Furniture Trends News

Award winning hotel suite features wooden furniture by Thos. Moser

2011-05-25T14:31:00.001-05:00

Thos. Moser announced that The Moser Room at Freeport, Maine's Harraseeket Inn was named "best designer room in Maine" by Yankee Magazine.
Thos. Moser partnered with the Harraseeket Inn in 2008 to create the room. It features wood furniture pieces from Thos. Moser's collection, which the company says are valued at more than $50,000 total, as well as furnishings by other New England companies and the works of several Maine artists.
“Thos. Moser and the Harraseeket are honored to have been singled out as the best designer room in Maine,” said Steve Wyman, manager of Thos. Moser's Freeport showroom. “Feedback from the guests who have stayed in the Moser Room has been universally positive and it’s great to have this additional stamp of approval from one of New England’s favorite magazines.”

Cabinet sales decrease in March 2011

2011-05-25T14:26:00.000-05:00

Cabinet sales decreased 2.9 percent in March 2011, compared to March 2010, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assocation’s monthly Trend of Business Survey.

The survey also found that for March 2011, stock cabinet sales fell 9.6 percent, semi-custom sales increased 5.3 percent and custom sales fell 10.4 percent.
The 2011 year-to-date sales showed a decrease of 4.5 percent overall, with stock sales down 7.9 percent, semi-custom sales down 0.8 percent, and custom sales down 5.7 percent, according to KCMA’s survey.

Glacial Wood, master carver to design Minnesota church wall

2011-04-20T10:48:00.000-05:00

Glacial Wood Products teamed up with master wood carver Konstantinos Papadakis to create a wall of wood icons that will be featured in a Rochester, Minn., church.
Papadakis, of Minneapolis, began carving wood at the age of 9, and has had his work featured in churches, homes, offices and buildings around the world. His latest project is to create an iconostasis, which is a wall of icons separating the nave from the sanctuary in a church. Glacial Wood's Dick Johnson is working with Papadakis on the creation, which is expected to be completed in summer 2011.
“[Glacial Wood Products] does what I ask them to do. You see I’m an old man with an old tradition. I like the old traditional way. I like things to be done the correct way. Glacial Wood Products communicates well with me and they do what I’m asking for. They do my job well,” said Papadakis.
Once the wood carving project is completed, photographs will be displayed on Glacial Wood's website and Papadakis' website.

Playhouse furniture that puts your sofa to shame

2011-04-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

Money can’t buy you love, but tens of thousand of dollars can buy you a mini playhouse mansion complete with petite custom furniture.

These tricked out playhouses can feature air conditioning, electricity, running water and 8-foot-tall ceilings for any adults who stop by. Custom upholstered furniture is also a must have along with kitchen accessories, rugs and window treatments. These playhouses are nice and bigger than any apartment I've ever lived in.
The barbarians are at the gate.

Cabinet sales decrease in February 2011

2011-04-12T16:23:00.001-05:00

The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association released its monthly Trend of Business Survey, which showed a decline in cabinet sales for February 2011.Participants in the KCMA survey reported that cabinet sales decreased 7.3 percent compared to sales for February 2010. Stock cabinet sales decreased 10.9 percent, semi-custom sales decreased 3.6 percent and custom sales decreased 9.6 percent. The year-to-date sales decreased 5.7 percent, with stock sales down 6.9 percent, semi-custom sales down 4.9 percent and custom sales down 3.6 percent.
Survey participants included stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent over 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Leda Furniture debuts condo-scaled furniture collection

2011-04-01T08:11:00.002-05:00

Leda Furniture will debut its "fresh" collection at High Point Market in April.
This new condo-scaled furniture collection features Zebrano veneers with complementing paint trim colors of silver, black and pink as well as Amaretto and Mahogany wood finishes.
“You always hear the furniture industry described as a fashion industry, yet whenever there is a new collection introduction it’s always in some shade of the safe brown and beige tones," said Marco Confalone, president of Leda Furniture. “It doesn’t matter what name you give the finish, it’s still brown. We wanted to showcase something fresh as part of our new introduction, hence the inclusion of the ‘pink & black’ bed option.”
Leda Furniture will debut "fresh" in High Point, N.C., at H-1112, IHFC Building.

Stanley Furniture's British Colonial, Bungalow styles bedroom furniture fan the flames of love

2011-03-29T07:30:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is about the tropics but that style of furniture makes me want to fall in love over and over again and never leave the bedroom. If you're lucky enough to have someone who feels the same way, invest in some romantic furniture and keep those flames of love burning.
Stanley Furniture Co. will introduce two new styles to its Classic Portfolio at High Point Market: British Colonial and Bungalow.

The British Colonial and Bungalow styles will join Stanley's European Cottage, Louis Philippe and Transitional furniture design offerings.
“The experience of owning fine furniture is sensory,” said Adam Tilley, vice president of product management. “Not only does fine furniture feel soft and luxurious to the touch, it has to be graceful. Your eyes should melt into the layers of finishes that glow in the light. These patterns were designed to envelope you in the total experience of finer furniture. The closer you study a piece, the more it should reward you.”
High Point Market will take place April 2-7, in High Point, N.C.

Institute for Supply Management reports rise in manufacturing index in February

2011-03-11T14:44:00.001-06:00

The Institute for Supply Management's index of manufacturing activity climbed to 61.4 in February from 60.8 the previous month, which is the highest reading since it reached the same level in May 2004. The index indicates expansion in manufacturing, with February's new orders index rising to a seven-year high along with shrinking inventories and the highest level of order backlogs in a year. Export orders rose to the highest level in over 22 years, boosted by growth in developing countries like China, Brazil and India, according to the Institute for Supply Management.
Despite this expansion, commodity prices for raw materials rose for a third straight month, which may spark higher inflation and slow growth. The price increase was felt in the construction industry, as the US Commerce Department reported that spending by builders fell in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $791.8 billion.
"While there are many positive indicators, there is also concern as industries related to housing continue to struggle and the prices index indicates significant inflation of raw material costs across many commodities," said Norbert Ore, chairman of the institute's survey committee.

Office furniture manufacturer gives old equipment new life

2011-03-11T14:18:00.003-06:00

What do you do with old office furniture? In the states, we have a magical website called Craig’s List. On Craig’s List you can sell or give anything away and someone will take it. Of course, the people who come knocking on your door may make you want to reconsider the whole landfill thing.
South Coast Office Furniture, a UK-based office furniture manufacturer, has created a not-for-profit recycling service for unused and unloved contract furniture. The company will pick up the items for free and list what they currently have on their website. This perfectly usable furniture is for businesses, charities, schools or anyone who needs the equipment.
According to the company, 500,000 tonnes of office furniture is being landfilled (new British slang, anyone? Anyone?) each year, the aim is to reuse and recycle it in large quantities.
Well done old chaps!

FurnitureLab announces table top design contest for trip to Las Vegas

2011-03-08T08:59:00.001-06:00

FurnitureLab is hosting a national graphic table top design contest for the chance to win a trip to the Hospitality Design Expo in Las Vegas on May 18-20.
Contestants are encouraged to use collages, illustrations, artwork or photographs to illustrate what the contest theme of "travel" means to them and effectively display it on a table top. FurnitureLab staff will judge all entries and select a winning design to be displayed on a 24-inch table at the company's booth during the HD Expo. Entries will be judged on creativity, aesthetics and how well the design translates on a horizontal table surface.
Entry to the contest is free and the deadline for submission is Thursday, March 31. Visit FurnitureLab's website for contest rules or to submit an entry. The winning designer will receive free admission to the HD Expo, a special award during the show, a $500 gift prize to cover round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations in Las Vegas, a feature on FurnitureLab's website, and the actual table on which their winning design is displayed.
"We have been passionate about custom tables since the day we started because they let you make something that is truly unique," said Gregory Rapp, president of FurnitureLab. "This contest has been such an inspiring process and it reminds us that tables can do more than just support plates and elbows, but they can be a medium for expression, communication and truly make a place feel special."

Old-school furniture manufacturing meets new media

2011-02-28T14:00:00.001-06:00

Quality furniture is still manufactured in the United States, but to turn a profit one furniture maker is using the Web instead of traditional retail channels.
The retail-marketing model has served the furniture industry well; however, the people who make the furniture never got a chance to speak directly with the consumer. However, all that is changing thanks to the Web and social media.
CarolinaChair.com, is a direct-to-consumer custom furniture manufacturer that takes orders via their Web site and over the phone. The Hickory, N.C., based shop handcrafts one piece at a time and lets customers create the sofa, loveseat or chair that they want. Because the middleman is gone (the retailer) custom is more affordable. This is a smart business model and it’ll be interesting to see if other furniture manufacturers pull up their traditional marketing roots and try something new.

Pine cone inspired furniture design

2011-02-25T16:11:00.002-06:00

Most people won’t admit where their source of inspiration comes from (it starts with a b and ends with a room).
However, design student, Alix Armour was inspired by a pine cone, created a “pine-scale cocktail table” and won the 2011 Student Design Competition, sponsored by the American Society of Furniture Designers. Armour's table was prototyped and displayed at the High Point Market. According to the designer, she would like to create a furniture line based on the form, shape and colors of the pine cone. Nature is the original artist.

Idiosyncratic furniture

2011-02-25T15:54:00.000-06:00

Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Bedford Museum purchased a rare Zodiac settle designed by a 19th century Gothic Revivalist, William Burges. Designed for his personal residence, the Zodiac Settle (built around 1869) is an ornate canopied bench that combines an Italian Renaissance day bed with a castellated canopy.
The settle is made from painted, stenciled and gilded wood and decorated with rock crystal and vellum. The central panel features the sun on a throne surrounded by the dancing signs of the zodiac. The Settle’s other panels show the planets as musicians and female figures.
The art piece is extremely rare because it was an experiment and the design was never repeated.

