Home Accents Today articles from August 2005

Home Accents Today archives from August 2005

The Las Vegas buzz.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... With much fanfare, glitz and glamour, the Las Vegas World Market Center opened last month and a whole lot of people came to see it--about 62,000 people at final count. Certainly that number isn't all buyers, but a majority of it is. More...

Both sides of the story: Las Vegas market debuts.(researching the trends in market)
August 1, 2005... THE OVERALL FEELING for those attending and exhibiting at the Las Vegas Market last month is it was a resounding success, though as expected with any new venture, there are some kinks to work out. Some buyers were enthralled with the myriad...

Art & Frame Direct expanding High Point showrooms.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ART & FRAME DIRECT has hired a Florida architectural firm to design a second floor addition to the former Casa Bique showroom it purchased in High Point's high-end Hamilton/Wrenn area. Construction will start immediately after the October...

Enesco sues to uphold exclusivity rights.
August 1, 2005... ENESCO GROUP, INC. filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Department 56 Inc., Sunshine Productions Inc., Kevin Knowles and Jim Shore Designs Inc. Enesco's complaint alleges Jim Shore Designs is breaching provisions related to a...

New CEO changes direction, location for Frederick Cooper.
August 1, 2005... FREDERICK COOPER and its Tyndale division are moving to a new building with its new investor group in leadership positions. The company, which announced plans to downsize and move earlier this year, expects to complete the move to 5750 W....

Trading spaces star debuts lighting line with HMH.(Harris Marcus Home )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Doug Wilson, who introduced a collection of portable lamps at Harris Marcus Home at the Las Vegas Market, shows off the shade lining of one of his lamps. Wilson, star of Trading Spaces and author of Doug's Rooms, said his three collections for...

AF Lighting signs Candice Olson.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... AF LIGHTING, A division of Interline Brands, will launch The Candice Olson Collection at the Las Vegas Market next January. Interior designer Candice Olson, who is also a contributing editor for Home Magazine and Women's Day magazine, is known...

NRF releases list of Top 100 specialty retailers.(National Retail Federation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... AFTER A YEAR of consolidations and mergers among department, drug and grocery stores, specialty stores are gaining a wider market share, making them a force in retailing, according to the 2005 Top 100 Specialty Retailers ranking by the National...

OneCoast to open new showroom in New York.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... NATIONAL SALES representative agency OneCoast will launch its new home showroom in the Chelsea High Line area of New York Aug. 13-18 during the New York International Gift Fair. OneCoast Northeast Home will mark the launch with new line...

Art Dreams Home debuts in Vegas.
August 1, 2005... Art Dreams Home, a new company to the furnishings market scene, created this snazzy accent table in honor of the Vegas show. Owner Don Koszyk and his wife Kathleen, who does most of the design work, have been in the business as a private-label...

Manne adds Dimensions to her brand.(Liora Manne)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... LIORA MANNE, a leader in the textile industry known for blending art and technology to create original designs for floor coverings, fashion accessories and home furnishings, is adding a new rug collection called Dimensions to her brand. The...

It's easy being green.(Erika Reade )
August 1, 2005... DURING A RECENT trip to Atlanta I visited a slew of great stores. Interestingly enough I found a common denominator among several of them, which ranged from predominantly gift stores to furniture and home accent to home and garden. The...

Style shine on.
August 1, 2005... Cool silver tones on metal designs make a statement with shining surfaces and a hard rock edge. Classic styling turns up the luxe factor with finishes ranging from nickel to silver and pewter. It's not only metallic coloring that's grabbing...

Top 50 home accent retailers.
August 1, 2005... ACCOUNTING FOR ALMOST 48% of all home accents sales last year, the top 50 retailers rang up $30.8 billion in home accent sales in 2004, up 6.2% from 2003. The Top 50 sold home accent products through 31,302 stores last year, a net gain of 1,710...

Franz Collection: with a strong sales pace, Franz Collection celebrates 3rd anniversary, continues aggressive new product rollout.
August 1, 2005... In the three years since artist and entrepreneur Francis Chen founded Franz Collection Inc., the company has written a new chapter in the world of' decorative accessories, having created a beautiful line of porcelain tableware, vases,...

