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A Piece of Art

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While some furniture makers have sacrificed quality for mass production, we wanted to share some information about one furniture company that still considers its products works of art.

Englishman’s employs the very best artisan craftsmen to produce original works in the finest of materials such as oak, mahogany, walnut, and elm. Care and attention to detail are inherent at every stage of their designs. Based on traditional English and other European designs from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, the majority of the company’s products are handcrafted and polished in England before being shipped to the USA.

Two of our personal favorites include:

Englishman’s Fine Furnishings Age of Oak Collection trestle tables are made of hand-selected wood. Each piece of this collection is slightly different and unique, much like a piece of artwork.


The Hampstead Collection was recently introduced by Englishman’s Fine Furnishings, which includes this table and sideboard. Each piece is finished in light cherry wood with a black band. This collection also includes additional table designs, a china cabinet, chests and a bed.


To learn more about Englishman’s fine quality furniture, please visit the Web site at www.englishmansfurniture.com. For more information on the latest trends in fine quality furniture and other design resources, please feel free to contact our office anytime at 404-574-2900.

~Leslie

Shade Pergolas Meet Demand

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We are excited to share that two companies have filled a great need in the home design industry for an improved, high-end alternative to the traditional awning.

Walpole Woodworkers, a renowned woodworking / home product company and the largest fabricator of cellular vinyl in the U.S., and ShadeFX Canopies, manufacturer of the monorail drive pergola canopy system, announced this month a strategic partnership to launch Shade Pergolas.

Shade Pergolas combine high-quality, handcrafted pergola structures with exclusive retractable and integrated canopy systems. The line was designed for use at residential landscapes, decks and patios, commercial properties, assisted living facilities, outdoor cafes and restaurants, seating areas at marinas and golf courses, and most any outdoor space where the choice of sun or shade is desired.

“Shade Pergolas are the perfect complement to a home or commercial property’s architecture,” says Louis Maglio, president of Walpole Woodworkers. “With their height, depth and width, Shade Pergolas bring dimension and substance to an outdoor space.”

Walpole Woodworkers and ShadeFX Canopies created Shade Pergolas based upon the growing trend of outdoor rooms with a new sense of flexibility. Shade Pergolas can be used to cover large areas up to 600 square-feet, while typical retractable awnings extend only 13 feet. The structures offer homeowners the ability to create outdoor sanctuaries that are covered from rain, protected from sun, and impervious against wind.

The monorail drive pergola canopy system developed by ShadeFX Canopies eliminates the problems of attaching linear track systems to structures prone to shifting or moving over time. Since the canopies are retractable, homeowners can switch from sun to shade at their leisure. The cellular vinyl pergolas are low-to-no maintenance and last more than 25 years. The canopies are durable and will deliver 10 to 15 years of use.

“Shade Pergolas make the investment in outdoor living a justifiable value because they truly expand living space and lifestyle options,” says Steve Ostrowski, president of ShadeFX Canopies.

To learn more about Shade Pergolas and the joint venture between Walpole Woodworkers and ShadeFX Canopies, please visit the newly designed Web site at www.shadepergolas.com.

For editors wanting to learn more about the standard and custom features available for these structures, please visit the Eberly & Collard Public Relations Web site for additional details, or feel free to request a full media kit, which includes high-resolution photos, FAQ information, full press release, and more.

~Leslie

Comfort is Key

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According to the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), “The newest outdoor furnishings this year emphasize comfort, versatility and gathering places – all essentials for enjoying more leisure time at home.” The study shows that 29 percent of people polled said they’d like to add either a comfortable lounge chair or some other deep-cushion seating to their outdoor space this summer.

Three Birds Casual specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of premium-grade, fine casual living products. Recently, the company launched an entire new line of teak casual furniture called Monterey. This new line was designed to meet consumer demand for versatile outdoor furniture – a product that is both functional and high-design.

The Monterey line includes a Deep Seating Sectional, Sofa, Loveseat, Armchair and Ottoman. The collection also contains Bar Chairs and Dining Chairs to allow the use of similar products for a cohesive outdoor living area, from conversational settings to dining areas.

According to the same study by the AHFA, nearly 40 percent of the homeowners who participated in the survey said they’d like to purchase one or two new pieces of outdoor furniture this year. For more information about how outdoor furniture manufacturers are prepared to meet the demand of consumers during 2010 through versatile yet luxurious collections, even on a budget, please feel free to contact us.

To learn more about this new line and others from Three Birds Casual, please visit the Web site at www.three-birds.com.

