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Home » Archives for Leslie Kirk

Please Take a Seat

October 23, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

The great outdoors should be embraced for entertaining all-year round, and creating a versatile, inviting setting to host a fall fireside BBQ or winter get-together is the first step. The design of an outdoor room or patio serves as a backdrop for the event and the outdoor furniture, color selections and accessories play significant roles in ensuring guests will be able to easily visit with one another while they dine and drink.

One of the exhibitors at this year’s International Casual Furniture & Accessories market that caught our attention, Homecrest Outdoor Living, established in 1953, combines a rich history of quality and classic design with today’s demand for affordable luxury and versatile living. Through trend studies and years of listening to sophisticated customer demand, Homecrest Outdoor Living offers customers furniture that flows seamlessly from the indoors, out.

After spending some time with casual furniture expert Scott Coremin, vice president of sales / marketing for Homecrest Outdoor Living, at the ICF&A market – and reviewing his 2010 product lines – it was obvious to us the company is making trend-based strides in product development and design. A few of our top picks that offer both beautiful form and practical function are as follows:

Havenhill Dual Motion Loveseat featured in Hickory frame finish and Mojito padded sling:

This is an outdoor loveseat anyone can love. The Havenhill collection includes a new twist on a Homecrest classic with the introduction of the Dual Motion Loveseat. This unique seat features a patent-pending Butterfly Basket®, which provides guests with the ability to rock independently while enjoying another person’s company.

Havenhill Dining chairs in Flagstone finish and Aloe sling fabric with granite dining table in Kenoran:

Sleek, clean design sets the mood with this set. Peace and tranquility are easily attainable with the Havenhill collection in the cool tones of the Flagstone finish and spring green color of the Aloe sling. Havenhill’s modern frame design and uniquely flared sling provides the maximum in comfort, style and value.

Havenhill Balcony chairs in Flagstone finish and Creole sling fabric with Sorrento table:

Sure to make a splash on the balcony of a condo or in the backyard of any home, the Butterfly Basket® is one of Homecrest Outdoor Furniture’s newest collections. It has been engineered with the standards of quality and craftsmanship that have made Homecrest a trusted, American-made outdoor furniture resource for over 50 years.

Wescott Dining chairs in Sedona frame finish and Bocha fabric with Sandstone dining table in Mesquite:

Traditional in styling, the new Wescott collection is designed with the Butterfly Basket® and is handcrafted with conscientious details. The intricate finials and quality construction of this classically inspired collection will suit the grandest estate or the most charming garden setting.

Swivel Rocker Balcony stools in Bessemer Padded Sling and Hickory finish with Cast table in Hickory:

Comfortable and stylish, the Wescott is a handsome addition to the Homecrest Sling collections. With ornate detailing and international flair, the classic look of this seating collection also features the patent-pending Butterfly Basket®. Balcony chairs – not too tall or short – that rock and swivel are an enhanced trend for 2010, as evidenced by these and other lines addressing the application.

Do you have a favorite collection? Visit the company’s Web site and let us know your opinions. If you are an editor, publisher, or Home Industry show producer, we’ll be glad to connect you with the furniture experts at Homecrest Outdoor Living.

Read more on our blog about trend products and innovative companies from the various markets, shows and events we attended this summer. Watch for ongoing, new product reviews and trend picks for 2010 from us in the coming days and weeks.

~ Leslie

Filed Under: Butterfly Basket, Eberly and Collard, Havenhill, Homecrest Outdoor Living, International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market, Leslie Kirk, Wescott

KuulAire Offers Cooler Options

October 21, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

On occasion, there are circumstances when traditional products or equipment are simply not practical. Thinking outside the box can oftentimes lower overall costs and provide sensible solutions for spaces around the home, office or facility that may seem impossible to perfect.

Air conditioning or cooling, for example, may seem like a no-brainer, as many of us have central air in our homes or buildings. However, the installation plus energy costs of traditional A/C can quickly add up. Central air and ample cooling are also sometimes not available for certain indoor spaces. From indoor construction projects to offices with older A/C units to third-floor bedrooms that never seem cool enough in warmer seasons, many people find themselves looking for ways to “cool it.”

Then, too, there are many outdoor areas that cannot be enjoyed or maximized all year given hot temperatures and bright sunshine. Rooftop decks are a trendy new outdoor room for many homeowners. But, hot weather and sun exposure can cause them to remain indoors, missing out on the full benefits of their rooftop spaces. Patios, decks, and backyards from coast to coast serve as backdrops for entertaining and family fun. Yet, when things heat up, people tend to head inside to find cool air.