18 Karat: 18 Karat serves up new flatware, dinnerware patterns for summer markets.(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
August 1, 2005... Creative eating deserves some inspiration not only from the food, but also from the dinnerware and flatware that is used, says Maureen Welton, co-thunder of 18 Karat. To that end, the company continues to expand its line with creative products...

MoMo Panache: MoMo Panache serves up casual elegance with tableware lines for modern brides.(Company Profile)
August 1, 2005... MoMo Panache, an innovative leader in colortul, handcrafted collections of glassware, ceramics and art glass, has introduced a number of new lines for modern brides with a flair for casual entertaining. Beach Club, Milano, Henna, Medina, Cirque...

Peggy Karr: Peggy Karr glass broadens reach of distinctive product line.
August 1, 2005... With a strong focus on broadening the reach of its well-established, functional artware line, Peggy' Karr Glass continues to make a stronger push into the home decor market. Now complementing the company's trademark decorative plates are a...

The proverbial spot on the wall may be worth $5.94 billion this year.(special report: Wall Decor)
August 1, 2005... HOME ACCENT TODAY's exclusive 2004 Universe Study (published December 2004) reported the wall decor category accounted for 9% of the 2004 home accent universe and garnered $5.75 billion in retail sales. Wall decor is projected to grow 3.4% this...

The code of chic.(NEW YORK SKETCHBOOK)
August 1, 2005... At the forefront of contemporary design is a movement toward chic, elegant style. Not one ounce of cutting-edge style is lost; rather, this look blends artsy and hip with one fell swoop. Look for traditional forms to be refined and modernized...

New products: summer shows.
August 1, 2005... With the addition of the Las Vegas show to the summer market schedule, we have expanded our new product introductions. This summer, we feature more than 125 companies premiering designs at shows across the country. For your convenience,...

Ankasa.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... Decorative pillows with a contemporary flair debut. Ultrasuede dots and embroidery pack a graphic punch in a soft, subdued palette ($510). Multicolored, variegated stripes lend an edgy vibe to the wool knit Vertigo Collection, backed with...

Art & Commerce.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... New accent furniture selections premier as well as three new finishes. The Woodruff cabinet sink (featuring a Kohler sink) is handmade and painted ($1,770), while the Gueridon side table accents an iron and tole frame with brass rosettes...

Asia Overland.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... Crafted of colorful polypropylene ribbons, these trendy totes are versatile and multifunctional, doing duty as beach bags, overnight bags, shopping bags and even picnic baskets ($13 to $95). eLink 504 Shows: New York [ILLUSTRATION...

Carrol Boyes functional art.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... Sleek and shiny, the new Wave teapot is crafted from stainless steel for ultra-contemporary appeal. An artistic freeform approach finishes out the design with a nifty spiral ($210). eLink 502 Shows: New York

Gallery Gallery.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... Vintage-themed wall art premiers this season. Double matting and a dentil-tooth frame surround a hand-colored antique coral print ($410). A distressed and weathered burl frame sets off the rustic charm of a diminutive crab print ($250). Signed...

Jeffrey Fisher Home.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... Two new mix-and-match bedding collections debut this season, featuring a chocolate linen duvet as the foundation of both ensembles. In Hazelton, the tucked linen duvet ($590 to $850) reverses to luxe baby blue ultrasuede, set off by a...

Mirage Paper.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... The Black & White Collection debuts this market, featuring bold geometric patterns, dots and flowers in notebook ($4), journal ($8) and jumbo journal ($13). Additionally, the Black Books Collection premiers, including the little black book, the...

The Sandor Collection.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... The Mattias Circle pillow debuts as part of the Contemporary Histories Collection. Fashioned of felted wool, the opulent motifs are inspired by ceiling tiles in the Mattias Church in Hungary. The pillow is offered in a choice of cranberry and...

Snickelldoodles.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... Seasonal products premier this show cycle. Mother's Day Pillows feature a decorative flower bead fringe and whimsical "I Love Morn" saying in Spanish ($20). The Zebra Christmas Stocking offers a twist on traditional holiday fare with a...

Suburban Silk.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... An assortment of decorative accessories debuts, including sleek, contemporary soy candle designs. Each of the five fragrances (peach, lime, seven seas, lavender and rose) is packaged in a solid glass votive, featuring a 50-hour burn time ($22)....

Union Street Glass.(New products: SUMMER SHOWS)
August 1, 2005... The Aptos table lamp debuts, offered in three shapes and six colorways. Aptos features a hand-blown glass base with a three-position switch allowing for the shade, base or both to be lighted ($550). eLink 508 Shows: New York ...

