When Armen Living acquired Uwharrie Chair Co. at the end of 2025, it reemphasized its commitment to the casual category. At the time, Kevin Kevonian, owner, president and CEO of Armen Living, said this acquisition would “unlock limitless possibilities in design and add significant fuel to the future growth of their company by providing new…
During Casual Market Atlanta, I got the chance to talk about one of my favorite topics — design trends — during a seminar and tour presented in partnership with the International Casual Furnishings Association and Andmore. We had a great discussion followed by a tour through the temporary booths on the seventh floor of AmericasMart…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Society of Furniture Designers has announced the 2026 Pinnacle Awards finalists, with several outdoor designs part of the 107 contenders across 32 categories. The 2026 winners will be announced and honored at a gala during fall High Point Market on Oct. 19, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., in the IHFC 11th…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority has announced the interior designer lineup for its Instagram takeover during fall market, Oct. 17-21. The lineup includes: Oct. 17: Sarah Ann Morales @interiorelementsny, Monika Nessbach @designbar Oct. 18: Robin and Regina Reaves @randrinteriordesign, Laetitia Laurent @laurenellinteriors Oct. 19: Anissa Zajac @housesevendesign, Rona Graf @graceblu Oct.…
ATLANTA — Jensen Outdoor Furniture has been named the 2026 Manufacturer of the Year by the International Casual Furnishings Association. The award was presented at the ICFA Awards Gala in Atlanta, recognizing excellence in leadership, innovation, business performance, industry involvement and commitment to customers throughout the outdoor furnishings industry. “This is an extraordinary honor for our company,” said Bryan…
ATLANTA — OW Lee has named Charlie Smith as its sales rep of the year for 2026. Smith was honored at the company’s sales meeting during Casual Market Atlanta in September. “What stands out most about Charlie is his consistency,” said Brenda Pereyda, sales manager for OW Lee. “He shows up, puts in the work,…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Concrete outdoor furnishings maker Edge34 will bring two new finishes to its sculptural pieces at the upcoming fall High Point Market. The new colors — Ombre Grey and Fuego — will be available on the company’s full planter collection, including the new Sonoma medium, Sonoma large and Vintage Vessel planters. Finishes…
At the fall edition of Casual Market Atlanta, foot traffic was noticeably slower, but many exhibitors still reported a strong show thanks to the quality of buyer appointments. “I know traffic feels lighter than July, but my calendar is really robust,” said Mark Osborne, vice president of sales at MamaGreen. “Because if they’re here, they’re…
On Aug. 22, new U.S. Section 338 tariffs of up to 50% took effect on a wide range of Canadian goods. Three days later, Canada announced it would match those tariffs dollar for dollar on U.S.-origin goods, effective Sept. 8. For home furnishings brands shipping into Canada, that translates directly into higher landed costs —…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance has announced its annual award honorees, who will be celebrated at a ceremony during fall market at 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at Congdon Yards. The event will be emceed by interior designer and HGTV personality Michel Smith Boyd. Beginning at 5:45 p.m., three…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt has appointed Cheryl Dobbins Hege to the role of director of advancement and marketing, tasked with strengthening industry partnerships and sponsorships, growing membership and engagement, and expanding the organization’s visibility and reach. Dobbins Hege brings more than 15 years of home furnishings industry experience spanning partnership development, sponsorships, marketing, public…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Textile Alliance has announced its executive committee and board of directors for the 2026-27 term. Leading the executive committee as president is Elise Gabrielson, vice president of marketing for Crypton. Joining her are Anderson Gibbons, chief revenue officer for STI as vice president, and Andy Pacuk, sales consultant for…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Outdoor furnishings maker Edge34 will host Nicole Baxter, an international neuroaesthetics authority and NeuroDesign Academy faculty member, to its High Point Market showroom at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 for a talk on “Mapping the Nervous System of a Project.” The interactive workshop is designed to help designers better understand how they,…
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The National Kitchen & Bath Association, the trade association for the kitchen and bath industry, in partnership with Cosentino Group, has announced a redesigned Design Hub at Broad Hall, debuting at the fall High Point Market. NKBA has partnered with High Point, North Carolina-based interior design firm Barbour Spangle to introduce a…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The Vacation Rental Design Summit will make its Atlanta debut next year during the July edition of Casual Market Atlanta. The team behind the summit has partnered with Andmore to bring the event to Atlanta after a successful collaboration with Las Vegas Market earlier this year. The summit originated in High…
