Home Accents Today articles from March 2003

Home Accents Today archives from March 2003

A state of mind. (From The Editor).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... What's it all about? Maybe it's about being young, either in chronological age or attitude. Maybe it's the 110 million Gen X and Yers beginning to make an impact on the market. Maybe it's those Boomers who refuse to grow old. Maybe...

Kenneth Jay Lane introduces home collection. (News: retailing manufacturing internet licensing marketing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... RENOWNED JEWELRY DESIGNER Kenneth Jay Lane, whose designs have been worn by the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Claudette Colbert, debuted his first home collection at the New York International Gift Fair in February....

ARTS auction set for eBay. (News: retailing manufacturing internet licensing marketing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... FOR THE FIRST TIME, this year's ARTS Awards auction benefiting Gift for Life (New York), will take place on eBay March 17-27. The event, normally held the evening of the awards gala in January, has been moved to an online auction in an...

Design Within Reach opens in SoHo. (News: retailing manufacturing internet licensing marketing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... DESIGN WITHIN REACH (Oakland, Calif.), a retailer of modern designed furnishings, lighting and accessories will open its first Manhattan store, the company's 10th. The SoHo Studio, located at 142 Wooster St., is one of several DWR plans to open...

Old Man Winter shuts out holiday weekend sales. (News: retailing manufacturing internet licensing marketing).
March 1, 2003... AS IF THE SLUGGISH economy and the threat of war with Iraq weren't enough, Old Man Winter added insult to injury to retailers with a President's Day weekend storm that rocked the East coast from the New England to Virginia. Though...

Idol signs with Pacific Coast, Cape Craftsmen. (Licensing).(Dick Idol Ventures has pacts with Pacific Coast Lighting, others)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Dick Idol Ventures has confirmed new licensing agreements with Pacific Coast Lighting for lighting products and Cape Craftsmen for decorative accessories. "This new collection gives Pacific Coast the opportunity to offer a high fashion...

DeNunzio to introduce wall art for Biltmore Estates in High Point. (Licensing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Biltmore Estate For Your Home, a division of Biltmore Estate Brands Group, has signed a licensing agreement with DeNunzio, leaders in art replications. This partnership will reproduce pieces of George W. Vanderbilt's vast art collection...

Murray licences tabletop to Gibson. (Licensing).(Claire Murray)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Claire Murray and Gibson Overseas have signed a licensing agreement that will extend Murray's crafts-inspired designs to a comprehensive collection of tabletop. Featuring a range of dinnerware, flatware and glassware patterns, the...

Karen Rossi teams with NCE for garden line. (Licensing).(New Creative Enterprises)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... New Creative Enterprises (NCE) has unveiled a new gift line by Karen Rossi. Entitled Karen Rossi Garden, the line was introduced at the winter markets and features a variety of cast resin and metal pieces appropriate for indoor or outdoor...

Art in Motion teams with Regina-Andrew. (Licensing).(regarding four floral images)
March 1, 2003... Art In Motion is presenting a new collection from recently signed artists Carla Regina Zajac and James Andrew Slaven, who are partners in Regina-Andrew Design. For the first collection, the two artists created a botanical collection of four...

Lynn Chase Designs contracts with DeVine. (Licensing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Lynn Chase Designs has contracted with DeVine Corporation to distribute its tabletop and giftware products. DeVine will take over the responsibilities for sales, marketing, vendor procurement, warehousing and distribution for the Lynn Chase...

Wild Apple Graphics licenses Gay Ayers. (Licensing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Photographer and calligrapher Gay Ayers debuts a line of prints and posters to be published by Wild Apple Graphics. The wall decor will be sold to framed picture manufacturers servicing furniture, gift and speciality retail stores, custom frame...

Williamsburg licenses tele-fun for tabletop, accents. (Licensing).
March 1, 2003... Colonial Williamsburg has announced an agreement with tele-fun, a New York-based manufacturer, to create laminated home textile products, and gift and decorative serveware. The initial introductions at the winter markets included a...