Four furniture trends to make your home a personal retreat

2011-02-25T15:39:00.002-06:00

More consumers are turning their home into a calm oasis, a respite from the chaos, according to Kelly-Moore Paint’s Top 10 Home Design Trends for 2011.“… Consumers have reached a point of 'frugal fatigue' -- they're ready to spend and take risks again in their homes, with a desire to revitalize, renew and restore their spirits. This shift is demonstrated in today's home design trends as we move towards a cleansing future," says Mary Lawlor, manager of color marketing at Kelly-Moore Paints.
A cleansing future…not sure, where she’s going with that, but here’s my take on her top four home design trends.
1. Home Design Element: Handcrafted goods. Handcrafted goods are experiencing a resurgence.
It’s a true fact that if you sprinkle glitter on anything it looks artsy.
2. Home Design Element: Furniture. Instead of designer couches or tables, homeowners will repurpose garage sale finds and family heirlooms.
Milk crates and lawn chairs they aren’t just for college anymore. Yippe.
3. Home Design Element: Imperfect natural materials. Nature's imperfections, such as wood flooring with knots and color imperfections in leather are now valued.
I believe this is called texture or distressing and people usually pay more for that.
4. Home Design Element: Furniture "Botox" -- or "Fotox". Families will make small upgrades around the home repurposing what they have. Lawlor calls this "furniture Botox" -- or "Fotox." Instead of buying a new piece of furniture, homeowners can upgrade existing ones -- a new slipcover or Granny's bureau painted high gloss black with decorative glittery knobs.
I’m not sure how much paint was huffed to come up with "furniture Botox." I’m guess this is where frugal fatigue sets in and you go out and buy something you really like.

Cabinet sales down 4.1% in 2010, says Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers survey

2011-02-10T10:52:00.000-06:00

According to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s monthly Trend of Business Survey, participating cabinet manufacturers reported sales totaling $4.5 billion for 2010, down 4.1% compared to total sales for 2009.
According to the survey, stock sales were down 6.7%, semi-custom sales were down 0.5% and custom sales were down 13.2%. December 2010 monthly sales were down 9.7% compared to December 2009. Stock sales for December 2010 were down 5.2%, semi-custom sales were down 13.5% and custom sales were down 9.5% compared to December 2000.

NKBA survey reveals 11 kitchen, bath trends for 2011

2011-02-10T10:48:00.000-06:00

The National Kitchen & Bath Association surveyed over 100 U.S. and Canadian members who designed kitchens or bathrooms in the last three months of 2010 to compile a list of seven kitchen and four bathroom trends to look out for in 2011.
In kitchens, Shaker style has gained popularity, taking over contemporary style as the second-most popular look. Dark was the most specified finish at the end of 2010, and LED lighting was listed by 54% of respondents as the most requested lighting type. Unchilled wine storage, French-door refrigerators, induction cooktops and efficient trash methods like pull-outs, disposals and compactors all increased in popularity in the last three months of 2010.
Quartz countertops in bathrooms are closing in on the more popular granite style and greens were included with whites, off-whites, beiges and browns as popular bathroom color palettes. Vessel sinks and satin nickel faucets (the faucets are also a popular choice for kitchens) both saw an upswing in requests in the last quarter of 2010.

Office furniture industry index continues to improve

2011-02-10T10:40:00.001-06:00

The most recent quarterly MADA/OFI Trends Survey indicated that trends were positive for the office furniture industry. Michael A. Dunlap & Associates, LLC completed the survey in January 2011 to measure the activity of the office furniture industry and its suppliers. The survey's January 2011 overall survey index is 57.01 (all numbers are on a scale of 1 to 100), which is the highest since the July 2007 Index of 58.49. Overall index value in October 2010 was 56.65. Gross shipments measured 65.00, well above the previous survey average of 57.41 and order backlog was 56.47, nearly identical to the earlier survey average of 56.46. The employment index increased to 55.77, which is the highest since the survey began. Hours worked rose to 59.09, the highest since the January 2007 index of 61.30. Capital expenditures rose to 58.24, the highest since achieving 55.75 in April 2006. New product development accelerated to 66.12, the highest since July 2007 at 66.32.
“Although I am very pleased in the results this quarter, as well as the past three quarters, I remain ‘cautiously optimistic’ for 2011 and 2012," Dunlap said.. "The improvements are nearly across the board for office furniture manufacturers and suppliers."
Dunlap said that suppliers and manufacturers both appear to share the same level of optimism, but he is not convinced that the industry can return to the same sales levels experienced in the late 1990s.
The majority of respondents cite increased material costs (steel, copper, and resins), energy costs, and increased health care costs as the “largest threats to the industry."
The January 2011 MADA / OFI Trends survey was sent to more than 600 individuals involved with office furniture manufacturing and suppliers from Asia, Europe, North and South America and from companies ranging from more than $1 billion in sales to less than $10 million in sales. The next survey will be in April 2011.

Behold the world’s most expensive bed

2011-02-03T14:52:00.001-06:00

When you live in a 20,000-square-foot mansion a regular bed is like drinking tap water or flying commercial—it’s just not done!
Stuart Hughes (the British guy that blings out multimillion-dollar iPhones and flatscreens for the uber rich and flashy) and Hebanon by F.lli Basile Interiors of Nocera Superiore Italy have designed the world’s most expensive and exclusive bed, the Baldacchino Supreme. I know this bed sounds like an awesome new pizza creation, but it’s for real.
The bed of all beds is smothered in Italian silk curtains; the canopy bed is a luxe pairing of crème and gold hand carved from chestnut, ash and cherry woods. The Parisian influenced headboard is a capitonnè, button-punctured fabric that can be customized with diamond buttons or another stone for that extra flash.
If you covet gold, I mean COVET gold then hold on to yourself— this bed is covered in gold leaf (107kg of solid 24-carat gold). Only two Baldacchino Supremes will be made at a cost of $6.4 million to start. Anything and everything can be customized on this bed, and one has already been ordered by an Italian businessman.
As you lay in your common bed tonight with no gold leaf or diamonds and dream of the Baldacchino Supreme, don’t be surprised if you wake craving pizza.

Furniture so down home you may never want to leave

2011-02-03T14:03:00.001-06:00

Paula Deen, the patriarch of the Food Network, is taking a break from her Southern cooking to create a line of furniture so comfortable it’ll melt you like butter.
Known for her comfort food and southern charm, Deen is expanding her empire by collaborating with Universal Furniture to create pieces that are comfortable and casual with a bit of coastal style. Unlike some celebs who lend their name to a project, Deen helped design the collection and some of the pieces are similar to plantation antiques in her own home.
The Paula Deen Home collection includes furniture for the bedroom, home office, dining room, living room and home entertainment. The line’s wood furniture comes in a distressed tobacco finish, and accent pieces are available in painted finishes such as linen, Spanish moss and sea-oat.
According to Deen, life revolves around family and food—thow in some butter and I couldn’t agree more.

Soak up Tuscany from an antique chair

2011-01-20T14:00:00.002-06:00

Everyone should experience a little “la dolce vita” every now and then.
Heather Dempsey and Massimo Mallamace, owners of San Francisco home furnishings shop Fatto a Mano are offering a select few the opportunity to experience Tuscany in a 500-year-old stone country house, Podere Erica.
The country house recently underwent a $1 million renovation and is packed with antique furniture and décor. A few amenities include a huge claw foot tub, working fireplaces in the bedrooms, air conditioning and a dreamy wisteria-covered pergola.
However, a little “la dolce vita” will set you back a few Euros, (6,685 Euros per week during the high season).

November 2010 U.S. cabinet sales fell 4 percent

2011-01-18T09:25:00.001-06:00

According to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association monthly Trend of Business Survey, overall cabinet sales for November 2010 decreased 4.1 percent compared to sales for November 2009.
Survey participants reported that stock cabinet sales decreased 8.8 percent, custom sales decreased 6.0 percent and semi-custom sales increased 1.4 percent. Respondents reported year-to-date sales also declined 3.0 percent, with stock sales down 5.5 percent, custom sales down 13.2 percent and semi-custom sales up 1.8 percent.
Survey participants included stock, semi-custom and custom companies with combined sales representing over 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Furniture that actually is 'Made in the USA'

2011-01-17T15:46:00.003-06:00

It’s hard to find anything especially furniture that is actually Made in the USA, until now. Pacific Hospitality Design Inc. is the first U.S. custom furniture and furnishing manufacturer to earn the license to use the Made in the USA Certified Seal. In an industry where outsourcing has become the status quo, it’s nice to see some manufacturing is still thriving in the US.
If you read the fine print on many items you buy, you’ll find phrases like designed in California or Assembled in the USA (clever marketing trickery). Made in the USA Certified is a non-partisan leader in independent third-party assurance verification for genuine ‘Made in USA’ products and services.

2011 Fresh Wood Student Woodworking Competition accepting entries until May 2

2011-01-17T10:41:00.002-06:00

The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers is now accepting entries for the 2011 Fresh Wood Student Woodworking Competition. The competition, which will be showcased at the 2011 AWFS Fair, July 20-23, in Las Vegas, has six categories at both school levels: case goods, chairs, open, production/contract, reproduction and tables. Entries will be rated by a panel of ten judges who represent different aspects of the woodworking industry:
*Margaret Casey, director of programming for the World Market Center in Las Vegas and president of the Sustainable Furnishings Council Board of Directors;
*Andy Glantz, owner of Zenith Design and current president of the board of trustees of The Furniture Society;
*Alan Harp, an Atlanta-based furniture designer and former instructor of the Georgia Tech Advanced Wood Products Laboratory;
*Garry Knox Bennett, an Award of Distinction winner from The Furniture Society and Fellow of the American Craft Council;
*Greg Larson, director of the New England School of Architectural Woodworking;
*Merry Mabbett-Dean, owner/interior designer of Absolute Office of Oregon and a Fellow and past president of the International Furnishings and Design Association;
*Juan Morales, principal/VP operations of Contract Resources/Villa Hallmark;
*Jason Phillips,vice president and creative director of Phillips Collection;
*Marc Spagnuolo, owner and creator of TheWoodWhisperer.com; and
*David Wade, master craftsman at Maloof Woodworking.
The competition is open to full-time students in an accredited high school or post-secondary woodworking or related program and part-time students in an accredited post-secondary woodworking or related program that are transitioning into a career in woodworking or design. Entry applications will be accepted until May 2, 2011.

