“It’s a beautiful day to sell furniture.” That’s what industry veteran Andy Sokol says nearly every time I speak with him. That should tell you something about his character, and about how he plans to work in his new role as president of American Eco Living. Sokol spent the past 10 years building Ashley Furniture’s outdoor category from…
TORONTO — Whole-home furnishings maker Sunpan has appointed Youval Ronen as director of client relations, a role designed to reinforce the company’s commitment to customer experience. Ronan brings three decades of experience in the furnishings industry to the role, having worked across multiple facets of the business, from distribution and logistics to customer service, claims…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Society of Furniture Designers has announced the judging panel for this year’s Pinnacle Awards. The awards are open to furniture and textile designers, manufacturers, designer-makers and students who have created home furnishings, decor or textile products introduced for retail sale within the past year. “Each year, designers continue to…
Tupelo Goods has added three new finishes for its marine-grade polyethylene outdoor furnishings line. The new colorways include Marigold, Cactus and Sea Glass. Like its flower namesake, Marigold is a deep, golden yellow inspired by midcentury-modern aesthetics. Cactus is a bright, vibrant green inspired by succulent gardens and appears vividly in direct sunlight and more…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Trivantage has introduced 11 new colors to its Sunbrella Sling fabric line, which was designed for use on patio furniture, replacement upholstery and other sling applications. Made with a blend of durable PVC-coated polyester and pliable Sunbrella acrylic material, Sunbrella Sling is designed to be supportive but not stiff, breathable and resistant…
This spring, luxury outdoor furnishings brand Skyline Design was acquired by Voolcan Grupo, a Spain-based parent company for several home brands. The Skyline Brand originated with Voolcan more than two decades ago, but has operated for 19 years under exclusive distribution by the Calzadilla family in the United States. Germán Rubio, CEO of Voolcan Grupo,…
Recent consolidation in the casual industry has come in the form of private equity companies buying e-commerce-focused companies, like Blackford acquiring Starfire Direct and Artificial Turf Supply in 2022, LTD Online in 2023 and Empire Distributing in 2024, and Group Bayport acquiring Northcape in late 2024. Though few and far between, family businesses are still…
In times of upheaval and unrest, the yearning for nostalgia and the comfort of the past can feel particularly tempting. That desire for the simplicity of times past continues to drive home design trends in our chaotic world of tariffs, geopolitical unrest and polarizing election cycles. The forecasters at Future Snoops tapped into that sentiment,…
The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association will host a virtual networking event, “AutoCorrect: Reframing the Inner Dialogue,” at 2 p.m. June 17. Hosted by Kimberly Stuteville, vice president of sales for the United States and Latin America at Napoleon, will discuss how the practice of “AutoCorrect” for the mind can be a simple yet powerful…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point by Design Foundation has joined forces with High Point Schools Partnership for Educator Exchange: Pathways to the Design & Home Furnishings Industry. The new immersive initiative introduces educators to industry professionals, inviting them into factories, studios and showrooms, and expanding their awareness of the multitude of career opportunities…
There are few retailers in the outdoor business, if any, that have expanded like Watson’s. Over the last five years, the company has been strategically acquiring retailers. In 2022, Watson’s acquired Allstate Home Leisure, adding five Detroit-area stores to the mix. Then in 2024, Watsons bought Florida-based Recreational Warehouse. A few weeks ago, it was…
Is your packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliant? With new regulations in effect in some states and more poised to come online in others, furnishings manufacturers and retailers may have new or changing responsibilities when it comes to the disposal of their shipping boxes and other packaging. Currently, Oregon, Colorado, California and Maine all have…
Outdoor furnishings manufacturer and distributor Unopiù, has partnered with Italian lighting solutions company Lodes for a new exterior lighting line. The collection was created with the ethos of outdoor spaces being an extension of indoor rooms, with furniture and lighting working in harmony to ensure aesthetic consistency, technical performance and durability. The line includes a…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority’s Diversity Advocacy Alliance has opened nominations for its annual awards. The awards include three categories: Open Arms, Mentorship and Social Responsibility. High Point Market exhibitors eligible for the Open Arms Award are selected based on how well they receive showroom visitors irrespective of their race, gender,…
WADENA, Minn. — Homecrest Outdoor Living has expanded its sales team with two new representatives, Gray Dobbins and Liza Robinson. Dobbins will represent the Georgia territory, serving as a connection between the brand and its dealers. He began his career in 1987, working alongside his father to represent outdoor furniture lines. Their territory expanded to…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — WithIt will hold a two-part CEU event at Dallas Market Center in partnership with MC Studio and Heritage School of Interior Design-Dallas. Dubbed “Designing the Relationship,” the event is designed to bring together education, connection and sourcing to help designers strengthen client relationships while building meaningful industry partnerships. Designing the Relationship…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Casual Furnishings Association, in partnership with Andmore, is offering hotel incentives to buyers attending both summer and fall Casual Market Atlanta. Casual Market Atlanta is the destination for sourcing outdoor living products — designed to help retailers and designers discover what’s next, buy efficiently and empower their future with…
CLINTON, Conn. — Outdoor kitchen specialist Kenyon International has introduced a new line of induction cooktops called Signature. The Signature induction cooktop features a matte-black ceramic glass surface and low-glare finish that offers a softer, more contemporary look. The surface helps resist scratches and fingerprints, while also reducing reflection and maintaining a clean look with…
COLOGNE, Germany — European outdoor products show Spoga+Gafa will offer a range of events and programming and specialized exhibitions at the upcoming market, slated for June 22-24 at Koelnmesse. New programming and exhibits will focus on digitalization, AI, outdoor living, city gardening and outdoor cooking. The show will demonstrate how even small spaces can be…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The International Society of Furniture Designers has named Scott Coley as the president of its executive board. Coley, who is a furniture designer and owner of D. Scott Coley Designs, has been a member of ISFD for 34 years, previously serving as president from 1997 to 1999 and twice as chairman…
ROCKY MOUNT, Va. — Uttermost has tapped former Leftbank Art Creative Director Frankie Daniel to manage its new art studio in Southern California. Daniel, who was Leftbank Art’s creative director for the past 15 years, will oversee the creation of exclusive art for Uttermost and its high-end brand Revelation. Josh and Dennis Leiva, both former…
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;…
“It’s a beautiful day to sell furniture.” That’s what industry veteran Andy Sokol says nearly every time I speak with him. That should tell you something about his character, and about how he plans to work in his new role as president of American Eco Living. Sokol spent the past 10 years building Ashley Furniture’s outdoor category from…