Space, the final frontier. (Show & sell).
March 1, 2003... ATMOSPHERICALLY speaking, space is infinite, but in reality you've only got a certain number of square feet in which to do business and the key is to sell as much as you can from a finite floor plan. An average dollar-per-square foot...

Dream weaver. (What's hot: style).
March 1, 2003... WHILE THE WOVEN look emerging on the scene of many home accents may not be part of a spell cast by Mr. Sandman, it does offer a refreshing style. Imparting a homey feel, due to its craft-like sensibility, the interlocking patterns provide...

The new contemporary.
March 1, 2003... For the last several months we've been hearing this low hum that contemporary is the new big trend. Flip through any shelter magazine and you'll see rooms that, if not full-blown contemporary, are hinting at a cleaner, simpler look. If you've...

What's modern now. (the new contemporary).
March 1, 2003... As much about life-style as simply style, what's modern now is all about the things that can be lived in with a sense of ease. Create your own interpretation, but keep the elements refreshing, crisp, and beautifully simplistic as depicted on...

A modern mix. (Retail Perspective).
March 1, 2003... IF YOU'RE A RETAILER looking to capture a piece of the contemporary pie, you might use textbook knowledge as an icebreaker or gain a few ideas from these successful companies. Stores that specialize in contemporary, or modern, as many...

Glossary. (the new contemporary).(Glossary)
March 1, 2003... Art Deco (1920 to 1940) A style that prevailed during the first and second world wars, borrowing motifs from a range of sources for sleek, bold designs. The style evolved, especially in America, into a strongly futuristic look. Art Nouveau...

Domus: the international design center. (Retail Profile).
March 1, 2003... WHAT STARTED AS a small, 400-sq.-ft. gift store in 1972 has evolved into a vast 34,000-sq.-ft. international design center focused on modern Italian design in Atlanta's tony Buckhead section. "I'm an architect by training and it was...

The consumer counts. (Color Me).
March 1, 2003... It's a powerful motivator. Color psychologist Morton Walker says that a lasting color impression is made within 90 seconds and accounts for 60% of the acceptance or rejection of an object, place, individual or circumstance. Crayola tells us the...

Detail-oriented. (Decorative hardware: design directions).
March 1, 2003... AS A CATEGORY, decorative hardware is literally on a smaller scale, but that's not to say it's lacking in style. Here, our picks pack form and function into one handy package. Tipped in pewter, TE/MA's elegant knobs put the spotlight on...

Eat, drink and be served. (Tabletop Portfolio).(Buyers Guide)
March 1, 2003... EATING IS, PERHAPS, the most fundamental part of the dining experience. Comfortably seated between the process of being served and a final sip of drink, the actual consumption of food, for many, is the central experience of a good meal....

Registry of sources in tabletop. (Tabletop Portfolio).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 1, 2003... registry of sources in tabletop COMPANY PRODUCTS & RETAIL PRICE RANGES vendor ceramic glass glassware/ home base, phone number tabletop tabletop stemware...

Tabletop tastes are going casual: specialty retailers provide creative product mix. (Tabletop Portfolio).
March 1, 2003... THE DAYS OF engaged couples registering for both formal and everyday china and crystal patterns are definitely over. According to Frances Gravely, vice president and co-founder of Vietri, today's bride is almost solely focusing on casual dining...

Consumer confidence plummets. (Business).(Feb. 2003)
March 1, 2003... THE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE Index fell to 64.0 in February from a downwardly revised 78.8 in January, the Conference Board, a private business research group, reported. The 15-point drop was far steeper than most analysts' predictions of a...

Milliken launches Claire Murray rug line. (News).(Milliken Rugs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... MILLIKEN RUGS OFFICIALLY launched the licensed Claire Murray collection of wool rug designs in January. Artist and designer Claire Murray attended a cocktail party for buyers and press in Atlanta to kick off the new line. "It's a great...

Kea Capel launches her own firm. (News).(Kea Capel Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... KEA CAPEL HAS resigned from Capel Inc. (Pinehurst, N.C.) to launch her own rug and textile company, Kea Capel Inc., along with a silent partner. She was with Capel Inc. for 16 years. Capel said she owns "a significant portion" of Kea Capel...

