Archive for October, 2008
October 31st, 2008 at 05:10am
Under Furniture News
Calvin Klein, famous for his fashions, has transferred some of his design expertise to the furniture industry. Rumors that Klein planned to branch out into furniture had circulated for years, but earlier this month the rumors became fact. Now you’ll be able to put your Calvin Klein jeans in your Calvin Klein dresser!
Calvin Klein Furniture will be arriving at Macy’s store across the country the first of the year. The furniture collection that is described as relaxed, will range in price from $850 to $2,600.
The line will feature three different categories of furniture called Weekend, City and Destination and will be different in the type of finish each collection has. The Weekend line will feature whitewashed pieces, City will be done in walnut and the Destination collection is teak.
Along with the lower priced furniture collection, Klein will also be releasing a higher priced line, the Curator Collection. These pieces will start at $1,100 and top out at $5,000. Retailers got a peak at the Curator Collection at the trade show in High Point this month.
By slone
October 30th, 2008 at 08:10am
Under Furniture News
Each year around 1,000 homes are demolished in Cleveland, Ohio. These demolitions are to make room for new homes, businesses and even parking lots. But, the biggest majority of the rubble was ending up in landfills, until “A Piece of Cleveland” was formed.
A Piece of Cleveland is a locally owned business that turns the lumber from buildings slated for demolition into beautifully crafted pieces of furniture. From maple, oak and pine to what ever wood was used, the lumber sometimes over a hundred years old, is being given new life and kept out of the cities dump.
With a desire to help the environment and a love of history, the company tags each new piece of furniture with a little history lesson of where the wood came from. Their first green venture was making cutting boards and chopping blocks which quickly sold out. The huge success prompted the owners to branch out into other pieces of furniture.
Some materials from demolished buildings can be reused to build, wood used to build homes decades ago doesn’t meet the building material codes of today. And, since it can’t be used to build new homes, almost all of the wood was sent to landfills.
By slone
October 28th, 2008 at 04:14am
Under Furniture News
The going out of business sale held by Bassett Furniture that ended in August is now under investigation by local police. They’re trying to find out if the well known furniture company committed fraud during the sale.
Department of Argriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection office manager, Bob Zaspel said they’ve received over 40 complaints already and are still getting calls. He said some of the purchases were as much as $10,000 to $15,000, but until all the complaints are filed there’s no way of knowing the total amount.
Customers who paid for items during the sale have never received the items they purchased. A memo received by police states that although David Ewald, the owner of the failing company had a liquidator handling the sales of the remaining products, he sold the same products himself!
Once the going out of business sale was over, the liquidator gave Ewald the money from the sales and he quickly left town! Neither the money or the furniture has made it into the hands of the customers. The police department in Grand Chute is urging anyone that made a purchase and didn’t receive their items to file a complaint.
By slone
October 27th, 2008 at 03:56am
Under Furniture News
With furniture factories closing on a weekly basis and the economy getting dimmer everyday, kids may be what keeps many furniture manufacturers afloat! News from High Point’s trade show is that children are the brightest hope for the ailing furniture industry.
By 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that there will be some where close to 75 million of the population that will be under the age of eighteen. This large number of children over the next two years is offering furniture makers a glimmer of hope in keeping their doors open.
While there’s always been a market for children’s furniture, the industries main profits have been from living room sets, dining room sets and other basic household furniture. Now, more and more retailers are seeing the economic promise in children’s furniture and are deciding to invest deeper in the category.
While Stanley Furniture Company saw a 25% drop in sales during their third quarter, their sales of children’s furniture remained fairly stable. For many parents updating a dining room set can wait when their children outgrow cribs and need larger bedroom sets. With a forecast like this, children’s furniture is probably going to be showing up in many of the show rooms nation wide.
By slone
October 26th, 2008 at 06:32pm
Under Furniture News
Even before the economy began to look so dismal, furniture makes noticed a changing trend from consumers, smaller furniture. With less money circulating, people are moving into smaller more affordable homes and needing smaller furniture items to fit their new lifestyles.
The manufacturers are getting the message and downsizing everything from coffee tables to dressers. Home offices are now being combined into one single cabinet that has fold out features. And, both entertainment centers and sofas are coming out with more compact designs.
One unique item that will os available by Aspenhome is a valet for the bedroom that looks like a television stand, but has a hidden laundry hamper and a ironing board that slides out. Some manufacturers are decreasing the width of dressers and adding to the height to retain storage space.