Warning: Your next couch may be Magenta

2011-01-14T15:31:00.003-06:00

Looking for clues to what may be the next “it” color—look no further than your local grocery store. Blue may be the world’s most popular color, but the one to watch for 2011 is actually Magenta, according to DayGlo Color Corp.’s Brand Action Team. Product packaging, paint, cosmetics and clothing are all indicators of color trends that will eventually show up in furniture.
Pantone is also jumping on the pink hue bandwagon, declaring Honeysuckle the 2011 color of the year. According to Pantone, Honeysuckle is upbeat and dynamic…a conversation stimulant when used on dining room walls. I can almost hear the conversation now…
Frightened dinner guest: “Oh, you repainted your dining room…it’s…uh, a bold choice.”
Trendy host: “Yes, the color elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.”
Frightened dinner guest: “Do you talk to Elvis, too?”
However, with bold color comes great responsibility. Pantone warns, once you try this arresting shade, it can become addictive. We may need a colorvention, an intervention for good colors gone bad.

Drop-side cribs banned in the US

2011-01-11T14:36:00.000-06:00

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has banned in the United States any crib with a side rail that can be raised and lowered — also known as drop-side cribs. Hotels and daycare centers have two years to replace this style of furniture for a crib with four fixed sides.

Wood furniture or functional piece of art?

2011-01-07T09:39:00.001-06:00

Texture and natural imperfections are what gives wood its character. Mike Messer, owner of Great Lakes Rustics likes to take a living piece of wood, imperfections and all, and turn it into a functional piece of art otherwise known as a coffee table.
Great Lakes Rustics specializes in hickory, pine, red cedar and white cedar log furniture. The furniture line covers beds to dining tables to accessories. My favorite part of this rustic furniture line is the barn wood end tables. These end tables are made from historic Michigan barns that have been marked to be destroyed. The design varies somewhat because all salvaged wood is one of a kind.

Own a piece of NYC

2011-01-06T12:50:00.000-06:00

No, I’m not talking about the Brooklyn Bridge. New Yorkers and New Yorkers at heart now have an opportunity to own a piece of historic NYC. Made of New York furniture is constructed out of old Manhattan lumber using as few machines as possible. This eco-friendly furniture line rescues 19th century lumber and wood materials that would end up in a dump somewhere in Jersey. The geometric collection’s simple lines complement the charm of the old wood. Prices range from $200 to $1,200 and the collection can be found here.

Ornate furniture with a modern twist

2011-01-06T12:29:00.000-06:00

Modern furniture doesn’t have to be sterile and cold. Light Vintage from Italian design firm Moda offers an ornate, classic wood furniture line paired with bold, colorful modern fabrics. The result is a playful mix of old and new that would fit in a European palace and a loft in Chicago. The furniture line features chairs, sofas and my favorite the fainting couch.

Photogenic furniture designs

2011-01-06T11:14:00.002-06:00

Looking for new ways to incorporate your favorite pictures into your space? Two designers, have created the Lumi Process, which uses photo-realistic images and prints or ingrains them in the fiber on natural materials (denim, wood and raw leather) in an eco-friendly way (no harsh chemicals or processing).
If you’re a luxist, then the Lumi Process isn’t for you. The process can only be used on materials that can handle heat such as polyester or polyester-coated goods. Kind of a buzzkill, but I can see this high-art process, which is currently used on furniture going low-brow commercial in the next 10 years.

Flexible wood furniture

2011-01-06T10:51:00.000-06:00

Nevermind those extra holiday pounds you packed on, Dutch designer Carolien Laro has released a series of stools with flexible seats created by cutting slits into their solid ashwood tops.
The seating collection includes a three-seatbench and three stools, one on wheels, one without and another with folded steel legs. To create the Springwood effect, each seat has 480 CNC-milled cuts.

Office furniture production forecast to increase 6 percent in 2011

2010-12-28T08:24:00.000-06:00

The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association reports office furniture production is forecast to increase 6.3% in 2011, reaching $8.9 billion. Production in 2010 was $8.2 billion. Office furniture consumption in 2010 was $9.8 billion, and consumption in 2011 is predicted to reach $10.8 billion.
The statistics are based on the IHS Global Insight industry forecast model, which is adjusted to focus on the value of the U.S. office furniture market defined by consumption rather than as the historical and traditional shipments, or production. This change was due to the increasing significance of international trade and its impact on the domestic market.

LEED commercial projects reach one billion square feet

2010-12-23T17:34:00.000-06:00

I guess Kermit the Frog was wrong...it's easy to be green after all.
The footprint of commercial projects certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Green Building Rating System recently surpassed one billion square feet worldwide, and an additional six billion square feet of projects are registered and working toward certification.
“This traction demonstrates the transformation of the way we design, build and operate buildings,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “Not only does green building contribute to saving energy, water and money, it also creates green jobs that will grow and energize our economy.”
Since it was first introduced to the marketplace in 2000, more than 36,000 commercial projects and 38,000 single-family homes have participated in LEED.

Bamboo furniture gets an upgrade

2010-12-23T17:29:00.001-06:00

No, this isn't the cheap bamboo furniture you remember from your dorm room. This is the good stuff.
Teragren and Vaughan Benz formed a partnership to create bamboo furniture for commercial applications in the hospitality industry.
Vaughan Benz will now offer bamboo cabinetry, tables and seating made with FSC-certified Teragren bamboo panels and veneer to hotels, restaurants and healthcare facilities worldwide. The partnership was announced at Greenbuild 2010, a conference and expo dedicated to "green" building.
“Our customers are increasingly asking us to find manufacturing solutions that are environmentally sustainable, including low-VOC and FSC-certified products. We are proud to partner with Teragren, as their leadership in providing environmentally friendly bamboo products for the woodworking industry is exemplary,” said David Benz, president of Vaughan Benz.

Furniture shipments gain 8 percent through Sept.

2010-12-23T17:22:00.000-06:00

Smith Leonard's November Furniture Insights report showed mixed results for the wood and furniture industries year-to-date in 2010, with hope for improvement by next year.
A survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors done by Smith Leonard showed that year-to-date (January - September) shipments were up 8 percent over the same period one year ago. This year's shipment increase is in addition to the 19 percent gain from 2008 to 2009. Shipments were also higher by 6 percent in September 2010 compared with September 2009, which may relate to the arrival of imported products, according to Smith Leonard. Although new orders for September 2010 were down 3 percent from 2009, they rose 6 percent year-to-date in 2010.
According to the National Association of Realtors, existing-home sales declined 2.2 percent from September 2010 to October 2010 and are 25.9 percent below October 2009 levels, when sales surged prior to the initial deadline for the first-time buyer tax credit. Year-to-date, existing-home sales also fell by 2.9 percent to 4.149 million from the 2009 level of 4.272 million. The U.S. Census Bureau News reported a decline in sales of new single-family homes by 8.1 percent from September 2010 to October 2010, a 28.5 percent decrease from October 2009 levels. Although new home sales were down overall in three of the four regions of the country, new home sales were higher by 3.1 percent in the South.
“The housing market is experiencing an uneven recovery, and a temporary foreclosure stoppage in some states is likely to have held back a number of completed sales. Still, sales activity is clearly off the bottom and is attempting to settle into normal sustainable levels,” said Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors chief economist. “Based on current and improving job market conditions, and from attractive affordability conditions, sales should steadily improve to healthier levels of above 5 million by spring of next year.”

Colorful fabrics boost office productivity

2010-12-23T17:18:00.001-06:00

OFM, an office and school furniture manufacturer and distributor, has released a new in-stock fabric program which can affect office workers’ creativity, productivity and overall mood. The company’s new Elements program has upgraded the upholstery offerings on many of its chairs with new fabrics and vinyls, all of which feature bolder, richer colors and more striking patterns and textures than typical office furniture.“We’ve been taught to think that things like colors and patterns are superficial, but it turns out that they can affect us in profound ways,” says Audrey Barnhill, architect and design sales manager for OFM. “Light and color have long been known to stimulate the brain, which fosters a more creative and productive workplace and overall atmosphere. We can’t say exactly what designs might stimulate individual workers the best, but we believe that by expanding the palette, we can help find what works for them.”
The designs are based in part on recent research which found that a more colorful environment can boost workers moods. OFM’s new collection includes luminescent vinyls that take on a different shade depending on the light and a mix of warm vibrant colors featuring reds, blues and greens, along with designs that exude energy with the movement of the patterns. This includes everything from swirling dots to multi-colored staggered blocks.
“Now that we understand how important color, patterns and texture are, we should do everything we can to expand the range of options,” Barnhill said. “By having a colorful palette varied by the latest styles, we are offering more options to our dealers who in turn can offer more to everyday end users.”

FSC-certified wooden bicycle

2010-12-23T17:10:00.001-06:00

Well, since I know Santa is bringing me a $15,000 life-size gingerbread condo (see previous post) for Christmas, I thought I should add this cool wooden bicycle to my list.
The Collins Companies commissioned Renovo Hardwood Bicycles to build the company an FSC-certified wooden bicycle scheduled to debut at the Greenbuild International Conference in Chicago, Nov. 17-19. The bike is an R4 Pursuit model featuring a stiff, lightweight frame.All of Renovo’s bikes are custom made – adjusting the stiffness and ride quality to the customer’s individual riding style and weight. Renovo is one of the few companies in the world that manufactures wood bicycles and it uses hollow frames to make them.
“We utilized a species combination of CollinsWood from the Collins Pennsylvania Forest including; Black Cherry, Hard Maple, and Birch [for this bike],” said Ken Wheeler, owner, Renovo Hardwood Bicycles.
Collins had the bike commissioned for one of its employees. “Although wood bicycles are still in their infancy, we are constantly exploring new ways to have CollinsWood incorporated into everyday products and we want our customers to explore new uses,” said Cameron Waner, marketing coordinator for The Collins Companies.

Lifesize edible gingerbread house

2010-11-18T08:00:00.005-06:00

The 2010 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is out and one of the Fantasy gifts is a page out of my childhood dreams. A munchable manor house (which is probably bigger than most studio apts in NYC) is 6.6 feet high by 5.25 feet wide by 4.1 feet deep.
The Candyland come to life dream mansion is handcrafted of 381 lbs. of gourmet gingerbread and 517 lbs. of royal icing. This magical creation features thousands of gourmet sweets including giant cookies, lollipops, gummies, mints, gumdrops, and a candy-encrusted roof. There's also a lollipop tree inside (because you can't give someone an empty house).
All this wonderment can be yours for the mere price of $15,000. The sugar coma is free.

