Laurie Bell, Fashion for Outdoor Rooms, and Scene Weaver introduced their latest collections of luxury indoor/outdoor soft accessory lines at the January 2014 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market®. The spring 2014 color ways introduced at the Atlanta market included aquamarine, navy, and poppy.

Within aquamarine spring 2014,…

At Northern Michigan University (NMU), the human-centered design program partnered with longtime Menominee, Michigan, manufacturer Lloyd Flanders to develop concepts for contemporary woven furniture that might appeal to younger consumers. Students gained valuable experience working for a real-world client and tempering their creativity with the constraints of available materials, production…

Mark Hawkins, president and owner of hearth-products distributor Sand Hill Wholesale & Mfg. Inc. (Columbus, Ohio), has just completed the purchase of the 26,000–square-foot facility where the company is currently operating. The decision to purchase was made after considering the benefits of ownership versus leasing. This purchase allows Sand Hill…

Phifer Inc., global manufacturer of energy- saving sun-control fabrics, cutting-edge insect-screen products, drawn-wire products, engineered meshes, and indoor/ outdoor designed furniture fabrics, has successfully launched its updated website, www.phifer.com. Phifer’s newly designed site features a clean, bright, and attractive layout and offers more streamlined navigation.

Paired with the use…

Twin-Star International, known for its ClassicFlame electric fireplaces and Duraflame heaters, recognizes the importance of giving back to the community, and it encourages its employees to do the same. To support its staff ’s efforts, Twin-Star recently launched a new volunteer program, giving its employees up to eight hours of…