HIGH POINT, N.C. — At this week’s International Textile Alliance Interwoven textile show, attendees got a first look at some of the trends and collaborations set to shape the look of home design over the coming seasons. Here’s a look at some of the highlights: Stylish stripes Classic patterns such as stripes always have a…
At this week’s International Textile Alliance Interwoven show in High Point, fabric makers rolled out a spate of new performance textile designs. Here, we give you a sample. Sunbrella Thibaut Inside Out by Valdese Weavers Ultraleather by Ultrafabrics
BASSETT, Va. — Bassett Furniture, parent company of Lane Venture, has named consumer brand and retail specialist Clay Hanback as director of marketing. In the role, Hanback will be tasked with accelerating omnichannel brand and content marketing initiatives for the company. Hanback most recently was media, content and brand marketing leader at Wrangler, where he…
Matt Doll, founder and CEO of American Fire Products, is known in the casual industry for being outspoken. This attribute has helped his company not only survive for over 20 years but also thrive despite myriad challenges. Doll launched the company in 2005 at the ripe age of 25 with no formal business experience. And…
CINCINNATI — Ohio-based home furnishings retailer Watson’s will expand its presence in the South with the acquisition of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Viridien Patio + Fireplace. The expansion builds on Watson’s 2024 acquisition of Florida-based Recreational Warehouse, adding an additional four locations in Charlotte, Lake Norman and Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as a store in…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Trivantage has introduced a lightweight curtain fabric, Sunbrella Sheer Fabric, that offers a soft drape and diffuses light. “Sunbrella Sheer Fabrics transform the atmosphere of a space without compromising on performance,” said Lisa Campbell, workroom market manager at Trivantage. “They achieve that sought-after, airy look while maintaining the legendary Sunbrella durability our…
Artificial intelligence has a place in retail. But for the home furnishings industry, it’s not always clear how to best use the technology. AiPRL, a retail-first artificial intelligence company, aims to help furniture retailers manage the growing complexity of modern customer communication with its new AI operating system, AiPRL OS for Furniture, Mattress and Design…
As temperatures warm, homeowners across the nation begin reemerging from their winter hibernation, ready to spruce up their outdoor spaces, be they fully realized exterior rooms or just simple patios or balconies. With that in mind, consumer reviews and recommendations site Yelp has released its Summer Home Trends report, highlighting shifts in online consumer searches…
ATLANTA — Andmore, which owns AmericasMart Atlanta and operates Casual Market Atlanta, as well as the Las Vegas Market, has announced changes to its executive leadership team, including the retirement of CEO Jon Pertchik, effective May 31. Andmore’s board of directors has established an executive committee that includes: Amory Wooden, newly promoted chief revenue officer;…
NEW YORK — New outdoor furniture brand Sun Set will launch at the upcoming ICFF show in New York on May 17-19. The line will debut with its 500 Series, a collection of American-made outdoor furnishings inspired by midcentury Italian fiberglass design. Sun Set — which was founded by designer and fabricator Kristen Wentrcek —…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The American Home Furnishings Alliance has tapped senior Houzz marketing executive Pamela McNally for its upcoming Marketing/PR Conference, slated for Aug. 26-27 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Registration is now open for the conference. McNally will access findings from surveys of more than 20,000 Houzz users, including more than 10,000 U.S. homeowners…
Outdoor furnishings brand KNF Designs has temporarily paused production and shipping from its Mexico facility as it pursues an operational transition. Founder Neille Olson said the move was driven by a combination of factors, including tariff uncertainty, cross-border complexity, rising costs and the timing of their lease renewal in Mexico. “When we looked at the…
ATLANTA — The 2026 editions of Casual Market Atlanta will offer attendees an expanded outdoor experience with new exhibition spaces and more than 150 permanent and temporary showrooms. The summer edition, slated for July 21-23, and the fall show, Sept. 15-18, will introduce two new exhibition spaces, the Outdoor Living Expo and Luxe Outdoor Living.…
RICHMOND, Va. — Jensen Outdoor has appointed Karen Phillips and Justin Pfahl as sales representatives of record. Phillips will lead the Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Omaha metro territory, while Pfahl will represent the Central and South Florida markets. The company said these two appointments mark a deliberate investment in regions poised for strong growth among…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — While the High Point Market Authority reported that registration for the spring show was down slightly from October, many casual furnishings showrooms saw brisk business. Lane Venture opened their showroom early on the Thursday before market, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Schon Duke said they saw solid traffic that…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Outdoor rooms have become a major priority for interior designers in recent years, and while they often source directly from brands for their projects, many designers also want to work with local outdoor retailers to acquire furnishings and accessories. At the recent High Point Market, a panel of interior designers discussed…