Magnussen’s started manufacturing smaller furniture items around 3 years ago. They report that their sales have moved from 70% on over-scaled pieces to 70% on downsized furniture pieces. The smaller trends in furniture is meeting the demand for smaller homes, apartments and many people opting to live alone.
By slone
October 24th, 2008 at 05:56am
Under Computer Carts
Dual fusion computer carts can add versatility, mobility and functionality to your office or medical facility. They require very little space, but will hold two computers that can function at the same time. And, the easy rolling casters allow you to move them into any area where they’re needed and lock them in place for added stability.
Each monitor will be held securely in place and each will be independently adjustable. The height can be adjusted with a simple locking pin mechanism and will go from 33″ up to 55″ high. Each monitors will also tilt, so that you can achieve the perfect angle.
The keyboard platform is also fully adjustable and can be turned to face any direction and placed at the desired height. The dual fusion computer cart is equipped with two height adjustable, built in CPU holders that will securely hold your computer tower in place.
The sturdy frame is made with 14 gauge steel to be strong and durable. And, the cart is equipped with a push handle for easy maneuvering around corners and through hallways.
By slone
October 22nd, 2008 at 05:29am
Under The Office
Every year, more and more people are opting to work from home. It does offer many conveniences, but many people don’t treat a home office like they do an office at a work place. If you’re going to leave the day to day commute and work at home, it’s very important that you realize that no matter where you work, you need to have ergonomic furnishings.
While working from the kitchen table or other area of the home might be alright as a temporary arrangement, to be more productive, you need your own space. Investing in an ergonomic desk and chair is one of the best things that you can do for yourself and your body!
But, there are other things you can do to help make your entire home office more ergonomically comfortable. Avoid shelving that is too high, stretching and straining to reach books, folders or other items can promote fatigue, aches and pains.
Place your computer monitor on a platform, or better yet, if you have a flat panel monitor, purchase a monitor arm. With a monitor arm you can easily adjust the monitor to the perfect location and reduce the strain on your neck. It will also allow you to prevent eyestrain caused by glare from lighting or windows, by moving the monitor away from the light source.
By slone
October 20th, 2008 at 03:22am
Under Furniture News
Ivan Allen has been in Agusta, Georgia since 1954, but come the end of the month the furniture store will have moved all of it’s facilities to Atlanta. Once selling only office furniture, the business had moved into interior and architectural design assistance in 2003.
The move is attributed to a better ability to serve all of their clients from the Atlanta headquarters. Advances in technology and improvements in the current distribution process, have done away with the need for having both the Atlanta and Agusta facility.
The closing of the Agusta facility has been the trend for Ivan Allen as it has already closed down stores in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Albany, Georgia to sell and ship their products from the home office. With less money in consumer pockets and a slow housing market, furniture companies across America are finding it harder to stay in business!
By slone
October 18th, 2008 at 11:15pm
Under Furniture News
Despite a order handed down by a federal judge to sieze machinery from the Norwalk Furniture Corporation, the new owners say that it will have no effect on the plans to get the facility up and running again. The company owed close to $40,000 to the United Steelworkers Union and the siezed property will go towards paying the delinquent contributions.
Along with some of the furniture manufacturers machines, an account the company held at Comercia Bank was also included in the order. A spokesman for Norwalk Furniture said that he believes the order only covers any property that still belongs to the company and not any of the equipment purchased by the new owners.
The newest owners have held interviews for 50 to 100 jobs to get the factory running again. However, the still aren’t confident about getting enough furniture orders to get the plant fully operational again.
Before closing after over 106 years of business, the companies had over $100 million in yearly sales and employed 500 local employees. The company also owned factories in Mississippi, Tennessee and had a chain of affiliate stores.
By slone
October 14th, 2008 at 05:22am
Under Medical Furniture
Whether it’s in a medical office, hospital, lab, or emergency room caregivers have to think fast and be more efficient than in any other profession. Having highly qualified staff is crucial, but even the most qualified medical providers can’t work efficiently if they don’t have quick and easy access to their tools.
A medical laptop wall mounted cabinet from Versa Tables can keep everything readily available when your staff need it. The slim wall mount unit needs very little space, but has lot’s of interior storage room. The laptop tray is equipped with adjustable brackets that can be customized to fit any laptop or EMR device.
Aside from the locking laptop compartment, the cabinet has two other locking compartments for storing narcotics, syringes, or any other items that your staff uses. The 4″ deep compartment lock independently so that you’ll only need to unlock the one you need access to. It can provide you the security that you require in a small office or a large hospital.
By slone
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