Interior designer Larry Laslo named Design Icon by World Market Center

Furniture designer Larry Laslo was named as a Design Icon by The World Market Center Las Vegas in honor of his highly regarded interior design work. Laslo has become famous for his “liveable contemporary” style, which he’s used in one-of-a-kind residential design projects throughout the company, as well as in commercial design projects, such as the Takashimaya flagship store and Bergdorf

Eco-decor: Not your Grandma’s throw pillows

There may come a time when you find yourself desperately in need of something you were pretty sure you’d never desperately need: the ultimate throw pillow. That’s right, throw pillows. Emma Gardner Designs, LLC Deep into 2008, Marisa Belger finds that throw pillows are anything but dorky. Available in an endless variety of sizes, colors and textures, the square, rectangle — even

WHFA hosts service providers at Las Vegas Market

LAS VEGAS — More than 50 business service providers will show at next week’s Las Vegas Market in the Western Home Furnishings Assn.’s Retailer Resource Center, which is in two locations in the World Market Center. Companies from the advertising and marketing, financial, consulting, design, technology, training and warehouse distribution sectors will be in spaces B-1630 and C-476. “Both locations

Ikea top furniture store in Canadian survey

TORONTO — Canadian consumers say Ikea is their country’s top furniture retailer, according to a survey by Kubas Consulting, a retail specialist based here. The research firm surveyed 1,243 Canadian consumers in February, concentrating on urban markets that represent more than 50% of the country’s retail sales. The survey’s results are published in this year’s edition of the Major Market Retail

10 Tips Furniture Shopping On The Cheap

With gas and food prices rising and the economy stalling, it can be hard to keep up with routine bills and expenses, let alone expenses that are extra or unexpected. But what if you really need to furnish a room or section of your home at a time like this? It’s easy enough to find yourself in such a predicament whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been established for years. Don’t

Sustainability to receive spotlight at this month’s Las Vegas Market

LAS VEGAS — This month’s Las Vegas Market will emphasize sustainability more than ever with the third edition of the Living Green Pavilion, which will be on the fifth floor of the new Building C. The pavilion gives buyers a central place to find eco-friendly products. “All products shown inside the Living Green Pavilion have a legitimate eco-story. Some products are made from recycled materials,

Ikea Canada continues green efforts with Web site launch

BURLINGTON, Ontario – Lifestyle specialty retailer IKEA has launched a Web site to more clearly articulate its environmental and corporate responsibility efforts. IKEA launched the www.theikeaway.ca site in June as an umbrella site for social and environmental communication and partnerships and as a way to continue surveying users on those topics, said Agamemnon Spiridoulias, social and

Benjamin Moore's color trends for 2009

For interior designers and fashion-conscious furniture retailers, its essential to be up on the latest color trends so you can know what your customers will be craving well ahead of time. Luckily, Doty Horn, Director of Color & Design at Benjamin Moore, thinks ahead. Two full years ahead, to be exact. Every year, Horn and her team at Benjamin Moore analyze shifts in fashion, pop culture, world

First prize awarded to Nube Chair: a seating concept with essential lines wins

Now in its twelfth year, Promosedia International Design Competition – Caiazza Memorial Challenge remains a point of reference on a worldwide level for under-40 designers, including architects, designers and students from Architecture Faculties and Institutes of Design from every continent. Three hundred designs were entered for the 2008 event, which rewarded six seats with one First Prize, two

Spanish designer wins Promosedia prize

UDINE, Italy — Spanish designer Tomas Alonso has won this year’s Promosedia International Design Competition — Caiazza Memorial Challenge for his Nube chair. Three hundred designs were entered in this year’s contest, which recognizes architects, designers and students younger than 40 for their designs of wood chairs. One first prize, two honorable mentions and three special mentions were awarded.

Hispanics still a growing market furniture

Buying power will top $1 trillion, AHFA members learn ATLANTA — Hispanics number 44 million in the United States and represent $928 billion in annual buying power, according to Jackie Bird. She is president and CEO of Winglatino, ranked by Advertising Age as one of the fastest growing Latino ad agencies in the U.S. in 2006, and spoke to an American Home Furnishings Alliance marketing meeting

International Contemporary Furniture Fair features hip storage

Multifunctional casegoods with bright touches of color add visual interest and storage to small living spaces. Recent International Contemporary Furniture Fair introductions are sure to appeal to young consumers who want to be organized, but still have fun with their furnishings. Condotti trunk desk from Flou opens to reveal a functional office space. With an exterior that is covered in

Seven furniture industry leaders nominated for Hall of Fame

Seven industry leaders in manufacturing, retailing and design are nominated for election to the American Furniture Hall of Fame, the organization’s foundation has announced.To nominate someone to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, members of the foundation had to submit a biography of the person explaining their professional achievements and civic involvement. Of the people who were nominated,

AHFA accepting nominations for Sage Award

HIGH POINT, N.C. — The American Home Furnishings Alliance has posted the award criteria and complete entry form for the 2008 Sage Award. It is now available online at http://www.sustainablebydesign.us/sageaward.aspx. The Sage Award was created to recognize excellence in the home furnishings industry in the areas of sustainable business practices, social responsibility and profitable growth.

Modern Contemporary Decorating Ideas

All to often confused with modern, contemporary decorating merely shares similarities, while keeping it’s distance. Literally, contemporary means coexisting; certainly an inviting way of thinking about styling your surroundings. How is Contemporary Decoration Identified? Perhaps because of an emphasis on clean lines and order, contemporary decorating will always draw

Wealthy furniture consumers still want traditional furniture style

When the economic going gets tough, the wealthy remain relatively unaffected, say home furnishings retailers and interior designers who cater to affluent clients. The style of choice for these consumers: traditional with European influences. Here are some examples of furniture with a luxurious style for various rooms in a home.Anywhere: Romantic and graceful, Marguerite French lounge chair from