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OU T DOOR L I V I NG Continues to Sprout New Products, Increased Interest
Broadened range of merchandise adds unique style and design to garden-themed mix.
retail level, stores are devoting a greater amount of space to what has been a bright spot even during a tough economy, and consumers, eager to improve their outdoor space in new and creative ways, have responded. “Garden is a huge theme for us, prominently featured throughout each of our distinct lifestyle presentations, from BoHo to Coastal,” states Claire Woodsum, vice-president of merchandising for Foreside Home & Garden. With a presentation that spans the more traditional outdoor planters and furniture as well as versatile art sculptures, wall art, luminaries, ceramics and more that can work in both indoor and outdoor settings, Woodsum is proud to say: “Taking home décor and moving it outside is at the heart of everything we do.”
The beauty and appeal of outdoor living – and the carefree comfort that nature provides - continue to be celebrated by all segments of the home décor market. The concept of “staycation” may have put the crimp in expensive travel over the past few years, but manufacturers and retailers of outdoor living products have been able to capitalize on the idea of staying close to home in a big way. Making it their mission to find new ways to expand their offerings, manufacturers are adapting more and more traditionally indoor items to outside, while also creating exciting products that change up the mood of a room by bringing the outdoors in. This two-pronged approach has worked well for a growing number of manufacturers who continue to expand the category. On the
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June 2011 – Home Accents Today
Foreside Home and Garden
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For Melrose International designer Ken “We are capitalizing on the idea of people making their Fetgatter AIFD, the outdoor market keeps getting backyards a personal space,” she continues. “They have bigger every year, and the company has responded discovered that you can easily make a delightful vignette with a diversified product line that includes anywhere using things like pots, wall décor and sculptures. lanterns, birdbaths, plaques, pottery, containers, Ten years ago you never saw people giving garden gifts, but statuary and more. “Our major focus right now is today, even engaged couples are registering for patio furniture. on natural items, primarily rock and stone, that As people continue to choose home décor items that are bring the outdoors inside and celebrate the idea of more personal, both comfort living,” he says. Another interpretation of for themselves and this same concept is the company’s expanded plaided for their friends, textiles line, featuring items such as fabric-stuffed there’s been growing birds with natural twig legs. interest in all things Like others in the category, Melrose has garden. As we have adapted new materials to the line – the most recent found, even being Dolomite – always striving to add the greatest Christmas can weatherproofing and durability to its offering. include garden.” Industry veteran Orlandi, which celebrates its “Outdoor living milestone 100th anniversary this year, credits is a great category to Melrose International its addition of FiberStone® with increasing both be in right now,” says interest and sales of its unique, made-to-order statuary presentation. Dirk Burghouts, president of Esschert “With FiberStone®, people can buy a container for under $100 and get Design USA, a company that focuses the look and feel of concrete, but at a quarter of the weight. It’s also more on the fact that gardening remains durable and has a longer lifespan,” explains sales manager Bianca Orlandi. one of the most popular hobbies She goes on to say that the under $100 retail category is what’s driving sales among Americans. Its new Secrets right now. “People are du Potager is a kitchen gardening buying, but they’re still line that allows people to grow their staying a little cautious own herbs with easy-to-use kits. Esschert Design, USA about both price and “There’s much more interest in color selection,” the category today, with garden centers and gift stores doing extremely Orlandi explains. As a well,” Burghouts adds. Gift stores in particular, are putting more emphasis result, Orlandi’s more on home gardening items, he adds, and Esschert has a full range of product traditional white moss for them to choose from. One popular choice is a line of gardening aprons finish remains its most and gloves, embellished with decorative herb prints. This year the company popular. The company also added herb scissors, designed to make it easy for home cooks to chop adds new product these essential ingredients. “At Esschert, we specialize in garden gifts that every couple of weeks, are decorative and functional, bringing more style and design to the specializing in antique backyard,” says Burghouts. reproductions that its Another molding and sculpting company with style Orlandi departments rework is Mariachi Imports, into beautiful home décor products. which has made a “We’re happy to report an increase in orders across the board, as well as great splash with its the return of past customers and a good amount of brand new names,” says line of outdoor Orlandi. carpets and Mad Sales are also on the rise for Mats®, all made Music of the Spheres, which from durable, 100 produces wind chimes known as the percent recycled “Stradivarius of Windchimes.®” plastic. Like other “These are symphonic quality successful products musical instruments that are tuned in this category, more precisely than it’s possible to Mad Mats® have the tune a Steinway piano,” boasts Music ability to turn Mariachi Imports of the Spheres’ owner, Sara Eskew. outdoor space into She’s proud to add that another of a “room” adorned with high style. the line’s attributes is the fact that it “This is an unbelievably carefree product, but performance-wise, these is 100 percent American-made with mats are superior than what most people expect,” explains Mariachi president American components. and founder Amy Kimmich. “Even after being left out all winter they do not “This is a major purchase for fade.” But, to Kimmich, it’s the nature of the designs – featuring sophisticated people, but they’re excited to find colors and distinctive patterns – that really sells the line. “Customers appreciate new ways to upgrade their outdoor the fact that Mad Mats® are fun, yet have dimension and a designer look to living space. With their purity of them,” she says. pitch, longevity and good looks, “Our customers are all increasing their sales, and are reporting Music of the Spheres is a great significant repeat business,” Kimmich points out. “People have seen the mats choice,” Eskew says. on the retail floor or in people’s homes and they’re coming in and asking for Music of the Spheres them by name.” June 2011 – Home Accents Today
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The best of nature's offerings are an inspirational vision for this home and garden collection. Uniquely designed planters and artfully crafted jardinières mix beautifully with glass-and-metal lanterns and earthy stoneware accents. Come see how natural elements merge with quality craftsmanship for a brilliant and decorative collection.
MELROSE Visit us at w w w. m e l ro s e i n t l . c o m 800.282.2144 or 217.222.2144 ATLANTA (now larger showroom) LOS ANGELES DALLAS CHICAGO MINNEAPOLIS LAS VEGAS
HOME GARDEN
&
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orlandi statuary
celebrating 100 years! See our Garden Fiber Stone made with lightweight ¿berglass that looks as authentic as stone. Visit us in Dallas #1F201 or on the web www.orlandistatuary.com
for our full catalog, show dates & locations.
Atlanta - Dallas - IGC - Chicago - LA - NY info@orlandistatuary.com p:773.489.0303 f:773.489.2159 Untitled-8 1
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MADE IN THE USA
ADVERTORIAL COMING IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF HOME ACCENTS TODAY The October Issue of Home Accents Today will include a special advertising section featuring manufacturers of products Made in the USA. Many retailers strongly support Made in the USA products and constantly look for new resources. Take advantage of this special opportunity to let retailers know why they should buy from you.
Special Pricing includes an Ad & an Article Bonus distribution at the High Point Market Space & Materials Close: 9.23.2011 Contact Your Sales Representative To Reserve Your Space Today! Susan Prevatte: 336.605.1051 • sprevatte@homeaccentstoday.com John Harrison: 702.776.6711 • jharrison@homeaccentstoday.com Janice Lassiter : 336.605.1026 • jlassiter@homeaccentstoday.com