DALLAS–Loloi Rugs has teamed up with artist and licensor Kate McRostie for a line of accent rugs that will bow at next month’s New York Home Fashions Market.
McRostie is known for using the colors and textures of Tuscany, Normandy and Provence, using decorative icons on sophisticated backgrounds. She will be at the Loloi showroom, suite #1009 in 295 Fifth Avenue, on March 9.

SADDLE BROOK, N.J.–After covering New York and Connecticut for four years as an account executive for Nourison, Paula Atkins has accepted a transfer to cover Georgia, her home state, and Alabama for the company. She is based in Atlanta.
“Paula has been a tremendous asset to Nourison in the Northeast for years now,” said Gerard O’Keefe, vice president, sales. “When an opportunity in the South opened up, we knew instinctively it was a perfect fit.”

NEW YORK–Material ConneXion’s Andrew Dent will discuss and preview the material technologies driving innovation and sustainability during an
interactive Webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. The event will provide an exclusive preview to the company’s just released 2010 Material
Technology Reports, on which participants will receive a 15 percent discount.

MINEOLA, N.Y.–At this week’s Las Vegas Market, Linon Home Decor Products will showcase several new collections, including a licensed line with Southern Living magazine in its showrooms, C-1284 and C-1296.
The new Southern Living Home collection features both traditional and transitional themes with the relaxed and casual feel of the South, as well as indoor/outdoor rugs.

LAS VEGAS -- The Sphinx by Oriental Weavers’ Vegas Night with Sphinx party at its World Market showroom during Las Vegas Market will be held on Monday, Feb. 1. The event will be held in showroom 580 in Building B, from 4-7 p.m.

EDISON, N.J.–Sferra has pledged to donate 10 percent of all the orders the company receives (up to a maximum of $10,000) from now through Jan. 30 to Partners in Health, an organization that is conducting relief efforts for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
“The devastation in Haiti is beyond belief,” said Paul Hooker, Sferra’s president. “Now is the time for every American to join together in responding to this tragedy with great generosity.”

LAS VEGAS–Harounian Rugs International has relocated its showroom in the World Market Center to space B-420, which will debut at the Las Vegas Market next month, Feb. 1 to 5. “The new showroom is easily accessible, and offers greater visibility to customers,” said Richard Siminou, director of marketing. “The new layout allows us to better display our programs to our clients, including our new machine made program and private label container programs.”

ATLANTA–Karastan has reorganized its sales force and product line, separating area rugs from broadloom.
Rug veteran Steve Roan has been named vice president of the new Karastan Rugs division. He started in the new position last month.

ATLANTA–Price remains key for new product at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, which opened yesterday at AmericasMart, and manufacturers have tailored their assortments accordingly.
Cut and loop looks and other details are also prevalent as even product with lower price points have to have added value.

ATLANTA–Jaipur has added two people to its executive team: Jason Moody was appointed creative director, and Terry Foltz was named head of Midwest sales.
Moody joined the company last month after a long tenure with Atlanta branding and product development firm Grant Design Collaborative.
Foltz has represented Jaipur in Ohio and the surrounding region as sales manager, and will now manage Jaipur’s expanding roster of sales reps in the central states.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y.–Now double its prior size at 13,000 square feet, Safavieh will debut its new showroom during the Atlanta International Area Rug Market with a grand-opening celebration, at which designer Thom Filicia will appear. Co-sponsored by Safavieh and AmericasMart, the event will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 8. From 5:30 to 6:15, Filicia will sign his book, Thom Filicia Style.
Thom Filicia Home’s first collection for Safavieh debuted last spring.

MARIETTA, Ga.–International custom rug company Tai Ping has entered into a partnership with Wools of New Zealand for use of its Laneve fiber integrity brand. Laneve was recently launched by Wools of New Zealand’s parent company, Wool Partners International, as a fiber that attests to the integrity of the wool, and manufacturing processes meet specific standards. Tai Ping will now use this wool in select rugs sold throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

BOSTON–Floor covering company Merida Meridian has announced the three student winners of its rug design contest, which it kicked off in October with Artists for Humanity, the organization that works with under-served youth. The winners—Kelsey Arbona, Massiel Grullon and Alland Torchon, who are also all youth apprentices in AFH’s graphic design program—will receive a 5-by-8 tufted area rug of their design.

