Couristan Inc., a leading importer/manufacturer of fine-quality area rugs, residential broadloom, and custom carpeting for the contract and hospitality industries, has appointed Jeff Forwood to the position of national sales manager for its residential division. In addition, Forwood will be responsible for the further development and expansion of the company’s custom-rug and residential Axminster Express®programs.

Most recently, Forwood was a regional sales manager at Nourison, heading sales for the Northeast region for broadloom and area rugs since 2009. He began his flooring career with Karastan in 2003 and also gained national exposure as vice president of sales and national…

Olympia Chimney Supply Inc. (Scranton, Pennsylvania) has opened its latest distribution center, in Manchester, New Hampshire. The 18,000–square-foot facility is located in close proximity to Interstate 93, Interstate 293, and U.S. Route 3, offering convenient customer pickup and reduced lead times for customers in the Northeast.

Scott Brickel, CEO, says, “Our customers have always communicated very clearly to us that short lead times and quick access to our products are critical to them.” Olympia Chimney Supply provides chimney systems for all fuel sources in its Ventis®family of products. It also manufactures a wide variety of chimney liners, including Forever…

the International Interior Design Association and Hospitality Design magazine announced at HD Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May that Jensen Leisure Furniture’s Kaffe Bistro won the design award in the diningseating category. Janet Wansor, vice president, says, “We are extremely honored, as this is our first time participating in this show.”

Kaffe Bistro is a mixed-media design by Dick Bjork that combines FSC 100% ipê timber with stainless steel. The annual award program honors innovation, functionality, and aesthetic advances in products.

napoleon’s latest innovation is a game changer for builders, designers, and homeowners alike. earning the 2017 Daniel J. Melcon Vesta Award for best-in-show hearth product at HPBexpo in March, the new napoleon Luxuria linear series boasts beauty and performance— but most notably, the patented Dynamic Heat Control and Glass Guard systems.

Stephen Schroeter, senior vice president of sales and marketing, says, “We know from research that homeowners associate positive emotions with fireplaces, and that they want them in a variety of rooms. this is why we’re so excited about the new linear series; its benefits expand how, when, and…

When the Spring 2017 High Point Market opened, the vision and creativity of celebrity designer and author Barclay Butera were on full display in the Castelle showroom. With the debut of the Barclay Butera Outdoor collection for Castelle, the much-anticipated collaboration attracted market buyers with Castelle’s expertise in the creation of luxury outdoor furnishings and Butera’s fresh and in-demand design perspective.

Derek Ritzel, president and CEO of Castelle, says, “throughout the design and production process, partnering with Barclay and his team has proven to be a very creative and positive experience for Castelle. We are looking forward to this…

Capel Rugs celebrated its 100th anniversary at the Spring High Point Market. the company hosted a party in its showroom, attracting retailers, designers, and the media. the event included lunch and a champagne toast with comments from founder A. Leon Capel’s sons, Leon Jr., Jesse, and Aaron Capel. traffic was steady at the company’s High Point showroom as showgoers previewed Capel’s new rug designs.

Sunnyland Furniture (Dallas, texas) was named Retailer of the year in the $10 million category by the Home Furnishings Association (HFA) at the Spring High Point Market. the winner is selected by other retailers. Sunnyland is the first casual-furniture retailer to win the award.

Brad Schweig, vice president of operations, says, “We are very excited about receiving this award in person at the HFA networking Conference in June in San Antonio, texas.” Sunnyland is the largest outdoor/casual-furniture store in texas, with a 37,000–square-foot showroom, a clearance center, and an on-site distribution center.

Ray Murray Inc. (RMI) has hired Larry McBee as an independent sales agent for the Midwest and Eastern Plains. McBee has a long career in the hearth and grill industries, including operating a successful retail business and (most recently) running a distributing company, Adventure Marketing Group. McBee will be responsible for growing RMI’s hearth, outdoor-living, and propane-equipment business in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

RMI is an industry-leading wholesale distributor founded in 1973. It now serves dealers and marketers in 29 states through distribution centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina.