Archive for August 2011
The Rug Market America To Debut Latest Contemporary Youth and Family Decor Designs at 2011 Fall Markets
The Rug Market America, contemporary interior and exterior rug designer and manufacturer, will debut its latest collections for youth and family decor during the ABC Kids Expo and High Point Fall Market. Artistic images and whimsical elements are the focus of this season's slate of introductory floor coverings. "Once again, our design team has created a wide range of styles from soft and whimsical to bold and artsy in response to retailer and consumer requests," said Mike Shabtai, owner of The Rug Market America. "As a leader in contemporary floor coverings, this youth market is a natural fit. By utilizing the latest color trends and a simplicity of design, we feel our collections will connect with consumers and bring results at retail." Each new entry into The Rug Market Kids line-up is constructed of 100% cotton in hook or tufted designs for optimum comfort and soft hand.
"ArtRose," one of the 2011 introductions to be on display, offers a vibrant canvas of a bold and artisiticly rendered floral repeat in multi coloring. The "1853" maps out a destination to tropical isles in blue and white with a contrasting sailing vessel skimming across the rug. Color bursts forth from "Burst" in an active contemporary design. Three color options are available in the cotton hook rug including violet, pink and a yellow grey combination. In primary shades to complement a soft and whimical decor plan, vintage illustrations were the inspiration of "Old McDonald." Utilizing a story-book design motif, this rug serves as a warm and welcoming play spot.
The Rug Market America will be exhibiting in Booth 4265 at the ABC Kids Expo and in the Suites at Market Square, Showroom M-1000A during the High Point Fall Market.
Offering customers next day shipping, retailer support and superior customer service, The Rug Market America's product line has nationwide representation.
For more information about The Rug Market America and its lines of interior and exterior rugs, contact: info@therugmarket.com or visit www.therugmarket.com.
Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics Launches Blog with Informative Outdoor Cushion Discussion
This summer, casual industry veteran and entrepreneur, Jerry Newton was tapped for the first blog discussion, "A Cushion is a Cushion... but not necessarily a good one" by Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classic as its blog, http://palmspringsrattan.blogspot.com/ launched.
"Our blog is intended to inform not only our clients, but also casual furnishing consumers of the importance of making informed decisions when it comes to their outdoor furnishings," said Tami Newton, Sales Manager of Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics. "Cushions are one of the most important components of casual furniture and one that can make or break the entire outdoor experience." The inaugural blog outlines that the cushion on a seating or dining group is an extremely vital part of the success of the group. "Even with the best looking frame in the world, if the cushion is not properly designed, the group will not retail," said Jerry Newton. "I have always believed that the first impression of furniture must be a “WOW”, and the second impression as the customer sits down must be an 'AHHH.' Every piece should be individually designed to earn that reaction."
Also pointed out in Mr. Newton's piece was the fact that outdoor cushions are becoming a casualty of cost cutting practices. "Even though labor costs have always been less offshore, in past years the limited selection of marketable fabrics has left a lot to be desired in both quality and style by American standards," said Mr. Newton. "In recent years, major improvement in offshore fabrics has once again encouraged cost cutters to import cushions to cover their product. They often look “acceptable” to the untrained eye, and the landed cost of a cushion with imported fabric and fill is a fraction of the cost of one containing American made materials and labor." The blog continues in saying that there is far more to good quality cushions than appearance.
"There is still no substitute for well engineered consistent quality cushion filler," said Jerry Newton. "An attractive and functional design, the proper density of high quality foam combined with premium fiber, and quality sewing is the one and the only way to accomplish the comfort and durability that consumers deserve and demand."
Newton goes on to refer to the difficulty end consumers have in recognizing the difference in quality of frames between specialty products and those in the mass venues. "But when the consumer sits down for a few minutes, they will become irrevocably convinced that there is truly a difference in comfort between a good domestically produced cushion and a cheap import," said Newton.
The initial Palm Springs Rattan blog, which also highlights the company's products, refers to one answer to the quest for quality could be found in buying American and seeking a manufacturing partner that offers American craftsmanship. "Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics is known to have been crafting cushions in Florida since the early 80’s," said Tami Newton. "The cushions in the Palm Springs line are uniquely designed for style, durability and utmost comfort on its specific frame. All Palm Springs fully upholstered sofas, sleepers, loveseats, recliners and action chairs are manufactured in the USA by American craftsmen. There is also a very extensive selection of high quality fabrics offered at one grade pricing."