TROY, N.C.–Capel Rugs plans to debut more introductions than ever for the upcoming 2010 Winter Markets. The new collections include licensed groups such as the bordered Capel Anywhere collection Pacific View from Jane Seymour, Orchard House from Biltmore For Your Home and indoor/outdoor collections from Williamsburg. In addition, other lines will be of soft contemporary and transitional styles.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.-As part of the designext section, its venue for emerging designers, Surtex has issued a call for entries to the International Student Design Competition for its May 2010 show.
Entrants must include designs in the fabric, wallcovering and floorcovering categories, and must create six to nine surface designs that can be used in a residence in the year 2015. The deadline for entries is Jan. 30, 2010. A jury of professionals from the design industry—including artists, designers and representatives from consumer and trade media—will judge the entries.

ALPHARETTA, Ga.— Come 2010, Jellybean will expand into decorative pillows, taking 32 of its top-selling accent rug designs to create the new, coordinating line. The pillows will be indoor/outdoor, and are washable.
The company’s rug patterns Jacobean Floral in Spa Blue, Summer Buds, and Fiesta Stripes will be among the designs in the new pillow collection.

TROY, N.C.–Capel Rugs has announced the three winners of its Triple Play resort weekend and rug giveaway sweepstakes, which were based on three of its licensed partners’ lines and were held during High Point Market.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–In conjunction with this week’s market, the High Point Market Authority has released its Fall Fashion Report for 2009.
Available for download at highpointmarket.org, the report presents insights from interior and product designers, color specialists and trend forecasters. Among the trends detailed in the report are subtle and soothing colors in a time of economic uncertainty, the search for value as people become more deliberate in their spending habits, a focus on comfort and recognizable design, and neutral colors.

DALLAS–Loloi Rugs’ new Zeina collection of indoor/outdoor rugs has a layered, multi-textured looped surface that looks hand hooked, and will debut at the upcoming High Point market this weekend.
“Zeina is the closest thing to a hand-hooked indoor/outdoor product we’ve seen in the market today, but it is machine made,” said Amir Loloi, owner.
Made of polypropylene, the collection will initially launch with 14 transitional designs, such as oversized florals, animal prints and other patterns.

TROY, N.C.–Capel Rugs is celebrating its licensing program at High Point with a Triple Play resort weekend and rug giveaway.
Buyers who register during market will have the chance to win a weekend at the Bob Timberlake Inn at Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, N.C.; the historic Williamsburg Lodge, in Colonial Williamsburg, Va.; or the Inn on Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N.C. Along with the weekend trips, winners will also receive a commemorative rug from Capel’s licensed rug programs Bob Timberlake, Williamsburg or Biltmore for Your Home.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Candice Olson licensees Surya Rugs, Norwalk Furniture and Revco International will offer a joint market discount to all buyers who purchase Candice Olson branded product from at least two of them during the High Point Market, which runs Oct. 17 to 22.
Surya Rugs makes the brand’s rugs, while Norwalk Furniture manufactures the upholstery and Revco the case goods.

NEW YORK–Rugs of India has debuted a consumer shopping guide on the new Web site RugsofIndia.com.
Called A Shopper’s Guide to Hand-Woven Rugs from India, the info explains the difference between hand-knotted, hand-tufted and flat-woven rugs as well as other topics. Both the guide and the new Web site are part of the new educational and marketing campaign sponsored by India’s Carpet Export Promotion Council, in cooperation with the U.S.-based Oriental Rug Importers Association.

NEW YORK–Interior designer and former The Learning Channel and HGTV host Chayse Dacoda has partnered up with Jaipur Rugs for a collection of rugs to be released next fall. This is the beginning of Dacoda’s licensing strategy, as well as the first specific designer collection for Jaipur.

NEW YORK–The New York Design Center, the showroom building at 200 Lexington Avenue, is holding its first-ever building-wide event tomorrow, showcasing hundreds of new product introductions from nearly 100 participating showrooms.

CARLSTADT, N.J.–Industry veteran Stephen Hoberman has been named to the newly created position of national accounts manager at Momeni. Reporting to Austin Craley, vice president of sales, Hoberman will be based at the company’s main office here.
With almost 10 years of experience in the rug industry, Hoberman will establish and expand Momeni’s business in key distribution channels. He most recently served as national sales manager for the rug division at Kane Carpets, and previous positions include national accounts manager at Trans-Ocean.

DALTON, Ga.–Oriental Weavers USA has expanded into the accent rug category with its launch this week of its ACCENTuate program. Debuting at the New York Home Fashions Market, the new program will include a wide assortment of tufted, printed, woven, hooked and hand-carved washable scatter rugs.

LAS VEGAS–On the eve of the fourth quarter, the Las Vegas Market opened up this morning with both attendees and exhibitors hoping that it would show signs that business was on the rebound. All year long retailers have been hesitant to buy, and manufacturers will look to entice buyers with a market chock full of new product this week.