Correction.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Sales representatives that were honored at the 14th Annual ARTS Awards in Dallas were omitted from the list of winners in the February issue of Home Accents Today. Sales representatives receiving the ARTS award were Becky Moore in the...

New beginnings and optimism abound. (Retail update).(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2003... MARCH TYPICALLY is a time for new beginnings. The vernal equinox heralds the first official day of spring--March 21--and people typically crawl out of their winter-wonderlands ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Despite the...

Seminars. (Events: international home furnishing market in High Point, N.C.).
March 1, 2003... Friday, April 4 Women's Retail Behaviors and Rituals 8:30 a.m.--Carrie McCament of Mullen Advertising will present a study of the female shopper and an understanding of the rational and emotional factors associated with her shopping...

Home Accents Today to present trends, research. (Events: international home furnishing market in High Point, N.C.).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Becky Boswell Smith, editor in chief, Home Accents Today, will present Styles and Trends in Home Accents, an overview of the marketplace featuring spring style trends in High Point, N.C. Smith also will present exclusive industry research...

Internet Cafe wired again for High Point buyers. (Events: high point).(April International Home Furnishings Market)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Internet Cafe will be available once again for buyers during the April International Home Furnishings Market. Located on the Market Square Ground floor, the Internet Cafe will be equipped with 12 terminals wired with Road Runner...

Parties. (Events: high point).(Calendar)
March 1, 2003... Wednesday, April 2 Furniture/Today Party Celebrate the start of the fall market at the renowned Furniture/Today Market Kick-off Party. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at J. Basul Noble's restaurant located at 101 S. Main Street. ...

Retailer of the Year Awards announced. (People: promotions hires appointments).(2003)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Winners of the 18th annual Retailer of the Year Awards have been announced by the New York Home Textiles Show and the Home Fashion Products Association. The awards recognize retailers for achievement and commitment to the home fashions...

Bey-Berk International. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Robert Sotomayor has joined Bey-Berk International (Chatsworth, Calif.), a producer of desk accessories and executive gift items, as sales and marketing director. In this position, he is responsible for working with key accounts, as well as...

Woolrich. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Susan Moshier has been named sales manager for Woolrich (Woolrich, Pa.). Moshier is responsible for the company's presence at all national home and gift trade shows. She also continues to maintain her duties in sales. Her 19-year tenure with...

Catalina Lighting. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * James W. Scott has been named managing director of Catalina Lighting's Canadian subsidiary, Catalina Canada. He replaces Don Planche who left to pursue other opportunities. Scott has been with Catalina for seven years, most recently serving...

Mahdavi. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Mike Thompson has been named southeastern vice president of sales for Mahdavi's (Norcross, Ga.). He reports to Sheilds Smith, EVP. Thompson previously held positions with The Rug Rack and Shaw Industries.

Gift for Life expands board of directors. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Gift for Life (New York), the volunteer committee of the gift and home accessories industries which raises funds for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, has added several industry leaders to its board of directors. The new board...

Jonathan Bready has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Bowie Lane Container Sales with John-Richard. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Jonathan Bready has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Bowie Lane Container Sales with John-Richard (Greenwood, Miss.). He is responsible for the development of products and merchandising programs sold in container volumes....

W.A.C. Lighting. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * W.A.C. Lighting has appointed Richard Kurtz as president. Kurtz, who previously served as vice president of operations, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the business, including research and development. Founder Tony Wang will remain...

Karen Neuburger (San Francisco) has named Dustin (Dusty) Samuel Eber to the newly created position of president KN Ltd., San Francisco Network, and Eber International family of companies. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Karen Neuburger (San Francisco) has named Dustin (Dusty) Samuel Eber to the newly created position of president KN Ltd., San Francisco Network, and Eber International family of companies. Eber will transition into the leadership role over the...