~Leslie

Lighten the Load for Green Roof Designers, Builders and City Planners

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One major challenge for landscape architects / designers, contractors and builders in green roof design and installation is meeting weight requirements and building codes. Simultaneously, they must create healthy balances of soil nutrients, plant material, and irrigation systems, all settled on safe base structures and with ease-of-maintenance an essential factor for the future. These green roof professionals must also develop potential opportunities for LEED credits, especially when designing for green-initiative buildings or properties.

Big River Industries is the nation’s largest producer of HydRocks, a lightweight expanded clay aggregate perfect for green roofs. In a rotary kiln, selectively mined clay is fired at temperatures of approximately 2000° F, producing a lightweight, ceramic aggregate. The aggregate is then processed to precise gradations, resulting in a high-quality, lightweight compound that is inert, durable and tough.

At nearly half the weight of common soils, this all-natural, eco-friendly, non-degradable aggregate can be mixed as a soil enhancer to provide the following benefits to green roofs:

  • Reduces water usage
  • Retains moisture during dry periods
  • Reduces water run-off
  • Improves moisture retention
  • Provides sufficient draining
  • Promotes healthy root structures
  • Reduces nutrient loss
  • Encourages aeration
  • Prevents soil compaction

HydRocks particles are completely inorganic and can be blended with other soil supplements. The use of HydRocks can also help acquire up to several LEED credits including: Heat Island Effect, Optimizing Energy Performance, Recycled Content, Innovation in Design, Regional Materials, and Thermal Comfort.

One high-level green roof design that implemented HydRocks is Chicago City Hall. The story behind how the developers and planners created this premium green roof structure and the pivotal role Big River Industries played in the project’s success make for a fascinating case-study.

Editors and publishers, contact us with your questions. For case-study information, feature articles, high-resolution images, interviews with the experts, and more information about HydRocks from Big River Industries, please email me anytime. We’re very interested to learn your article and resource needs pertaining to this type of solution-based story.

~ Leslie

Winter Hellebores

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With cold weather circling the country, hellebores are a popular topic for the New Year landscape as a blooming, colorful alternative to traditional poinsettias and evergreens. While hellebores have been around for years, the newest technologies and expertise in breeding have provided the market with new and improved cultivars that really wow.

In a recent article about Double hellebores in time for winter published in Maple Ridge News, Mike Lascelle explores some of the most exciting new double hellebores by Terra Nova Nurseries. The company’s Winter Jewels series offer never-seen-before colors that remain consistent and reliable throughout the season. A few of our favorites mentioned in the article include:

Winter Jewels Hellebore ‘Peppermint Ice’


Winter Jewels Hellebore ‘Onyx Odyssey’


Winter Jewels Hellebore ‘Sparkling Diamond’


If you’re interested in learning more about Terra Nova Nurseries exclusive Winter Jewels Hellebore series, please feel free to contact us for high-resolution images and profile information, or visit www.terranovanurseries.com. We can schedule interviews and site visits with the breeding team for qualified writers and editors.

~ Leslie

Garden Splendor® Unveils New Showcase Plants for 2010

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The Garden Splendor® brand by Overdevest Nurseries announced 10 new 2010 Showcase selections from the company’s premium plant collection of more than 500 varieties of perennials, ornamental grasses, patio plants, shrubs and vines.

This will be the seventh year that Garden Splendor has offered the Showcase line, and independent garden centers appreciate the consistency and branding of the high-quality product. This year, we spoke directly with a few garden centers that carry the Garden Splendor brand to gather some retailer insight about the Showcase line.

Glenn Pendergast is the owner of Willow Run Home & Garden Showplace, an independent garden center that has carried the Showcase line for four years. When asked about the benefits of carrying the Showcase line, Pendergast said, “Carrying a co-branded plant line of the highest quality benefits us as a good reflection on our company with our consumers.” Pendergast also shared with us that his customers have come to recognize and even anticipate the Garden Splendor Showcase varieties for quality and value.

The 2010 Garden Splendor Showcase line will be available to homeowners at participating independent garden centers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions beginning spring 2010. They will be shipped to the garden centers at the best times for consumers to plant them. The plant material is chosen each year through extensive research and rigorous on-site evaluations for quality, innovation and reliability.

The new Garden Splendor® Showcase Plants for 2010 include the following:

  • Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’
  • Aquilegia Winky Double ‘Blue and White’
  • Chamaecyparis ‘Oregon Blue’
  • Clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’
  • Dianthus ‘Raspberry Surprise’
  • Dicentra ‘Burning Hearts’
  • Echinacea ‘Mac n’ Cheese’
  • Hosta ‘Touch of Class’
  • Schizachyrium ‘Carousel’
  • Veronica ‘Giles Van Hees’

Additional information about the Garden Splendor brand and plant availability can be found at www.gardensplendor.com. If you are a member of the media, contact us if you’d like us to assist with our usual spring or summer article contributions. We can quote local expert gardening and plant sources in most any area.