ATLANTA — During this week’s Casual Market Atlanta, Casual News Now sat down with Andmore President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Avitabile to talk business, growth and why the outdoor industry is such an important facet of its overall market strategy. CNN: Where does Casual Market Atlanta stand today? GA: It has really grown year…
As outdoor living becomes a more permanent part of how people design homes, hotels and gathering spaces, the “right fit” may matter as much as the right look. That’s one reason that special orders have been a huge part of the casual industry for the past couple of decades. Made-to-order furnishings can reduce the compromises…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Sunset West parent company Hooker Furnishings announced a full schedule of High Point Market events created for interior design professionals. From practical tools and expert insights to fresh perspectives and meaningful conversations, the series of educational events will take place during fall High Point Market, Oct. 17-21, in the Designers Theater,…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority has announced the programming lineup for The Point at fall market, slated for Oct. 17-20. Oct. 17 9:30-11 a.m. Hot Spot ToursLed by seasoned market veterans and 2026 Style Spotters, each curated tour features two to three preselected showroom stops. Ideal for new buyers and seasoned market…
ATLANTA — The International Casual Furnishings Association celebrated some of the industry’s best and brightest at the ICFA Awards Gala, held this week at Casual Market Atlanta. This year’s ICFA Lifetime Achievement Award honorees were Terri Lee Rogers of OW Lee and Cathy Buzbee of Absco Fireplace & Patio. Rogers has been president of OW…
The casual industry celebrated some of its best and brightest at the ICFA Awards Gala. But before the awards, attendees enjoyed mixing and mingling at the chairman’s reception. We have your ticket.
The little black dress is a classic for a reason. And at Casual Market Atlanta, black finishes, materials and fabrics gave furnishings and accessories a dose of sophistication and timeless style.
ATLANTA — Sunbrella has introduced a group of new performance fabric collections, including designer collaborations and extensions of its stock upholstery program. At Casual Market Atlanta, Sunbrella launched 25 new stock additions, including solids, stripes and jacquards designed to mix and match with the full stock upholstery collection. The new SKUs will be available on…
MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Casual furnishings veteran Micke Friedrichsen has been named director of furniture sales by Berlin Gardens for its flagship brand and its subsidiary, Windward Design Group/Windward Outdoor. In this role, Friedrichsen will oversee the strategic growth, dealer relations and sales team development across both product lines, focusing on expanding retail partnerships and streamlining…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Pamlico Sound by Soundstage’s Laguna all-weather collection with concert-quality sound engineered directly into the seating earned an ICFA Design Excellence Award for the Lounge Seating Cushion category. “Soundstage has been dedicated to solution-oriented products since its inception,” said Joseph Savovic, president and CEO of Soundstage U.S.A., LLC. “As our lifestyles have…
At this week’s Casual Market Atlanta, exhibitors will offer a spate of new product for buyers to peruse. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find in AmericasMart showrooms. Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics’ Summit collection recently expanded with new colors such as Raw Cashew, Winter Mint, Charcoal Slate, Cadet Blue, Deep Maroon and more. Showroom: B1 7-1210…
Which trends are defining outdoor design, and what is influencing those shifts? Those questions and more will be answered by Casual News Now Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Bringle during the Trend Talk & Tour at Casual Market Atlanta. Hosted in partnership with the International Casual Furnishings Association, the event will outline major trends in outdoor design and…
Upholstery maker Zoffany has partnered with designer Michael S. Smith for a new indoor-outdoor fabric collection designed to create seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces. Smith selected original documents from Zoffany’s archive as blueprints, introducing new palettes, patterns and textures inspired by sources ranging from French chintz to Japanese silk. The collection also includes…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority has released the schedule for Hot Spot Tours for fall market. The guided showroom tours are led by the 2026 High Point Market Style Spotters Oct. 17-19. The lineup is as follows: Oct. 179:30 a.m.Style Spotter Juliana Ewer leads a tour of John-Richard, Highland House, Gabby. Style Spotter Isabel Ladd…
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When Armen Living acquired Uwharrie Chair Co. at the end of 2025, it reemphasized its commitment to the casual category. At the time, Kevin Kevonian, owner, president and CEO of Armen Living, said this acquisition would “unlock limitless possibilities in design and add significant fuel to the future growth of their company by providing new…