DALTON, Ga.–Oriental Weavers has named Pat Muschamp vice president of sales. Muschamp began his sales career in the flooring industry with Oriental Weavers of America in the late 1990s, and was most recently vice president of sales for Nourison. Information who he succeeds in the position was not available.
“We are extremely pleased to have Pat back in the OW family,” said Michael Riley, president. “Pat’s vast experience and knowledge of the area rug business will be instrumental to our future efforts.”

ATLANTA–AmericasMart Atlanta and the Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA) will sponsor an annual gift and home industry honors program to celebrate extraordinary manufacturing, sales and retail achievement.
ICON Honors: Celebrating Global Innovation is set for a July 2010 premiere at AmericasMart’s Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and Atlanta International Area Rug Market.

LAS VEGAS–Nine rug manufacturers will again host a joint open house at the World Market Center during Las Vegas Market next week, Sept. 14-17. Couristan, Central Oriental, Chandra Rugs, CMI, Dynamic Rugs, Karastan, Masland Carpets and Rugs, Mohawk Select and Rizzy—all located on the eighth floor of Building C—have invited attendees to visit their showrooms during the open house on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 2-6 p.m.

DALLAS–Loloi Rugs has appointed industry veteran Ray Ehsani as executive director of sales. With 28 years of experience, Ehsani will give direction and guidance to sales reps and groups nationwide, as well as aid in in-store training seminars and other initiatives.
“We are proud to have Ray Ehsani with us at Loloi Rugs and look forward to all he will bring to the company,” said Amir Loloi, president.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–More than 40 new exhibitors will join the Suites at Market Square for the upcoming High Point Market, Oct. 17-22.
In the High Point Pavilion, the new exhibitors include furniture companies Belka Furniture and Shimna, rug company Creative Accents, accessories company Sea Stones, and steel company The Steel Appeal.

DALLAS–Loloi Rugs has opened its first New York showroom, in the 295 Fifth Avenue building, in time for the New York Home Fashions Market scheduled for Sept. 15-19.
Located in showroom #1009, the 1,300-square-foot space will showcase Loloi’s selection of scatter, bath and area rugs.
“We’ve been dabbling in the textiles market for awhile,” said Amir Loloi, president. “This is the right time for us to get serious and create a presence in New York City, where most of the majors in home textiles go to do business.”

LAS VEGAS–Attendees and exhibitors at next month’s Las Vegas Market are invited to participate in a Texas Hold’em poker tournament to benefit Walk Now for Autism Speaks.
Doug Krinsky, sales manager for Restonic and the parent of a child with autism, will serve as co-host. The tournament will be held at Binion’s Poker Tournament Room on Tuesday, Sept. 15, beginning at 7 p.m. The entry fee is $125 and registration begins at 6 p.m.

NEW YORK—HFN is preparing its coverage of September’s Las Vegas Market, and has extended the deadline for new-product materials to Wednesday, Aug. 19.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the September New York Home Fashions Market.
Exhibitors at the market are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight in their showrooms. Manufacturers of bedding, bath products and table linens should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor, at dgill@hfnmag.com. Vendors of area rugs should submit their information to Andrea Lillo, senior editor, at alillo@hfnmag.com

HIGH POINT, N.C.–For the Fall International Home Furnishings Market, both Leather Italia and Oriental Accent will occupy new showrooms in the International Home Furnishings Market Center here.
Leather Italia will move from the Atrium to Room D1220 in the market building’s Design Center. Oriental Accent will relocate its space from Market Square to the second floor of the showroom building’s Hamilton Wing, Room H234.
In an IHFC statement, Deborah Linkhorn, director of marketing for Leather Italia, said the new showroom will be about 50 percent larger than the Atrium space.

NEW YORK–7 W New York will host the fifth annual New York International Carpet Show, a leading trade show of high-end decorative and Oriental carpets. Scheduled for September 20 to 22, the NYICS will run in tandem with the annual New York Market Week, September 21 to 25.

CONCORD, N.H.–Amanda Colby has been named customer service manager at Company C, a promotion from her previous position of customer service account representative. In her new position, she will oversee the customer service department, which manages customer transactions for the wholesale and online divisions, as well as continue to manage the design trade program.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.–Contemporary rug company Foreign Accents will open its new showroom at this October’s High Point Market.
At the showroom, located in the International Home Furnishings Center’s Hamilton wing, space H-513, Foreign Accents will premiere its Michael Payne Home collection. A reception with Payne is scheduled for Oct. 19, from 5-7 p.m.

ASTORIA, N.Y.–Restoration by Costikyan, a leading company in the care, restoration and cleaning of fine rugs and tapestries that was founded in 1886, has purchased Chatalbash Rug Company, which sells Oriental rug and carpet materials to the trade. The combined entity will emerge as a new company, called Chatalbash by Costikyan.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.–Designer Michael Payne, original host of HGTV’s Designing for the Sexes and author of Let’s Ask Michael, has teamed up with contemporary rug company Foreign Accents to develop a new line of rugs. The line will debut this fall at the Las Vegas and High Point markets, and will be hand-tufted in Favriel, Foreign Accents’ signature modified acrylic yarn that has a wool-like hand.

