Mood at Market
High Point Market starts today
Jenny Heinzen York -- Home Accents Today, 10/20/2008 7:57:00 AM
Home accent vendors, like the rest of America, are increasingly concerned about the economic situation in the country, and the expectation that the tough time will continue well into 2009.Furniture industry analyst Jerry Epperson told the media at a press breakfast Monday that he expects to see some uptick in business beginning in the second half of 2009, with significant improvements in 2010.
In the meantime, vendors told Home Accents Today that they have come to the show prepared with lots of new products and an optimistic outlook that things will get better.
Bruce Bradburn, CEO of The Bradburn Gallery, said his business was down slightly this year due to the economic situation and he was very interested to see how this High Point Market turns out.
“This is going to be a show with a significant amount of anticipation,” he said. “The market is about ready to speak and we’re about to hear what it’s going to say.”
“We had been doing well until September, but in the last couple of weeks, with the economic changes, things have frozen up,” said Alan Galbraith, president of John-Richard.
“This craziness all started and it definitely had an impact – whether it’s a lasting impact we just don’t know,” Galbraith said.
“We brought as much or more new product,” Galbraith said. “We went all out as far as that goes. We think doing the right thing is right any time, so we did what we do best – bring beautiful products. It’s a good business model and we’re going to keep doing it.”
Bill Cain, president of Chelsea House, said the company cut back on its new products slightly, but for the most part, things were business as usual.
“We’re putting our best foot forward,” he said. “You can’t hide in a hole – you just have to go out and get the business that’s out there.”
Home Accents Today party Monday night
Join the staff of Home Accents Today at our Market Kickoff Party, Monday, Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. in the Century Courtyard outside of Market Square. The event is co-hosted with Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.
Straaton launches Southeast expansion at IHFC
Skokie, Ill., sales agency, Straaton & Associates, recently announced it is expanding beyond its Midwest roots into the Southeast. As part of that strategy, the company has leased more than 5,000 square feet of the Design Center Wing, in the third floor space formerly held by Couristan.
“IHFC is a great place to represent our move into the southeast,” said Mike Straaton, president of the agency. With IHFC’s high visibility and significant traffic, they are the ideal partner for us in this expansion.”
The company has signed seven new reps to service the Carolinas, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.
Straaton said the company plans to show a variety of domestic and international products from their roster of home accent, accessory and furniture manufacturers, including the latest from Accessories Abroad, Loloi Rugs, Kennebunk Home, Replogle Globes and Bella Rose by Chateau.
Free buyer parking at Steele Street, Green Drive lots
This market, IHFC is opening its Steele Street and Green Drive parking lots to buyers at no charge. Buyers who show their buyers badge at either the Steele Street lot or the Green Drive lot can park for free throughout the duration of Market. The Green Drive lot is located on the east side of the IHFC complex across Hamilton Street. To reach the Steele Street lot, travel north on Hamilton, turn right on Fred Alexander Place and right on Steele Street. Take the free shuttle service provided by Market Authority services from the Steele Street lot to the Transportation Terminal in front of IHFC.
IHFC's InterHall welcomes 19 new exhibitors
IHFC's InterHall has added 19 new exhibitors for the Fall 2008 High Point Market. InterHall’s distinctive mix of 60 exhibitors covers practically every product category in furniture and accessories in price points ranging from medium-high to high-end. New exhibitors include:
ARIN International, IH500 -- sophisticated rustic dining, bedroom and living room furniture made from 100% reclaimed materials
Barbara Cosgrove Lamps, IH507 -- transitional, classic and nouveau-traditional lamps
Brazil Baroque, IH307 -- handcrafted furniture and accessories from Brazil
DB Sources Inc, IH311 -- upscale accessories handmade from natural and exotic materials indigenous to Southeast Asia.
Design Workshop, IH102 -- industrial and contemporary styles in home furnishings and store fixtures.
Diana Font Artworks, IH114 – handcrafted, functional artwork from renewable materials.
Eloquence, IH401 -- timeworn antique reproductions
Gloster, IH206 -- high-end exterior furnishings in a variety of materials
Halo Styles, IH212 -- case goods, leather upholstery, accessories and eclectic lifestyle furnishings in traditional and transitional styles
Intarsio LLC, IH203 --Italian for ‘inlay,’ Intarsio offers classic Northern Italian furniture handcrafted from precious woods by master artisans
Luna Bella, IH110 -- incorporating hand-blown glass and hand-forged steel, Luna Bella features a retrospective look in its lines of handmade furniture, lighting, clocks and home accessories
Notre Monde, IH502 -- three main product lines include Urban Glamour, with mirror and silver-leaf finishes; Bistro, inspired by a Parisian bistro; and Modern Loft, which incorporates printed images on clean, simple pieces
Nuvello, by Antiqua Furniture, IH505 -- contemporary new line of furniture from the source of custom, bench-made furniture and architectural wood products
Old Java, IH407 -- reclaimed teak combined with natural, non-toxic materials to create furniture that expresses a design focus on family heirlooms
Regina-Andrew Design, IH301 -- artful blends of antique and modern influences, with added highlights of coastal and countryside styles
TerraSur, Inc, IH601 -- mid- to high-end furniture handcrafted in the northern Argentina pampas
Tomasini Fine Linens, IH611 -- traditional, contemporary, transitional and custom designs in bed linens, covers, pillows, dust ruffles, panels, tabletop and cut yardage
White Fine Furnishings, IH201 -- bench-made, hand-painted accent furnishings
Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design, IH202 -- furniture, wallpapers and accessories inspired from Hollywood history, the California landscape and Los Angeles style
Showplace hosting Sunset on 3
Showplace is hosting Sunset on 3, a new late afternoon social venue that will be located on the third floor balcony of the building. The event will be held Monday thru Thursday from 5-7 p.m.
Each evening Showplace will provide complimentary food, beverages and live entertainment—all with an international flavor.
“Sunset on 3 is a great place for exhibitors and their customers to relax before enjoying the nightly entertainment at Stars Under the Stars,” said Joanna Easter, chief operating officer for Capstone Showplace Management.
Amazed trend center returns to top floor of Suites at Market Square
The Top Floor of the Suites at Market Square is once again home to the Amazed trend center but with a completely new installation of inspiring ideas and trends impacting the home furnishings industry.
This market’s room themes include: Open Door Policy, Minimize Me, Fabric Car Wash, Trash to Treasure, Your Own Backyard, Speak to Me, Meconomy, Plugged-in and Nesting.
Amazed offers a journey through visual and tactile experiences that demonstrate the influence of fashion, food, globalization, localization, economic challenges and technology on our lives. The center’s innovative displays debuted last market to rave reviews by attendees.
“Rather than showcasing existing product that can be seen elsewhere at Market, our idea is to create a display that communicates to the media, retail buyers, manufacturers and designers important trends that will influence the way people furnish their homes,” said Karen Olson, vice president of marketing for Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. “In today’s complex world of globally-connected consumers, we can all benefit from better insight into the psyche of our customers, and Amazed will shed light on that.”
MMPI called upon the creativity and experience of local designer Susan Johnson Smith to assist with this year’s installation of Amazed, which is open throughout market in space 1-432 on the 1st (top) floor of the Suites at Market Square. Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served every afternoon from 4:30-6 p.m.
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