http://www.homeaccentstoday.com Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:47:30 MST Susan Dickenson, Retail Editor, Home Accents Today eng Copyright 2014 Sandow Media LLC. Subject to its Terms of Use (http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/info/terms-and-conditions.php) http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43915-Meet_me_at_the_Messe_Ambiente_2014_photos.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43915-Meet_me_at_the_Messe_Ambiente_2014_photos.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 21 Feb 2014 21:35:39 GMT The first tradeshow I ever attended at MesseFrankfurt was Collectione, in the summer of 2007. I knew nothing about the fairgrounds, nothing about Frankfurt, was nervous about going, and knew no... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43910-How_do_we_reinvent_retail_.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43910-How_do_we_reinvent_retail_.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:15:57 GMT Next week, on Thursday, Feb. 27, I will moderate a webinar, "Bricks and Clicks - Reinvented Retail in the Digital Era." This webinar is hosted by Pop-Up Artists, a marketing agency for turn-key,... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43909-On_trend_at_Ambiente.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43909-On_trend_at_Ambiente.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 15:41:43 GMT Last week, I was lucky enough to attend the Ambienteconsumer goods fair in Frankfurt, Germany. It was my first international tradeshow, and it did not disappoint. When I first arrived at... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43893-Lust_for_lists.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43893-Lust_for_lists.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 21:17:07 GMT I like lists. I've recently developed a fancy for "Top 10s," especially those that narrow down a year's worth of blog posts into a nice, efficient list of the year's most popular reads. One of the... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43891-Coloring_the_way_we_view_the_world.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43891-Coloring_the_way_we_view_the_world.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 05 Feb 2014 14:34:32 GMT It goes without saying that color is one of the most prevalent powers in this industry. Never is that more apparent than shortly after color authority Pantone reveals its color of the year every... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43885-See_ya_60_watt.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43885-See_ya_60_watt.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:05:50 GMT Those who know me well know that I have a fascination with light bulbs. It's a nerdy obsession, to be sure, but one that I have grown quite passionate about over the last several years as I've... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43869-South_African_Artistry.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43869-South_African_Artistry.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 17 Jan 2014 15:54:53 GMT During the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market last week, I had the pleasure of spending some time at South Africa's Lifestyle Hub, located at Americasmart in Building 1, suite... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43867-Really_BIG_stuff_at_Retail_s_BIG_Show.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43867-Really_BIG_stuff_at_Retail_s_BIG_Show.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:20:01 GMT I just got back from Retail's BIG Show, the National Retail Federation's annual convention and expo, held this year at the Javits Convention Center in New York. Now I understand why the event's... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43832-Going_to_the_dogs.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43832-Going_to_the_dogs.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 22:14:00 GMT As an avid sports fan, one of the biggest days of the year in my home is Super Bowl Sunday.But with a small child present, it's important to find balance (plus, it's always good to step away from... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43854-Reaction_to_Shaw_s_decision_to_exit_rug_business.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43854-Reaction_to_Shaw_s_decision_to_exit_rug_business.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 17:11:59 GMT With word getting out about Shaw's impending exit from the area rug sector, we thought it would be a good idea to collect the thoughts from people in the industry. This blog post will be updated... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43840-The_final_word.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43840-The_final_word.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 23 Dec 2013 16:06:25 GMT First of all, let me say that in no way do I claim to be a master of the English language. Especially when it comes to the spoken word, which tends to give way to lazy habits established in my... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43839-Downton_Abbey_home_decor_collection_A_closer_look.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43839-Downton_Abbey_home_decor_collection_A_closer_look.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 20:22:34 GMT Downton Abbey fans might enjoy seeing a few more photos from the new home decor and textiles collection Heritage Lace will be debuting at the Atlanta market in January. As reported earlier this... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43837-_I_Love_Lucy_especially_in_living_color.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43837-_I_Love_Lucy_especially_in_living_color.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 19 Dec 2013 15:44:43 GMT I love Lucy. And I am so looking forward to Friday night's I Love Lucy Christmas Special in which I'll get to see Lucy and Ricky's New York apartment in hi-def clarity and color!I'm sure there are... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43824-Everything_s_coming_up_orchid.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43824-Everything_s_coming_up_orchid.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 18:02:52 GMT I've developed an avid interest in color trends since joining the staff of Home Accents Today - the inspirations they stem from, how designers use them, how they evolve over time. So naturally I... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43823-Donny_Osmond_Home_Collection_The_interview.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43823-Donny_Osmond_Home_Collection_The_interview.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 11 Dec 2013 17:50:18 GMT In less than a month, Donny and Debbie Osmond will be making their home furnishings industry debut at Americasmart Atlanta. The Donny Osmond Home Collection, a "family and home" themed offering of... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43817-The_Good_Old_Days.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43817-The_Good_Old_Days.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:00:16 GMT I am working on the 2014 Industry Outlook report for Home Accents Today's January issue and have spent much of this week conducting interviews and collecting comments from industry leaders about... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43813-Retailers_are_getting_the_picture.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43813-Retailers_are_getting_the_picture.