ST. LOUIS–CCA Global Partners has sold its Rug Decor division to a group led by three of its current Rug Decor franchisees: Rick Ruby, Keith Rhodes and Bob Ellis, who own a total of six Rug Decor stores, and have been members of the Rug Decor Advisory Council since its inception in 2003.
The Rug Decor division was not central to CCA Global’s core flooring business or strategy, CCA Global said in a release, though it is “a unique retail format for selling area rugs with significant potential for success.”

ATLANTA–AmericasMart has delved into social networking with the debut of its blog, launched in conjunction with the July Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. Found at blog.americasmart.com, the blog will give the industry an inside look at AmericasMart and its markets and give daily updates and breaking news about exhibitors. AmericasMart also wants it to serve as a networking forum for exhibitors, retailers and interior designers.

LITCHFIELD, Conn.–Emma Gardner design has teamed up with Chandra Rugs to offer a licensing program of hand-tufted rugs to feature original designs by Gardner. Chandra will distribute the rugs later this year to mid- to high-range furniture and rug retailers and online merchants. Details on the collection will be announced in the fall.

CALHOUN, Ga.–Surya was recognized by the International Organization for Standardization for excellence in quality management systems, as the rug manufacturer received an ISO 9001 certificate last month in the category of design, manufacture and export of carpets and floor coverings.

ANDERSON, S.C.–Orian Rugs will debut its new New York showroom next week at the New York Home Fashions Market. Relocated to the 7 W New York building on 34th Street, the new 4,000-square-foot showroom is nearly double the size of its former space.
“The new showroom is a direct result of the expansion of our product line and customer needs, so we can fulfill their desire to see more exciting product, more customer driven product, and more product that is relevant to their consumer,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, sales and marketing.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–For this year’s edition, Surtex will move to Level 3, the main level of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, adjacent to the National Stationery Show and closer to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

CALHOUN, Ga.–Mohawk Industries’ posted a $128 million net earnings loss for the fourth quarter of 2008, as the company continued to battle a challenging economy. Sales for the period were down 18 percent, or $1,485 million.

MARBLE HILL, Ga.–After 39 years in the floor covering and home textiles industry, Wes Connelly, now North America area manager for Wools of New Zealand, will retire as of March 1. Connelly began his career at Woodside, a division of Dan River Mills, which specialized in apparel fabrics. He then spent 11 years at Monsanto before going to the Wool Bureau, where he remained though the evolution of Wools of New Zealand. And though he is retiring, he still plans to consult for Wools of New Zealand and other businesses in the industry.

LAS VEGAS–Three of the nation’s most eminent designers presented their views of key design trends at last week’s Las Vegas Market during an interactive Webcast.
Hosted by Susanna Salk, design author and “Today Show” contributor, the Webcast featured Barclay Butera, president and chief executive officer of Barclay Butera Inc.; Amy Lau, founder of Amy Lau Design; and Joe Nye, founder of Joe Nye Inc. The three designers identified the following trends at the show:
•Chinoiserie: designs imitating Chinese porcelain with the use of lacquer-like materials and decoration.

LAS VEGAS–The World Market Center said registration for this week’s Las Vegas Market was off 2 percent compared with last year’s event and described it as better than expected.
Robert Maricich, president and chief executive officer of World Market Center, said the traffic at the market was “exceeding expectations,” given the “significant dips” in attendance at other trade shows and markets.
More than 6,500 buyers have visited the market for the first time this week, according to the World Market Center.

CALHOUN, Ga.–Surya has named Seth King to vice president, sales and marketing, and Al Mortensen to creative director.
Previously vice president, business development, King will continue to work with overseas factories for production and distribution of product in his new role as well as remain an integral part in developing the company’s accessory lines. In addition, he will continue to cultivate relationships with the company’s retailers and wholesalers, as he expands the marketing department and works on implementing a new strategy for Surya.

NEW YORK–The Color Association of the United States has launched a new executive education program targeting industry professionals, designers and color consultants, marketing and research and development professionals, and design students. The program includes a seminar series on the color basics called Color Theory and Frameworks segment, and another on more advanced topics called Color Best Practices and Application. The association also offers knowledge-intensive color seminars in such areas as color research, color design, and color strategy.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.–The Williamsburg: Home for All Seasons collection will launch on QVC later this month.
Inspired by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s design resources, the new line includes bedding, rugs, pillows, glassware, lamps, topiaries, wreaths and decorative accessories. It debuts on President’s Day, Feb. 16. Product sales support the preservation, research and educational programs of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the not-for-profit organization that oversees the restored colonial capital in Williamsburg, Va.