From inflation to higher gas prices, weakened consumer confidence and ever-changing tariffs, the casual industry continues to be faced with challenges around every corner. According to Eli Hymer, if the industry breaks even this year, it will be a win. The department manager and buyer at Gasper Landscape Design has high hopes for the casual category…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Society of Furniture Designers Pinnacle Awards are open for submissions through July 31. Submissions are open to all professional furniture and textile designers, manufacturers and artisan designer/makers. In addition, furniture or industrial design students can enter the John Conrad Student Competition. Categories for Pinnacle Awards include outdoor, accessories, finishings,…
COLOGNE, Germany — European outdoor trade show Spoga+Gafa will offer a closer alignment between its Outdoor Adventure and BBQ areas at the upcoming show, slated for June 22-24. Both in exhibitor content and layout, the two areas will be more closely interlinked reflecting the connection between grilling and outdoor cooking and the desire for adventure…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Trivantage has appointed Kate McCracken to the role of sales representative for the furnishings division on the West Coast. McCracken will focus primarily on outdoor furnishings and OEM segment sales. McCracken brings nearly a decade of building experience across textile sales, hospitality project management and the architectural industry. She has worked for…
COLOGNE, Germany — Outdoor brands from around the globe will gather at Koelnmesse in June for the annual Spoga+Gafa show, and the market will have a significant contingent of members of the European Floral and Lifestyle Suppliers Association, as well as a coordinated pottery industry alliance from Italy. “European exhibitors stand for design quality, reliability…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Last fall, outdoor kitchen specialist Urban Bonfire made its High Point Market debut in the NKBA/KBIS exhibition space in Broad Hall, and the brand returned this spring after a successful first showing. Co-founder Ryan Bloom said that the company made the decision to show in High Point because it would connect…
During High Point Market, members of the casual industry gathered to celebrate the launch of the partnership between Wugs weighted rugs and Telescope Casual.
While seat backs often end up facing walls inside the home, outdoor chair backs are frequently on full display on patios and decks. And casual furnishings designers are ensuring the back of outdoor seating is just as beautiful and display-worthy as the front.
The outdoor living category continues to fluctuate as economic uncertainty requires retailers to be ready for change on any given day. While no one has a crystal ball, Polywood has its finger on the pulse on the casual industry — from the e-commerce and commercial sides of the business to full-line furniture stores and independent…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — When designer Whitney Atkinson founded her weighted rug company, Wugs, she had big plans for expansion. Created as a solution to outdoor rugs that blew away or curled up in windy conditions, Wugs quickly grew to include two other product lines—Willows weighted pillows and Woufs weighted poufs. Though she had plenty…
There’s always a variety of fun and new outdoor products to be found at the High Point Market, and we’ve rounded up a few unique offerings you can see at the show this week. Jensen Outdoor’s Innova Sway rocker, an addition to the Innova collection, is crafted from 100% FSC-certified ipe, a premium hardwood valued…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Andmore will offer an expanded schedule of trend, educational and sourcing programs at the spring High Point Market, April 25-29. Daily guided tours offer curated, expert‑led perspectives on trends, sourcing and standout market destinations: Daily seminars feature industry leaders, designers and experts covering business strategy, innovation, sustainability and design excellence: Market…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Whole-home source Meridian Furniture is introducing new indoor/outdoor pieces during the spring High Point Market, April 25-29. The company will launch a range of occasional pieces, including outdoor-safe end tables such as the Caserta travertine finish concrete end table. Made with a water-transfer finishing process that mimics the organic look and…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Summer Classics and sister indoor brand Gabby will introduce two new collections — Coast and Mountain — during the spring High Point Market, April 23-29. The two new collections introduce place-driven lifestyle narratives, with Mountain drawing inspiration from refined mountain retreats such as Aspen, Colorado, and Coast channeling the relaxed vibe…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — At this week’s International Textile Alliance Interwoven textile show, attendees got a first look at some of the trends and collaborations set to shape the look of home design over the coming seasons. Here’s a look at some of the highlights: Stylish stripes Classic patterns such as stripes always have a…