Congress recognizes U.S. hardwoods as sustainable and preferable

2010-11-17T08:00:00.008-06:00

The Hardwood Council has announced that Congress has given its stamp of approval to the U.S. hardwood industry and U.S. hardwood products with the passage of Senate Resolution 411 and House resolution 81. The resolutions recognize hardwood trees grown in the U.S. as an abundant, sustainable and legal resource. Dept. of Agriculture data show that U.S. hardwood inventory has more than doubled over the past 50 years. Also, U.S. hardwood growth exceeds hardwood removals by a margin of 1.9 to 1. Net annual growth has exceeded removals continuously since 1952.

New seating design fits multiple applications

2010-11-16T08:57:00.000-06:00

The CH bench from Itoki Design is a one-piece plastic form that can be used in multiple configurations for seating and surfaces. The design won an Innovation Award at NeoCon 2010. The pieces can be moved around easily and are light enough to be stacked. Itoki suggests that it could take the place of small upholstered lounge seating or steel and wood side tables. It is made of linear low-density polyethylene, can be recycled, and has no parts to assemble or disassemble.

Boys and their toys

2010-10-25T13:37:00.000-05:00

Some Ferrari loving guy crafted a replica 365 V12 engine out of wood. This is almost as cool as the Ferrari cake featured on South Park's "Satan's Super Sweet 16" episode. Wood and cake are magical.

Furniture for the kitchen

2010-10-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

Englishman’s Fine Furnishings, makers of European-style antique reproduction furniture, officially announced its new furniture-quality, custom kitchen line in a fully expanded showroom at AmericasMart Atlanta. The new kitchen line, named Englishman’s Kitchens & Fine Custom Cabinetry, is part of an overall showroom expansion to include a total 9,300 square feet of display space. Englishman’s was launched based upon the company’s long-standing business of building custom furniture.
“We had received many requests for custom kitchens reminiscent of our English- and European-style furnishings,” says Mike Howarth, owner and president. “Since other businesses in the Mart were not offering this type of built-in cabinetry, we knew it would be a good opportunity to create custom kitchens for designers and their clients.”

KCMA survey shows decrease in cabinet sales for August

2010-10-20T15:02:00.000-05:00

Overall cabinet sales for August decreased 1.7 percent compared to sales for August 2009, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) monthly Trend of Business Survey.The survey also found that stock cabinet sales decreased 5.6 percent, custom sales decreased 10.9 percent and semi-custom sales rose 4.3 percent. The year-to-date cabinet sales numbers showed a decrease of 1 percent, with stock sales down 2 percent, custom sales down 14.3 percent and semi-custom sales up 3.1 percent.KCMA survey participants include stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent over 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Liege ornamental carvings is my kind of wood porn

2010-10-08T09:36:00.000-05:00

You've heard of food porn (those cooking shows you only watch when you're starving), well, for me this is wood porn.
Patrick Damiaens is the only fulltime ornamentist (the carving of ornaments in wood) in Belgium and the Netherlands who is devoted to Liége style ornaments for interieur and Liege style furniture (XVIIIe century style).
Because of the European quality standards, the originality of the drawings and the performance, Damiaens says his profession appeals to the imagination of many, including Belgian magazines and newspapers and even the Belgian Royal family.
The fabrication of Liege style woodcarving for the interior and the reproduction of Liége style furniture is done only in Belgium, and is known for its design and look, the drawings, and the carving. Damiaens says the work is not commercial, since the number of pieces of furniture produced on a yearly basis may be two or three. The main reason for fabrication is to satisfy the highest standards of craftsmanship and to keep and old tradition and art alive. For more information, see Patrick Damiaens.

Color forecast with a case of the sads

2010-10-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Drum roll please…

All the paint companies are coming out with 2011 color and design forecasts but so far Behr is my favorite. The new collection "captures an eclectic mix of styles from quirky to the conservative." Oh, you had me at quirky!
The new collection features four distinct trend themes:
1. Boudoir Goth—With colors like Grayve Yard, Blood rose and Not so Innocent, what parent wouldn’t want to transform their child’s bedroom into a scene from True Blood?
2. Rock N’ Roll—Oh, this is my favorite (see picture above)! The fusion of masculinity with hard core rock n’ roll overtones just screamed for a visit from sad Keanu (can you find him?).
3. Tokyo Pop—Imagine Hello Kitty throwing up all over four walls and throw in some adult-swim for good measure.
4. Danish Twist—No, this is not a delicious breakfast treat from Duncan Donuts. It’s a sensory experience from Europe so it has to be good.

My, what a large desk you have

2010-10-06T08:00:00.014-05:00

Desk size, like everything else in life…size matters.
The right sized desk is a key factor in long-term business success, according to research from Avanta Managed Offices.
Here are three questions to ask before purchasing a desk.
1. What do you need?
2. What shape do you need?
3. What will be on your desk?
For inspiration, I’ve attached a photo of William Randolph Hearst’s desk. This is the desk that launched a publishing empire. Can you feel the power?

Fug or fab?

2010-10-05T11:19:00.000-05:00

Besides a love of sitting, I have a strange affinity for chairs of all kinds. So, as I'm pondering Anthropologie's latest offering, the Calandria Armchair. I'm conflicted...do I love it or hate it?

Harvard report discusses cause of nonprime mortgage lending boom

2010-09-30T08:00:00.003-05:00

A report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University concluded that excess risk in the primary mortgage market was linked to demand on the secondary capital markets for mortgages with higher yields than prime mortgages, as well as the multiplication and magnification of this risk through actions taken in the capital markets.
“The combination of a glut of global liquidity, low interest rates, high leverage, and regulatory laxity in the context of initially tight and then overvalued housing markets triggered staggering risk taking,” said Eric S. Belsky, managing director of the Joint Center and one of the study’s authors. “Capital markets supplied credit through Wall Street in large volumes for risky loans to risky borrowers and then multiplied these risks by issuing derivatives that exposed investors to risks in amounts much larger than the face amount of all the loans.”
The report also found that regulatory failures allowed the market to chase higher returns through excessive leverage and risk taking. Many securities were issued a smaller face amount than the total face value of loans in the pools to hold aside reserves against losses, according to the report. A full copy of this report, entitled "Understanding the Boom and Bust in Nonprime Mortgage Lending," is available online.

Home offices, outdoor living spaces draw design interest

2010-09-29T14:33:00.002-05:00

Homes are currently being designed with an eye toward affordability due to the decline in house prices in recent years in most areas of the country. Still, many households are willing to invest in home features, systems, and products that promote greater energy efficiency and accessibility throughout the home. Even with the general downsizing of homes, residential architects are reporting growing interest in outside living spaces, home offices, and mud rooms, according to the AIA’s Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2010. Almost 300 residential architects were surveyed on emerging design preferences of households.
Meanwhile, residential architecture firms reported a softening of business conditions at their firms during the second quarter, a trend that held for firms in every major region of the country. Project backlogs (the amount of design work currently in-house) remain very low. By construction sector, homes priced at the lower end of the price spectrum are doing somewhat better, while second homes and vacation homes remain the weakest sector. Remodeling projects are reported to be growing at a healthy pace according to residential architects.

Upscale out, home office in
The precipitous decline in house prices over the past five years and the resulting growth in the number of homeowners with delinquent mortgages or mortgages in foreclosure has dramatically changed the way that households are making decisions, as well as using the space within their homes. So, for example, when we asked residential architects for the most popular special function room in homes at present, very few mentioned previously popular upscale examples.
Special function rooms that remain popular include home offices, outdoor living spaces, and mud rooms. Home offices appeal to telecommuting workers as well as to the growing number of individuals who work exclusively out of their home. Outdoor living areas and outdoor rooms reflect the growing interest in expanding the household’s living space into the outdoors. Interest in mud rooms reflects the need for additional closets and other storage space, as well as the increasing informality of space in the home.
With the downsizing of homes, special function rooms have been disappearing. For media rooms/home theaters, exercise/fitness rooms, hobby/game rooms, home workshops, kid’s wings/guest wings, interior kennels, and interior greenhouses, a growing share of residential architects responding to this survey indicated that interest in these spaces was declining. This leaves only a few examples (notably outside living areas and home offices) where there was general consensus among residential architects that interest among households is increasing.
Special features that promote accessibility through the home include a first floor master bedroom, ramps and elevators, and easy-to-use features like handles and faucets, and nonslip floor surfaces. These features are still reported to be increasing in popularity by a minority of respondents, but the share of residential architects reporting an increase in popularity of these projects has uniformly fallen over the past year.

Business falters in second quarter
Since hitting a low at the end of 2008, business conditions at residential architecture firms had been making steady progress toward recovery. In fact, in the first quarter of this year, residential architects reported a small increase in billings, the first quarterly increase since mid-2007. However, the second quarter showed a reversal of this trend, with a billing score just under 41, down from a score of just over 50 in the first quarter. A national billings score of 41 indicates that more residential architecture firms reported a decline in billings in the second quarter than reported an increase, so that in total, billings at residential architecture firms declined. In all likelihood, the softening of firm billings at residential architecture firms reflects the general weakness in the economy during that quarter, and the home buyer tax credit expired at the end of April.
The national downturn in billings at residential architecture firms has affected firms in all regions of the country. In the second quarter, the billings score was below 50 for every major region, ranging from a low of 35 in the South to a high of 47 in the Northeast. In general, the South and West regions that had seen stronger levels of residential construction activity prior to the downturn are currently seeing weaker billings conditions at present because they had a higher base to fall from. Also, the Northeast and Midwest have a higher share of home improvement activity, which at present is the strongest residential sector.
Residential architects report that home improvement activity is growing at a fairly healthy rate. Both kitchen and bath remodels and additions and alterations to existing homes have healthy sector scores with this survey, with kitchen and bath remodeling having increased from its reading of a year ago. Without an overbuilding problem like in the new construction market, home improvement activity has been able to stage a healthier recovery than new construction. Click here to see the full AIA report.