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 03 Dec 2013 16:58:06 GMT Savvy Retailers and marketers know that good product photography can be a powerful tool when it comes to moving product. If you're selling online or promoting your products via social media, it... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43798-Being_human_in_a_digital_world.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43798-Being_human_in_a_digital_world.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 25 Nov 2013 19:13:55 GMT A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to attend the Internet Summit, an annual technology forum held in Raleigh, N.C., that attracted speakers from Google/Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn,... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43789-OSHA_issues_safety_guidelines_for_holiday_crowds.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43789-OSHA_issues_safety_guidelines_for_holiday_crowds.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 18 Nov 2013 18:25:52 GMT In advance of the holiday season, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent workplace injuries... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43780-What_Year_Is_It_.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43780-What_Year_Is_It_.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:13:58 GMT Gary Vaynerchuk, founder of Vayner Media, gave the opening keynote at the Internet Summit, taking place in Raleigh, N.C., today and Thursday, Nov. 14.Don't know who he is? Got 20 minutes? Check... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43776-My_day_at_the_beach_Paysage_and_Venus_Flytraps.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43776-My_day_at_the_beach_Paysage_and_Venus_Flytraps.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 12 Nov 2013 22:09:54 GMT In December, 2011, I wrote a retail profile of Paysage Home, a high-end home and interior design store with locations in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Wilmington, N.C. Page space and time limited... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43772-Many_paths_can_lead_to_success.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43772-Many_paths_can_lead_to_success.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:48:23 GMT Color wasn't the only thing bright coming out of rug showrooms near the end of the Oct. 19-24 High Point Market. In many spaces, outlooks matched the cheery displays hanging on rug racks. A number... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43768-Partying_with_the_Stars.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43768-Partying_with_the_Stars.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:44:51 GMT On Saturday, Oct. 12, I attended a great in-store party at Mary Sherwood Lake Living, a lifestyle retailer located on the North Carolina side of Lake Gaston (the lake is situated on the N.C.-Va.... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43754-American_Spirit.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43754-American_Spirit.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:03:23 GMT There are plenty of reasons for Americans to feel frustrated today. An October Gallup poll states that 85% of respondents disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job, thanks to a vitriolic... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43751-Marketing_the_sensory_experience.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43751-Marketing_the_sensory_experience.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 14:39:41 GMT Dr. Aradhna Krishna, considered a pioneer in the field of sensory marketing, is the author of Customer Sense (Palgrave Macmillan), a new book that pulls together past research and new findings... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43706-My_52_year_old_eyes_love_Google_Glass_.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43706-My_52_year_old_eyes_love_Google_Glass_.php?rssid=20961 Sat, 05 Oct 2013 22:28:15 GMT Google Glass launched its nationwide promotional tour today in Durham, N.C., and I was there. And now I really, really want a pair.Several months ago, I applied to be an early user in Google's... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Style_Substance/43701-Top_Trends_from_the_Summer_Shows.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Style_Substance/43701-Top_Trends_from_the_Summer_Shows.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 01 Oct 2013 19:32:15 GMT With the days still warm, long and sunny, it's hard to imagine that fall is right around the corner. Here's a roundup of my favorite fall trends from the summer shows, infusing the largely modern... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43698-Gen_Next.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43698-Gen_Next.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 01 Oct 2013 14:18:49 GMT Early on in my career with the Home AccentsToday/Furniture Today family of brands, I was asked to join the board of directors of the Young Home Furnishings Professionals. Though I had been with... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43695-Retailers_readying_for_stronger_holiday_season.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43695-Retailers_readying_for_stronger_holiday_season.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 18:55:47 GMT For the Nov.-Dec. 2013 holiday shopping period, the International Council of Shopping Centers is forecasting a 3.4% sales increase over last year at stores selling general merchandise,... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43692-As_Seen_on_TV.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43692-As_Seen_on_TV.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 19:04:59 GMT The fall television season kicked into full gear this week, and the available space on my DVR is already shrinking drastically. You see, I'm a huge movie and TV buff, an entertainment nerd if you... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43681-Emotionally_durable_ideas_at_work.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43681-Emotionally_durable_ideas_at_work.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 23 Sep 2013 19:04:08 GMT At the Sustainable Furnishings Council's Innovations in Sustainable Furnishings forum at Elon University on Sept. 20, keynote speaker Dr. Jonathan Chapman presented his thoughts on emotionally... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43659-Looking_to_2014.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43659-Looking_to_2014.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 09 Sep 2013 19:43:45 GMT Late summer/early fall is always a critical time for the Home Accents Today staff as we get our next year planning under way.We think 2014 is going to be a great year for the industry. The economy... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43658-Shopping_behaviors_omnichannel_tactics_technology_explored_at_IRCE_2013.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43658-Shopping_behaviors_omnichannel_tactics_technology_explored_at_IRCE_2013.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 09 Sep 2013 18:23:59 GMT I came across an interesting graphic while reviewing session materials from this year's Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, held in June in Chicago.The graphic, based on a national survey... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43643-To_Each_Her_Own.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43643-To_Each_Her_Own.