramic lamp from Fangio was misidentified as a lamp by Croscill.

The Yankees are going abroad to build business.(news)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- As U.S. consumer spending continues to slow, retailers across distribution channels are setting their sights abroad. Merchants such as Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel are laying the groundwork for international...

Trade--offs.(HOME ALONE 2)
June 16, 2008... In this election year, all kinds of people are saying all kinds of things about world trade, free trade, trade restrictions, rejections, inspections, and all kinds of mean and nasty things about trade. Some of it may actually be true. But a...

Passing the Torch: Murray Feiss and family are stepping back from one of the most successful residential lighting companies in the industry.(tribute)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- Lighting giant Murray Feiss and his family have stepped back from the company they built over the past six decades, and are leaving a legacy of hard work and dedication. Feiss, 81, has been praised as a visionary, whose...

Industry colleagues share warm feelings for Feiss family.(tribute)
June 16, 2008... Godfather of the lighting industry, icon, mentor: These are just a few terms of endearment for Murray Feiss by his competitors, customers, sales representatives and friends. "Murray's my business hero," said Bill Winsor, Dallas Market...

CEO Vandia: keeping 'family feel' is key.(tribute)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- As the Feiss family steps aside, Greg Vandia, president of Murray Feiss Lighting, is striving to maintain the family atmosphere and strong relationships, while constantly looking for ways to improve the company. In a recent...

The shinning star: more visitors and products will be lining the aisles at the Dallas market.
June 16, 2008... ATTENDANCE AT THIS WEEK'S Dallas Total Home & Gift Market is expected to be light, but vendors are hopeful that quality time spent with buyers will translate to sales and improved relationships. In such a tough business climate, buyers...

Opulence is best.(TOTALLY DALLAS)
June 16, 2008... The high end is in vogue, as designers pour on the style in the upper price ranges. But the look of luxury can also be had at a price, as buyers will find this market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Trump Home's Segovia chandelier from Elk...

Performance matters.(TOTALLY DALLAS)
June 16, 2008... Technology advances are making the lighting business more exciting these days, and are giving consumers more choices. New dimmable LED and fluorescent options are out, as are higher-efficacy halogen and incandescents, not to mention...

Design, naturally.(TOTALLY DALLAS)
June 16, 2008... Natural materials continue to dominate in fresh designs throughout the home, as this market reveals. While real bamboo, natural grasses, shells, stones and other media add interest to the pieces, so do close imitations. Dick Idol's new...

Light & artistry.(TOTALLY DALLAS)
June 16, 2008... Designers have worked their magic for this market, creating unique works of art, some of which combine art and light. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hubbardton Forge creates drama with its Silhouette sconce with blue light. Wilmette...

In Bed at Macy's and Bed Bath.(HEAD to HEAD)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- The contrast between Macy's bed-ensemble department and that of Bed Bath & Beyond reflects the differences in the merchandise offerings of the two major retailers. The Macy's space is dominated by the...

Christy looks to build brand in American market.(textiles)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- Can a towel translate overseas? Christy is confident that it can and, two years after being acquired by Welspun, the former British company is primed to build its brand name in the United States. Christy's 150-year-plus...

A soft spot for cotton.(floor covering)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK-Long a staple for kitchens and bathrooms, cotton rugs are gaining presence throughout the home, and insiders say it has a lot to do with the eco-friendly nature of the products. Those in the business say...

ABC Carpet moves into custom design.(floor covering)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- ABC Carpet has launched an interactive custom design station in its Modern Rug Gallery. The digital interface station allows customers the option of customizing their rug by selecting from thousands of rugs in the store and...

HGTV's Wade new Mohawk spokesman.(floor covering)
June 16, 2008... DALTON, Ga. -- Mohawk has found a celebrity spokesman in Chip Wade, carpenter and project manager on the Atlanta edition of HGTV's "Designed to Sell." The company said Wade's expertise as a both professional carpenter and home remodeling...

1 Stile BK.(hfnew at ICFF)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Stile BK In the Fumetto collection from Stile BK, designer Behrouz Kolahi experiments with the graphical basics that have long inspired pop artists, focusing on vintage American comics as inspiration for rug...