KCMA survey shows drop in cabinet sales for July

2010-09-29T14:13:00.001-05:00

Cabinet sales for July 2010 decreased 5.9 percent compared to sales for July 2009, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association monthly Trend of Business Survey.
The survey also found that stock cabinet sales fell 4.4 percent, semi-custom sales fell 4.2 percent and custom sales fell 19.9 percent. The year-to-date sales show a decrease of 0.9 percent, with stock sales down 1.5 percent, custom sales down 14.7 percent and semi-custom sales up 2.9 percent. Survey participants included stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent more than 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Where does my wood come from?

2010-09-28T10:02:00.001-05:00

The universe is full of questions--"Why am I here?, Why do people insist on driving slow in the fast lane? and Where does my wood come from?" Thankfully Zepol just released a “Wood Import Report” for the continuously shaped wood segment of the US market. One less question to keep you up at night.
I know, it sounds riveting but I’m a trend junkie and I want to know where my wood comes from. The report details recent import trends and provides information on wood imports in late 2009 to early 2010.
Here are a few tantalizing tidbits:
*Brazil is the U.S.’s top supplier for wood products in HTS 4409, with $238,155,180 exported over August 2009 to July 2010 – a 16.64% increase over the previous year.
*Canada dominates the U.S.’s supply of red cedar siding (HTS 4409.10.1020 & HTS 4409.10.1060), with 95% and 100% market share respectively from August 2009 to July 2010.
*July 2010 was a big month for U.S. wood imports across the board, with several HTS product categories posting their high for the year in this month.
To download the full report (for a limited time), click here.

Behold inspiration!

2010-09-26T08:00:00.021-05:00

Fall has hit the Midwest and being from a land-locked state (Lake Michigan doesn't count as an ocean), coastal living seems, in a word--awesome! check out Coastal Living's 2009 Seawatch idea house. It's full of beautiful millwork and the design is inspiring. My favorite room is the master suite and it wasn't an easy choice. What's your favorite room?

Do you suffer from 'Sitting Disease'?

2010-09-25T08:00:00.018-05:00

OK, I get it Americans are big, fat fatties.
Forbes has praised the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk As “one of the best workplace luxuries anywhere.”
Medical reports and studies have focused on rising obesity rates and ill health caused by “Sitting Disease,” a term that includes syndromes and diseases caused by sedentary lives. While the financial and productivity risk to American business is understood, affordable solutions to the problem have proven to be a challenge.
Forbes.com, spotlighting office innovations, praised the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk as a way to restore health and lose weight.
“We are pleased by Forbes recognition as to the tremendous health benefits attributable to walking and working with a TrekDesk, however based on recent medical evidence we would replace the word luxury with necessity,” says TrekDesk founder Steve Bordley.
While this cool, healthy desk sounds really neat...I'd rather sweat off my double quarter-pounder with cheese in the gym and not in the office.

AWFS 2011 Fresh Wood Student Competition now accepting entries

2010-09-24T08:00:00.017-05:00

The Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) is accepting entries for the 2011 Fresh Wood Student Woodworking Competition as part of the AWFS Fair, scheduled for July 20-23, 2011, in Las Vegas.
The competition is open to full-time students in an accredited high school or post-secondary woodworking or related program, and part-time students in an accredited post-secondary woodworking or related program who are transitioning into a career in woodworking or design. The deadline for entry applications is May 2, 2011.
The competition has six categories at both school levels: case goods, chairs, open, production/contract, reproduction and tables. Entries will be rated by a panel of judges that represent different aspects of the industry and those scores will determine the finalist pieces that will be displayed at the AWFS Fair. The final judging will be held July 19 at AWFS Fair, where awards will be given for first and second place winners in each category, at both school levels. A Best of Show award will be selected among all first place winners and the winner’s school will receive the Larry Hilchie School Grant Award. Fair Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote on the People's Choice award.
All forms and guidelines for the 2011 Fresh Wood Competition are available online or by contacting Adria Torrez of AWFS at 800.946.2937.

Reclaimed, restored and reborn

2010-09-23T13:53:00.003-05:00

I’ve always like the idea of using something you don’t need to make something else you want. Call it recycling, upcycling or green—I call it smart.
Old bowling alleys are disappearing all over the country, but what happens to the long, beautiful heartpine wood lanes? I’ve read articles of people salvaging the wood to make countertops, and frames but Counterevolution has taken it one step further. Craftsman, Jim Malone has created three contemporary fine furniture lines out of these old lanes. Modern Rustic and Industrial Green series feature tables, seating, kitchen and desks. The Buffalo Greens series includes wine racks, lazy susans, clocks and jewelry. Malone has also done some beautiful commercial installations.
Its furniture fit for a kingpin! Go green!!

Global demand for new housing to reach 53 million units in 2014

2010-09-21T08:00:00.000-05:00

After a sharp drop in new housing construction in North America, Western Europe and Japan, those countries are expected to enjoy the fastest growth in construction through 2014, according to a study, World Housing, from The Freedonia Group. But despite that new housing activity in the U.S. is forecast to increase 24 percent annually, the level of activity in 2014 will generally remain below what was achieved a decade earlier.
Worldwide, demand for new housing through 2014 is projected to advance three percent per year, generating the construction of 53 million new housing units. Among the developing regions, the most rapid growth in new housing units will be in the Africa/Middle East region, where growth in population and household formation will support 3.9 percent annual advances in new housing construction through 2014 to 11 million units.
The largest number of new housing units will be generated in the Asia/Pacific region, where an expected rise in new housing construction of two percent per year will result in 31.7 million new units; a deceleration from 2004-2009.
The world housing stock was 1.9 billion units in 2009, roughly two percent larger than the number of households. The Asia/Pacific region had the largest housing stock, with its nearly one billion units accounting for 52 percent of the world total; China alone represented 23 percent of the world total. The Africa/Middle East region had the second largest housing stock in 2009, with 292 million units, or 15 percent of the world total. Western Europe and North America, together, accounted for just under 20 percent of the housing stock.

Moser to make furniture for Simply Ming television show

2010-09-20T08:32:00.001-05:00

Thos. Moser, designers and builders of hand-crafted wood furniture, will once again partner with chef Ming Tsai to handcraft a table and chairs for the set of his public television cooking show, Simply Ming. The cherry Meridian round dining table, designed by David Moser, is the newest addition to the Meridian collection and is an adaptation of the existing Meridian trestle table. Tsai will use it to dine with his guest chefs in the last segment of each show, as well as to help display the food they have prepared to the viewing audience.
The Meridian 48-inch tabletop accommodates up to four. The dining chairs feature a fine radius of the chair’s underside, the inverse matched radius at the top of the leg, and the optical correction effect at the termination of the chair’s crest. The single back slat is a first for David and accentuates the chair’s sleek lines. The Meridian collection will be available in ash, and cherry and includes a coffee table, dining sideboard, rectangular dining table, hall table, chests, and stools.

I blame 'Mad Men'

2010-09-10T09:00:00.003-05:00

Yes, the 1960s' are back (cigarette smoke not included).

Esquire throws its mass-produced vintage fedora into the design ring

2010-09-09T09:00:00.003-05:00

Inspired by the lifestyle of the modern, discerning Esquire man, Hearst Magazines is launching, the Esquire Home furnishings collection. The collection features accessories, area rugs, lighting, furniture and upholstery from licensing partners The Halo Group, Asia Minor and Go Home Ltd. Some highlights include barware, desk accessories, and decorative “man toys.” If you’re not sure what a “man toy” is, it’s apparently a vintage inspired brass wall sconce modeled after the headlight of an early 20th century Jaguar.

Furniture pieces have fun, manly names like the “Triple Whisky Collins” leather sofa, “Irish Coffee” table lamp, “Black Russian” architectural desk and a “Martini” armchair. Wait, I’m picking up on a theme here… I wonder, if Cosmopolitan magazine launched a furniture line for the ladies would it have names like … “The one night stand” sofa sleeper, “Walk of shame” rug collection, and “Appletini” vomit, I mean champagne bucket.

Acimall reports positive industry numbers in Q2 2010 survey

2010-09-08T09:00:00.001-05:00

The second quarter 2010 brought significant signs of recovery, though highly diversified, among the companies included in the statistic sample selected by Acimall, the Italian woodworking technology manufacturers’ association.
The periodical survey indicates the industry has grown by 69.8 percent from the same period during the previous year. Orders from abroad recorded a 63.6 percent increase, with an even stronger trend on the Italian market, which was up by 83.3 percent.
From April to June 2010, prices recorded a slight increase (up 0.4 percent), while the period of ensured production was 2.2 months at the end of June. Looking at turnover, there was a massive increase over the first quarter (up 70.5 percent).
According to the quality survey, 44 percent of interviewed companies indicate a positive production trend, 52 percent stable and 30 percent reported a decrease. Employment is considered stationary by 83 percent of the sample, falling by 8 percent and increasing by the remaining 9 percent.
Available stocks are stationary according to 65 percent, decreasing according to 22 percent and growing according to the remaining 13 percent.
The forecast survey outlines possible trends in the next few months: after the positive rebound of orders, a period of stability is expected to consolidate the results obtained in the first half of the year.
Foreign orders will grow according to 30 percent of the sample, while they are expected to stay at the same level according to 48 percent. The remaining 22 percent predict a drop. The Italian market is expected to remain stable according to 61 percent of the interviewees, shrink further for 22 percent and expand for the remaining 17 percent.