Costco is selling Picasso.(Costco Wholesale Corp.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Costco is selling Picasso. The retailer has been selling fine art prints for most of its 22 years and more recently has pushed original art and special events. Picasso's Atilier De Cannes is for sale at Costco.com for about $130,000; the...

Cosa Mesa, Calif.-based Anna's Linens opened its 200th store at the Silverado Ranch Shopping Center in Las Vegas July 28.(textile industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Cosa Mesa, Calif.-based Anna's Linens opened its 200th store at the Silverado Ranch Shopping Center in Las Vegas July 28. The grand opening broke the record for sales volume in the first hour of business for a new store. This is the company's...

Federated Department Stores.(acquires 330 Macy's locations nationwide)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Federated Department Stores will add about 330 Macy's locations nationwide in 2006 as it converts regional department store nameplates to be acquired through its merger with May Department Stores. The following stores will be renamed Macy's in...

Breuners Arizona.(Retail)(Breuners Home Furnishings Corp. Bags contract from Television Program Distribution Companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Breuners Arizona has been named the exclusive furniture partner for ABC 15 Sonoran Living TV show. Recently, the Breuners design team did a makeover on the set. Breuners' buyer Jami Myers will be featured on the morning show twice a month...

Nebraska Furniture Mart.(Retail)(expansion in furniture industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Nebraska Furniture Mart is expanding its Kansas City campus warehouse by 360,000 square feet. The company breaks ground next month and expects to complete the job by fall 2006. The warehouse, which will grow to 622,000 square feet, will...

W.S. Badcock.(Retail)(Planning For An Expansion In Retail Industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... W.S. Badcock plans to open up to nine stores in North Carolina in the next three years. The retailer entered the Triad area, which includes Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point, last year with the opening of a distribution center. The...

Design Within Reach.(Retail)
August 1, 2005... Design Within Reach, which sells through its Web site, catalog and 51 studio locations, will introduce sheets, blankets and bedding accessories this fall to its lineup of modern furniture and accessories. Karen John, who recently was named...

Seductive specimens.(Current: ALL THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE)
August 1, 2005... Driven by a horror of bugs and other creepy crawlies, Christopher Marley's fear slowly turned to fascination, even if it was out of desperation to avoid insects. Today, he creates unique art out of actual specimens under the name of Form and...

First glass.(Current: ALL THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE)
August 1, 2005... Ariel introduced its first-ever lighting collection in Dallas, designed to complement, but not match, current wall art offerings. Hand-blown glass table lamps feature hand-painted shades, but are also sold with a solid white silk shade for a...

Sea-worthy.(Current: ALL THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE)
August 1, 2005... Gracious Living, a six-month-old tabletop and accessory company, is going for the Wow! factor. "It's been a knockout reaction," said Jay Weinstein, president. "People walk past and do a double-take." While designs run the gamut from...

Glam rocks.(Current: ALL THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE)
August 1, 2005... A little bling is a good thing, says Manorisms owner Merilyn Konnerth. Even better if the bling is Swarovski-encrusted earphones for your Ipod. Thanks to Manorisms' new Shuga Buds, listening to music has been elevated to a swank, stylish form...

Hail Britannia.(Current: ALL THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE)
August 1, 2005... Bath House, a bath and body line from the picturesque Lake District area of England, makes its cross-Atlantic debut this month. Bath House offers lush, intoxicating scents like Spanish Fig & Walnut and Indian Ginger & Orchid as well as...

Floored.(Current: ALL THINGS WORTHY OF NOTE)
August 1, 2005... This past July, Shaw Living and Kathy Ireland Home debuted a new rug collection inspired by the traditional, yet modern quilts of Gee's Bend. Acclaimed as modern folk art, the exquisite hand-sewn quilts are designed by women of the Gee's Bend...

Art glass mod squad.(DESIGN DIRECTIONS)
August 1, 2005... Sleek and sultry, contemporary styling marks the best in art glass designs. While voluptuous forms are still ever so shapely, the current look makes a thin-is-in statement as shapes are streamlined with a slimmer perspective. Curves are by no...

