Trevor Webb found something worth admiring at the furniture show here: nail holes, scuffs and dents.

“It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?” asked Webb, admiring a massive wood table made by his Van Nuys, Calif.-based furniture company Urban Woods LLC. “You wouldn’t know this is reclaimed wood from soundstages and old buildings in California unless you look closely.” Read more »

Bassett Furniture Industries Inc. said Thursday it swung to a profit in its fiscal first quarter due to a gain in sales in both its wholesale and retail divisions.

The company, whose furniture is sold in its own stores and licensed to other retailers, said for the quarter ended March 1, it earned $518,000, or 4 cents per share, compared with a loss of $4.2 million, or 35 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Read more »

Oreck vacuum cleaners have the reputation of being the finest cleaning equipment on the market with each of the vacuum models available being easy to use and durability. This catapulted them to being a major manufacturer in the cleaning industry.

There is only standard of quality and performance for this model and regardless of the price, the buyer will receive the same guarantees on parts and service. Certain models, especially commercial models, are not available except from Oreck’s dealers and it own internet website. Due to the nature of the commercial user’s shopping, placing these units in discount stores would not be feasible. However, with Oreck’s reputation as having lightweight, powerful products, consumers are on the lookout for a discount. Read more »

The Fundamentals of Furniture Product Knowledge, an online furniture training program of The Furniture Training Company (www.furnituretrainingcompany.com), has been awarded the 2007 Best Educational Software Award by the ComputED Learning Center in the category of vocational education. Fundamentals helps furniture retailers create a more professional, productive sales force by training and certifying their employees in furniture product knowledge.

The Fundamentals online training program includes 36 self-paced, interactive lessons with multimedia presentations, quizzes and tests, and in-store learning activities covering: casegoods, upholstered furniture, beds and bedding, fibers and fabric, leather furniture, and rugs. Wickes Furniture, RoomStore, Norwalk Furniture Corporation, RC Willey Home Furnishings, Lacks Home Furnishings, McMahan’s Furniture, and Federated Department Stores are just a few of the furniture retailers using the Fundamentals of Furniture Product Knowledge. Read more »

Finn’s Furniture fits the bill, ticks all the right boxes and gives a fully furnished service with a friendly face.

The family-run business, with stores in Gort, Loughrea and Portumna is run “the old-fashioned way”, according to Mike Finn, Co-owner and Manager of the shops.

“There is no pushing for targets or pressurising customers to buy from us; anyone can come in and browse around in peace. You can come in 40 times with your friends; you will be spoken to and respected, but you won’t be pushed into buying this and buying that.

“You talk and advise, but the customer has to feel relaxed. I know that from going out shopping myself. I think the old-fashioned way will come back into business. People must feel comfortable about the way they are doing business. If people are hassled, they won’t come back and buy,” he says.

The shops measured 3,000 square feet in November 1995 and now with the three stores in Gort, Loughrea and Portumna, there is over 50,000 square feet of showrooms. Read more »

With Christmas just two weeks away you might be looking around your house wondering how you’re going to find room for all the house guests and food you need to serve.

Some of the latest furniture trends might be able to help you with that.

In tonight’s Money Alert, Local 12’s Paula Toti shares some ideas for most any budget.

Furniture is one of the biggest investments we make in our homes. I asked the author of two books on furniture to find five pieces she thought represented a trend, bargain or both. And all of the items can help with holiday entertaining.

Our shopping trip begins at Cost Plus World Market. Read more »

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46532) has announced the addition of “The Furniture Industry in Kuwait” to their offering.

This report offers a comprehensive picture of the furniture sector in Kuwait, providing trends in furniture production and consumption, furniture imports and exports, prices. Factors determining the demand for furniture are examined, as well as furniture supply structure.

Short profiles are provided for the main Kuwaiti furniture manufacturers.

Kuwaiti furniture imports and exports, imports data for the main semi-finished wood products (sawnwood, wood-based panels) are also provided. Read more »

CEDARBURG – She decided it was time to focus on her dream job. So, Cynthia Muzzy took her business background in diamond sales and her love of antique furniture and created Bryna’s in the Washington Avenue Shops Mall in Cedarburg.

“I wanted to wake up in the morning and be happy to go to work,” said Muzzy. “This makes me happy.”

The shop officially opened in mid-September and offers what Muzzy deems an “eclectic” array of items, primarily collectible fine art, antiques and fine jewelry.

“There are things for everyone,” Muzzy noted. “If you’re looking for something particular and I don’t have it, I will help you find it.”

Some of the artwork is modern, but she also carries original oils dating from the 1700s. Muzzy works closely with American Conservators, Inc. in Milwaukee to acquire her art stock.

“They have such a great reputation,” she explained, “and I have art professionals and their vast knowledge at my disposal to help my customers.” Read more »

Research and Markets has announced the addition of The Furniture Industry in Thailand to their offering.

This report offers a comprehensive picture of the furniture sector in Thailand, providing trends in furniture production and consumption, furniture imports and exports. Factors determining the demand for furniture are examined, as well as furniture distribution and furniture supply structure.

Short profiles are provided for the main Thai furniture manufacturers and distributors with turnover, employees, product mix.

Thai furniture imports and exports are broken down by country and product (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture, non-upholstered seats, bedroom furniture, seats parts and parts of furniture). Read more »

Research and Markets has announced the addition of “The Furniture Industry in South Korea” to their offering.

This report offers a comprehensive picture of the furniture sector in South Korea, providing trends in furniture production and consumption, furniture imports and exports, production and consumption prices. Factors determining the demand for furniture are examined, as well as furniture distribution and furniture supply structure.

Short profiles are provided for the main Korean furniture manufacturers and distributors with turnover, employees, product mix. Read more »