High-income consumers are turning to interior designers for help with outdoor rooms this year more often than they did last year. That’s just one of the findings of Consumer Insights Now’s survey of high-income shoppers, sponsored by Bread Financial. Of the nearly two-thirds of high-income consumers at least considering using an interior designer this year,…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Architectural concrete furnishings brand Edge34 will host a seminar by Nicole Baxter, an international neuroaesthetics expert and NeuroDesign Academy faculty member, during the upcoming High Point Market. Slated for 4:30 p.m. April 25, the “Design That Changes How People Feel” seminar will introduce attendees to the research-proven science of neuroaesthetics —…
Tupelo Goods has expanded its outdoor furniture line with the company’s first piece designed specifically for in-pool use. The in-pool Line chaise is engineered for placement on pool ledges up to 9 inches deep. The lounger is constructed of marine-grade, UV-resistant polyethylene with integrated quick-flow hatches that allow the chaise to fill and drain efficiently.…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Workroom and upholstery supplier Trivantage will debut new Sunbrella fabrics during the International Window Coverings Expo April 21-23 in Raleigh, North Carolina. To kick off the week’s events, Trivantage is sponsoring an opportunity to connect with industry peers at the Golden Hour Cocktail Party, hosted by the Window Coverings Association of America…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority has announced the programming lineup for The Point, its pop-up event space on Commerce Avenue. The schedule includes: April 25, 2-3 p.m. Digitizing the Interior Design IndustryLearn how the Imagine Home platform streamlines, projects and creates new opportunities at the intersection of design and commerce.Guest Speakers:…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance will hold two events during the upcoming spring market, including the DAA Insider Access Experience. The Insider Access Experience is a half-day event aimed at sharpening business acumen. The event is held in two formats 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 27 in The Lofts…
Solana Outdoor Living in Tampa, Florida, is more than an outdoor furniture showroom; it’s an experience centered on true outdoor living. That approach has served the showroom—which is a division of established outdoor design firm Ryan Hughes Design—well during its nearly two years in business. Ryan and Sozan Hughes, founders of Ryan Hughes Design, entered…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Performance fabric source Trivantage will host its second annual Makers Meet on May 8 in partnership with the Window Coverings Association of America. Geared toward workrooms, upholsterers and designers, the one-day event will be held at Sunbrella’s manufacturing plant in Anderson, South Carolina. Attendees will take a guided tour of the 1-million-square-foot…
ATLANTA — AmericasMart Atlanta will hold a one-day designer-focused educational event, the Outdoor Living CEU Collective, on April 15. The program features CEU sessions and events in the Polywood, Summer Classics, Telescope Outdoor Furniture, Inspired Visions by Peak Season and Jensen Outdoor showrooms. The schedule includes: Furnishing the Solution: Turning the Tide on Ocean- and…
CONNELLY SPRINGS, N.C. — Universal Furniture officially opened its newest upholstery facility in Burke County, North Carolina, in the Hildebran community. The 200,000-square-foot facility replaces the company’s former plant in Conover. The new location allows for a larger, more efficient and technologically advanced home for Universal’s upholstery operation. “The opening of our upholstery facility in…
When Arteriors launched outdoor furniture in early 2024, it started small, with just a few pieces. But now, as the company unveils its third and largest outdoor living collection yet, it has refined its approach. The design philosophy emphasizes a curated, artful look inspired by nature, using materials such as teak, rattan and aluminum. Pieces…
While some consumers may be tightening their belt, high-income shoppers — those with household incomes of $150,000 or more — still have money to spend. And many of them plan to buy furniture with that disposable income. That’s the finding of Consumer Insights Now’s spring survey, sponsored by Bread Financial, of high-income consumers. On average,…
Former Lane Venture President and CEO Arthur “Art” Thompson died on March 21 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at age 82. Thompson began his career in the furniture industry as a buyer for JCPenney. He eventually became CEO of Lane Venture at the age of 44 and received the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) Lifetime Achievement…
GRANVILLE, N.Y. — Telescope Casual has announced a new partnership with Whitney Atkinson, founder of weighted rug brand Wugs. The company will begin manufacturing and shipping Wugs products in early May. Short for Weighted Universal Grounding Solutions, Wugs are weighted outdoor accessories designed to bring stability and style to exterior spaces. The collection includes Wugs…
The deadline for nominations for several International Casual Furnishings Association awards is rapidly approaching. Nominations for the Apollo Award for retailers and the Lifetime Achievement Award are due by Friday, March 27. The Apollo Award honors a single-store and multi-store retail business that represents the highest qualities of character and success among retailers of casual…