1996.(LOOKING BACK)
August 1, 2005... This year HAT expanded its coverage of the home accents industry with 10 issues, including two portfolios and dailies for both the Atlanta and High Point markets. We also debuted our Universe Report and published a Retail Survey.

Styles of the times.(LOOKING BACK)
August 1, 2005... * In throws and pillows luxe is hot with chenilles and mixed fabric looks coming on strong; browns beat out last season's paprikas and greens are lightening up; this category also is becoming a bit collectible as images of animals take center...

Arts Uniq'.(partnerships of Flavia Weedn)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Artist Flavia Weedn launches a line of prints with Arts Uniq'.

Tracy Porter.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Tracy Porter jumps from having one licensee, The Rug Barn, to seven as she expands her lineup.

Domain.(product introduction)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Domain owner Judy George debuts the La Cucina line in her 21 stores as cocooning and entertaining at home gain even more momentum.

Bob Timberlake.(product licensing)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Bob Timberlake teams with a residential designer and licenses Bob Timberlake homes.

Universe Study.(home furnishings industry research)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Our Universe Study shows tabletop is the biggest slice of the home accents pie with a whopping $1.4 billion in sales; rugs are next with $627 million and portable lamps are third at $587 million.

Department stores.(IN THE NEWS)(Industry Overview)
August 1, 2005... Department stores account for 81% of the home accents universe with gift stores/chains at 76%, mail order at 72% and furniture stores at 70%; overall home accents is a $19.7 billion industry.

CBK.(promotion of Randy Eller as president)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Randy Eller is promoted to president and COO of CBK.

Hilda Flack.(Hilda Flack Interiors Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Hilda Flack debuts her accessory line and Lillian August unveils her boutique concept at Drexel Heritage during the April High Point market.

New Orleans.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... New Orleans takes High Point by storm with a collection featuring furniture and accents from Councill, Sedgefield by Adams, Guildmaster, Peel & Company, NDI, Thief River Linen, Friedman Bros., Hen-Feathers and Braemore.

Newcomers.(IN THE NEWS)
August 1, 2005... Newcomers to High Point this year include Claire Murray, Bacon & Wing, Design Source, Four Hands, Nourison and Shaw Rugs.

Mary Englebreit.(IN THE NEWS)
August 1, 2005... Mary Englebreit debuts her magazine, Home Companion.

Restoration Hardware.(IN THE NEWS)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Restoration Hardware predicts sales of $40 million this year (2005 sales were $525.8 million).

HAT's Retail Survey.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... According to HAT's Retail Survey, 25% of respondents have sales of $10 million or more and home accents generate 54% of sales; tabletop and table accessories create the most sales.

Doris Houghland.(THEY SAID ...)
August 1, 2005... "Customers are much more willing to spend money because they care more about their surroundings," Doris Houghland, Peppercorn, Boulder, Colo.

Warren Kimble.(THEY SAID ...)
August 1, 2005... "All art is the product of one's environment and experience. I suppose if I was living in the city I'd be painting tall buildings in a single bound," Warren Kimble, artist.

Judy George.(THEY SAID ...)
August 1, 2005... "Decorative accessories are a great test market for where the customer is going," Judy George, Domain, Norwood, Mass.

Stephen West.(THEY SAID ...)
August 1, 2005... "The real competitor in wall decor is the open store plan," Stephen West, Somerset Studios.

Lynne Yurosko.(THEY SAID ...)
August 1, 2005... "The more you offer the more people see, the more they buy," Lynne Yurosko, Robb & Stucky, Fort Myers, Fla.

Forrest Covin.(THEY SAID ...)
August 1, 2005... "Whimsical lamps that can be incorporated into a more casual lifestyle are top sellers," Forrest Covin, Covins, Dallas.

America in 1996.(LOOKING BACK)
August 1, 2005... * Jan. 1 After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone vitamin * Jan. 8 Blizzard buries eastern U.S. causing at least 50 deaths * Jan. 21 53th Golden Globes: Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, John Travolta * Jan. 27 Germany...

Domestic shows.(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... SEPTEMBER 2005 10-13 Atlanta Fall Gift & Accessories Market. AmericasMart. 800-285-6278, americasmart.com 10-13 Boston Gift Show. Bayside Exposition Center. 800-272-7469 or 914-421-3244, Fax: 914-948-6180, bostongiftshow.com 11-12...