NEW YORK–The Fashion Institute of Technology and the Home Fashion Products Association will hold the Scholarship Awards Breakfast on Tuesday, March 10.
The event, the 13th annual Scholarship Awards Breakfast, will take place at Cipriani’s, 110 E. 42nd St., here from 7-9 a.m. The event will honor Paulette Cole, president and chief executive officer of ABC Home Furnishings, who will be given the Retailer of the Year award; and the Kahn family, the founders of Croscill, who will be given the Distinguished Family Leadership award.

NEW YORK–Nautica has signed an agreement with Welspun USA to enlarge their license arrangement to include fashion bedding, bath accessories, window treatments and indoor area rugs.
Before the new agreement, Nautica’s license with Welspun encompassed free-standing sheets, bath rugs, bath towels and beach towels. Welspun will begin distributing the first grouping from the newly added products this spring, according to a statement from both companies. The line is being geared toward department stores and specialty stores in the United States and Canada.

DALTON, Ga.–Sphinx by Oriental Weavers has decided to shut down its High Point showroom this month, the company announced. It invited buyers to see its products in its remaining showrooms located at #B580 in the World Market Center in Las Vegas, #3A2 in AmericasMart in Atlanta, and in Suite #512 in the textiles building in New York, as well as at the Surfaces show in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of the New York Home Fashions Market in March.

DALLAS–Feizy Rugs has named Jamie Jones its new key account manager.
Jones most recently was key account manager for One Coast. She will be responsible for developing the existing relationships with Feizy’s key accounts and for targeting new clients as well.

MANCHESTER, N.H.–Howard Brodsky and the late Alan Greenberg, co-founders of CCA Global Partners, will be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in a formal ceremony in May at the National Press Club in Washington.
CCA Global Partners, born of Brodsky’s and Greenberg’s shared dream of empowering and enriching the lives of entrepreneurs, is now one of the largest cooperatives in the United States, with 14 independent businesses in four countries and more than 3,600 locations producing $10 billion in aggregate annual sales.

ATLANTA–The first major market of the new year begins today with the start of the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Show. Permanent showrooms open their doors today through Jan. 13. The temporary exhibits are open Jan. 9 to 13.
The gift show overlaps with the Atlanta International Rug Market, which begins tomorrow. Permanent showrooms are open Jan. 7 to 12, while the temporaries are open Jan. 8 to 12.

NEW YORK–HFN is preparing its coverage of February’s Las Vegas Market.
Exhibitors at the show are invited to submit information and high-resolution images of products that they plan to highlight at these shows. Furniture manufacturers should submit their information to Duke Ratliff, executive editor. Home textiles manufacturers should submit their information to David Gill, senior editor. Submissions for floor covering products should go to Jennifer Alexis, senior editor. Materials for new lighting products should be submitted to Andrea Lillo, senior editor.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Former executive and owner of Trans Ocean Import, Theodore Hassen, died on December 22. He was 74.
Hassen retired from Trans Ocean in 1998 after more than three decades with the company. He joined Trans Ocean in 1969 as vice president of product development and marketing. In 1982, he purchased the company with Allan Wagenheim.
Hassen’s career path started at R.H. Macy. He went on to become the floor covering buyer at Davidson’s, in Atlanta, with a final retail stop as floor covering buyer at May Company, in Los Angeles.

By Jennifer Alexis
ATLANTA–Rug vendors are fine-tuning their market strategies as they look to make the most of the upcoming Atlanta International Area Rug Market.
The consensus among the industry is that the Atlanta market remains an essential commitment. However, expectations this year are tempered, of course, and many vendors are taking a slightly modified approach to the event.

NEW YORK–Steve Goldberg, vice president of merchandising and retail development, and Victor Hollingsworth, divisional merchandising manager, have left ABC Carpet & Home.
According to a statement from the retailer, Goldberg’s position has been eliminated. Hollingsworth has resigned to pursue personal projects, ABC said. The company did not comment on whether Hollingsworth’s position will be filled.

FRANKFURT, Germany–The sixth annual Architecture, Textile and Contract Business Innovation Prizes will be awarded at the Heimtextil show in January.

ATLANTA–AmericasMart Atlanta will debut four new floors and amenities in its Building 2 Westwing Conference Center at the winter market next month.

ATLANTA–The America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards, sponsored by Architectural Digest, will honor innovative rug designers and manufacturers on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Marriott Marquis Atrium Ballroom, during the winter AmericasMart Atlanta market.
The annual event, complete with live music and preceded by a lavish cocktail reception, highlights rugs in various price ranges and in several categories: handmade, power-loomed, antique and contemporary.

