Performance fabric maker Sunbrella has announced the appointment of several members of its team to new leadership roles within the organization. Andrew Bernard has been promoted to vice president of product development for the performance fabric brand. Bernard previously was vice president and general manager of shade and marine. In his new role, Bernard will…
OW Lee has been a staple in the outdoor industry for over 70 years, and one major reason is the company’s resilience in the face of challenges. Leisa McCollister, vice president of marketing, says inventory management is a significant challenge given the breadth of options the company offers and that their lead times are often…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority is planning to relocate its headquarters to 115 S. Hamilton St. in 2027. Construction is set to begin soon on the new building, which will be owned and operated by Hamilton Global LLC and situated between the Universal Furniture and Violino showrooms, one block north of…
Outdoor furnishings brand Holly Hunt has relaunched the iconic Capricorn collection, originally designed in 1952 by Vladimir Kagan. Chris Eitel, design director at the Vladimir Kagan Design Group, has reimagined the collection with a modern take that honors the original design. The 10-piece, wire-framed collection was designed with sweeping curves and tensile lines to evoke…
LAS VEGAS — Andmore reported a strong winter Las Vegas Market, noting good order-writing and an increase in new buyers. According to Andmore, which operates Las Vegas Market, the winter edition of the show attracted a mix of new and returning buyers from across the U.S. and around the globe, with notable growth in first-time…
SUWANEE, Ga. — Casual furnishings maker NorthCape is consolidating operations to parent company Group Bayport’s headquarters in Georgia. The consolidation will take effect Feb. 1, and NorthCape’s Illinois facility will cease operations. “This consolidation of operations in Georgia’s new state-of-the-art facility will bring further operational efficiencies and significantly augment our ability to leverage Group Bayport’s…
LAS VEGAS — Tropitone reported a strong showing at the winter Las Vegas Market this week, with new collections and a showroom redesign drawing attendees during the event. Tropitone revamped its showroom with an “Outdoor Moments, Inspired by You” theme showcasing a variety of collections, styles, categories, finishes and fabric options, with a layout designed…
MANASSAS, Va. — Kingsley Bate is introducing two new collections for spring 2026: Biscayne, a modern upholstered-mesh collection designed for everyday outdoor living, and Cortona, a pair of architectural teak dining tables for outdoor entertaining spaces. Biscayne captures the relaxed elegance of its namesake bay with mesh sling upholstery over quick-drying reticulated foam, delivering lasting…
A new report from global consumer technology firm Havas CX suggests that customers are slightly more likely to abandon a brand because of a bad experience than higher prices. The X Index Report, which surveyed more than 59,000 consumers across eight countries, found that 59% of respondents said they abandoned a brand after a single…
When someone mentions AI, you may think of ChatGPT and other programs that allow you to simply ask questions and get answers. But AI can be used for so much more in the business world. This is the vision of AiPril Assist, a new customer experience platform designed specifically for the home furnishings industry that…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority kicks off online registration for spring market (April 25–29), offering its custom travel concierge service with discount codes for hotels and flights to registered market attendees. “The travel team at High Point Market is really underrated as far as finding lodging and flights,” said Amber Guyton, an Atlanta-based…
COLOGNE, Germany — European outdoor products show Spoga+Gafa has reported a large number of member companies from the Dutch Outdoor Furniture Association slated to participate in the 2026 iteration of the event, set for June 22-24 at Koelnmesse here. “We are very pleased at the clear commitment of the DOFA and the strong presence of…
BURLINGTON, N.C. — Shade fabric and hardware supplier Trivantage is launching a new educational seminar for 2026 exploring all things shade sail. Led by the creators of Shade Sail University, an educational initiative by Wholesale Shade, the one-day Shades of Innovation seminar will be held on Feb. 20 in Fort Worth, Texas. The seminar will…
Dutch furnishings brand Weltevree has launched a new outdoor seating line, the Picket Chair. Designed by German architect and designer Michael Schoner, the chair features a distinctive design that makes it appear as if the seat and backrest are floating. “I love solving puzzles, but I enjoy creating my own puzzles even more,” Schoner said. …
LAS VEGAS – WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, honored the winners of its Wow Awards at its annual gala during Las Vegas Market. Winners included: Visionary Award: Laurie Tokarz, CEO and president, Restonic Mattress Co.; Leadership Award: Lisa Adair, senior vice president, global design and merchandising, Ashley Furniture Industries; Mentoring…