Port-a-Cool, a company that offers popular, state-of-the-art air conditioning units for commercial businesses, has recently introduced a product line for consumers, called KuulAire. The company’s five consumer-suited cooling systems are sleek, clean and streamlined to solve problems for unique areas such as outdoor rooms, personal storage facilities, garages, offices, and any other areas where central air simply does not quite make sense or do the job.

Our favorite is the KuulAire KA50 portable, evaporative swamp cooler because it is easy to operate, easy to clean, and easy to maintain, while providing cool, fresh and filtered air. The strength of the cooling is fully adjustable with three fan speed settings, a cooling capacity of up to 350 square feet, and automatic swing louvers.

For convenience of operation, a remote control and timer are included with the KA50 cooler. These permit ease-of-use and more efficient energy consumption. And, how does it look? Well, the unit design is also attractive, compact, portable, and includes a one-year limited warranty.

The other four cooling units also have their own perfect fits for the home and office, including the following:

KuulAire KA40: Perfect for small spaces at only 27 inches by 15.4 inches by 14.6 inches, and 22 lbs.

  • 3 Speed Settings
  • Automatic Swing Louvers
  • Time and Remote Control
  • 2.5 Gallon Water
  • Capacity Cooling Capacity of 150 Square Feet

KuulAire KA70: With a sleek design, this unit is perfect for office or home.

  • 3 Speed Settings
  • Automatic Swing Louvers
  • 4 Gallon Water Capacity
  • Low Water Censor
  • Cooling Capacity of 150 Square Feet

KuulAire KA12: This unity is energy efficient while cooling the indoors or out for as far-reaching as 500 square feet, making it a unique solution for outdoor rooms and spaces.

  • Touch panel controls and 2 speed settings
  • Automatic Swing Louvers
  • Timer and Remote Control
  • 8 Gallon Water Capacity
  • Low-Water Censor
  • Safety Lock Feature

KuulAire KA15: The largest available unit in this series, this cooler is powerful, all-natural, and works for indoor or outdoor use.

  • Touch panel controls
  • 2 Speed Settings
  • Automatic Swing Louvers
  • Time and Remote Control
  • 12 Gallon Water Capacity
  • Safety Lock Feature
  • Cooling Capacity of 750 Square Feet

The company’s site offers a good overview for learning more of the product benefits and viewing photos: http://www.port-a-cool.com and http://www.kuulaire.com. These products would make for good inclusions to the “Innovative Products” and “Accessories / Products” sections of magazines geared for the Casual Furniture & Accessories market, the Hospitality market, Construction / Builder market, and others. If you are an editor and would like high-resolution photos, just let us know.

~Leslie

Filed Under: Cooling, Eberly and Collard, kuulaire, Leslie Kirk, Port-a-cool

Habersham Gardens Supplies Locally Grown Food to Atlantans as Part of CSA Program

October 21, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

If you’re from Atlanta, you may be familiar with our very own local Habersham Gardens, a fun-filled garden center business specializing in unique plants, how-to sessions, garden accessories and landscape services.

And, you might be excited to hear the garden center owners have announced an innovative new program to advance business objectives, sales and community outreach by serving as a major in-town Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) participant. By becoming the newest food pick-up site in the CSA program, Habersham Gardens is supporting 20 local farmers who grow sustainable produce and supplying locally grown food to Atlantans.

Atlanta consumers may participate in the program by procuring food-purchasing memberships in return for weekly deliveries of seasonal, ultra-fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables and other organic food items. Regional farmers, in turn, are able to market food products to urbanites and receive membership payments early in the year prior to harvests. The advance-pay food memberships lead to steady cash flow for farmers’ crop development and address common interest in organic food among Atlantans. Habersham Gardens serves as the link between the two, given the garden center business acts as a significant food drop-off and pick-up location for in-town locals.

In the photo (just below), Deborah Harrison, founder and co-owner of Habersham Gardens – who is also a professionally trained chef – is preparing a weekly pick-up for one of the participating members. Items can include vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, and more.


Eberly & Collard Public Relations’ vice president, Jeff Collard, joined the program recently, and can’t stop raving about the freshness of the veggies! We even woke up in our office the other morning by drinking locally grown coffee that was part of a recent food delivery. If you are in Atlanta, consider visiting Habersham Gardens and joining the CSA membership.

