The Landfair Retail Focus
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Most Commented On
Archives
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 19, 2009
When I posted about metallics recently, I was intrigued by Shannon Baugh's comments regarding the new St. Tropez collection from Lexington Home Brands. She discussed the metallic accents that are incorporated in the various velvet and silk fabrics used on the upholstery. "It's a nice luxurious fabric. It's livable and comfortable, but chic and trendy. Gold and silver bring in a feeling of warmth." Then she said, "The golden color plays a prominent part in the upholstered quatrefoil design found on the ...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 17, 2009
Every week I receive a newsletter from TODL, the Trade Only Design Library. I love looking down through the companies and their products. Sometimes I see a particularly interesting furniture or accessory line and first check to see if there is a dealer in the Portland area. If not, then I ask Bev if she has an interest in meeting with the Rep. Most times she is not as impressed as I am. She might tell me that X vendor has the same thing. Sometimes, I am successful in getting her to add the vendor' product to ourline list. Other times, I will write about the product here and maybe it will spark your interest as a business opportunity. One example comes to mind: the open flame accessories for the home that are safe because they don't produce carbon monoxide, a deadly killer in the winter when som...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 15, 2009
 Rare Brown Wavy Seaweed Yellow Ware Mug - $895 at Feather Tree Antiques We had dinner with some dear friends at our home Saturday night. These designers have been in the business for many years and the economy's impact has given them many sleepless nights. They feel that they are nearing an end to feeding the business. There's just no money money available and the banks are not willing to make any more loans to small business. Their business, down 90% from the gravy days of 2006 and 2007, may not pick up though they look for signs every day that it will. They have finally come to terms with the idea that they didn'...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 14, 2009
 Hali Bernstein Saylor at the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported about the role of metallics at World Market in early September: From accessories to fabrics, gold, silver, bronze and other metals were front and center when manufacturers from across the globe gathered recently to showcase their new wares for the industry at the World Market Center Las Vegas. Home decorators should expect to see metallic finishes everywhere this fall.In this economy the neutral colors are predominating. Clients of designers are conservative and not willing to make big mistakes, but...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 10, 2009
 Vicente Wolf
Ven Gravel - room shot
Handmade of Tibetan Wool & Silk
Standard Sizes: 3x5, 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, 10x14, 12x16
Tufenkian Carpets has been an established showroom in the Portland area for over 25 years and is a favorite with the designer community. The Tufenkian Showroom is focused on the carpets that Tufenkian produces in Nepal and Armenia. Tufenkian rugs are also available through select dealers (including Bloomingdale’s and Baker Sho...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 10, 2009
If you know this woman, please call the Sheriff's office. Thoughts? You c...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 2, 2009
 mydeco is coming to the U.S.. Since 2007, mydeco is a "beast", the UK's leading home furniture and furnishings website, with links to 800 retailers. Now mydeco "has announced plans to launch a US website targeting the American home and home furnishings online market worth an estimated $121 billion. Us.mydeco.com, which is already live and expanding rapidly, currently collects together over 300 retailers and will hit 500 by the end of October 2009." The mydeco website has four sections; Shopping, Design Your Home, Style Insider and Outlet. The Shopping section displays a huge "collection of living room furniture, bedroom furniture, dining room f...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on November 1, 2009
 The NYT has just announced that CIT Group has lost its battle to stave off bankruptcy. On Sunday afternoon, the company filed for Chapter 11 — but under a so-called prepackaged bankruptcy plan that will enable it to emerge from court protection by the end of the year....Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on October 30, 2009
 What's the role of Design Centers today? That's the question that David Shepherd has been asked to answer by Design Centers International (DCI). Design Centers International (DCI) is the only trade association of premiere design centers. DCI members are located in major regional areas of the United States and meet twice yearly in different cities. DCI is a think tank and networking group of properties. DCI design centers provide luxury resources to interior designers and their clients.David Shepherd id founder of Designing Profits, Inc., the nation's leading source for interior design business advice and strategies. "Over...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on October 29, 2009
 ROSIE SANDERS (born 1944) Bat Flower Tacca Chantrieri ( England 2009 ) Maybe it's the Halloween season, or the economy, but black seems to be in. Today, Wes Kennedy's blog here at Home Accents Today in "Designs For The Dark Side", calls attention to Tracy Bulla's extensive magazine gallery of furniture from the dark side. Then this morning I opened NW Home & Garden in The Oregonian and see Gardening with black plants.
Posted by Mike Landfair on October 28, 2009
 The results of two retailing surveys have come out in the last week and a half. First was Shop.org’s eHoliday Study and second was the Retail:Next study from Dechert-Hampe and RetailWire - Fad or Trend?: Will Recessionary Shopping Behavior Continue? In the eHoliday Study it was noted that since "many of today’s shoppers use Facebook and Twitter regularly, and because these tools are more cost-effective than traditional advertising, 47.1 percent of retailers surveyed will be increasing their use of social media this holiday season." In t...Read More
Posted by Mike Landfair on October 26, 2009
 Every time the Home Accents Today comes out with its yearly list of Top 50 Retail Stars or I look at the nominees for the ARTS Awards, I check out their websites. I'm especially tuned in to interior designers I come across. I look to see if they have a blog. If they don't have a blog, I look to see if they can be followed at Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. I have said if you have to choose, get a blog before you get a website. A website is static, generally requires an expert and it costs money. $1,500 and up or as high as your budget will allow is typical. A blog is free, requires a time committment not money and you can share and receive feedback in real time. Today, I would add a Facebook page for your...Read More
Advertisement
|
Advertisements
Other Home Furnishing Sites
|
|
|
|