Layering images, for a magic carpet ride.(Portrait)(Manne's brand in the name of lamontage)
August 1, 2005... THE BACK STORY Growing up in Jerusalem, Liora Manne never dreamed of becoming an artist. "I was always artistic, but in Israel I grew up with the idea that artists were revered and being an artist wasn't something everyone could do or that...

Editor's note.
August 1, 2005... NO DOUBT YOU HAVE NOTICED the introduction of miniature garden tools, gloves and more during recent trade shows. Kids gardening is steadily becoming a larger piece of the pie as specialty retailers expand their offerings to include these items....

Maple Hill Designs launches bird collection.(news)
August 1, 2005... MAPLE HILL DESIGNS, Waccabac, N.Y., opened this summer with an introduction of shelters and feeders for wild birds. Owner and creative director Peter Fein is an admitted avid birdwatcher and was working one day, building a small stone barn,...

Woodstream debuts Havahart ClearView bird feeders.(news)
August 1, 2005... WOODSTREAM HAS added ClearView birdfeeders to its Havahart Garden Radiance Collection. "We are working to ensure that the Havahart Garden Radiance line offers consumers decorative and functional choices while addressing common birdfeeding...

NY International Gift Fair will launch Outdoor Living area.(news)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE NEW YORK International Gift Fair, to be held Aug. 13-18 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers, will expand to include an Outdoor Living focus area. The area will be added to the show's current Floral...

HGTV to air Hardware Show special.(news)(Trade Shows In Hardware Industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THIS SEPTEMBER, HGTV will air its annual special on the National Hardware Show on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST, and Sunday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m. EST. It will feature 30 to 40 of the hottest products in the home improvement...

Woodstock chimes honors medical breakthrough, names new sales manager.(news)(Woodstock Percussion Appoints Betsy Harrington )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... THE ETHEREAL TONES of the Transformations Wind Chime by Woodstock Chimes are dedicated to thousands of organ donors, patients, researchers and caregivers who have made transplant surgery a life-sustaining reality. The orchestral...

Border concepts acquires International Pottery Alliance.(news)(Acquisitions In Garden Equipment Industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... BORDER CONCEPTS, the Charlotte, N.C.-based manufacturer of steel edging and garden items, has acquired International Pottery Alliance. IPA, founded in 1986, provides a collection of pottery from worldwide manufacturers. The company will join...

Time goes by with Haddonstone.(news)(A New Decorative From Landscape Industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... HADDONSTONE USA has introduced the Crescent sundial, a timepiece that complements the Brass Dial and Armillary Sphere designs in the Haddonstone Collection. The crescent holds the Gnomon, which casts a shadow on to the hour band,...

Planting seeds: kids offer retailers another garden market.
August 1, 2005... SEVERAL COMPANIES HAVE COME TO MARKET recently showcasing a new or expanded kids line of garden products. From seed packets to miniature garden tools and even garden apparel, there's no doubt retailers should take note of this category. ...

Dining alfresco.(merchandising)
August 1, 2005... SUMMER WILL BE OVER BEFORE WE KNOW IT, but there's still plenty of time for outdoor dining and entertaining. Why not plant the seed of dining au plein air in your customers' minds with a fun and easy display showcasing everything they need to...

On the brink of transformation: Angel Gardens, Gainesville, Fla.(retail profile)(Angel Garden )(Company Profile)
August 1, 2005... Pamela Greenewald opened her garden store in 1991 in a tiny garage adjacent to a friend's antique store in High Springs, Fla. She'd purchased an antique angel collection around the same time, which lent itself to the name of the store, Angel...

Sitting pretty.(product spotlight)
August 1, 2005... GARDEN BENCHES create a place of solitude in the outdoors, a place where homeowners can sit back, relax and enjoy nature's beauty. Many designs center around that idea, and the benches showcased here use natural elements to construct the accent...

Garden of inspiration.(product spotlight)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... DESIGNERS HAVE THE YARD COVERED with statuary for the garden. Whether inspired by Eastern influences or medieval gothic style, or featured as cute woodland creatures or heavenly cherubs, there is a statue to appeal to every consumer. Check out...

Woodstock Copperworks launches Coastal group.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... WOODSTOCK Copperworks launched the Coastal group, an expansion of its Silhouettes Window Thermometer line. The group includes a jumping marlin in purple, a lighthouse in aqua and a sailboat in yellow. The new designs also are available in...