Jacob's Musical Chimes, Inc. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Jacob's Musical Chimes, Inc. (Los Alamitos, Calif.) has appointed Elise Dewsberry Green its new national sales manager. She reports directly to President Fern Sokoloff. Previously, Green served as Jacobs' sales and marketing associate.

Decorize (Springfield, Mo.) has expanded its product development team, adding two senior executives in the United States and four managers in Asia. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Decorize (Springfield, Mo.) has expanded its product development team, adding two senior executives in the United States and four managers in Asia. The company named Chris Cleckler vice president of product development and Cindy Emerman...

Lite Source. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Lite Source (Chino, Calif.) has appointed Evan Goldberg as national sales manager. Goldberg, a 25-year industry veteran, reports to Don Franz, VP of sales and marketing. Before join ing Lite Source, Goldberg represented Lite Source and other...

Kichler Lighting. (People: promotions hires appointments).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... * Cleveland-based Kichler Lighting has made several executive promotions and appointments. Dave Pamer has been named executive vice president for corporate and international operations; Sam Guye has been promoted to national director of sales;...

Obituary.(Mystic Valley Traders VP Nettie Shansky dies)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2003... Nettie Shansky, vice president and treasurer of Mystic Valley Traders (Woburn, Mass.), has died. Shansky directed the soft goods company's finances and maintained fabric inventories with dozens of mills. A co-owner of Mystic Valley since 1987,...

828 International creates rugs with exceptional style and value. (Accent On Area Rugs).(828 International Trading)
March 1, 2003... Unsurpassed quality, style, and value distinguish the exceptional array of area rugs and runners offered by 828 International Trading--a company that never rests in its mission to deliver rugs that exceed customers' expectations. In just...

Italian ceramics an art for families. (Industry).(ceramics manufacturing, Vincenza district, Italy)
March 1, 2003... In the months after World War II ended, 13 young Italian soldiers returned to their homes in the small towns of Bassano del Grappa and Nove, eager to create beautiful objects to replace their memories of war. That was the beginning of...

Opposites attract, compete at Paris show. (Maison & Objet).(home furnishings trade show, France)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... CONTRADICTION REIGNED at the Maison & Objet show in Paris in January. Not only in terms of overall trends, but also on a pillow-by-pillow, lamp-by-lamp basis. Think sheepskin meets silk, raw joins refined, unfinished versus tailored, glass...

Fantasy, simplicity are themes for Valencia textile show. (Textil Hogar).(Textil Hogar, Spain)
March 1, 2003... THREE NOTABLE TRENDS at Textil Hogar in Valencia--fantasy, simplicity and eclectic--reflected daring combinations of colors, materials and designs that should give consumers ample respiration for creating self-expressive habitats. The...

Art and business merge in designer John Butler. (Portrait: John Butler).
March 1, 2003... John Butler didn't know it at the time, but his life's work came knocking when he was still in grade school. That was when he discovered the link between his inherent artistic ability and an entrepreneurial imperative. It would take a decade or...

Editor's notes.(Toy Fair, other toy industry issues)(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... Attending Toy Fair in the middle of two feet of snow has to be one of the most interesting experiences in my time with Kids Today. Sloshing my way cross-town (there were no cabs to be had in New York), through piles of dirty snow was not the...

Specialty store operations report. (By the Numbers).(kids specialty stores)
March 1, 2003... Product mix Greensboro, N.C. -- Kids specialty stores have a wide variety of product meant to draw customers into their stores. Across the board, space allocation tracks revenue generation very closely according to information gathered by...

Advertising and promotions. (By the Numbers).(kids specialty retailers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Kids specialty retailers allocate a median of 5% of sales to their advertising and promotions efforts. This is similar to the advertising allocations made by furniture stores; home accents stores devote slightly more (8%). For half of...

Behind the numbers. (By the Numbers).(kids specialty retailers' survey)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... In this exclusive survey of kids specialty retailers, Kids Today looks at the merchandise mix by major category, comparing space allocation to dollar sales, as well as more specific information on the percentage of retailer that carry each...