CARLSTADT, N.J.–Momeni opens its new showroom in January at the AmericasMart Atlanta Market.
The showroom, space 5-B4, at 13,000 square feet, is an expansion of its former space located across the hall and boasts an open floor plan for rug displays and a large area dedicated to one-of-a-kind products

ATLANTA–AmericasMart Atlanta’s retail business education program—called AmericasMart University—for the home/gift/area rug industries offers numerous learning opportunities in January.
AmericasMart University has a standing curriculum of Retail Business Basics, Buying & Selling and Building Your Brand with beginner, intermediate and advanced classes scheduled in each. January buyers can profit from the expertise of industry leaders, including Cathy Fischer, Mercedes Gonzalez and Bob Negen, among others.

By Warren Shoulberg
Jeff Portman was talking about AmericasMart’s timing when it comes to expanding the Atlanta Market Center.
“When we expanded the gift market in the early 1990s, we had the savings and loan crisis. When we did the apparel mart expansion, it was when the Internet collapsed.
“Every time we’ve had an expansion, it’s been during some very difficult economic times.”
What Portman, president of the Mart, doesn’t have to say is that each of those expansions has worked out quite well despite the precipitous timing.

SADDLEBROOK, N.J.–Nourison has named Jeff Gonzalez to fill the newly created position of director of furniture store sales, according to Alex Peykar, president of Nourison.
“Jeff has a proven track record in sales and sales management, and he will be an integral component of our sales organization as we continue our growth in furniture-store sales distribution,” Peykar said.

LAS VEGAS–World Market Center Las Vegas has appointed trade-show industry veteran Phillip McKay to a new position created to oversee leasing in the gift, lighting, rugs and decorative accessories segments, said Robert Maricich, president and CEO, in a statement.
McKay, who joins World Market as its new senior vice president, will also be responsible for launching new product line categories, and the development of existing and future trade-show events at World Market Center. He will report to Maricich.

DALLAS–Jeanne Carroll, director of advertising and marketing for Feizy Rugs since 1995, died on Nov. 11, according to a statement from the company. Services have not been announced.
During her tenure, she was instrumental in the creation of Feizy’s award-winning Feizy Home Catalogue and in securing Feizy’s four-time recognition by the Accessories Resource Team as Area Rug Manufacturer of the Year, said Feizy in the statement.

ATLANTA–Designer Barry Dixon will make several appearances at the Atlanta Market this January, including one to launch a rug and home furnishings collection he designed for Megerian Oriental Rugs and another to sign his latest book.
Dixon and Megerian debut the collection at the company’s showroom on Thursday, Jan. 8. The Barry Dixon Designs for Living is a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces and focuses on environmentally friendly manufacturing processes and dyes.

NEW YORK–ABC Carpet & Home will host a fund-raising reception next Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m., for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the organization that looks to eradicate breast cancer.
Eric Brinker, the son of Komen founder Nancy Brinker, will address attendees in what is his first visit to New York on behalf of the organization, and share his experience growing up alongside the grass-roots organization.

LAS VEGAS–In what amounts to a direct conflict with the High Point Market, World Market Center Las Vegas just announced this afternoon that it will shift to a fall and winter schedule for its market weeks in 2009, instead of the summer and winter rotation it has had since its start.
The winter 2009 dates, Feb. 9 to 13, had previously been announced, but the big news is the second show, which will now be held Sept. 14 to 17, instead of the last week of July. Each Vegas show will be reduced by one day to a four-day schedule as well.

CALHOUN, Ga.–Surya has formed an alliance with interior designer Candace Olson on line of rugs.
The first collection will be on display at this month’s International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, N.C. It includes 18 designs that are hand-tufted in 100 percent New Zealand wool, with viscose highlights. A statement from Surya described the looks as “graphic and flowing in an array of hues ranging from warm to cool color palettes.”

NEW YORK–Interior designer Charlotte Moss will close her New York retail store at the end of October, the company said. However, the other parts of her business, including interior design, licensing and retailing, will continue on her Web site.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Handwoven rug exhibitor Jaipur Rugs has nearly doubled its showroom space for the upcoming High Point Market to 2,304 square feet.
“With the expansion of our Showplace showroom, we are looking forward to offering a wide selection of styles to our High Point clients,” said Asha Chaundhary, chief operating officer. “This expansion comes at a key time for Jaipur as we are introducing seven new collections this fall.”

