As most of you readers out there might know, our firm is located in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is commonly known for its traditional Southern roots, but when it comes to interior design, many Atlantans opt for personal style and tastes, ranging from traditional to retro glam and all the way to sleek and modern. Luckily, our city is packed with a similar range of retailers, design centers and interior designers all well-versed in said different styles. And, a magazine we hold in high regard for exploring beautiful homes is Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Flip through the magazine’s pages and you’ll see a mix of luxurious, drool-worthy designs – like a cozy Grant Park bungalow, a Colonial home in Buckhead, a chic Midtown high-rise loft, or a slew of second homes scattered across the Southeast at lakes, mountains and beaches alike. Stemming from the second half of its title, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles also covers the finest food, wine, art and shopping that Atlanta has to offer. That is where one of our clients, Englishman’s Fine Furnishings, comes in. In a special section of AH&L’s October issue, the magazine’s staff rounded up a selection of local arts, antiques shops and reproduction sources. The photos below included the cover and the page featuring Englishman’s.

We were especially thrilled to see the coincidental relation between the cover words “bespoke pieces tailored to perfection” and our client, Englishman’s. Following in the great tradition of England’s legendary cabinet-makers such as Chippendale and Hepplewhite, Englishman’s uses only the very best artisan craftsmanship. No two pieces of furniture are created exactly the same in that Englishman’s hand-crafted reproductions model European antiques from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Pieces in their furniture collection can also be customized per specific designer needs and homeowner preferences.

You can also read about Englishman’s on AH&L’s website here. Thanks, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles! We’re looking forward to the next issue already!

~ ECPR

Landscape and Irrigation magazine is dedicated to shedding light on notable industry professionals, projects, products, innovations, and industry news. The magazine does a highly credible job of reaching and informing landscape design, construction and maintenance professionals as well as those who work in the fields of turf, irrigation and water management. What we like about Landscape and Irrigation: it truly aims to enhance the industry thanks to one of the top editors in the business. So, having worked with the editor to facilitate an educational article with the expertise of our client, Jeff Speck, vice president of sales & marketing for Big River Industries, we wanted to share the Q&A-style information. In short, for the September issue, Landscape and Irrigation turned to Speck for advice on stormwater run-off issues and different land planning and water management options. Since many of our fans are industry professionals and related media members, we thought you may enjoy reading the article.

The Q&A article examines the real problems that stormwater and run-off can cause to landscaped areas and, in turn, the environment. It also focuses on the benefits of creating efficient, engineered soils to manage these water challenges and how to do so.

One challenge Speck addresses is low-impact development- controlling stormwater run-off with as little burden to the development’s original environment. One example of a project that faced this challenge was Big River Industries’ work with Ecos Environmental Designs and ERTH Products on the surrounding landscape of a new building development on Georgia Institute of Technology’s campus.

It’s all about a healthy soil profile, according to Speck. The article looks at what percentage of soil should be water, air and solid particles. If soil is not properly balanced, it can cause poor water drainage and poor nutrient reception. Big River Industries – and its partner businesses like those already mentioned as well as Garick Corporation – produce products like FiltRocks and HydRocks (or other products using Big River’s expanded lightweight clay aggregate. This, combined with conceptive design / build or engineering methods, help not only control stormwater run-off, but also further ecological vegetation systems.

To read the full article online, you can find it on Landscape and Irrigation’s website or in the September digital magazine. Scans of the hardcopy magazine are seen above. By clicking through these images, you can read the Q&A here, too. Thanks to John, editor at L&I magazine, for your help and time, and to Jeff for your expertise.

~ ECPR Team

I must admit that it was my inner reality TV addict that tempted me to check out a tweet from this morning promoting a Kim Kardashian case study based off of her tweets and Twitter profile. But, after reading the article, I do think the author makes an interesting point about the quantity of Twitter followers compared to the quality of Twitter followers that an individual has. The article, which can be read at length here: http://mashable.com/2010/10/01/twitter-kim-kardashian/, examines the relationship between Kim Kardashian and her loyal tweeps by how many hits her official website receives via her Twitter account. According to Mashable.com, her site is ranked 54th out of all websites that are clicked from Twitter users, and that takes into account sites like TwitPic, Flickr, and dozens of sports and news sites. And, while Kardashian is a popular celeb on Twitter with just under 5 million followers, she’s still not as favored as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Ashton Kutcher, or even Justin Beiber. She just knows how to tweet a fine balance between her thoughts and comments and her business ventures to keep her followers interested.

