ROCK HILL, SC - C.P. Davis will join Casual Cushion Corporation this month as the company’s CEO. Davis is a highly-respected industry executive with a track record for driving strong business growth, leading strategic operational initiatives and delivering improved results.

“I am extremely honored to be named the senior executive of Casual Cushion,” said Davis. “I have always admired the company and the strong entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by the Siesel family. I look forward to leading the company, executing an exciting growth plan and continuing to improve upon the high-value products and services that Casual Cushion provides to its customers.”

TUSCALOOSA, AL – The warm glow and crackling sounds of fire can lower blood pressure, a response that University of Alabama researchers attribute to early humans’ primal reliance on flames for a variety of needs.

An abstract on PubMed states: “For early humans, fire likely extended the day, provided heat, helped with hunting, warded off predators and insects, illuminated dark places, and facilitated cooking.”

A formal study backs up the claims, with results indicating consistent blood pressure decreases in “fire-with-sound” conditions. “Findings confirm that hearth and campfires induce relaxation as part of a multisensory, absorptive, and social experience,”…

LOS ANGELES - Slide-on-wire canopies have become a common part of modern outdoor design for their simplicity, beauty and ability to provide shade when needed—and to retract easily. However, the canopies have many drawbacks because they are custom made. To fit properly, these canopies require precise pre-measurement, fabric and color selection, weeks of fabrication—and finally installation.

Once installed, the custom canopies can’t be modified and any repairs (if possible) require a trip back to the shop. Dr. Alan Shargani encountered these challenges firsthand as a consumer, and felt that the current canopies were inadequate. So, he designed a revolutionary…

TUSCALOOSA, AL - The Showtime Market is right around the corner, and beginning on Dec 7, Phifer Inc will be showing a fresh, fun and fashionable collection of indoor/outdoor furniture fabrics—including color-themed and carefully-coordinated pairings in solids, classic and trendy designs. 

Members of Phifer’s talented design team—with decades of experience in textile design, product development, merchandising and trend forecasting—will be on hand to explain the inspiration behind their designs and offer ideas on how to effortlessly mix and match colors, patterns and textures to create the perfect look.

To book an appointment for a fabric presentation, email Joan Worthy…

CALHOUN, GA - Surya employees collected more than 3,900 non-perishable food items during the company’s fourth annual food drive, which took place Nov 10-20. The donations were delivered last week to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, which distributes healthy food to residents of 20 counties throughout Northwest Georgia and Tennessee.

Surya held its first food drive in 2011 as a way to help the surrounding community, and it has since grown to become an annual initiative. This year, Surya employees formed two teams to see which team could collect the most items. This competitive spirit paid off, with the combined…

ARLINGTON, VA - The boards that oversee the National Fireplace Institute and Chimney Safety Institute of America have announced an agreement that will make education more affordable for America’s chimney sweeps and hearth professionals. 

Beginning immediately, those who are NFI Certified can receive a discount on either of two CSIA certifications plus CSIA advanced educational offerings, while those that are CSIA certified will receive a discount on all three NFI certifications as well as the manuals and 200+ online classes offered by the Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association Education Foundation.

“CSIA has some great education programs and can…

CLEVELAND - Described as “perfectly suited to celebrate a mid-decade year that’s poised for revitalization,” Coral Reef (SW 6606) is Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2015. “The uplifting, vivacious hue with floral notes is the perfect mélange of pink, orange and red that can be used to liven up any space,” says a company press release.

Pulled from the Sherwin-Williams Buoyant palette, Coral Reef channels floral components, which are prominently featured in current fashion trends. Other palette colors are reminiscent of vintage floral patterns, influenced by natural-healing botanicals and the trend for green urban spaces.

“Coral Reef embodies the…

WASHINGTON, DC - Hanley Wood, an information, media, event, and strategic marketing services company serving the residential, commercial design and construction industries, has reached an agreement to sell its Hanley Wood Exhibitions business to Informa PLC, a UK-based publishing and events company that operates in more than 40 countries and is one of the world’s leading knowledge providers. 

The sale is subject to customary regulatory review and is expected to close by the end of 2014. Upon the closing of the transaction, the Exhibitions business will be rebranded Informa Exhibitions US and will maintain its headquarters in Irving, Tex,…