Riverside unveilinq major licensed line: `Inch By Inch' imaginations collection coming in April. (Licensing).(Riverside Furniture's Imaginations Youth - children's furniture line)
March 1, 2003... Fort Smith, Ark. -- Riverside Furniture is launching a major new licensed collection for kids at the High Point market. Called Imaginations Youth, the furniture is based on the popular "Inch By Inch" children's book series, which feature a...

My Little Pony returning in force. (Licensing).(bedding, bath accessories for children )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Pawtucket, R.I. -- Hasbro is bringing My Little Pony back to the shelves, with an extensive launch of licensed products and a big marketing push this year. Springs Inds. is producing a line of bedding, including a comforter and sheet sets,...

CoCaLo partners with Target for nursery bedding products. (Licensing).
March 1, 2003... Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Textile manufacturer CoCaLo has launched a new brand of licensed bedding, dubbed Expectations by Martex, which is available exclusively at Target. The line was rolled out to Target stores at the end of January, and...

Blue Jean Teddy expands product. (Licensing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Canoga Park, Calif. -- The popular Blue Jean Teddy will be appearing on a wide variety of infant and youth products, thanks to a number of new licensing agreements. Art Impressions, the intellectual property development manager for Blue...

Starlite Originals to release Disney sculptures. (Licensing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Studio City, Calif. -- Collectibles maker Starlite Originals will produce a new line of Disney character sculptures in conjunction with Walt Disney Art Classics. The company will show the new collection at the Rosemount Collectibles Show in...

Applause to produce Simpsons plush. (Licensing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Toy and gift manufacturer Applause is producing a new line of The Simpsons plush dolls in agreement with Fox Licensing & Merchandising. Applause also has exclusive international distribution rights for the dolls. ...

Revman adds bath to Laura Ashley juvenile. (Licensing).(Revman Inds.'s bath accessories, bedding collections)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... New York -- Revman Inds. has added bath accessories to two of its Laura Ashley juvenile collections, Outerspace and Fun Fairies. Shannon Sheridan, public relations representative for Revman, said the company expanded its line of juvenile...

CINAR named licensing agent for Arthur in Canada. (Licensing).(television character Arthur)
March 1, 2003... Montreal -- CINAR Corp. has been named the licensing agent in Canada for all merchandise relating to the children's book and television character Arthur. CINAR also produces the television show in conjunction with WGBH/Boston. "It was a...

Small Fry Design offering gift sets from author Mallet. (Licensing).(Book N Blanket, Read to Me Series, Kathy Mallet)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Santa Ana, Calif. -- Small Fry Design is producing a new line of gifts called Book N Blanket, Read to Me Series. The gift items will feature a Hugs N Cuddles security blanket packaged with a children's storybook from author Kathy Mallet....

`Tiny Planets' signs licensing agent. (Licensing).(preschool television series, L&G Licensing+)
March 1, 2003... Pacific Palisades, Calif. -- L & G Licensing+ was named the licensing agency for the United States for the preschool television series "Tiny Planets" in January. The television show is created by U.K.-based Pepper's Ghost Productions and...

4Kids, AKC sign licensing deal. (Licensing).(4Kids Entertainment, American Kennel Club)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... New York -- 4Kids Entertainment and the American Kennel Club have signed an agreement that makes 4Kids the exclusive licensing representative for children's toys. The top priority for the campaign will be the creation of a plush program...

FAO files reorganization plan. (News Watch).
March 1, 2003... King of Prussia, Pa. -- FAO, Inc. filed its bankruptcy reorganization plan in February, and some leading suppliers say they are optimistic that the company will survive. According to the plan, FAO has assets totaling $257.9 million and...

Kids Today conference on tap in June. (News Watch).(2003)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Greensboro, N.C. -- The 2002 Kids Today conference will be held June 4-6 at the Lago Mar Resort & Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This year's theme, "Playing to Win," brings together speakers and panelists who will tackle important issues...

