Encouraging Eco-Friendly Lifestyles,
by Sarah Barnard ASID

As an interior designer specializing in sustainable design, I wish I could say all of my clients come to me asking for earth-friendly projects. However, the fact of the matter is, many homeowners just aren't entirely sure about committing to an eco-friendly lifestyle. Indeed, one of the largest obstacles I face in my ongoing commitment to healthy, responsible interiors is the resistance I receive from clients. Most folks are just not willing to accept items that don’t fit into their pre-conceived notions about elegance, luxury or refinement.

Click here for Sarah’s professional advice on getting your
customers to go green.

FINDINGS FROM THE BIGRESEARCH YOUNG CHINESE CONSUMER SURVEY

Lots of companies are interested in reaching Chinese consumers, and there’s little wonder why: The Chinese economy is hot. Their stock market is up over 43 percent since March and young Chinese consumers are very confident about the economy, planning to spend more on all major categories according to BIGresearch’s latest survey.

Yet, tapping into this burgeoning market in not without challenges. “The young Chinese are avid consumers, but they are not consuming western (U.S.) and eastern (Japanese) products,” says Joe Pilotta, vp of research for BIGresearch. “They are unique. The popularity of Chinese products and brands are signs that U.S. corporations and U.S. advertising and marketing agencies are out of touch with the new Chinese consumer and will continue to be until they ask the right questions and listen.”

Click here for insights into the Chinese consumer market.

CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY AIDS IN FORECASTING TRENDS
Stylesight Provides Fashion and Style Industries with Images that Inspire and Tools to Get the Job Done

Heads up home furnishings fashionistas: Given the ever-tightening link between fashion and home furnishings trends, the subscription-based Stylesight style forecasting information service is worth checking out by anyone seeking to track trends and predict change.

Headquartered in NYC (with offices in London and LA), Stylesight (www.stylesight.com) is, at its core, an extraordinary image library that features more than two million images, including coverage of all the Designer Collections from New York, Paris, London, Milan, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro, plus the fashion buzz from the streets and store windows of key fashion & interior design stores from all of the world’s major cities. Inspirational content also covers vintage, denim, color, trade shows, celebrity fashion, flat sketches, original graphic design, and mood images.

Click here for more information about this powerful on-line tool.

Furniture as an Accessory, Consumer as the Star!

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How Now Brown Cow: Leading Edge Leather Looks

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NHFA ANNOUNCES FULL SLATE OF EXCITING SEMINARS FOR THE FALL 2007 MARKET

Attendees of the October High Point Market can look forward to a scintillating series of educational and motivational seminars that are sure to get your inspirations going and your ideas flowing. Sponsored by the National Home Furnishings Alliance, this year’s schedule covers everything from motivating your sales force to cutting your energy costs.

Click here to find the topics and presenters who can contribute most to your success in the new season.

ACT NOW TO RECEIVE SPECIAL DISCOUNTS ON HOTEL ROOMS

Newsflash! If you’re interested in securing discounted hotel room rates for Fall Market, the time to act is now. Discounted hotel rooms are booking very quickly and will soon sell out completely. Take advantage of these special offers by making your plans now to join us for Fall Market, October 1 through 7, 2007.

Click here to find out how you can take advantage of these special rates.

HFIA NAMES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
New Orleans Retailer Chosen as Chairman

Home Furnishings Independents Association (HFIA), the organization that serves the independent home furnishings professional, has named its new chairman and board for the 2007 to 2009 term.

“HFIA is a stable, reliable organization with 84 years of experience, but we also have a fresh, inventive, and original vision for the future success of its members,” says Julian Doerr Mutter, president of Doerr Furniture in New Orleans, who will succeed outgoing chairman Bill Castleberry of Castleberry’s Ethan Allen Home Interiors in leading the Dallas-based association and addressing members’ strategic needs through an expanded list of services.

Along with the new board, the HFIA has also adopted a new name: Home Furnishings Independents Association.

Click here for details on the new name and board.

WITHIT’S WOW FACTORS

Women in the Home Industries Today (WithIt) continued its 10th anniversary celebration last night with the annual WOW Awards gala and some of the industry’s best and brightest turned out for the fete. Here’s, a peek at some of the party-goers.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY? FOR SOME IT TRULY WAS!
Survey Reveals the Holiday Shopping Season has begun

Retailers, despite second-quarter disappointments, can look forward to brighter days ahead, according to a recent survey by ShopLocal.com. The comparison shopping Web site’s poll of more than 2000 U.S. adults revealed that many consumers have already started shopping for their holiday gifts.

Click here for the complete survey results.

“I can tell you that the High Point Market is the major market for America and it just gets better every year. At High Point, you can see the best of the best and become inspired with new and creative ideas to integrate into retail stores to make them come alive, and not only products, but merchandising concepts, as well.”

Richard Frinier
internationally acclaimed designer with more than 30 years of experience in the home industries


 
More than 85,000 registrants
More than 2600 Exhibitors
110 Countries Represented
Tens of Thousands of New Product Introductions
Fall 2007 Market Dates: October 1 - 7

High Point Market Authority •  101 South Main Street •  High Point, NC 27260