2010 Craftsman's Challenge winners announced

2010-09-07T15:31:00.001-05:00

Scott Grove of Green Grove Design, Rochester, N.Y., earned the Grand Prize and took the Cabinetry category for his Ski Media Cabinets in the Sixth Annual Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge sponsored by CabinetMakerFDM magazine. Grove’s cabinets feature a variety of veneers including amboyna burl, quilted maple, sapele and wenge.
2010 Veneer Tech Craftsman's Challenge Woodworking Competition winners include:
Grand Prize/Cabinetry
Scott Grove, Green Grove Design, Rochester, N.Y.
Distributor, Certainly Wood of East Aurora, N.Y.; Sales representative, Greg Engle
Architectural Woodworking
Albert Grant, Albert S. Grant Fine Woodworking and Design, Melrose, Conn.
Furniture
Abdolhay Parnian, Parnian Furniture, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Store Fixtures
Abdolhay Parnian, Parnian Furniture, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Specialty Items
Rob Milam, VeneerImages, Atlanta, Ga.
Student Design
Christy Oates, San Diego State University
Honorable Mention
Mark Bernhard, Bernhard Woodwork, Northbrook, Ill.
Tom Knoebel, Beach Cabinets, LLC, Melbourne, Fla.
Pattrick Loew, Hastings High School, Hastings, Mich.
Malcolm McDowell, Tunnicliffe, Art Lights, Torreon Co., Mexico
Earl Kelly, Earl Kelly Furniture, Pensacola, Fla.
John Harper, EMC Woodworking, Phoenix
Ramon Valdez, Exotic Woodworks, Bloomfield, N.M.
Chuck Sharbaugh, Holly, Mich.
Scott Grove, Green Grove Design, Rochester, N.Y

Bombay take two

2010-08-26T09:12:00.003-05:00

As a teenager I was mesmerized by the Bombay furniture and accessory store in our local mall. I dreamed of an elegant Bombay dorm room. I bought a few pieces my freshman year and quickly discovered you get what you pay for—it looks expensive but it’s not durable. So my cherry-finish desk and matching chair ended up in the dumpster with the rest of the broken IKEA particle board furniture soaked in beer and memories.
Bombay packed up and left the US in 2007 after sagging sales and many store closures. However, the Bombay brand is alive again and will start selling its 250-piece collection on QVC, September 30. The new brand is designed to appeal to all price levels and I know a few former mall rats that will be tuning in.

CPA formaldehyde legislation approved by US House, Senate

2010-08-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

Formaldehyde legislation urged by the Composite Panel Association (CPA) passed the US House of Representatives by voice vote on June 23, and was unanimously approved by the Senate.
The Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, S. 1660, establishes the first comprehensive national standard for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. It directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to announce implementation of the regulations by January 1, 2013, and make them effective 180 days after. The bill must now be signed by President Barack Obama.
“This is a historic moment for the North American composite panel industry, which has always been at the forefront of environmental stewardship,” said Tom Julia, CPA president. “The legislation represents a responsible, bipartisan approach to advancing consumer protection, fair trade, and domestic jobs.”

Furniture factory shipments increase

2010-08-24T08:30:00.001-05:00

New orders and shipments for furniture continued to improve in May, according to the latest Smith Leonard Furniture Insights study.
This marked the seventh straight month in which orders were up, compared to the same month a year ago. The comparative results were weak numbers, but the May 2010 results could indicate 2009 was the bottom of the recession for the industry.
The study found that some orders have fallen off a bit since Memorial Day, but that has not been true across the board when considering normal summer business levels.
Shipments were up 9 percent over May of 2009. Approximately 65 percent of those surveyed reported increased shipments in May, down slightly from the previous month’s 73 percent. Year-to-date, shipments are up 6 percent over the same period a year ago, up from 5 percent last month. Approximately 68 percent of those surveyed reported increased shipments, about the same as last month.
New orders in May 2010 increased 10 percent over orders in May of 2009. Approximately 68 percent of survey participants reported increased orders, from May 2009, down slightly from 73 percent the previous month. Year-to-date, new orders for the first five months were up 10 percent over the same period a year ago. Last year at this time, new orders for the five month period were off 21 percent. Some 71 percent of survey participants are now reporting increased orders year-to-date, up from 66 percrent last month.

US cabinet demand to reach $15.2B in 2014

2010-08-23T20:26:00.000-05:00

U.S. demand for cabinets is forecast to expand 7.4 percent per year to $15.2 billion by 2014, according to a recent study from The Freedonia Group Inc.
Gains will be spurred by a rebound in housing completions from the depressed levels of 2009. Although housing completions will remain below the level reached at their cyclical peak in 2006, the expected recovery may fuel gains in the residential cabinet market through 2014.
The residential market is expected to account for more than 90 percent of the approximately $4.5 billion increase in overall total cabinet demand through 2014.
New housing is forecast to boast the most rapid increases in cabinet demand through 2014, and the improvement and repair segment will account for the majority of residential demand.
Kitchen cabinets, which represented 80 percent of cabinet demand in 2009, are expected to lead advances through 2014, rising 7.8 percent per year. Growth is also expected to be supported by design trends calling for homes with more and larger-sized cabinets to store food products and kitchen equipment. Demand for bathroom cabinets is forecast to grow 6.9 percent per year through 2014.
Demand for other cabinets, such as those found in offices, home entertainment centers, laundry and mudrooms, garages and other areas, is expected to rise 3.8 percent annually.
During the same period, demand for cabinets in the nonresidential building market is anticipated to rise 2.8 percent annually.

Cardboard chic?

2010-08-04T09:00:00.003-05:00

Cardboard is the new wood and cinderblock college dorm furniture material de jour. Freefold Furniture is touting its cardboard offerings as environmental friendly with infinite design configurations.
The good news is that once you graduate you can turn your cardboard bookcase into a home.

Building a furniture brand

2010-08-03T14:26:00.001-05:00

Convincing someone to invest in a quality piece of furniture is no easy task. Stores like Ikea and low-cost imported furniture are seductive to cash-strapped consumers and have helped create a throwaway culture.
Mark McKelvey, a Maine woodworker who lost his shop to arson in 2009 understands fine furniture is a hard sell and is now promoting Maine woodworkers online. His non-profit Web site, www.MaineFurniture.org was founded to add value to Maine’s custom woodworkers and furniture makers. “I found it very difficult to promote my business without spending thousands, and thousands of dollars in website design and maintenance, magazine ads, and trade shows.”
McKelvey’s community-based marketing strategy is simple — promote and brand Maine’s woodworking talent. Potential customers can browse different shops, read bios, look at pictures, watch videos and visit a shop’s Web site, if they have one.

More fun with tennis balls

2010-08-02T14:49:00.005-05:00

I love the confused look on that dog's face. I imagine he's pondering, chew toy or beddy..it could be a chewy pet bed?!!. I don't know if this dog bed would be comfortable, but it sure is a creative way to recycle old tennis balls.

Own a piece of a ‘Real’ Broke New Jersey housewife

2010-07-28T09:00:00.003-05:00

I thought VH1 was scraping the bottom of the reality show barrel (Rock of Love, Charm School…oh you know you watch). Then the Bravo channel said, “Step aside amateurs we’ll up your trashy and throw in some table flipping” and we got the Real Housewives of New Jersey.
If you don’t watch the show, it’s about some NJ hags who spend money like water, fight like rabid bikers and come up with new ways to destroy the English language.
Anyway Real Housewife Teresa Giudice and her juicy husband Joe owe various creditors around $11 million and are selling their marble and onyx palace and all their fancy furniture at a classy foreclosure auction.
Turns out that money doesn’t buy class but it can buy a ton of ugly furniture.

Furniture design reacts to changing fashions

2010-07-27T10:00:00.002-05:00

Interior design, like fashion, is always changing. Styles, materials, furnishings and decor follow trends and seasons. Good interior design should provide flexibility, allowing a home or business owner to remain current in its aesthetic. Interiors expert Elaine Williamson of Elaine Williamson Designs offers this glimpse of what’s currently trending in the design and décor-scape:

Saving the base: For the past few decades, designers have purchased furniture that served one particular style purpose for a specific room. This meant that, as soon as the property owner or manager decided to redecorate a space, all new base furnishings had to be purchased. Lately, however, it’s become popular among designers to purchase a quality piece of furniture that has desirable, style transcendent “bones” with the intent to reupholster it as fashions change, rather than simply discarding it when it’s time to update the look of a room. This trend has resulted in an increase in purchases from domestically-based manufacturers that make quality furnishings built to last.

Dodge disposable decor. Designers are no longer purchasing one-time use “disposable” decor items, be it furniture, rugs, window treatments and decorative items. Instead, they consider a piece’s re-usability in another future design when considering a purchase. This is the most efficient and cost-effective way to make over a room.
Color craze: The world of color has undergone a makeover also, with yellow and gray leading the way. Together, these colors add a level of calm to the feel of a room, while still adding eye-catching pops of color. Gray works well as a base color on upholstered furniture, especially when coupled with another hot trend: espresso-stained wood. Yellow is best used in small bursts, serves as an impactful infusion of excitement in the room. For instance, a yellow throw pillow on a gray sofa can make a stellar statement.

See the Light: Lighting is currently making a huge push in the marketplace. As the design of table lamps have waned and the style of homes have begun to embrace cleaner lines, pendant and other types of overhead lighting are popular choices for making a major design statement. Beautiful materials, special shapes and versatile sizes are all important.
Ground Control: Natural wood floors are also making a major comeback, and other types of types of natural flooring such as travertine, limestone and honed marbles are in high demand. Recyclable flooring, either in wood or carpet, is also in fashion. Currently, consumers are investing in and embracing their home environment.

Simple swaps mean big impact. If you’re searching for a new look for a room, you can build on the baseline furnishings already installed and switch out accessories, including pillows, picture frames, vases, candles, statues, artwork and other portable items. “Interior design and décor trends change with every season,” Elaine notes, “But, with a strategic foundation of baseline elements like furniture and flooring, you can easily keep up with the trends without sacrificing essential style elements of the space.”

Can’t outgrow this table

2010-07-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

Kids outgrow shoes, clothes and toys but not this table—it grows as they do.
Austrian furniture maker Perludi designed Caspar, an ergonomic, environmentally friendly children’s table. The design is simple: Four colorful legs are placed into the four holes in the hand-crafted solid-wood tabletop and secured at the desired height with o-rings made from natural rubber. To adjust the top’s height and inclination, or to balance out an uneven floor, slide the infinitely adjustable legs up or down individually within their holes.
The Caspar is made from locally grown spruce wood.

My kind of ‘eye candy’

2010-07-13T15:35:00.003-05:00

Rowe Fine Furniture created the world’s most delicious custom candy chair for the April High Point Market. This sweet seat is covered in hundreds of pieces of chocolates, gumballs, Life Savers, Tootsie Rolls, orange, lemon and lime candy slices, jelly beans, Starbursts, peppermints, candy buttons and giant lollipops—just to name a few.
This gives new meaning to please don’t touch the furniture.