~Leslie

Color Series: December Red

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There are plenty of memory associations that accompany color. We think back to a favorite painting we saw in a museum or the fading colors of a carousel we used to love visiting. Every color can connote a feeling of past or present, and very few shades exemplify the feeling of the holidays quite like red.

Velvety scarlet, deep burgundy, bright cherry – there are dozens of shades worth a moment’s pause in the spectrum of this primary color, and they all have a place in exterior and interior design. The hue complements the blues, greens and whites common of the season as well as provides a bold design statement for the rest of the New Year.

While we have previously placed a focus on one specific shade for our color posts, we wanted to break from tradition this time to discuss different shades of red and how each one can be used to provide maximum interest.

What does red denote?

Red is often associated with passion, free-expression, fire, courage, and self-confidence. Best used in accessories and accents, red can be overwhelming if over-used and actually cause stress in abundance. However, just a dab of red can increase excitement and is a classic color option for nearly any room.



A few ways to use red:

In the Home: A little red can go a long way. This is a good motto when designing with a bold or bright shade of red. Even an accent wall may be too much, so the best way to use red is accessorize. Trends have shown stripes of red to be extremely popular in indoor and outdoor furniture. Combined with blues, browns and tans, red is the best method of making a more neutral pallet pop. Candles, lamp shades, mirror frames, table runners, and cut flowers are all easy ways to add red into a room. Red is an excellent color selection when designers choose a contemporary look, but rustic and deep burgundies can mold quickly into the principals of Victorian style.

Especially during the holidays, red can be a treat for the eye. Any shade of red will complement evergreen, so consider adding red throughout a room or on a door using decorative wreaths such as this one from Jackson & Perkins.

In the Landscape: While hundreds of shades of red have been produced in blooming flowers for spring and summer radiance, it is often harder to find bold, daring reds for the landscape during the fall and into winter. This year, we recommend a brand new perennial, Heuchera ‘Autumn Leaves’ by Terra Nova Nurseries, for an absolutely stunning display of cranberry-red foliage during frost.



Our favorite shade:

Glidden offers two shades of red we highly suggest, as each provides two different application possibilities for the color. Candy Apple is a fantastic option for a bold statement through accents, accessories and containers. The deep, classic red will not disappoint to draw the eye to new heights or into unused corners of a space.

We have also notated Terra Cotta Rose, or similar shades, as a popular choice for 2010 design. This lighter, more soothing red has brown tones that calm the shock of the color, allowing designers to use more if they choose. An excellent example can be found in the stone flooring of this outdoor space.



How have you used or plan to use red in your interior and / or exterior design work this year? Or, if a member of the media, what types of color information, sources and photos would be most applicable for your audience members during 2010?

To read more from our color series, visit our September and October suggestions.

~ Leslie

R&R with T&E

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As we all do, I sometimes need a bit of rest and relaxation to rejuvenate myself. Between work and endless chores at home, I often need to force myself to find time for R&R, whether it be reading on my back patio or eating dinner with some friends on the weekend.

On a rare occasion, we find companies that are willing to help consumers find these valued moments of peace. Recently, I became acquainted with Thompson & Elm, also known as T&E, which offers fabulous items that make relaxation possibilities all the more endless, beautiful and easily accessible. Just what we all need!

Here is a bit of information about two of their specialties – casual outdoor furniture and easy-to-create Always in Bloom™ container gardens:

Outdoor casual furniture from T&E, designs for outdoor living…

This photo shows the Grand Estate Collection with deep seating furniture and an oversized coffee table made from cast aluminum. All T&E furniture is made from fully welded, one-piece construction. The long seating section pictured above is expandable to the size and direction needed for a space, making it extremely flexible! The collection’s frames are bronze in color with Flagship Cocoa Sunbrella Fabric.

The photo above shows another favorite at Eberly & Collard Public Relations. The 120-inch rectangular dining table supports seating of up to 10 placements (shown with eight). The dining set is of the Seville Collection and made with cast aluminum in matte black. With the writing and public relations work we do regarding outdoor rooms and casual furniture, I can tell you this dining set will create new trends of design in the coming months.

