Share this on

Direct from Market: Dallas

GDA Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/27/2012 9:00:00 AM

Dallas Market Center You just know a show is going to be a good one when you get off the plane and it's 75 degrees - in January. The second show of the winter market season, Dallas Total Home & Gift Market was yet another healthy one. The show floors were busy and vendors were busy writing orders.

"Day three of market continued a boost in attendance over last year's double-digit increase. Plus, a record number of temporary lines, new and expanded showrooms throughout campus, standing room only seminars, and busy registration lines all point to a successful January Market in Dallas," said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center, in a statement.

What's New?

Plenty. There were a number of new lines and additions to be seen at this winter's market. If you were familiar with Hoot CandlesLuminary candles, the company has been bought by best friends Laurie Martin and Amber McCullough and rebranded Hoot Candles. The line features fresh, clean, modern designs. The candles are made in the U.S.A. and are made from a soy blend wax. This market the company introduced a collection of matches. The company offers private label - perfect for store branding, as well as for weddings, showers and other special events.
Lisbeth Dahl is a new company in the Donald McEvoy showroom. The Danish company offers a wide selection of gift items, bath and body, as well as home goods, all done in soft, feminine looks. The company uses lots of floral motifs, pastel colors and other delicate imagery.
Park Hill Collection opened a new showroom in the World Trade Center. The company, like so many others, has added fashion accessories to its home collection. The line was expanded this market with more T-shirts with a worn look and fun sayings, many associated with farming. The company also introduced a line of leather bags.
Sage & Co. is a new home, holiday and floral company. The company was Creative Connection until it was bought by Teters, the same company that owns Napa Home & Garden. The company offers an extensive collection of holiday decor in various styles.
Lili Alessandra's collection of bedding, pillows and textiles is nothing short of glamorous. Designer Sandra Gonzalez Yedor finds inspiration in fashion, which is her background, having worked in retail fashion. Many of her pieces look like they came off the runway, like her tulle throw that looks like it was once a dress.
Bath and body company Farmhouse Fresh, new in the Portico Lili Alessandrashowroom, is expanding into the candle category. The company introduced the Whoopie candle, based on its popular fragrance. The candle comes packaged in a tin - ready for gifting. The company also added fragrance mists and soaps that are packaged in little pots that can be used later for planting.
Make My Day is a new housewares brand from Australia. The company offers fun, functional kitchen tools. One of its best sellers is the Chillaball. These non-toxic, food-safe gel balls keep wine chilled at the perfect temperature. They come in a tray and each ball comes with a clip that keeps the ball at the bottom of the glass. The latest version is the Chillirock for whisky.
21 Drops is a new collection of therapeutic oils that represent 21 universal complaints. There is an oil to combat each one.

Mary Gregory Studio is a new company that offers wall decor, aprons, tea towels, pillows and French milled soap, as well as gift and note cards featuring the designer's original art work. Gregroy finds inspiration in nature and scenes from her country home, so you'll find images of fruit, animals and the country side. And everything is made in the U.S.A.
Papaya! intoduced Leelah, a new clothing brand. The line mainly consists of T-shirts and other fashionable tops. The company also expanded its collection to include wallets, iPad cases, iPhone wristlets and more.

Kiddie Corner

The markets are never short on children's gifts. Compendium, known for its Tickle Monster kit, now offers a Boogie Monster kit which comes with a book and Boogie Monster leggings.
The Little Acorn is a new company from Bridget Kelly, the former design director for Pottery Barn Kids. The collection of bedding and other gift and home items for kids features the designer's original art work and is all about positive messaging. One will find inspirational quotes like "Friends come in all colors," on the products.
Petites Frites is another new children's line that offers baby The Little Acornaccessories with a bohemiam twist. Everything is locally sourced and produced in the U.S.A. The company offers bibs, blankets, burp cloths and teething blankies cleverly packaged.
Little Giraffe expanded its sock collection by adding a selection of baby leggings. The company also introduced a new clothing line called Soleil, as well as new baby wash and lotion sets in two scents - Lullaby and Rain.
Kate Quinn Organics is a new baby clothing line out of Seattle. The clothes are made from 100 percent organic cotton.
What does one do when the Lego patent expires? You create a light-up peg. That's exactly what Jon Capriola did. Laser Pegs Ventures offers a number of kits, including a start-up kit. Once a laser peg is connected to a power source, it will illuminate any other peg. There are several styles available, including a 3D Light Board which supports up to 200 laser pegs and comes with 115 shapes.

Warming Trend

Stephanie JohnsonThis season, things are warming up in the home. As seen in Atlanta, gold is the accent color of choice this market. It was used in fashion, as well. Global Views introduced an extensive collection of gold accessories, as did Arteriors. In fashion, Stephanie Johnson used gold in her new cosmetic cases and other travel bags.

ARTS Awards

On Saturday evening, January 21, the industry came together to recognize retailers, manufacturers and designers at the 23rd annual ARTS Awards, this year held at the Hilton Anatole. Sponsor Swarovski Elements decorated the stage with custom crystal podiums and a crystal valance.
This year's winners are:

Manufacturers

Accent Furniture: Phillips Collection, High Point
Area Rugs: Jaipur Rugs, Norcross, GA
Decorative Accessories: Creative Co-Op, Memphis, TN
Home Textiles: Pom Pom at Home, Hollywood, CA
Lighting Fixtures: Corbett Lighting, City of Industry, CA
Outdoor Living: Loloi Rugs, Dallas
Permanent Florals: NDI, Brewton, AL
Portable Lamps: Currey & Company, Atlanta
Tabletop: Beatriz Ball Collection, Harvey, LA
Wall Decor: Leftbank Art, Santa Fe Springs, CA
Green Manufacturer: Guildmaster, Inc., Springfield, MO and TAG, Chicago

Sales Representative

East/Atlantic: Jennifer Jackson, jdouglas
Midwest/Southwest: Derrick Ricketts, CODARUS
West: Michelle Korthuis, Elements in Decor
National/Key Accounts: Heather Steeley, Taylors on Ten

Product Designer: Randall Weeks, Aidan Gray Home

Retailers

International Retailer: Spectro Lighting Group, Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic
Rising Star Retailer: The Mercantile, Atlanta
Furniture Store: Seaside Home, Coronado, CO

Home Accent Store
East/Atlantic: The French Basket, Florence, AL
Midwest/Southwest: MECOX, Dallas
West: Jax Home, San Francisco

Lighting Showroom

East/Atlantic: Elements-Distinctive Lighting & Home Furnishings, Carle Place, NY
Midwest/Southwest: Southern Lights, Burnsville, MN
West: Valley Light Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

That's it from Dallas. We'll pick things up in New York next week.

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

ARTS Names Award Winners

Jan 23, 2012

ARTS Awards Finalists Named

Aug 17, 2011

Direct from Market: Atlanta

Jan 19, 2011

Also by this author

»MORE

Featured Company

FurnitureCore.com

FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more