2 ABC Carpet.(hfnew at ICFF)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 ABC Carpet Leather designs from Pachamama were among the product ABC Carpet focused on during the International Contemporary Furniture Fair. The company said the promotion of its "skins" was a main focus in...

3 Bev Hisey.(hfnew at ICFF)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 Bev Hisey In the Woods I is part of a two-part series by Bev Hisey. The hand-knotted wool rugs are interpretations of two family heirlooms--oil paintings created by Hisey's grandmother. The first in the series,...

4 Gravit Zone.(hfnew at ICFF)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4 Graviti Zone The first collection of rugs from Graviti Zone feature hand-tufted wool designs based on elements of nature, such as grass, snowflakes and a slowly moving glacier, as well as products of the...

5 Nani Marquina.(hfnew at ICFF)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 5 Nani Marquina The Victoria design from Nani Marquina updates classical Imperial-style illustrations for the 21 st century. Vivid colors were chosen to pay homage to the Victorian era and its courts and palaces,...

An uncomfortable truth: matters makers are looking for ways to stop the side in sales.(MATTRESS REPORT)
June 16, 2008... NOT MANY MATTRESS VENDORS ARE getting a good night's sleep these days. Many of them are up at all hours trying to think of ways to endure what many of them consider the toughest business conditions they have encountered in some time. As...

No rest for the weary shopper: as economic conditions worsen, consumers are putting the idea of buying new mattresses on the back burner.(MATTRESS REPORT)
June 16, 2008... CONSUMERS ARE IN NO MOOD TO SHOP for mattresses with the weak economy threatening their jobs and the skyrocketing costs of both food and fuel. Retailers responding to HFN for the annual Mattress Report acknowledged that traffic is down in...

Making room for baby.(tabletop)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] NEW YORK-Babies mean big business. Sales of home furnishings and accessories for children under age 5 exceeded $9.8 billion in 2007, according to a new survey by Packaged Facts, a market research firm. These...

Steuben glass half empty or is it half full?(tabletop)
June 16, 2008... ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Chalk up another victim of the changing tastes of America. Last month, Corning Inc. said it was putting Steuben up for sale because of reportedly large losses over the past few years and a general lack of consumer...

Prairie arts brings Teco collection back to the masses with new colors.(tabletop)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEATON, ILL. -- The Arts & Crafts pottery from the early 20th century known as Teco has now been brought back by a trio of 30-somethings who are passionate about architecture and design, and want a new generation to...

Entertaining ideas.(housewares)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SEATTLE -- With its new design-oriented brand, called arta, Chef' n has begun its push into new categories such as entertaining as it reaches beyond its established food prep business. The new brand will also...

Worth the weight: CorningWare to unveil new line.(housewares)
June 16, 2008... ROSEMONT, IIl. -- To celebrate its 50th birthday, CorningWare decided to lose a little weight. Its Simply Lite line makes it retail debut next month, a mere shadow of its former self, but with the potential to be a heavy hitter. Simply...

Manufacturers helping consumers with new user-friendly products.(housewares)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- Not everyone wants to admit it but-gracefully or not--aging brings changes and challenges. Manufacturers addressing the elderly, as well as people with limited hand mobility, are bringing more products to market that help make...

Anolon to sponsor 'Slow Food Nation'.(housewares)
June 16, 2008... VALLEJO, Calif. -- Anolon will be the exclusive kitchenware sponsor of the inaugural culinary event "Slow Food Nation," which takes place in San Francisco this Labor Day weekend. Slow Food USA is a non-profit organization founded in 1989...

CLR cleaning products earn EPA seal.(housewares)
June 16, 2008... SKOKIE, III. -- The three flagship cleaning products from Jelmar--CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover, CLR Bath & Kitchen Cleaner and CLR Septic Treatment and Drain Care-have just received the Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the...

ICFF/Design Week tells its story at magazine-backed functions.(media)
June 16, 2008... NEW YORK -- The International Contemporary Furniture Fair/Design Week kicked offa host of media events to fete new collections. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] The home and media worlds collided in New York with an eye on design at...

The accent on townhouse luxe.(media)
June 16, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Southern Accents magazine's showhouse is a luxury townhouse spanning three grand floors in Regents Park in Atlanta. The urban/classic town home is spotlighted on the cover of the May/June 2008 issue of the Time Inc....