DETROIT — Indoor/outdoor lighting and accessory source Regina Andrew announced the inaugural group of designers for its brand ambassador program. The company launched the program to strengthen relationships in the design community. Ambassadors function as an extension of Regina Andrew, creating a shared platform for storytelling, inspiration and growth. “The brand ambassador program was a…
DALLAS — For the first time since 2023, the Living by Design Virtual Showhouse is returning, bringing together 11 designers and 12 sponsoring brands in a fully virtual experience. The showhouse encourages designers to explore new interpretations of the dream home, with no limits on budget or installation. This freedom allows rare finds and fully realized creative…
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The High Point Market Authority has updated its Diversity Advocacy Alliance committee, including chair and vice chair positions, along with new members. Effective this month, Ben Johnston assumes the role of chair. He is the founder and principal of Houston-based interior design firm Benjamin Johnston Design. Victoria Sanchez, founder and principal…
The outdoor category has not traditionally been widespread at the Las Vegas Market, but that’s changing quickly. In addition to full-line manufacturers who have launched outdoor products, like Meridian, Armen Living and Bernhardt, more designer-friendly outdoor companies like Homecrest, Tropitone and Lloyd Flanders have also set up showrooms in World Market Center. Market staples like…
LAS VEGAS — Armen Living will debut more than 80 new products, including pieces from recently acquired Uwharrie Chair Co., at the upcoming Las Vegas Market. Along with new indoor collections, Armen Living will bring several outdoor introductions to market, including the Palea and Linei collections, as well as the Ciela outdoor lounge set. The…
Hom Furniture has carried outdoor products at its nearly 20 stores for two decades. And while the category isn’t a doorbuster for the company, it is a significant source of revenue for the retailer. Executive Vice President Kyle Johansen says the company has large showrooms, some as large as 140,000 square feet, which means there’s…
This week, we bring you the third and final installment of our three-part State of the Industry report. We spoke with industry leaders on how they see the current status of the outdoor category and what they anticipate for the year ahead. In this final part, we explore the shifting retail landscape and what the…
Last week, we kicked off 2026 with the first part of our State of the Industry report, talking with casual category leaders about how they see the business now, and what they anticipate for the coming year. This week, we give you Part 2 of the report, which explores challenges and opportunities for the casual…
Chris Ettori, senior vice president of manufacturing for Telescope Casual Furniture, died unexpectedly on Jan. 10. He was 50 years old. Ettori was a deeply respected and valued member of the Telescope Casual family for more than 30 years. He began his career with the company just out of high school in the metal department,…
WADENA, Minn. — Homecrest Outdoor Living has named Philip Payne as the new director of commercial sales. In the role, Payne will oversee and manage all commercial sales initiatives to drive strategic growth and strengthen the company’s presence in the market. Payne began his career in the outdoor industry in 2010 as a regional contract…
VALENCIA, Calif. — Whole-home furnishings brand Armen Living is debuting its outdoor collections from recently acquired Uwharrie Chair, along with its own casual furnishings line, at this month’s Atlanta Market, Jan. 12-19, at AmericasMart Atlanta. “This is such an exciting time for Armen Living. With the recent purchase of the Uwharrie Chair Co., Armen Living is…
AUSTIN, Texas — Outdoor living brand Tupelo Goods has expanded its recently released Heritage collection with four new colorways inspired by the textures and terrain of the Texas Hill Country. The nature-driven hues include Moss, a grounded, muted green drawn from old-growth Texas oaks; Clay, a sun-washed, earthen orange pulled from central Texas clay; Tempranillo,…
BALDWIN PARK, Calif. — Shade and accessory maker Treasure Garden has appointed Benjamin Ma as its new chief executive officer. Ma succeeds his father and company founder, Oliver Ma. Benjamin joined the family business more than 15 years ago in an entry-level role, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every department of Treasure Garden. Through years…
Few will argue that 2025 was a challenging year for the casual furnishings industry. From tariffs to unfavorable spring weather conditions across wide swaths of the United States, both retailers and manufacturers felt the negative impacts of challenges that mostly remained out of their control. As we embark on 2026, we asked a variety of…
WADENA, Minn. — Homecrest Outdoor Living will open a new showroom at the World Market Center in Las Vegas for the winter Las Vegas Market. The new showroom is located in Building B on Floor 1, Showroom B125, and the company said its expansion into the Las Vegas Market underscores its dedication to being accessible…
Performance fabric maker Sunbrella has announced the appointment of several members of its team to new leadership roles within the organization. Andrew Bernard has been promoted to vice president of product development for the performance fabric brand. Bernard previously was vice president and general manager of shade and marine. In his new role, Bernard will…
