Archives for 2011

More than 1,000 vendors and the who’s who of the garden world! Where, you ask? It’s the Independent Garden Center Show in Chicago, Aug. 17-19. The 5th annual trade show for independent garden center owners and their employees draws thousands under one roof for tours, seminars, a trade show, and serious networking.

This year, attendees can look forward to the newly extended trade show hours as well as the debut of the IGC University Educational Conference— a garden center seminar program, featuring 40-plus actionable ideas for profit in seven focused tracks. Apple iPhone users will also be able to download an IGC App, which includes buying resources, a real-time floor plan and personalized conference agenda.

 Growers, retailers and media members headed to the show, there’s a good chance you’ll see ECPR’s own Jeff Collard. He’ll be visiting with exhibitors and industry leaders to survey the latest trends and must-have products for the 2011 gardening season. As our vice-president and co-owner, he will also be reporting his findings on new products and industry trends to our media contacts who may not be in attendance via our social media channels. So be sure to check back for updates and coverage of IGC 2011. And, if you are an exhibitor and have a new product release you’d like Jeff to consider for possible inclusion to one of our articles or social media channels, you can reach him at jcollard@eberlycollardpr.com.

Casual Market show goers, in the market for outdoor grills this year? Stop by Hearthland Products’ booth (8-3018) to see the company’s new line of Memphis Grills. Hearthland Products’ core company values include product innovation, high-quality craftsmanship and customer service satisfaction. The company’s environmentally friendly products such as the stainless-steel Memphis 3-in-1 Outdoor Cooking Centers are sure to make a positive impact at this year’s show.

Hearthland Products’ award-winning Memphis 3-in-1 Outdoor Cooking Centers are designed to recreate a natural wood-fired flavor. The ITC automatically controls the fuel of 100% natural wood pellets to produce savory BBQ flavors. Uniquely, the grill is ideal for searing, baking, roasting and smoking.

The dual-walled, sealed cooking chamber and convection cooking system is a must see. To learn more about Memphis 3-in-1 Outdoor Cooking Centers, visit Hearthland Products’ website at www.memphisgrills.com.

California manufacturing company, la-Fête, The Scene Outdoors, specializes in modern outdoor furniture. Most known for its strikingly unique structural designs and lightweight, weatherproof materials, la-Fête, The Scene Outdoors designs and creates ultra sleek outdoor furniture for lounges, resorts, decks, roof gardens, spas, clubs, and pool-sides. The distinctive, ergonomic designs feature recyclable materials to support the sustainability movement.

la-Fête, The Scene Outdoors’ newest product, the POD, will be showcased at Casual Market. The POD’s modern, circular shape is definitely an impressive piece. Its dramatic shape offers a cocoon-like setting, ideal for solitary confinement or a cozy, romantic place for two. The POD can be used in tandem with additional designs in the modular collection or as a bold statement piece. Made from strong structural foam combined with comfortable cushioning foam encased with a waterproof membrane, the POD comes with a protective, all-weather cover.

Retailers and designers looking for contemporary outdoor styling for hospitality or residential customers, stop by la-Fête, The Scene Outdoors’ booth at Casual Market this fall. Visit the company’s website at www.lafetedesigns.com to learn more about the POD and additional products in the modular collection.

The Flexible Storage Group will be introducing the company’s revolutionary Duck Covers at Casual Market this fall. The innovative line of outdoor and patio furniture covers prevents pools of water and debris from forming on the surfaces. The hidden secret, the Duck Dome. The patented Duck Dome is an integrated air bag which aids in reducing the contact between the cover and furniture. Essentially, the dome enables air to circulate freely around the furniture by elevating the cover, preventing mold and mildew from forming.

Instead of using the traditional polyester fabric to create the covers, Flexible Storage Group’s Duck Covers are made from an inventive multi-layered, non-woven fabric. Moreover, the Duck Covers are waterproof, lightweight, breathable, eco-friendly, and fade resistant. Additionally, to ensure furniture is well protected, the Duck Dome airbag is held in place with four nylon tie-down ropes to secure the dome before the cover is placed on top.

Duck Domes come standard with all Duck Covers. The domes inflate in 90 seconds or less with the company’s handheld, rechargeable inflator. Flexible Storage Group’s Duck Covers are designed to cover a variety of outdoor furniture pieces. From tables and chairs to grills and lounge chairs, no piece will be subjected to outdoor weathering!

Retailers, this product is a homeowner’s dream. Be sure to visit Flexible Storage Group’s booth (8-1073) at Casual Market. To learn more about the Duck Covers and Duck Domes, visit the company’s website at www.flexiblesg.com.

Part of Seasonal Living’s ethos is “never follow the crowd.” The Austin-based boutique pushes itself to design and source collections that push prevailing definitions of design and mass-market product offerings. As a result, they’ve been able to develop fresh and cutting-edge indoor/outdoor furniture and decorative accessories that consumers crave.

Next month, the company will unveil the Halo collection, designed by Louis A. Lara, at Chicago’s Casual Market. This is the first collaboration between the award-winning Seasonal Living and the renowned designer. The outcome is bold works of utilitarian art. According to Gary Pettitt, owner and director of design for Seasonal Living, the innovative Halo collection is unlike anything already in the marketplace and is at home in both residential and commercial environments, both indoors and outdoors.