The article provoked me to think about how truly loyal Twitter followers, Facebook fans, Flickr contacts, YouTube friends etc. can be. Leaders of online communities can become quite influential by paying attention to their sources and connections – whether they are customers of a local garden center or green industry professionals or adoring celebrity fans. Then, use that knowledge to supply followers with what they want and need and it seems (in Kardashian’s case) that that they will become even more loyal. A great small business example of this scenario that is more geared towards our work / industries is Sickles Market, an independent garden center retailer. I’ve never seen a Facebook page buzzing as much as theirs does- every post has multiple comments, every photo or video is liked and shared. It’s amazing the steady, cult-like mass of fans they have, which is more than 2,000 in the town of Little Silvers, NJ where there are only about 6,000 residents. Here’s their page: http://www.facebook.com/SicklesMarket for more inspiration on quality vs. quantity of social media followers.

In our realm of all things related to home, garden, and design products and people, social media is an important means for companies and brands to interact with customers, the media and other important groups. It provides an opportunity to participate in online communities and conversations in ways not otherwise possible. The lessons learned from celebs, such as Kim Kardashian, are certainly notable as they were the ones who fanned the social networking flame to make it what it has become today. And, leaders in our industry, like Sickles Market or even the bigger names of Kathy Ireland, Paula Deen, or Donald Trump, who know how to network themselves in ways to create devoted followers of their home furnishing lines or other design-based products for homeowners, are clearly setting examples for all of us who want to better our social sites.

Let us know what you think about this issue by leaving a comment below.

~ Sarah Kate

Click over to our Facebook Fanpage to check out our newest post regarding Englishman’s Kitchens & Fine Custom Cabinetry. You’ll be able to learn about a new venture on the part of Englishman’s Fine Furnishings. The company’s leadership team has again addressed the home trend of customized design for lasting value and comfort. With a background in fine cabinetry and furniture-making, Englishman’s introduces its custom kitchen line and design / build options housed in a newly expanded furniture and accessories showroom at AmericasMart in Atlanta. Read about this on our Fanpage and log onto www.englishmansfurniture.com for further details about the company and its beautiful home furnishing capabilities. Note: Designers and media members, tours with the company’s owner are available upon request.

The Sol Maya woven pattern is highly weather resistant and is currently available in six different colors: ivory, wash, honey (pictured), java, graphite, and onyx. Sol Maya’s cushions are made of quick-drying foam and are Hand-crafted.

Sokul’s entire collection is 100% recyclable and so is its production and packaging. Even Sokul’s website is powered off of energy produced from windmills. What an extraordinary effort they make to be environmentally and socially responsible and aware. We are proud of the “green” efforts being made in the casual furniture industry and proud to feature so many of these companies on our blog.

~ Jeff

Our first “Sneak Peek” of a rug company features The Rug Market’s trend-setting designs. Company representatives will be displaying creative, durable and easy-to-care-for rugs at booth 8-3018 at Casual Market. For more than 20 years now, The Rug Market has been producing high quality rugs with the philosophy dedicated to design, creativity, service, and quality. This philosophy is evident to us in two of their rugs pictured below.

This rug, named Florin Blue, combines the best of modern and vintage Italy in its design and can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

With geometrical brown and cream mid-century squares, this Lloyd Brown rug would be a nice addition to an office or dining room. Or, it can be used outdoors to make a patio feel homier in a contemporary way.

We’re looking forward to Casual Market, beginning Tuesday, September 21! Are you? Keep up with our “Sneak Peek” series for some more great previews.

~ ECPR team

Harbour Outdoor is an eco-friendly manufacturer of contemporary outdoor furniture based in Australia, and it’s the company’s Balmoral product that we are including in our “Sneak Peek” series. Balmoral is a convertible seating piece that can be assembled into more than 15 configurations. Pictured below is the Balmoral arranged as a sectional sofa and as a chaise.

Situated on a solid High Pressure Laminate surface and supported by aluminum legs, the Balmoral is sturdy in design. The interchangeable back and arm cushions have removable covers for easy maintenance and are covered in Sunbrella fabric that can be customized with an array of color choices. We like the sleek, modern look of Balmoral and the fact that it is suited to be used indoors as well as in any outdoor landscape or climate. Harbour Outdoor also makes the choice to use only recycled materials, even materials that will not emit toxic or biologically harmful substances when broken down or burned. We think Harbour Outdoors as a company and design leader would be a great feature in any trade or consumer magazine, and we look forward to more great furniture from them in the future!

For those attending Casual Market, Harbour Outdoor will be at booth 8-8038. And, visit Harbour Outdoor’s Facebook page to connect with them and find out more information.

~ Don

The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; the Gulf Shores; the Great Lakes; and the Mississippi River and bayou territory are but a tip of the great coastlines / waterfronts located right here in the United States. Coastal Living magazine has celebrated this fact in its issues for many years. Woven wicker furniture masters, Lloyd / Flanders has teamed with Coastal Living to create a Coastal Living Collection of casual furniture that embodies stylish, well-made pieces for coastal lifestyles across the country. These four new product lines will be introduced at Casual Market next week.