~ Leslie

Filed Under: Community Supported Agriculture, Deborah Harrison, Eberly and Collard, Habersham Gardens, Leslie Kirk

Everything but the Kitchen Sink: New Catalog, New Web Site, New Plants, New Video

October 16, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

We are excited to share that Terra Nova Nurseries has announced the launch of a redesigned Web site and 2010 catalog which target grower / retailer audiences with solution-based information and photos. The site and catalog were created in tandem to serve as informational tools for industry customers and end-consumers, and to position Terra Nova Nurseries as a destination breeder for wholesalers, re-wholesalers, retailers, and professional landscapers.

The new 2010 catalog and site contain rationales behind various new plant or genus improvements, along with explanations as to how the plants have been improved over previous cultivars. Plants were specifically bred to match unique customer needs and to address undesirable cultural traits. Some noteworthy examples of this innovative breeding include a new leucanthemum without an unpleasant scent, hardy echinaceas with sturdier stalks, and several tiarellas with trailing habits for extended landscape applications.

The catalog – encompasses all-new features such as content-rich boxes placed throughout the 80-page colorful booklet that supply grower customers with breeding and plant cultural insights. The graphically designed boxes consist of Grower Solutions, Breeder Goals and Native Species maps.

The Web site – has been organized by relative sectors: home gardeners, professional growers and media professionals. Notable highlights from the new Web site include:

  • Extensive photo library with downloadable high-resolution images for customers and media members
  • Updated access to current plant availability
  • News section with the latest ready-to-print press releases
  • Marketing section with a downloadable version of the 2010 wholesale catalog
  • Detailed plant information for every product offered by Terra Nova Nurseries

Check them out, and let us know what you think about the new Web site / catalog! Are there any new plants this year from Terra Nova Nurseries that solve any particular problems about which you have been hearing from your readers?

~ Leslie

P.S. In case you haven’t seen it, Terra Nova Nurseries and Dan Heims were recently featured in the popular gardening program, GardenTime. It’s a warming story about the perennial contributions from Terra Nova Nurseries to Portland’s famous Rose Garden and other public gardens across the country. Watch the video here…

Filed Under: dan heims, Eberly and Collard, GardenTime, Leslie Kirk, Terra Nova Nurseries

“Heuchera Happening” in Mill Creek

October 2, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment


Dan Heims, national horticulturist and plant explorer, will be speaking about “Everything New in the Heuchera World” at the Second Annual Heuchera Happening Event at My Garden Nursery in Mill Creek, WA. Dan is president and co-owner of Terra Nova Nurseries and has helped introduce more than 600 new plant varieties to gardeners all across the United States. Heuchera is one of his team’s specialties as they continue to push the limits with this genus, making each new introduction more hardy, heat tolerant, and beautiful.

Event details are as follows:

What: A fun discussion led by Dan Heims on all things new in the Heuchera world, including the newest introductions and breakthroughs in the genera. All attendees will be given a free Terra Nova Nurseries Heuchera to start or add to their own collections with any purchase at the garden center.

When: Saturday, October 3, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PDT.

Where
: My Garden Nursery
17414 Bothell Everett Hwy
Mill Creek, WA 98012

Web sites of Interest: For more information on My Garden Nursery, please visit www.mygardennursery.com. For more information about Dan Heims and Terra Nova Nurseries, please visit www.terranovanurseries.com.

R.S.V.P: Your readers are welcome to RSVP by calling 425-402-1842. (There will be a small fee of $5.00 for attendees). Note: All members of the media are welcome to contact me via email or phone by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, October 2, for a VIP / media pass. (Contact: Eberly & Collard Public Relations, 404-574-2900).

If you have interest in the event, we are happy to provide photos and additional information, and answer any questions you may have. Interviews with Heims can be scheduled through our office. We hope you can make it if you’re in the area!

~ Leslie

Filed Under: dan heims, Eberly and Collard, Leslie Kirk, My Garden Nursery, Terra Nova Nurseries

Chicago Market and Design / Product Trends Panel

September 18, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

If you are part of the casual furniture and accessory industry, and you want to learn about the latest trends in products and design, we highly recommend attending the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market next week in Chicago. The market show runs from September 21 to 24 at The Chicago Merchandise Mart, where 350 manufacturers from around the world will fill more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space. Between the exhibits and permanent show rooms, opportunities for buying and trend-following will abound at this year’s market.