Yes... a cushion is a cushion… and some can even look pretty good. But when you find the one that is designed from top to bottom with pride and quality, you will quickly experience the difference.
For more information about Palm Springs Rattan and Garden Classics, visit www.palmspringsrattan.com or contact Tami Newton at sales@palmspringsrattan.com.
Coming in October: Casual Living call for new products
Casual Living is seeking photos and caption information to be considered for inclusion in our October issue. If your company will exhibit at the High Point Market, you are invited to submit high-resolution photos.The deadline is Sept. 6th. Along with each photo, please include a 20-30 word product description, your company's name and contact information. Forms are available here. They can also be accessed by clicking on the Edit Invites tab on our website. There is no charge, but please follow these important guidelines: We need high-quality digital images for publication. Digital images must have a resolution of 300 dpi or higher, be at least 3x4 inches in size and saved in .jpg or .tiff format. Send images and descriptions to Executive Editor Nicole Crews at ncrews@casualliving.com or Editor in Chief Cinde Ingram at cingram@casualliving.com. For more information, email or call Nicole at (336) 605-1121 or Cinde at (336) 605-1122. |
Casual Furniture Manufacturer, Pride Family Brands Promotes Beth Entwisle to Sales Manager Position for Castelle, Prestige and Summer Winds Brands
Pride Family Brands proudly announces that Beth Entwisle has been promoted to the position of Sales Manager for the company's Castelle, Prestige and Summer Winds brands. Entwisle has been with the Ft. Lauderdale, FL- based designer and manufacturer of cast aluminum outdoor furniture since 2001 when she joined its Customer Service department. Most recently, she has held the post of Assistant Sales Manager under Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rory Rehmert.
In her new management position, Entwisle will continue to report to Rehmert and manage the company's 30 member independent representative sales network and sales of the products of Pride Family Brands nationwide. As the Sales Manager, Entwisle also will manage the customer service staff located in the Ft. Lauderdale headquarters.
"We are proud of the job Beth has been doing as Assistant Sales Manager and feel confident that she will continue in the same professional manner to serve our representative force, our retailers and our company," said Steve Lowsky, Executive Vice President, Pride Family Brands. "Her years of experience and thorough knowledge of the Pride organization will benefit our entire organization."
Entwisle holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and resides in the Miami, FL area.
For more information about Pride Family Brands and their lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
Trellis Design Added to Pride Family Brands' Line Up of Cast Table Top Options
An Intricate cast design combining openwork and hand-tooled motifs, the Trellis Table Top from Pride Family Brands adds another elegant option for outdoor dining.
With the combination of a fresh open work cast design and an intricate carved inset, the Trellis table top is the latest cast design from award winning casual furniture manufacturer, Pride Family Brands. Created to coordinate with multiple seating styles, the Trellis Table Top is the latest addition to the high-end manufacturer's outdoor dining selections. "Each season, we look to our artisans to introduce another fresh cast table top design that will score big with our dealers," said Jamie Lowsky, C.E.O., Pride Family Brands. "The Trellis design has answered this call. It is creating a great deal of excitement and should be one of our leading table top designs this season."
Trellis joins Pride Family Brands' multi-style line up of eleven cast aluminum table top designs. "The Trellis design has been created to fit into our expanding line of wrought aluminum dining selections," said Rory Rehmert, vice president of sales and marketing for Pride Family Brands. "The wrought aluminum collections have been extremely popular with our retail partners and this addition is in response to interest in additional complementing table tops." Coordinating with the Centurion, Veranda and Milazzo leg designs, Trellis is available in multiple sizes including this season's debuting elliptical design.
All 2012 introductions are on display at the International Casual Furniture Market in Chicago's Merchandise Mart. Pride Family Brands' handcrafted luxury casual furnishings are available at specialty retailers nationwide. For more information about Pride Family Brands and their distinguished lines of casual furniture visit www.pridefamilybrands.com or contact 954-735-9800.