Something old, something new

2010-07-02T09:00:00.002-05:00

Sotherby’s is featuring a cutting-edge, contemporary exhibition on the spectacular grounds of Sudeley Castle (across the pond) from May 28 to August 1, 2010. However at this exhibition you can touch and buy the art.
The selling exhibition arranged in association with Carpenters Workshop Gallery, is showcasing a series of one-off and limited edition pieces by contemporary artists and designers. The exhibition follows in the footsteps of previous successful outdoor shows by Sotheby’s at Chatsworth House in
Derbyshire (Sotheby’s Beyond Limits sculpture exhibitions at Chatsworth are now in their fifth year), and also at Isleworth in Florida since 2003. In contrast to Beyond Limits, which focuses on monumental sculpture, the Sudeley exhibition presents design pieces with a utilitarian aspect.
The works can be used as functional lifestyle objects or simply appreciated as works of art with profound aesthetic appeal.

That lovely draft is coming from your chair

2010-07-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Airport time is a great opportunity to try everything on the Starbucks menu, people watch and try to guess the funny smell.
However, Mineta San Jose International Airport has unleashed new chairs in its new Terminal B that may make your next “extended stay” a little more tolerable. These snazzy new chairs, Zenky Air Chairs secretly double as a ventilation system (not sure how I feel about that). The chairs are designed to hide the concourse vents, and provide fresh air from below each seat (riiiiight). The Air Chairs also have power outlets in the armrests for all your charging needs.
Right now the Zenky Air chair is only available in Terminal B at the San Jose airport.

Let's Nail the Cure

2010-06-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Paslode introduced its "Let's Nail the Cure" Tool Graffiti to help promote breast cancer awareness. The company will donate 25 percent of its profits from the "Let's Nail the Cure" Tool Graffiti to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
These decals or skins fit right on the body of the tool. Represent!

March furniture orders 9% higher than 2009

2010-06-29T09:00:00.001-05:00

New orders in March were 9 percent higher than March 2009 and up 2 percent over February 2010, according to Smith Leonard’s Furniture Insights, a monthly survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors.
March 2009 orders were off 17 percent from March 2008. Approximately 61 percent of the participants had increased orders over last year with several up nice double digits. The 61 percent was up from 58 percent last month.
Shipments in March were 5 percent higher than March 2009 and up 12 percent over February. This marked the fourth straight month that overall shipments have increased. Approximately 61 percent of participants reported increased shipments year-to-date, up slightly from last month’s results.
Backlogs remained strong – up 34 percent over last March and up slightly over February. This was similar to the February to February results. As imported products begin to flow after the Chinese New Year, it’s expected that backlogs will work their way back down some although backlogs in March 2009 were down 21 percent from March 2008.

Five emerging office furniture trends

2010-06-28T15:05:00.002-05:00

As the furniture industry enters into the school and government buying season, typically from June to September, OFM, an office and school furniture manufacturers and distributor, is seeing five emerging office furniture trends. Blake Zalcberg, COO of OFM, lists the five emerging office furniture trends:
1. Dark woods are making a comeback. People are choosing darker walnut colors over lighter woods as many are drawn to the natural, earthy look that dark woods give.
2. Technology is being infused into office furniture designs. Electrically-wired tables and cut outs for computer hardware are becoming popular to accommodate demands for employees to easily plug in their laptop or other devices.
3. Contemporary office spaces are replacing traditional work environments. There is less use of panel workstations and more use of community spaces so people work in closer proximity to each other with less privacy, with a focus on collaborative instead of individual.
4. An increased demand for white laminate desktops. Productivity is key with any piece of office furniture. The white laminates provide a clean, blank workspace that can spur creativity for the user.
5. Government-affiliated groups are asking for more green products. This group of purchasers wants to make sure the office furniture they buy practices what they preach to the larger public, which is why there is an increased demand from government agencies for sustainable material and green certified products.

Ready for a recovery

2010-06-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

Home sales and housing starts staged an uneven comeback starting in early 2009, according to the State of the Nation’s Housing report released by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
Even if the recovery in sales and residential construction flourishes, the report warns, the adverse consequences of the recession and the financial crisis will linger. An estimated one in seven homeowners have homes worth less than what they owe on their mortgages and nearly 5 million need their home prices to rebound by 25 percent before they are back above water. In addition, it will take time to work through all the homes in foreclosure.
Despite falling home prices, loan modifications, and softening rents, the downturn did not reduce the number of households spending half or more of their income on housing—18.6 million in 2008. Instead, the share with such severe housing cost burdens climbed to a new height.
Is a recovery coming? Hooker Furniture announced reported net sales of $51.4 million and a net income of $1.1 million. The profit reversed a $456,000 loss in the comparable quarter a year earlier. While this may not signal unbridled consumer spending, purchases can only be put off for so long.
Stay tuned.

Xylexpo draws more than 50K visitors

2010-05-19T10:18:00.000-05:00

Xylexpo, the biennial world exhibition dedicated to woodworking technologies and furniture supplies, held in the Fiera Milano-Rho exhibition center, May 4-8, saw 652 exhibitors, covering a net exhibition area of about 125,000 square feet. Visitors totaled 51,480, 48% of whom came from outside Italy.
“Many exhibitors have told me about their satisfaction and the quality of visitors coming to Milan, who were actually interested in the acquisition of solutions and technology within the next few months. These businessmen did not just walk around the stands, they had a real need to update their production equipment. There were orders signed during the exhibition, something we had not seen for a long time,” said Ambrogio Delachi, president of Acimall, the Italian woodworking machinery and tools manufacturers’ association, which organizes the show through Cepra spa.
The next Xylexpo is scheduled for May 8-12, 2012, in the Fiera Milano-Rho exhibition center.

February furniture orders 13% higher than 2009

2010-05-03T13:57:00.000-05:00

New residential furniture orders were 13 percent higher in February 2010 than 2009, according to Smith Leonard’s Furniture Insights, a monthly survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors.
This marked the fourth month in a row that orders were up over the previous year’s same month comparison. (October was flat, November up 10 percent, December up 12 percent and January up 4 percent.) Admittedly, all of these months were comparing to poor results in the previous year. But the good news is that we seem to have stopped the downward flow.
Shipments in February were 4 percent higher than February 2009. January shipments were 6 percent higher than January 2009, resulting in the year-to-date shipments up 5 percent over the same two months of last year. This was the third month in a row that shipments were up over the same period a year ago.

Jan. 2010 furniture orders up

2010-04-12T12:50:00.000-05:00

January 2010 new furniture orders were positive again compared to January 2009, according to Smith Leonard's most recent Furniture Insights survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors.
While not quite as positive as the November and December results, orders still were in positive territory, showing a four percent increase over January 2009.
This four percent increase follows a 12 percent increase in December, a 10 percent increase in November and a flat October, in year-over-year comparisons. The study found January results negatively impacted by bad weather, and expect February results also to be affected.
Some 59 percent of survey participants reported increased orders, down slightly from 62 percent in December.
Shipments in January were six percent higher than January 2009, following a three percent increase in December. While shipments were down 24 percent in January 2009 versus January 2008, December’s increase in shipments was the first since June 2006.
Shipments in January were 10 percent lower than December 2009, somewhat normal in the January to December comparisons, according to the study. Approximately 62 percent of survey participants reported increased shipments in January, up from about 50 percent in December.

Dynasty, Melrose Place and Barcelona

2010-04-11T14:56:00.002-05:00

It had all the makings of a catty nighttime soap opera, see “Mies van der Rohe Furniture Designs causes legal catfight” but ended rather anti climactically.
Knoll Inc. and Alphaville Design Inc., settled their dispute relating to Knoll's registered Barcelona trademark. Knoll had alleged that certain products sold by Alphaville Design infringed the Knoll trademarks, while Alphaville Design claimed that the trademarks were invalid. To resolve the dispute, Alphaville Design Inc. acknowledged the validity of, and Knoll's rights to, the above-referenced trademarks, and in return Knoll granted them the right to sell similar furniture products for a limited period of time. In connection with the settlement, the parties have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Diversify, diversify, diversify!

2010-04-04T13:49:00.002-05:00

Technology is shaping how we live and what we buy. A savvy furnituremaker in Oregon, Substrata, sells a gorgeous line of custom wooden cases and docking stations for the iPad, iPhone and other personal electronic devices. The cases are made from exotic woods such as, Zebrawood, Maple, Fir, Walnut, Padauk and Wenge.

The tech accessories as well as other products create a nice revenue stream when consumers are hesitant to invest thousands in a custom piece of furniture. A $100 to $150 custom case for their newest toy is easier to swallow. iWant one!

Ugly furniture

2010-04-01T18:07:00.004-05:00

Cabinet sales decrease 6.4% in Jan.

2010-03-26T16:49:00.000-05:00

Cabinet sales for January 2010 decreased 6.4 percent compared to sales for January 2009, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association monthly Trend of Business Survey.
Stock cabinet sales decreased 11.9 percent, semi-custom sales increased 5.6 percent and custom sales decreased 11.9 percent.
Survey participants include stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent more than 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

It’s not you, it’s your furniture

2010-03-25T14:59:00.002-05:00

Do you suffer from periodic creative droughts? If so, your furniture may be holding you back.
Steelcase’s Turnstone division recently launched Campfire, a line of informal office furniture inspired by familiar indoor and outdoor spaces for small businesses. The seven-piece furniture line boasts a paper table with a glass surface similar to a white board or a paper pad top for ideas on the go. Furniture groupings have kicky names such as Island, Base Camp, Oasis and my favorite Shanty. The big lamp is reminiscent of a beach umbrella, the big table is similar to a kitchen table and the big lounge is, well, you get the picture.
While Campfire is designed to foster creativity and teamwork— chatty co-workers can be the biggest creativity buzzkillers. Will small businesses owners bite or just go work in the park for inspiration?