According to the Casual Market Web site, the show will attract “leading manufacturers of wrought iron / aluminum, cast metal / cast combination, rattan / wicker / woven, tubular, resin / fiberglass and wood furnishings as well as umbrellas, hammocks, outdoor lighting, outdoor accessories / statues / fountains, outdoor hearth and heating products, alternative tabletops, barbecues, pool and spa accessories, and much more.”

The show has been a trade favorite for 30 years, and continues to lead the industry as a destination show for the latest trends in casual and outdoor furnishings / accessories.

In fact, our very own Don Eberly, president and CEO of Eberly & Collard Public Relations, will be sitting on the “Trends in Design – Beyond 2009” discussion panel Thursday, September 24. Don will be discussing some of our firm’s focus group findings and study data pertaining to product and design trends.

Moderated by Sarah Kinbar, editor-in-chief of Garden Design magazine, top experts in the industry will speak on the latest in furniture designs and styles, fabric trends, popular paint colors and finishes, plant and floral pairings, decorative containers, interior / exterior design trends, and other subject-matter. The panel will also touch on how the green movement is affecting homeowners’ and designer’s choices.

Let us know if you will be attending the market. We would love to see you there. If media members would like to schedule interviews with Don regarding the trend insights in mention, we can gladly assist with that as well.

~ Leslie

Filed Under: Chicago Merchandise Mart, Eberly and Collard, furniture, Garden Design, International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market, Leslie Kirk

Customer Day at Chuck Hafner’s Farmers Market & Garden Center

September 17, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment


The Garden Splendor brand of premium plant material in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions is sponsoring an event with Chuck Hafner’s Farmers Market & Garden Center to show appreciation for garden center customers carrying the branded plants.

After a long year, yet one filled with inspiring success stories, a network gathering seemed just the ticket to discuss strategies and tips for next year. The 2nd Annual Garden Splendor Customer Appreciation Day celebration will take place at Chuck Hafner’s Farmers Market & Garden Center in North Syracuse, NY. Attendees will be able to tour the facility to see first-hand how the Hafners were able to build their state-of-the-art operation and maintain ongoing success, even during a downturned market.

Additional special events include a merchandising demonstration by Terri Coldcreek of Color Results who will relay some expert advice on merchandising techniques with color and props for great visual appeal; lunch at the famous Syracuse diner, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que; a creative display contest in the afternoon; and guided tours of Hafner’s Christmas tree farm with over 100,000 local trees in production.

A few details for you if you are a member of the media or a Garden Center customer who sells Garden Splendor plants in the area…

When: Thursday, September 24, 2009, between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

What: 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Day

Where: Chuck Hafner’s Farmer’s Market
7265 Buckly Road
North Syracuse, NY 13212

If you are a participating Garden Splendor garden center and have questions about travel arrangements, or would like to RSVP for the event, please feel free to contact Donna Stemberger at 888-842-6597, or email her at donna@overdevest-nurseries.com.

For questions, a complete schedule of events, or to RSVP with a media pass, please feel free to contact me at 404-574-2900, lkirk@eberlycollardpr.com.

If you are not able to attend, we will be happy to provide information stemming from the event for an article and / or provide photos from the event. The Garden Splendor brand and its garden center dealers are well-prepared sources for articles.

~ Leslie

Filed Under: Chuck Hafner, Eberly and Collard, Garden Splendor, Hafner's Farmer's Market, Leslie Kirk

Habersham Gardens Event Calendar

September 15, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment


Hello to all of our Atlanta readers! In case you live (or will be visiting) the metro-Atlanta area in the next few months, take a peek below at the Habersham Gardens event calendar for autumn and early winter. Also, keep checking back, since more events will be added in the coming weeks.

Saturday, September 19
Pot Party
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Description: Grab your trowel, dust off the bellbottoms and join the staff at Habersham Gardens for a special 60’s-themed container gardening event. Guests can bring their own pots or select ones from the garden center. The horticultural experts at Habersham Gardens will assist gardeners with planting. Come dress in psychedelic appeal and enjoy a 15% discount on purchases.

Friday, September 25
Fall Open House
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Description: Enjoy an evening of food and drink in the garden at Habersham Gardens’ Fall Open House. Listen to music, mingle with friends, and check out the new fall product arrivals. This evening only, there will be a special plant sale.