The Savannah collection is reminiscent of the Deep South. It is characterized by the woven patterns of decorative wicker combined with sturdy aluminum framing for light, yet comforting furniture…yielding functional use with easy comfort. And, given our own seat in the South, we like that the furniture is made using materials from the region like southern cypress wood for the occasional and dining tables. We definitely think designers and homeowners will be attracted to this collection for its quaint charm.

Stemming from South Carolina’s cultured heritage, the Low Country collection reminds us that fundamental craftsmanship is still beautiful. What an addition these pieces would be to any porch, deck or backyard! The seats and backs of the seating pieces are crafted with hand-woven vinyl wicker similar to woven grass baskets that were popular years ago and still can be found for sale along Charleston’s streets and alleys.

The Great Lakes collection is a line of simple, classic, placid furniture that reminds us of the isolated nature surrounding the five Great Lakes. Even the color palette for the line reflects the blues, greens and woodsy hues that people associate with a calm lakeshore.

Last, but not least, is the Carmel collection. The pieces in this collection take us out west to the California coast. Full of artistic flair and whimsical character, the Carmel furniture is built on open weaves and flared legs, which is why we think it would look great in a sunroom or porch area, or even in a well-planned exterior space by the sea.

Stop by Lloyd / Flanders showroom, booth 1650, at Casual market to see these amazing collections and find out more about Lloyd / Flanders. Editors seeking regional design trends and themes for outdoor space articles, these lines might be of good interest to you.

~ Sarah Kate

With less than one week until Casual Market, we have this week to wrap up our “Sneak Peek” series with some more amazing companies. For all the posts regarding Casual Market “Sneak Peeks,” simply scroll down and read previous entries all the way back to our introductory post about Casual Market and the series on Sept. 2. But, moving on…This special “Sneak Peek” is about Highwood USA’s Adirondack Collection, that will displayed at booth 8-1063 at Casual Market.

Highwood is a manufacturing leader in synthetic wood structures and furniture, which can be more beneficial for homeowners due to its long-lasting attributes. Synthetic wood is less likely to loose its color and more resistant to water and stains all while being extremely easy to maintain. We think it’s fantastic that Highwood has taken its knowledge of synthetic wood and applied it to a classic style chair like the Adirondack. The Adirondack Collection features pieces handcrafted here in the United States available in a natural toffee color or crisp white finish. The product as a whole is fully recyclable and weather resistant. And, we like that all the items in the collection – the adult chair, ottoman, table and the child chair – completely fold for convenient storage when not in use.

For those attending Casual Market, Highwood’s booth is surely one to visit. And, feel free to leave any comments now or post-Casual Market regarding the Adirondack Collection.

~ Jeff

Part of our “Sneak Peek” series is previewing new, exciting companies or pieces that will be featured at Casual Market. Another part of our Casual Market work is previewing the trends forecasted for 2011, with the goal of assisting our media contacts to acquire glimpses into the casual and outdoor furniture companies’ latest introductions and insights. Pride Family Brands, showing at booth 1747-48, will be exhibiting several collections that follow in the Pride Family Brands’ tradition of durable casual furniture. We want to highlight some of these products that clearly represent trends we’ve been gathering during our “Sneak Peek” series process.

One of Pride Family Brands’ new collections is the Veranda Collection with its old world detailing and deep cushion seating. Decorative arches with rivets support the baluster-style arm and legs of each seating piece. Given our research and the many articles on outdoor rooms we have written, our team expects the deep seating pieces like the ones in the Veranda Collection are going to be popular among attendees at this year’s Casual Market. As more and more people are embracing the backyard as an additional room of the house, outdoor furniture is reflecting extra comfort and durability for everyday use and special occasions entertaining guests. The trend of staying in homes longer and working to redecorate or enhance existing décors is paramount to this kind of livable setting, and to the growing success of the Casual Market for 2011.

Another trend we’ve been noticing is the increase in details and carvings for table pieces. Small intricacies like these encourage more elegance in casual furniture. As an evolving trend, elegance and detailing are being showcased unlike in the past few years. Pride Family Brands will be introducing its Pedestal Table and Romanesque Tabletop at Casual Market. The Pedestal Table base features urn-like, scrolled feet and has been finished by a hand-applied antiquing process for an old world look and feel. The Romanesque Tabletop is a stunning carved design available in multiple sizes including Pride Family’s extension-sized table. With a deep, hand-tooled motif, we love this tabletop’s balance of flourish and linear elements.

Editors and producers, keep these pieces and us in mind for features on which you are working about how to add touches of elegance with durability for outdoor rooms. Stay tuned to our blog until the market’s opening day for more Casual Market “Sneak Peeks,” and look for our updates and byline articles about new products and exciting trends post-market.

~ Don