First Rooms to Dream store opens. (News Watch).(Corpus Christi, TX)
March 1, 2003... Corpus Christi, Texas -- P.J. Kids has licensed the name of its Rooms to Dream line for the retail furniture business, and the first licensed Rooms to Dream store opened here on Feb. 8. Owned by Carter Green, who also owns an Ashley...

JPMA, AISS in talks to combine shows. (News Watch).(Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Association of Independent Specialty Stores)
March 1, 2003... Mt. Laurel, N.J. -- The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. and the Assn. of Independent Specialty Stores have held talks to explore the option of JPMA acquiring the fights to the AISS Juvenile Expo. The result would be one combined show,...

Dorel acquires French producer Ampa. (News Watch).(Dorel Industries Inc., Ampa Group)
March 1, 2003... Montreal--With its recent acquisition of the Ampa Group, a French producer of juvenile products, Dorel Inds. has claimed the bragging rights as the world's largest producer of juvenile products. According to Rick Leckner, a company...

Kathy Ireland, Standard form brand-management company. (News Watch).(Kathy Ireland Worldwide, Standard Furniture Manufacturing Co.)
March 1, 2003... Los Angeles -- Standard Furniture and Kathy Ireland Worldwide have formed a brand-management company called Home Brands Inc. A soft economy led to lower sales in 2002 for much of the home furnishings industry. However, for the companies who...

Toys `R' Us eliminates management positions. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Paramus, N.J. -- Toys "R" Us announced in January that it eliminated 700 store management and supervisory positions in an effort to reallocate labor in 400 of its 686 Toys "R" Us stores in the United States. The company eliminated mostly...

Comfort Research opens plant, expands line. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Comfort Research, manufacturer of the Foof Chair, has opened a new 15,000-square-foot plant here. The company previously outsourced its manufacturing to an 8,000-square-foot facility in Mississippi, said Chip George,...

Learning curve merges with Racing Champions Ertl. (News Watch).
March 1, 2003... Chicago -- Developmental toy company Learning Curve International has merged with collectibles manufacturer Racing Champions Ertl Corporation. The agreement is expected to close by March 15. John W. Lee, president of Learning Curve, said...

New company, Jeeto! launches with prints. (News Watch).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Los Angeles -- Design company Jeeto! launched in January with a collection of triple silk-screened art for children's rooms called The Animal Kingdom Collection. The current collection features animals drawn in bold colors and simple...

Toy Industry Assn.names three to new posts. (People around the industry).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... New York -- Three executives have been named to newly created positions at the Toy Industry Assn. Joining the TIA are Robert S. O'Keefe, vice president of marketing, and Gary S. Klein, senior vice president of government, legal and...

Warner Bros. names Torres new GM of Mexico office. (People around the industry).(Manuel Torres appointed general manager of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Mexico)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Burbank, Calif. -- Manuel Torres has been named general manager of the Warner Bros. Consumer Products offices in Mexico. Torres will manage the day-to-day operations of the office, while overseeing the development and implementation of...

Pedro Capo named president of NHFA. (People around the industry).(National Home Furnishings Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Miami -- Pedro Capo, chief operations officer and corporate secretary of El Dorado Furniture, is the new 2003 President of the National Home Furnishings Association, the largest retail home furnishings association in the United States. ...

Bombay Kids growing up quickly: first-year success leads to further expansion plans. (Up close: cover story).(Cover Story)
March 1, 2003... Fort Worth, Texas--It's only been a year since the first Bombay Kids store opened in Dallas, but the company has already launched four more stores and says it will have a total of 35 units up and running by year's end. And if all goes...

Youth bedroom--styles for any taste. (Up close: youth bedroom).
March 1, 2003... While it's hard to pin down trends in the expansive youth bedroom arena, certain style directions seem to be coming on especially strong. Cottage looks have been leading the pack in the last year, but also noteworthy is the resurgence of...

Toy Fair offers fun things for toddlers to tweens. (Show Biz).
March 1, 2003... Folkmanis introduced its My First 123 Puppets, a soft book with three-dimensional characters designed to teach numbers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nakajima USA debuted its new line of Hello Kitty interactive plush in five different styles,...