The Halo collection is comprised of a floating woven backrest that appears to hover like a halo around a simple upholstered seat. All are supported by stainless steel legs complemented by a loose pillow for lumbar support that can be in the same or a different color than the seat. Halo is available in a wide variety of unique synthetic woven fabrics and colors. The collection includes a lounge chair, loveseat, sofa, and various ottomans. The ottomans feature a unique flip-top design that allows them to be easily converted into low tables. Visit www.seasonalliving.com to learn more about the Halo collection and to see it in-person, stop by booth #8-4030 at Casual Market.

Traditional style meets unique modern flair in the new Torbay outdoor collection from Oxford Garden. The family-operated company, known for its clean, timeless outdoor furniture designs, will feature Torbay as well as several additional new products at Casual Market Sept. 12-15. Torbay is a sturdy, all-weather resin wicker collection, designed to fit all Oxford Garden tables. Available in an antique finish, the collection also features a powder-coated frame and a sculpted back for extra comfort.

With the introduction of a new 6-foot bench, Oxford Garden is also adding to its Classic collection, which includes furnishings designed with straight lines for a traditional feel. Built to last, the bench is handcrafted from shorea, a tropical hard wood that is comparable to teak, that resists rot and bug infestation. The deep seat and ergonomically curved seat enhances comfort. Retailers and media members, to see more photos of Oxford Garden’s new products for 2012, visit the company’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/oxfordgarden?sk=wall/.You can also find additional information on the website at http://www.oxfordgarden.com/.

Protégé Casual will be exhibiting at Casual Market this year. The company’s collection of outdoor casual furniture embodies cutting-edge, fashion-forward designs with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship. In addition, Protégé Casual’s wide variety of outdoor furniture lines focuses on comfort and ergonomics. With over 1 million square feet of manufacturing space, Protégé Casual designs and creates outdoor furniture using new age equipment as well as applying century-old hand techniques. The company’s outdoor collections offer retail partners high-quality products at a great value.

The new Tuscan Collection from Protégé Casual incorporates attributes from upcoming industry trends. The simplistic design and comfort focus of this beautiful cast aluminum Mediterranean style collection would make a wonderful addition to any residential or commercial outdoor space. While both dining and deep-seating are available with Tuscan, the breadth of tables and variety of full cast aluminum fire-pits puts this collection on the top of the list. Additionally, Protégé Casual also offers a selection of stylish cushions to complete the look.

Retailers and media members, stop by Protégé Casual’s booth (7-8120) at the show to catch a glimpse of the company’s new Tuscan Collection. For more information about Protégé Casual, visit www.protegecasual.com.

A portable and completely customizable line of spas, Elemental is a fantastic amalgamation of design and functionality. Constructed from water-based, eco-friendly materials, the spas are available in a plethora of colors including Snow, Moss and Canyon, as well as a “design-your-own” white Canvas model. The two-seat tubs were created with materials and textures to fit virtually any outdoor space. With a width of 32 inches and a dry weight of only 350 pounds, Elemental fits through a standard doorway, plugs into a 120 V outlet, and is as much at home on apartment patios and balconies as it is in expansive outdoor rooms.

Each spa also comes with an easy-to-use matching cover, aluminum bases and accent pieces and is equipped with high-efficiency LED exterior lights. To learn more about Elemental, as well as the company’s other innovative product lines, visit www.d1spas.com.

The design allows the chair to complement any of Kingsley-Bate’s teak dining tables. It also coordinates beautifully with several other pieces offered in the Westport line, including a sectional sofa, chaise, coffee table, and a deep seating lounge chair with an ottoman. A required cushion (not shown) is sold separately and made with durable Sunbrella® or Outdura® fabric.

The Westport dining chair is stocked in sea salt wicker, but available by special order in natural brown, textured charcoal and black. To learn more about Kingsley-Bate, one of America’s leading manufacturers of outdoor teak furniture and accessories, be sure to visit www.kingsleybate.com.

Padma’s Plantation, founded in 1997, is known for its use of natural materials such as rattan, wicker, seagrass, and rattan peel. Headquartered in a 42,000 square foot warehouse in Batavia, Ill., the firm consistently offers cutting-edge designs that call to mind a relaxed island vacation, the sophisticated yet earthy décor of a plantation in British Colonial West Indies, and the casual ambience of Latin America.

This September, the company will introduce a new outdoor line at Casual Market that follows a growing trend of durable, stone-like materials used in outdoor furniture. The Outdoor Concave Collection is crafted of sturdy glass-fiber reinforced concrete that will outlast traditional cast concrete at nearly half the weight. The collection pairs an old world feel with simple, architecturally-inspired shapes.

Family owned and operated, Padma’s Plantation focuses on quality and affordability. The company’s designs can be found in giftware, home décor, furniture and garden stores, and major retailers such as R.C. Wiley, Robb & Stucky and Jordan’s. For more information about the company and the new Outdoor Concave Collection, be sure to visit www.padmasplantation.com. And, for designers and retailers headed to Casual Market, be sure to see Padma’s Plantation in showroom 15-117 and ask the staff there more about their lines.