Always in Bloom™ Container Gardening in 1-2-3…

Above, I have placed two photos showing an easy, fun way to container garden for the busy consumer. T&E offers Always in Bloom™ ready-made containers in three different sizes – deluxe, prestige and estate. Once the consumer selects her favorite container combo in the size she wants, all that is left is to pick a decorative pot in the same size from T&E. The company offers custom-sized pots in euracast, ceramic-glazed pottery and cocoa-liner metal plant stands. The ready-made (already planted) pots fit perfectly into the decorative containers for instant garden success that will last an entire season.

Essentially, the program offers consumers the ability to decorate their patios without the mess of planting, and create beautiful, lasting containers without extensive gardening know-how. T&E offers Always in Bloom™ containers for all four seasons.

Between the easy Always in Bloom containers and premium outdoor furniture, I think your readers can have some true one-of-a-kind R&R! In fact, T&E truly offers consumers a one-stop makeover of an outdoor room or patio. If you are a member of the media or a garden writer working on assignment, just let us know if you need photos or more information. We can connect you with the knowledgeable folks at T&E. To learn more about Thompson & Elm, feel free to visit the Web site.

~ Leslie

Color Series: October Green

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As you may remember from the first post in our color series, we will be sharing the hottest colors of the season with you, what they mean, how they can be used in interior and exterior design, and, simply put, why they are great colors.

October is the epitome of autumn, the changing of leaves and the first touch of frost in the air in many places. Because of this, we tend to steer away from bright colors in all things design – from our own wardrobes to the colors of our place settings – to initiate the tranquil months of the season. Not to mention one of the largest associations people make with the month of October, Halloween.

So, based on trend research and our own experiences in design and related publicity work, we have narrowed down our October color to a soothing, khaki green. A similar color was selected as one of the top ten new colors for spring 2010 by Pantone, but we thought we would write about it now because it is greatly relevant.

We continually see new home and garden products every year in the marketplace adopt this color, as it is a classic neutral for design. It matches everything, blends well into the background, or can be combined with other colors to create striking focal points. It is also the perfect complementary color for common rustic fall décor items in orange, burnt-reds, browns, and other color hues.

What does green denote?

Green, especially the soft, soothing olive or flax color, is often associated with nature, nourishment, balance and stability. You’ll often see this color in commercial buildings, offices, spas, and hotels, as it is frequently used to promote physical and emotional well-being. Designers also enjoy using the color when re-designing an outdoor living area for a rejuvenated and natural look. An example: Summer Classics, a manufacturer of high-end casual / outdoor furniture, uses this color in one of its premier garden collections, part of the Skye line:


A few ways to use green:

In the Home: Green remains one of the most commonly used colors in design. This neutral khaki green is incredibly flexible within a space and can easily find a well-suited fit in a large room or small nook. Many designers suggest using this color en masse because it so easily adapts to new accessories and furniture. Furniture fabrics and draperies are an excellent choice, as the color is not too dark to overwhelm the space. However, accent pieces should not be overlooked. Lamp shades, mirror frames, art, throw pillows, linens, and accent chairs are easy ways to supplement and harmonize this shade of green.

In the Landscape: As fall brings in the cooler weather, foliage becomes a focal point more so than blooms. The color of dried herb can be found in dozens of groundcover and perennial varieties for beds and border. However, while plant options are in abundance, we highly suggest accessorizing with this color in the landscape, much like one would with interior design. This color can often have a provincial or sylvan feel, yet add gorgeous ambiance to spaces in the forms of potted containers, accent or vertical garden walls, outdoor furniture, and even painted shutters or doors.

Our favorite shade:

Terrapin Green by Benjamin Moore is a perfect shade of green for flexible, calming design. With just a touch of gray to add neutrality but with enough green to make it pop, this color can be used in hundreds of different ways in interior or exterior design.

We also recommend the color selected by Pantone, called dried herb. A bit more khaki colored and with just a touch of brown, this is a perfect color for relaxed settings or areas designed to convey homey atmospheres.

How have you used or plan to use green in your interior and / or exterior design work this year? Or, if a member of the media, what types of color information, sources and photos would be most applicable for your audience members during 2010?

Watch our blog and follow our tweets for more about our take on color and the ways in which industry designers and manufacturers are coloring our world.

~ Leslie

Virtual Tours: International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago

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For those of you who were unable to attend the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market a month ago in Chicago, Casual Living offers several virtual tours of highlights on the magazine’s Web site. Really, it’s great even for those who did attend! With approximately 350 manufacturers from around the world filling more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, it was incredibly hard to explore everything.

The videos cover several showrooms and new products from companies such as Pride Family Brands, Les Jardins and Agio. For a bit more information about the show, see our previous blog post here, which delves into 2010 trends and a panel discussion with Eberly & Collard Public Relations’ president, Don Eberly.

~Leslie