As temperatures warm and people head outdoors, grills that may have been in storage or barely used during the winter months are suddenly in high demand. And even if your customers already have a grill, helping them maintain and update it can lead to sales. “Spring grill maintenance isn’t just a routine for consumers —…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home furnishings industry, has announced the keynote speaker for its spring Educational Breakfast as well as other events slated for the upcoming High Point Market. Award-winning business speaker Ross Bernstein will address attendees at the breakfast on “The Champion’s Code: Building Relationships Through…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Architectural furniture brand Edge34 will introduce its first artist collaborations at the upcoming spring High Point Market. The brand, known for its concrete furnishings and planters, partnered with cultural artist and product designer Sam Mangakahia and multidisciplinary designer Tym DeSanto for new pieces. Mangakahia lives in Hawaii and draws creative influence…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The deadline to receive High Point Market passes by mail is approaching. Attendees who register online by April 10 can still receive printed passes in the mail, and the deadline is March 27 for international guests. “Register early to avoid the lines and on-site service fee,” said Tammy Covington, president and…
Of all the macro economic factors that can affect the furnishings industry, homebuilding has become one of the biggest indicators of business for the sector. And a glimmer of good news came this week on that front with the latest builder sentiment numbers from the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Responses…
At a time when the poly-lumber category is crowded and business is competitive, EC Woods has not found it hard to keep up. The company, which also manufactures indoor wood products, has an advantage in the poly category and has seen strong growth over the past few years. Jeremiah Wingard, vice president of EC Woods,…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Armen Living and its casual furnishings brand Uwharrie Outdoor Living will host a party during High Point Market celebrating the opening of their new showroom and the 100th market of the company’s national sales manager, Reb Nicholson. Slated for 5-8 p.m. April 26 in Armen Living’s new 12,000-square-foot space at 417…
NEW YORK CITY — Singapore-based direct-to-consumer furnishings brand Castlery has introduced its 2026 outdoor collections, which will be on display at its new flagship store in the Chelsea neighborhood. The location is the first for the company in the United States and will open in May. The Eden outdoor collection features soft, rounded silhouettes with…
COLOGNE, Germany — After five years of June shows, European outdoor market Spoga+Gafa announced that the show will be held in September in 2027. This year’s show will still be held June 22-24 at Koelnmesse in Cologne. Spoga+Gafa organizers said the move came after “intensive discussions” with exhibitors, market partners and associations, as well as…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority has announced the lineup for its Hot Spot Tours slated for April 25-27 during the upcoming spring market. The showroom tours are guided by High Point Market’s 2026 Style Spotters and interior designers. The schedule will be: Saturday, April 259:30 a.m.Style Spotter Rhobin DelaCruz leads a…
As a journalist, I can confirm that people respond to questions differently. There are some similar responses, but no two are exactly alike. It’s for that reason that hearing what others in the industry are thinking is so important. To make this clear, we have developed five questions to ask several industry leaders. Our first…
The United States Supreme Court’s ruling on the validity of the Trump administration’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs late last month was supposed to be good news for the home furnishings industry, but the reality has been far more complicated. The court ruled that the president does not have the authority under IEEPA to…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Performance fabric maker Sunbrella has rolled out the second installment in its collaboration with Michigan-based watercolor artist Kelly Ventura. The Kelly Ventura x Sunbrella collection reflects the artist’s organic-yet-intentional approach to watercolor. “I’m inspired by nature and the beautiful details found within it — color, pattern and light,” Ventura said. “This collection…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Universal Furniture has announced the lineup for its Learning Center during the upcoming spring High Point Market. The sessions are designed to provide actionable insights into evolving design technologies, luxury branding, operational efficiency and the psychology of client spaces. Events include: Universal to the Trade Designer’s LoungeApril 24, noon-5 p.m.; April…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The Bienenstock Furniture Library has announced the 2026 winners of its annual student design competitions for furniture and interior design. The top performers and their academic departments were awarded a total of $15,000. For the Dudley Moore St. Furniture Design Competition, students were challenged to create an original chair that is…
High-income consumers are turning to interior designers for help with outdoor rooms this year more often than they did last year. That’s just one of the findings of Consumer Insights Now’s survey of high-income shoppers, sponsored by Bread Financial. Of the nearly two-thirds of high-income consumers at least considering using an interior designer this year,…