NEW YORK–CHF Industries will unveil its first collection under its recent agreement with Nicholas Graham, founder of the Joe Boxer apparel label.
Distinctively called Blah, Blah, Blah, the collection includes what a CHF statement termed “a collection of irreverent bed and bath products” targeted at college students. The collection takes as its inspiration designs from T-shirts and underwear sold under the Blah, Blah, Blah brand, which was introduced as an underwear and sleepwear label in 2007. It includes “dirty” bath rugs, colorful designs and highly graphic packaging.

LAS VEGAS–Total attendance at the Las Vegas Market in July rose 7 percent over the July market in 2007, setting a new record for the home-furnishings trade show.

LANCASTER, Pa.–Armstrong expects to implement significant price increases, as high as 10 percent in some categories, this fall.
Paul Murfin, vice president of sales for the company, said “Despite two increases this year, [the company has] been unable to recover dramatic raw material increases, particularly in PVC resins, plasticizers and melamine.” Murfin said the issue is further compounded by increases in energy and transportation costs, which are adding pressure to the hardwood segment of the company’s business as well.

LAS VEGAS–A host of rug companies will open their permanent doors for the first time at Las Vegas Market next week, and to draw attention to the category’s presence in the newest building of World Market Center, all rug companies located on the eighth floor of Building C have joined forces to host an open house event.

LAS VEGAS–Actress and Karastan “statement maker” Kelly Preston is scheduled to appear at the company’s new showroom at World Market Center to help Karastan celebrate its 80th anniversary.
Preston has been featured in six versions of Karastan’s “Make a Statement” national print campaign this year—four for rugs and two for carpet. The ads have been running in shelter and lifestyle publications.
Preston will attend the market from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 29 for an invitation-only meet-and-greet at the Karastan showroom.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.–Southern Living, the regional lifestyle magazine, has joined forces with three manufacturers to launch new branded collections of bedding, rugs and custom-covered furniture.

MANCHESTER, N.H.–Scott Wheeler has been named chief operating officer of Carpet One Floor & Home.
He steps up to this from his post as vice president of merchandising for the company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2005.

CHICAGO–The Chicago Market: Living and Giving will feature its fourth green-themed display home during the Chicago gift show later this month.
The concept home offers design ideas and inspiration for lake homes, cottage retreats or second homes, and encourages retailers and designers to incorporate green product into their stores and clients’ homes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates–Domotex Middle East witnessed a growth in exhibitors in this, its third year, topping the 280 mark, with participants coming from 36 nations for the recent spring show. In total, nearly 6,500 trade visitors from 91 nations made the trip to the show this year.
Stephan Ph. Kühne, managing board member at Deutsche Messe, said the show’s growth performance reinforced the board’s belief in its future.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Beginning April 2009, the High Point Market will shift to a Saturday to Thursday pattern, and shorten the biannual market by one day to six days (April 25-30), the High Point Market Authority board of directors unanimously voted today.

NEW YORK–Rug designer Nani Marquina was among the honorees last week during an awards ceremony for the 2008 International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge.
The awards are a joint project initiated by the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona in association with the Indian Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Hosted this year by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, awards were bestowed on three female business owners each from India; Spain, from where Marquina hails; Africa; and New York.

DALTON, Ga.–Shaw Industries has partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce its energy intensity by 25 percent in the next 10 years.
The company has kicked off its participation by attending the invitation-only Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit this week in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The summit is designed to help participants capitalize on DOE resources to increase energy efficiency, and enable them to guide energy policy and shape the direction of DOE activities.

NEW YORK–ABC Carpet has launched an interactive custom design station in its Modern Rug Gallery. The digital interface station allows customers the option of customizing their rug by selecting from thousands of rugs in the store and manipulating the color, texture, pile, size and material variations to suit their individual style.

HIGH POINT, N.C.–The High Point Market Authority has again secured subblocks of hotel rooms at discounted rates for the 2008 fall market, which will take place from Oct. 20 to 26.
The market authority urges attendees to book early, as the discounted rates are available until July 31 or until they sell out.
Fall market attendees can book the rooms through the High Point Market Web site. Some restrictions and minimum-night stays apply. For questions, contact Dawn Smith at (800) 874-6492.

CALHOUN, Ga.–Woolshire Carpet Mills is upping the green factor of its already sustainable wool carpets by offering an optional EnviroCel backing.
The soy-based backing from Universal Textile Technologies is designed specifically for the installation and performance requirements of high-end residential and hospitality use.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.–Tonio Palmer has been named chief executive officer of the Annie Selke Cos.
In this newly created position, Palmer has assumed responsibility over the company’s infrastructure, with a focus on maintaining the company’s culture as it expands and leverages its design and sourcing functions.

