Going to Market?

 I won't be heading down to the winter market in Las Vegas next week since I know I have to go in the summer.  I am also planning to attend KBIS in Vegas in April.  However I took a look and the style file on their website just to see what trends are happening right now.  You can read the style file for yourself here to discover what is happening with the lively colors, bold damasks, subtle yet exotic hues and shining silver accents.

You can also check out some of the featured exhibitors here.  They have many inspiring photos such as these:

Linon Home Decor Products, Inc.

Star International Furniture

Asian Art Imports

Midwest-CBK

Are any of my readers planning to attend Market next week?

Images from www.lasvegasmarket.com

Design: Sacramento

International Ideas Imports I have found to be a great wholesale and retail source for outdoor and indoor and indoor furniture.

Located in Rancho Cordova, they have a great selection of teak outdoor furniture and other unique furniture peices and casegoods for interiors.  They carry some great rustic and reclaimed wood pieces too. 

They even carry a few decorative items.

Their high quality furniture is not only well known and used in Sacramento but to the general trade in all areas.  They had a temporary showroom at the Las Vegas Market that I was sure to stop by while I was there this last winter market.

Be sure and check them out next time you're looking for some great outdoor furniture!

Images from International Ideas

You Can Take That to the Furniture Bank

I was sadly unaware of the existence of furniture banks until I went to the Why Green, Why Not? symposium in Las Vegas this month, as I mentioned in my blog here.  Kathy Ireland mentioned it as a way to be green.  I wasn't the only one not in the loop though, since someone piped up to ask her what exactly a furniture bank was.  On returning home I did a little research and found one local to me as well as useful websites for furniture banks nationwide and I thought I would pass on this knowledge for those unaware of their existence, like me

There is an organization called the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA) whose mission is "to assure that no child in America has to sleep on the floor."  Furniture banks will take your donated unwanted furniture, often pick it up, and relocate it to a family in need.  What a wonderful way to clear the room for your new furniture or just get rid of some in an over cluttered space.

For my local readers, Furniture for Families in Folsom, California is the furniture bank for the area.  Other furniture banks can be located on the NFBA website simply by entering your zip code.


Of course, there are always charities like Goodwill and Salvation Army as well as internet sources like freecycle who will be happy to take your donations.


I think knowing about furniture banks will be a great value for me in finding ways to help my community and I will definitely recommend it to my clients, families and friends! 


Have you ever used one?

Went to Market

I got back from a quick trip to the World Market Center in Las Vegas where the winter furniture market is going on right now.  I had never previously had a chance to go see the showrooms so I thought this was as good of a time as any.  It is quite the ordeal!  Three buildings comprise the Market with the Las Vegas Design Center and its permanent showrooms with many temporary exhibits there for the market week.  I traipsed up and down the 11 floors of building A and the 16 floors each of Buildings B and C which left me exhausted by the end of day 2.

I did get to sit in on a synposium put on by the SFC on green design with a panel consisting of Kathy Ireland, Angelo Surmelis from HGTV and the president and publisher of Dwell magazine, Michela O'Connor Abrams. But more on that later.

Overall I think a great introduction for me to Market for when I need to return with specific needs for my clients.