Saturday, October 10
Container Garden Workshop
11:00 a.m.
Description: Horticultural expert Kristin Landfield, a Habersham Gardens staff member, will guide gardeners through the container gardening process. This event is completely hands-on, so bring your containers or purchase new ones from the garden center.

Saturday, December 12
Holiday Container Workshop
11:00 a.m.
Description: Learn to deck your halls, centerpieces, and mantle with beautiful, festive containers this holiday season. The knowledgeable folks about Habersham Gardens will provide expert holiday decorating advice. Bring your holiday cheer and good ideas to share.

All events will take place at Habersham Gardens:

2067 Manchester St., NE
Atlanta, GA 30324-4110
(404) 873-2484
www.habershamgardens.com

We hope to see you there! And, if you are a member of the media and would like to cover any of these creative topics for your readers, just say the word. We can help provide advanced narratives, interviews, photos, and more.

~ Leslie

Filed Under: Eberly and Collard, Events, Habersham Gardens, Leslie Kirk

Color Series: September Amethyst

September 9, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

The September 2009 issue of House Beautiful greatly inspired us at Eberly and Collard Public Relations to continue looking at color with an in-depth approach and assessing what it means for every season. We deal so often with color design and conceptualization in this field – speaking on the topic at varied events and assisting our designer and product manufacturer clients – we have decided to begin sharing our experiences with color and our thoughts on how it can help enliven interior design, outdoor living and the landscape.

Color has the ability to drastically change a room. Without touching the accessories or furniture, paint can transition the entire ambiance of a room and make everything appear new and fresh. Or, with just a few colorful accessories, a room can take on new focal points and draw the eye into undiscovered corners.

Some colors make a room feel calm and tranquil, while other colors can spice up a space with a bold blast of energy. Every person is different, as is each room and garden, and that is why color selection is so very important.

For September, we thought we would discuss one of the many colors House Beautiful touched on in its special fall color issue – amethyst. A transparent violet, amethyst is a warm, soft addition to the home inside or out. September is the perfect time to use this color in the décor, as it spruces up a space with a last-minute splash of summer color as fall begins to approach.

What does amethyst mean?

The color of amethyst is often associated with stability, peace, balance, courage, inner strength, sincerity, and calm disposition. Amethyst in design offers soothing vibes, and has been linked to tension and headache relief. People have also claimed the color can help with sleep deprivation when painted as an accent wall in bedrooms or placed on beds in the form of throw pillows.

A few ways to use Amethyst:

In the Home: One of my favorite things about this color is that it can complement existing décor items from 2009. A warm yellow was determined earlier this year as Pantone’s color of the year, and amethyst is the perfect complement. Many designers suggest placing this light purple tone near yellow throughout the house to make both colors pop. For example, one interior designer we know recently added light yellow-accented draperies to a client’s living room infused with pale purple shades. By doing so, the result was a narrow yet creative color palette.

In the Landscape: Summer heat does not mean the planting season has to end. There are several lovely amethyst flowering and foliage varieties that are perfect for the garden bed such as the very heat-tolerant Heuchera ‘Sugar Plum’ from Terra Nova Nurseries and Mazus reptans ‘Purple Mazus’ from Stepables. For the landscape designer or architect, installing purple plants enhances or balances all of the surrounding greenery, a means to use opposite sides of the color wheel to develop harmony.

Our favorite shade:

Soft Amethyst by Glidden is a fantastic shade of amethyst – bold enough to make a statement, but soft enough to not overpower the area. Glidden certainly seems to have done its trend-based homework given the inclusion of this specific color.

As color palettes range in new directions, using amethyst as an accent or focal point is setting trends in today’s interior and exterior rooms.

How have you used or plan to use amethyst in your design work this year? What other colors are you seeing set new trends in interior design and outdoor spaces?

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

Filed Under: Amethyst, Eberly and Collard, Glidden, House Beautiful, Leslie Kirk, STEPABLES, Terra Nova Nurseries

Country Living Writes About STEPABLES

August 13, 2009 By Don Eberly Leave a Comment

Even after a few years of belonging to the STEPABLES team, we still find ourselves amazed at just how useful, resilient, low-maintenance, eco-friendly and quite beautiful creeping perennials can be.

Country Living recently featured STEPABLES in a syndicated article online and in its magazine, written by Melissa Ozawa, about these unique plants that allow for foot traffic. Check it out HERE.

~Leslie

Filed Under: Country Living, eberly collard pr, Leslie Kirk, Melissa Ozawa, STEPABLES

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