ATLANTA–Burnes Home Accents will debut a larger permanent showroom here for the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market in July.
“Right now, Atlanta is the most important market for us,” said Mike Kirkland, vice president of marketing, in a statement. “We need a space that can showcase the breadth of our line, while also helping buyers understand where we’re headed as a company.”

DALTON, Ga.–Shaw has created an executive-level council to further advance sustainability as core to its long-term business-growth strategy. The Growth & Sustainability Council is comprised of 15 key company executives and is charged with building on the company’s environmental stewardship.
Rick Ramirez, Shaw’s vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs, will serve as the council’s chairman, and Hal Long, executive vice president of operations for the company, will serve as executive sponsor.

NEW YORK–ABC Home has partnered with the Green Belt Movement for a special promotion in honor of Earth Day.

PAWTUCKET, R.I.–CMI has named Roy Evans to the newly created position of vice president of sales and marketing.
Evans comes to the company with three decades experience in the floor covering industry, having served most recently as executive director of national sales at Feizy. He has also worked for Milliken & Co. and Obeetee, among others.
At CMI, Evans will be responsible for the company’s entire sales and marketing function. He will report to Donald Scarlata, president of CMI.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Global Home Textiles and Global Home Decor, the two GLM global home-furnishings trade shows, will present a conference program that will deal with sourcing-related topics in home furnishings when the two shows take place this coming May.
The two shows are scheduled for May 6-8 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

NEW YORK–High Point Market exhibitors should send new product photography and press releases to HFN editors for coverage in our April Market issue. We’re accepting product submissions now—please don’t send them any later than Thursday, March 13.

NEW YORK–Milliken opened the doors to its new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified showroom here last night, meeting stringent eco-friendly standards. The space covers the company’s full carpet assortment, incorporating product, in dedicated spaces, from its residential, contract and hospitality businesses.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif.–Nourison’s Camilla rug, from the Loom Select Collection, will be featured in the Architectural Digest green room at the 80th Annual Academy Awards. Loom Select is part of the company’s Calvin Klein Home Collection.

NEW YORK–Achim Importing, a supplier of soft and hard window products and flooring, has appointed Howie Mallow as executive vice president of sales and marketing. In this newly created post, Mallow will report to Marton and Isaac Grossman, company owners and co-chief executive officers.

NEW DELHI, India–The India Carpet Expo is set to take place March 2 through 5 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, followed by an exhibition and Buyer-Seller-Meet on March 6 and 7 at the SMS Convention Centre, Hotel Ram Bagh Palace, in Jaipur.
The Union Minister of Commerce, Shri Kamal Nath, is scheduled to inaugurate the Expo here and additional government officials, including the Minister of Textiles, are expected to turn out in support of the event.

DALTON, Ga.–Oriental Weavers USA is expanding its product roster to include area rug underlay. The company said its offering is to include an assortment of sizes, shapes and price points.
Maria Metropoulos-Ward will oversee business development and distribution for the new product line. She was recently named vice president of national accounts for Oriental Weavers.

MANCHESTER, N.H.–CCA Global Partners has named Rick Bennet to the position of co-chief executive officer.
Bennet comes to the company with a lengthy background in both retailing and general management at the national and international levels. He worked with May Department Stores Co. for more than 27 years, ultimately serving as vice chairman. More recently, Bennet was president and CEO of Direct Holdings Worldwide, an international direct marketing business with a variety of holdings, including the Lillian Vernon catalog and Time Life entertainment.

ATLANTA–Architectural Digest stepped up again to host another installment of America’s Magnificent Carpets Awards during the International Area Rug Market here. This year’s awards were held at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Jeff Petersen, executive director for Architectural Digest, said he was impressed by the rug industry and its continued ability to produce “such beautiful product of such utility for American homes.”

LAS VEGAS–The Rug Market is scheduled to launch the Walt Disney Signature line of area rugs this month at the Las Vegas Market. The multiyear agreement with Disney Home is for a line of non-character, adult designs inspired by the vision of Walt Disney himself.
While the rugs are inspired by classic Disney films such as “Fantasia,” “Cinderella,” “Dumbo” and “Peter Pan,” they are intended for a stylish and grown-up consumer.

NEW YORK–Las Vegas Market exhibitors need to submit new product photography and press releases to HFN for its Viva Las Vegas special section and daily show issues by tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 10.

NEW YORK–ABC Carpet & Home has introduced a technology-driven line to its contemporary gallery of rugs. The Parentesiquadra Collection, also known as the PQ Collection, is a group of laser-cut, Italian leather and cowhide rugs that are embossed and hand-worked.
The process combines modern technology with traditional craftsmanship, manipulating the hides with a series of laser methods that emboss and cut the medium to produce intricate textural motifs. Artisans then hand-paint, foil and dye the hide to complete each piece.