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:22:53 GMT A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about my experiences in redecorating my master bedroom. I mentioned in that post that while I had access to far more choices than most consumers, there was... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43632-Hail_to_the_Rug_.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43632-Hail_to_the_Rug_.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 12:47:57 GMT In order to be sure I'm doing my best to stay on top of industry news, from time to time, I'll do a quick Google News scan for items containing the keyword "rug." Often, the stories I find are... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43622-Updating_our_social_media_profile.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43622-Updating_our_social_media_profile.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 15 Aug 2013 14:18:02 GMT The world of social media is continuously evolving these days. In addition to powerhouses like Facebook and Twitter, we now have Pinterest, Linkedin, Google +, Instagram, Reddit, Tumblr, Vine,... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43617-New_Simon_Pearce_bowl_funds_brain_injury_support_resources.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43617-New_Simon_Pearce_bowl_funds_brain_injury_support_resources.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 13 Aug 2013 15:24:32 GMT Vermont-based pottery and glassmaker Simon Pearce and his wife, Pia, are the parents of Kevin Pearce, a former professional snowboarder who survived a traumatic brain injury from a near-fatal fall... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43609-Bringing_the_essence_of_Scalamandre_to_consumers.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43609-Bringing_the_essence_of_Scalamandre_to_consumers.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 07 Aug 2013 17:31:53 GMT For more than 80 years, Scalamandré has provided fabrics, wallcoverings and trim to the upper echelon of the interior design community. But with its recent moves toward consumer branding and... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43603-Mecox_s_Dave_Benbow_talks_shopping.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43603-Mecox_s_Dave_Benbow_talks_shopping.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 02 Aug 2013 19:45:12 GMT Last month, in preparation for summer market coverage, I had a lengthy chat with Dave Benbow, manager and buyer for the Los Angeles location of Mecox Home and Garden. Mecox has been on my retail... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43602-New_and_Old.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43602-New_and_Old.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 01 Aug 2013 20:14:43 GMT My recent travels took me on two completely divergent tracks.I started out in June at the Underwriters Laboratories facility here in North Carolina, where I took part as a judge in the Lighting... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43578-Inside_Out.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43578-Inside_Out.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:22:59 GMT It's difficult to believe it's been a full year since my first trade show, the July 2012 Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market. I can still recall vividly how in awe I was of... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43576-Rug_pays_homage_to_Punk_era.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43576-Rug_pays_homage_to_Punk_era.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 18 Jul 2013 19:33:53 GMT The anti-establishment Punk movement shook popular music to its core in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Its fast and loud sound and attitude were intentionally opposite from the musical stylings... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43565-The_Future_is_Now.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/From_the_Editor/43565-The_Future_is_Now.php?rssid=20961 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 18:58:59 GMT Look around. Do things look different than they did 10 years ago?From the technologies we use every day that seemed oh-so-remote a decade ago, to the evolving demographics of the United States, to... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43558-360_degrees_of_engagement.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43558-360_degrees_of_engagement.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 05 Jul 2013 13:08:15 GMT If you're a retailer or operating an interior design showroom and you're not familiar with Google Street View and Google Business Photos, you may want to check them out. The Street View program... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43550-Ten_points_for_successful_celebrity_licensing.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43550-Ten_points_for_successful_celebrity_licensing.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:50:59 GMT Licensing is a major staple in the home furnishings industry. From HGTV to Kathy Ireland to Angelo Surmelis to Biltmore to Tommy Bahama to the Duck Dynasty crew to Paula Deen (as of this writing),... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43538-Trending_in_textiles.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43538-Trending_in_textiles.php?rssid=20961 Fri, 21 Jun 2013 13:40:30 GMT A few weeks ago I attended my third Showtime, the semi-annual fabric fair held in High Point. I'm always excited to see the colors, patterns, textures and other creative elements on display, first... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43530-Polish_your_press_writing_skills_The_pitch_and_release.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Retail_Update/43530-Polish_your_press_writing_skills_The_pitch_and_release.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:27:29 GMT WHETHER YOU'RE A RETAILER announcing a store opening or a vendor announcing a market event, knowing the difference between a press release and a pitch, when to use them, and how to write them... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43518-Persian_rug_fetches_record_price_at_auction.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43518-Persian_rug_fetches_record_price_at_auction.php?rssid=20961 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:11:01 GMT A Persian rug that once belonged to a U.S. Senator fetched a record price of almost $33.8 million at auction on June 5. The 17th Century Persian Kirman rug, which once belonged to Senator William... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43515-Easy_as_1_2_3D_print_.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/Millennial_Musings/43515-Easy_as_1_2_3D_print_.php?rssid=20961 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:12:32 GMT A constant stream of press releases flows through my inbox, from the significant to the strange, but one in particular caught my eye recently. The subject line touted "the world's first full color... http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43499-Getting_a_handle_on_the_industry.php?rssid=20961 http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/blog/An_Inside_Look/43499-Getting_a_handle_on_the_industry.php?rssid=20961 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:57:13 GMT Coming into this new position as assistant editor for Home Accents Today, I knew I would be getting to know lots about all sorts of different product categories, with a little more time spent on...