HIGH POINT, N.C. – Longtime independent furniture sales representative Tom Nolan has created the winning design for membership pins that will be worn next year by sales rep members of the International Casual Furnishings Association and the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association.

Nolan, who represents Winston Furniture, Gensun and Jensen Leisure Furniture among other lines in the Midwest, will mark a 50-year career as a professional home furnishings sales representative on September 1. Based in Kansas City, Kan., Nolan continues a multi-line, indoor and outdoor furnishings business launched by his father in 1955. He currently services dealers in Kansas, Missouri,…

MIDDLETOWN, OH - Franchise owner Diana Apgar, of Middletown, Ohio was named Designer of the Year, the highest design award presented by Decorating Den Interiors, North America’s largest interior design and home furnishings franchise company. Apgar’s design of a spectacular outdoor space was judged the best of 326 entries in 12 categories during the company’s 36th annual Dream Room Awards presentation.

Apgar’s winning design demonstrates the growing importance of outdoor rooms throughout the U.S. and Canada. Judged by a team of interior design journalists and editors from throughout the U.S. and Canada, these awards typically honor interior designs, which…

COSTA MESA, CA - DCS by Fisher & Paykel, a manufacturer of outdoor appliances, recently launched Power Burner and Griddle attachments as the newest additions to the brand’s current portfolio. The centerpiece of the outdoor kitchen, DCS Grills, are built from 304-grade stainless steel and deliver 25,000 BTU of power.

The new Power Burner and Griddle afford greater diversity in function for both built-in and freestanding DCS outdoor kitchens. “With the DCS brand heritage in commercial quality appliances, we set out to design grilling attachments that are equal in their aesthetic and performance,” said Shane Rehm, vice president, Product,…

ATLANTA – International Market Centers (IMC) announced today that its August markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas will run as scheduled, but will be staged as showroom-only buying opportunities – with no tradeshow component – based on recent developments and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“IMC’s mission is to create efficient, effective and compelling markets, but our markets must also be safe, secure and comfortable experiences for our customers - both tenants and buyers,” said CEO Bob Maricich. “During these unprecedented times, with the acceleration of COVID-19 cases and travel restrictions in many states, we must adapt our markets…

WADENA, MN — Homecrest Outdoor Living has added three new members to their ever-expanding network of sales representatives covering the residential market. They will represent the Homecrest brand in states along the West Coast.

Coco Randolph Co.: Courtney Randolph first entered the casual furniture industry when she partnered with her father, Jeff Randolph, in 2003 to represent multiple furniture brands throughout Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Two years later, Randolph started her own business, Coco Randolph Co., and began representing manufacturers independently. Her strong relationships with retailers and designers, together with 17 years of experience in sales, marketing, and…

HIGH POINT – The 2020 selling season will likely be remembered as the most challenging on record for those in the casual furnishing industry, whether retailer, manufacturer, sales rep or supplier.

According to the fourth and final COVID-19 Impact & Implementation Survey of International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) members by research firm Industry Insights, companies across the industry continue to struggle with the pandemic’s ongoing effects. Domestic and international trade shows and travel have been cancelled, product launches have been cancelled or postponed, and most significantly, stores and offices have been temporarily shuttered, not only due to COVID-19 restrictions, but…

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Sunbrella Assure is a fluorine-free textile that delivers water repellency, stain resistance and enhanced durability. These fabrics bring new opportunities to create healthy and sustainable indoor and outdoor spaces that are still hardworking.

Sunbrella Assure offers stain resistance through a proprietary bio-based formula that combats the absorption of water-based spills and messes without the use of fluorochemicals. Oil-based stains can be removed easily by following the cleaning and care guide. Sunbrella Assure is also highly durable, with abrasion resistance up to 100,000 double rubs. The new fabric delivers on these high-performance standards while fulfilling the Sunbrella…

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Board of Directors of the International Casual Furnishings Association yesterday approved the cancellation of its annual trade show, Casual Market Chicago. The move comes amid ongoing concerns related to COVID-19 combined with current state and local restrictions to sponsoring the event scheduled on September 22-25.

The ICFA and theMART are committed to offering a safe opportunity for exhibitors, retailers and designers to conduct business, and intend to regularly monitor the situation. A number of permanent showrooms at theMART are currently open daily and/or by appointment; interested buyers should contact companies directly to make arrangements to…