Glitzy out, functional in

2010-03-23T16:12:00.003-05:00

Without the large appreciation in home values between 1995 and 2005, kitchen and bathroom design has become more modest. Meanwhile, residential architects are continuing to report declining business conditions, according to the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey for the fourth quarter of 2009. The survey focused on kitchen and bathrooms.
This survey indicated that functionality is now preferred to more and larger kitchens and bathrooms in U.S. homes. Households are planning more importance on products that promote energy efficiency. Products that are adaptable in the use of space for seniors and people with accessibility concerns are also becoming more important.
Overall, homes continue to be smaller on average than they were during the past 10 years, says Kermit Baker, AIA chief economist. "But since kitchens remain the nerve center of the home, doing more with less space is a key consideration. "Integrating kitchens with family space remains a design priority."
Baker says that homeowners want areas devoted to recycling, pantries, computer workstations and spaces devoted to recharging cell phones and PDAs. The most popular kitchen products and features in the most recent survey were: recycling center (52 percent); larger pantry space (47 percent); renewable flooring materials (46 percent); renewable countertop materials (46 percent) and computer area/recharging stations (43 percent).
In the bathroom, Baker says that homeowners are moving away from glitzy features such as steam showers and towel warming drawers/racks and instead are looking for water-saving toilets, radiant heated flooring and LED lighting options. Popular bathroom features included water-saving toilets (63 percent); radiant heated floors (52 percent); and accessibility/universal design (50 percent).
Although it is too early to think that the residential market has fully recovered, there are two encouraging signs in the survey. Overall business conditions are far better than they were a year ago at this time, and there is improvement in those housing sectors that need to lead a broader improvement in the housing market: remodeling and alterations of existing homes. Both segments were reported to be growing.

The sliding furniture scale

2010-03-14T10:12:00.003-05:00

Somewhere there’s a “yo, mamma” joke in here, but I’m going to take the high road.
For years, furniture manufacturers have been slyly designing furniture (the chair-and-a -half and monster sized sofas) as the world’s population gets bigger. Some smart furniture companies are cashing in on this growing trend.
For example, Norwegian company Ekornes offers reclines in three different sizes— small, medium and large. The large chair can hold up to 300 pounds. The selling point of these chairs is that different sizes offer a personalized fit for various body types. As this niche market expands, (no pun intended) look for other manufacturers to join the fray and up the design ante.

Own a piece of the ‘King of Pop’

2010-03-13T09:28:00.002-06:00

Twenty-two pieces of lavish, over-the-top furniture commissioned for Michael Jackson’s Kent home are hitting the auction block.
Unless you live in a cat house in Nevada or are a legend in your own mind, I’m not really sure if this hand carved, gilt wood, three seat sofa topped with crown, upholstered in red velvet with metallic thread crown over double headed eagle embroidery makes sense. The retail price of this gem, a mere $73,000.

Get in my belly!

2010-03-09T16:02:00.003-06:00

Talk about temporary furniture—these chairs are made out of bread. I’m not sure how sturdy they are but they sure do look delicious.

Dec. '09 furniture orders increase over Dec. '08

2010-03-08T16:04:00.000-06:00

The latest Smith Leonard Furniture Insights study reports new orders were 12 percent higher in December 2009 compared to December 2008.
For December, approximately 62 percent of the participants reported increased furniture orders over the same month a year ago. The 62 percent is up from 51 percent in November, 41 percent in October, 33 percent in September and 20 percent in August.
For the 2009 year, new orders declined 13 percent. At the end of June, year-to-date orders were down 20 percent from a high of 22 percent earlier in the year.
Some 91 percent of participants reported lower orders for the 2009 year.
In other trends, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had increased in January, declined sharply in February, and now stands at 46, down from 56.5 in January.

Cabinet sales decline 28.3% in 2009

2010-02-28T15:18:00.000-06:00

Cabinet manufacturers reported sales totaling $4.8 billion for 2009, down 28.3 percent compared to total sales for 2008, according to the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s monthly Trend of Business Survey.
Stock sales were down 24.1 percent, semi-custom sales were down 30.2 percent and custom sales were down 37.2 percent.
December 2009 monthly sales were down 9.8 percent compared to December 2008. Stock sales were down 16 percent, custom sales were down 25.8 percent and semi-custom reported a slight 0.5 percent increase compared to December 2008.
Survey participants include stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent more than 60 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Give the gift of wood next Valentine’s Day

2010-02-16T07:00:00.003-06:00

OK, so I’m a day late and a dollar short for Valentine’s Day 2010. However, you can give your partner the gift of wood next year.
A marketing savvy Vermont woodworker has created The Naked Table Project, a Valentine’s weekend couple’s retreat that makes a contemporary heirloom-quality family table, designed by Charles Shackleton.
Six months before the event, 80 to 100-year-old sugar maple trees are harvested from a local sustainable forest. The wood is logged, sawn, dried and machined by various local artisans. Assisted by several ShackletonThomas furniture makers, 15 couples spend their first day assembling, smoothing and finishing the tables.
The weekend also includes a nature hike through the woods with a professional forester to see the actual source of the lumber and to indentify a replacement seedling tree. The GPS coordinates of each tree are recorded and attached to the base of the signed and numbered Naked Table. The weekend ends with a feast around the completed tables. All the tables are lined up to create a 75-foot-long table adorned with locally grown foods.
All tables come with a certificate stating the origins of the wood and a list of the chain of people who helped create the table.

Mardi Grape is the color of 2010

2010-02-15T10:20:00.004-06:00

Nothing says classy like a room that looks like it was sprayed down with Purple Drank.
Color Marketing Group has predicted the hot decorating color for 2010 will be Mardi Grape, a sophisticated crossover between purple, brown and gray.
According to CMG, look for these additional color trends in 2010:
Red – Reds are strong with pink intuition; bright and clean with energy and excitement -- a
clean pop to go with neutrals.
Orange – A rich, sophisticated color that moves away from earth-based colors to an optimistic
orange, seasoned with a touch of gray.
Yellow – A greener, more natural yellow, softened with gray.
Green – Optimistic and uplifting, a clear and bright accent green with a slight shift toward blue.
Blue – A saturated blue with gray influences; rich without being too luxe.
Beige-Brown – A true chameleon to complement darker hues, it can be either matte or metallic.
Neutral-Gray – Gray with a touch of purple, drawing inspiration from mineral, concrete and
steel.

Where furniture meets fashion?

2010-02-11T07:00:00.001-06:00

Celebrity fragrances are so 2009.
Apparently “designing” a furniture line is the new must-have side project revenue stream for wannabe celebrities. Case in point: Nancy O’ Dell, former host of Access Hollywood launched her outdoor furniture line, Red Carpet at 2010 Las Vegas Market. She describes her line as high-end and A-list—similar to a beautiful woman on the red carpet.
Are you buying this?

Nov. '09 furniture orders increase over Nov. '08

2010-02-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

The latest Furniture Insights study from Smith Leonard shows new orders for November 2009 increased 10 percent over new orders in November 2008. Also, 51 percent of participants reported increased orders in November, up from 41 percent in October, 33 percent in September and 20 percent in August.
Year-to-date, new orders were down 14 percent compared to the same period a year ago, down from 16 percent last month. Last year at this time, new orders were down 13 percent year-to-date. Some 89 percent of participants have reported lower orders compared to the same, eleven-month period last year.
The study said while many companies are still hurting, most have made adjustments to current volume levels.

Office furniture study results 'mixed bag'

2010-02-09T08:38:00.001-06:00

Michael A. Dunlap & Associates recently released the results of its quarterly MADA/OFI Trends Survey, designed to measure the business activity of the office furniture industry and its suppliers. This survey was completed in January.
Survey results include:
*Gross shipments have improved, but order backlog has declined
*Employment is steady (but below 50), while hours worked has increased above 50 for the first time since October 2008
*Capital expenditures and tooling expenditures declined significantly in the 4th quarter of 2009
*New Product Development has increased significantly
*Raw material costs and employee costs have risen, but not to alarming levels
The Personal Outlook Index remains below 50, but with little change from the October 2009 Survey
“I’m a little disappointed in the results this quarter. It’s a real 'mixed bag.' I was expecting to see improvements in order backlog and personal outlook. I am surprised in the decreases in capital expenditures and tooling expenditures, but I think this will bounce back in the next quarter. The low Personal Outlook index puzzles me, but I think that OFM’s (office furniture manufacturers) are more optimistic than suppliers or service providers. That’s the norm,” said Michael Dunlap.

Nov. 2009 cabinet sales down 15%

2010-01-29T07:00:00.000-06:00

Cabinet sales for November 2009 decreased 15.4 percent compared to year-earlier figures, according to participating members in the KCMA monthly Trend of Business Survey. Stock cabinet sales decreased 13.5 percent, semi-custom sales decreased 17.6 percent and custom sales decreased 14 percent.
The year-to-date sales show a decrease of 29.2 percent, with stock sales down 24.7 percent, semi-custom sales down 32 percent and custom sales down 35.6 percent.
Survey participants include stock, semi-custom and custom companies whose combined sales represent more than 50 percent of the U.S. cabinet market.

Residential furniture orders don't retreat in October

2010-01-28T07:00:00.001-06:00

I would like to interrupt this recession with a bit of "good" news.
For the first month since October 2007, new orders for residential furniture were not lower than the same month a year ago, according to Smith Leonard's most recent Furniture Insights survey of residential furniture manufacturers and distributors.
October 2008 was the first month that year in which orders fell 20 plus percent, but for October 2009, 41 percent of survey participants reported increases in orders from the previous year, up from 33 percent in September and 20 percent in August.
Year-to-date, new orders were 16 percent lower than a year ago, compared to 18 percent in September and 19 percent in August. Currently, 93 percent of those surveyed are reporting lower orders compared to the same period a year ago.

Have we just run out of good ideas?

2010-01-27T19:36:00.002-06:00

Sao Paulo Fashion Week 2010 began Jan. 18 in Brazil's largest city. The six-day event is a showcase for the fall/winter 2010 collections of 38 designers, who take their inspirations from such sources as animals and furniture.

I wonder who will wear this to the Oscars?

Putting the ‘love’ back in loveseat

2010-01-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

Martini (check)
Soft music, low light (check)
Drunken special someone (check)

Loveseat signed by Hugh Hefner?

Attention all you groovy cats even if you were born in the decade of greed, you can still own a piece of the 1960s’. “The Hef,” an iconic sofa will set you back a mere $15,000.
But can you put a price on mojo? Apparently you can.
Each sofa is covered in gray mohair, with nail head detailing, rosewood side panels, down-wrapped 2.0 density foam seat cushions and all-down back cushions. Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s signature is under the cushions and sewn as a permanent label. Only 50 loveseats will be made and can be found through HazelnutNewOrleans.com.
Is mohair stain repellent?