Institute for Supply Management reports rise in manufacturing index in February

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.