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 POINT, N.C. — WithIt (Women in the Home Furnishings Industry Today) has introduced an internship toolkit designed to assist companies in the home furnishings industry to build, structure and grow meaningful internship programs. The toolkit, which is available for free on the WithIt website, offers step-by-step guidance for organizations that want to invest in…
A familiar face has stepped into the role of vice president of sales at Castelle. Stephanie Pereira, who was in the role for nearly three years with Castelle, recently returned to lead the casual manufacturer’s sales team. “We’re pleased to welcome Stephanie Pereira to the Castelle team as VP of sales,” said Rory Rehmert, president,…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Sunbrella has expanded its Joy collection made in partnership with California-based textile house CW Stockwell. The collection additions made their debut this week at Legends of Design L.A. The new designs build on the initial offering of the CW Stockwell x Sunbrella collection, introducing fresh patterns as well as reinterpretations of archival…
Balè Homewares has introduced an assortment of design-forward outdoor designs. The pieces, which include a variety of seating, tables and more, are handmade in Indonesia using responsibly sourced teak, rattan and leather. “Our outdoor collections are curated around the belief that mindful, outdoor furniture represents a holistic design approach that considers the entire lifecycle of an…
CRITTENDEN, Ky. — Grill and heating product maker Napoleon has launched a new collection of grilling accessories for the 2026 season. “We looked closely at how people use their outdoor cooking spaces and discovered that outdoor cooking has become part of day-to-day life for many,” said Garry Scott, vice president of marketing at Napoleon. “That…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority’s pop-up venue The Point is getting a fresh update for spring market by Jessica Duce of JDuce Design. Located on Commerce Avenue, The Point hosts seminars and other events during market, which will be held April 25-29. Duce envisioned a gathering space honoring the craftsmanship roots…
COLOGNE, Germany — European outdoor living products trade show Spoga+Gafa reports a strong demand for exhibition space in its Creation & Care themed area, which is now 85% booked for the show, slated for June 22-24. The Creation & Care section incorporates products for garden design, equipment and technology, as well as plants and products…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Sunbelievable performance fabrics and its parent company, Z-Wovens, has named Kelsey Lundquist as a sales representative for the Southeast territory. Lundquist takes on the role previously held by Lisa Kakassy, who retired in December. Lundquist previously served as account manager for the MT Company and as a designer and sales associate…
Canadian furniture brand Cozey has launched a new modular outdoor seating collection designed to seamlessly adapt to multiple spaces and occasions. The Shinuk modular outdoor seating collection features four components — an armless seat, a corner seat, an ottoman and a coffee table — that can be arranged in a variety of layouts. A universal…
Few would argue the importance of customer service, particularly in today’s competitive retail market. But when we think about customer service, the interactions that happen before a sale can be just as important if not more than those that occur once a purchase is made. According to a 2025 Microsoft survey, 74% of consumers have…
Lane Venture cut the ribbon on its 4,750-square-foot flagship gallery at Furnitureland South in Jamestown, North Carolina, on Monday, and Casual News Now stopped by to see the new space. Located at the opening of Eco-link, the bridge that connects the store’s outdoor section to the Design Center, the brand is a focal point, with…
GRANVILLE, N.Y. — Telescope Casual Furniture has entered a new partnership with Promoboxx, a retail marketing platform that connects national brands with independent retailers through seamless, brand-approved local marketing. Through Promoboxx, Telescope Casual retailers can access and publish professionally designed, brand-approved social media campaigns directly to their local social channels. This allows Telescope to extend…
MINNEAPOLIS — Furniture and accessories maker Blue Dot has launched a new collection of furnishings that includes a number of outdoor occasional designs. Among the intros, Blu Dot has rolled out its Small Talk outdoor occasional table collection in two sizes. The tables feature a monolithic design with a soft, organic silhouette. They are constructed…
O’FALLON, Mo. — Luxury grill and outdoor kitchen maker True Caliber has introduced a newly enhanced version of its Signature Rockwell freestanding grill. Designed by architect David Rockwell, the freestanding 360-degree, walk-around grill was created to mimic the communal experience of gathering around a picnic table. The grill is offered in a Crimson finish and…
Dedon has introduced a new modular lounging collection, called MDear, which was designed by Sebastian Herkner. MDear features five organic-shaped pieces that can stand alone or join together for larger seating arrangements. Drawing its name from the word “endear,” MDear continues an ongoing collaboration between Herkner and Dedon that includes two previous collections, MBrace and…
CRITTENDEN, Ky. — As home renovation season ramps up, outdoor heating and kitchen company Napoleon said it is seeing an uptick in homeowners requesting exterior fire features and kitchen setups. “Fireplaces continue to be a centerpiece of modern home design — not just a source of heat, but a focal point that elevates any room,”…
With the Supreme Court expected to rule on the Trump Administration’s tariffs possibly as soon as Friday, the furniture industry anxiously awaits clarity on what the duties will be going forward for imports. At last week’s International Casual Furnishings Association’s Elevate Conference, Chris Andresen, senior vice president at lobbying firm Dutko Government Relations, said the…
At a time when tariffs are creating an uncertain economy and price increases have become the norm, American Fire Products has found a way to reduce prices across its product catalog — some by up to 40%. The move comes almost a year after the company rebranded from American Fireglass to American Fire Products, a…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — California-based furnishings maker Armen Living has made the investment in a permanent presence in High Point with the purchase of a building on Wrenn Street. The company, which produces outdoor furniture under its own brand as well as recently acquired Uwharrie Outdoor Living, will begin renovating the property’s two attached buildings…
JAMESTOWN, N.C. — Lane Venture will unveil a 4,750-square-foot flagship gallery at Furnitureland South with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Feb. 23. The gallery opening follows a three-year brand refresh for Lane Venture after its purchase by Bassett Furniture and showcases the company’s renewed brand through an immersive retail environment. Every element reflects…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Grammy Award-winning Kool & The Gang will perform at the High Point Market’s Sunday evening concert on April 26 at Center Stage. With early hits like “Jungle Boogie” and “Summer Madness,” Kool & The Gang has produced recognizable tunes like “Get Down On It” and “Celebration.” Among its many awards and recognitions, the…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt (Women In The Home Furnishings Industry Today) has announced its 2026 academic scholarships, including the addition of a new Sustainability Scholarship for students in partnership with the International Sleep Products Association. The new Sustainability Scholarship adds on to the more than $25,000 in academic scholarships the nonprofit awards each year. Those…
This week, the casual industry gathered in New Orleans for the annual ICFA Elevate Conference. Amid educational sessions and exploring the Big Easy, attendees enjoyed mixing and mingling at the opening night cocktail party and dinner, as well as on a jazz-tinged riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River.
Foremost Group, the parent of outdoor brand Veranda Classics, has been a company that keeps quiet and lets the brands speak for themselves. Jim Sica, executive vice president of Foremost Inc., says the company flies under the radar and is larger than most people think. “We’re a multi-hundred-million-dollar business involved with furniture on all kinds…
The International Casual Furnishings Association announced this week the establishment of the ICFA Memorial Scholarship Fund honoring Victoria Echols. Echols, who was a beloved member of the casual industry, died unexpectedly in March 2025. “Victoria believed deeply in lifting others up, in sharing knowledge freely and in making space for the next generation to dream…
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…
