The exclusive consumer data is based on the responses of 3,531 U.S. consumers. Home Accents Today, in partnership with HGTV, surveyed consumer households via on online survey linked to HGTV's Ideas newsletter in May 2008. Because of the large sample size, the survey data can be projected with a margin of error of plus or minus less than 2%.

This exclusive report will center on the consumer's overall decorating concerns. More than 3,500 U.S. consumers revealed what's important to them when decorating their home. For example, 94% of consumers said it was important the decorative accessories in their home reflect their own style, while 77% want something unique, 43% believe it's important the product is made in the U.S. and 41% want “green” products.

Information will also be provided on how consumers describe their decorating style. Nearly one-fourth of consumers described their style as “mixed.” As a 35-year-old from New York stated, “My style is traditional with a little bit of antique mixed in.” And, a 58-year-old from Ohio describes her style as “A little Asian and English garden mixed with Art Deco.”

Where do consumers look for decorating information and ideas? Do they check out magazines, retail catalogs, newspapers, the Internet, TV programs or interior designers? If they look online, which sites do they refer to the most? Which specific magazines do they regularly read?

How many consumers use an interior designer? How do they find them? Do they buy home furnishings directly from the designers?

The exclusive report will also explore how the current economy is affecting their spending on home furnishings products. Have consumers postponed projects and stopped working on projects all together, are they looking for less expensive alternatives or are they cutting back on the number of items they purchase. As a 39-year-old from Pennsylvania states, “Some projects simply have to be postponed. For other projects, I'm being more frugal and doing a lot more shopping and planning than actually buying (for now).”

Finally, Home Accents Today will address three distribution channels: home accent specialty stores, the Internet and catalogs. How often do consumers shop each of these three channels? What do consumers like about each channel?

For example, 24% of consumers shop specialty stores each month and nearly one-fourth shop them because of unique product. Other consumers like the personal relationships with specialty stores and the ease of returns. As a 45-year-old from Alabama stated, “I like specialty stores because of customer service issues. If I have an issue, I can take my product and speak face-to-face with the person I bought it from.”

Jenny Heinzen York, editor in chief of Home Accents Today, will offer a sneak peek at some of the results of the survey on Aug. 17 during the New York International Gift Fair. For information about attending the seminar, visit nyigf.com.