In this week’s design, topiary in the shape of Mickey Mouse and wallpaper inspired by Epcot’s dome are favored by adult Disney superfans (also known as “Disney adults”) who choose to decorate their homes with decorations. These are just some of the design options. A work inspired by the fantasy series.
business news
Existing home sales are on track to record their lowest year since 2008. wall street journal I will report it. The most conservative forecast from real estate brokerage Redfin predicts that existing home sales will reach about 4.1 million units in 2023, the lowest number of sales since the subprime mortgage crisis and the ensuing recession. It will be. While the current economic slowdown is a different picture, this time fueled by rising interest rates, record high home prices, and a limited inventory of homes for sale, it still has a ripple effect throughout the economy, and rental This could result in higher prices, reduced new construction, and restrictions on home construction. Housing-related expenses such as home appliances and furniture.
IKEA is reducing the average retail cost of furniture worldwide. financial times I will report it. Swedish retailers are returning to a long-term price-cutting strategy after temporarily suspending the strategy, passing on higher raw material and transport costs to customers during the pandemic. Jesper Brodin, CEO of parent company Inca Group, told the FT that the change in pricing strategy comes at a tough time for consumers in the coming years as rising interest rates are expected to reduce discretionary spending. He said this was done in anticipation of this.
The European Parliament and the Council have reached a tentative agreement to ban greenwashing and provide consumers with more transparent information about product durability. The new agreement will allow brands to make generic environmental claims through phrases such as “green,” “eco,” or “climate neutral” without proof of recognized environmental performance associated with those claims. The ban would update the EU’s existing list of prohibited commercial practices. .
Walmart is experimenting with providing AI tools to customers. tech crunch The report starts with three key features: shopping assistant, AI-powered search, and interior design features. The latter utilizes a combination of AI and AR technology, so customers can take a photo of their space, chat with his assistant for advice on redecorating or choosing new items, and use his AI program to work within it. You can submit your budget. These new features build on the company’s earlier exploration into AI, which began in August with generative AI tools deployed for corporate employees, and will be available to customers in the coming weeks. It is scheduled to become.
Philadelphia-based used furniture retailer Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles has announced that it will close both its original store and a sister store in Oakland, California, on October 31st. philadelphia inquirer I will report it. This Black-owned business in North Philadelphia served local residents looking for affordable home furnishings and household goods with completely donated inventory. Administered since the 1990s by the civil rights nonprofit African People’s Education and Defense Fund, the retailer’s profits supported economic development programs such as job training, community gardens, and women’s health centers. According to a statement from the nonprofit organization, economic conditions such as soaring rents have made it impossible for the store to continue operating sustainably.
The City of Stockholm has decided to sell and demolish Stockholm Smessan, the venue and organization for the annual Stockholm Furniture Fair, with plans to create a new city district at the fairgrounds. dezane I will report it. The venue, originally built in 1971, will be demolished to make space for up to 2,500 homes and 10,000 workplaces, according to Hanna Nova Beatriz, director of the trade fair and Stockholm Design Week. And the fair itself will likely be sold to a private buyer. Stockholm Mayor Karin Wanggaard told Dezeen that the decision to demolish the exhibition hall was partly due to a decrease in demand for trade fairs and fairgrounds after the pandemic.
Canadian foam and textile manufacturer VPC Group will acquire foam and fabricator Prestige Fabricators, a former subsidiary of Klausner Furniture Industries until the parent company abruptly closed in early August.700 Completed a million dollar contract. today’s furniture I will report it. Before the closure, Prestige produced foam materials for upholstery at his two factories in Randolph County, North Carolina. Approximately 50 people worked at the factory. According to court documents related to the acquisition, VPC Group plans to re-hire a significant number of its former employees as it seeks to resume operations within its manufacturing center.
Launch and collaboration
Fortuny CEO Maury Riad has launched a new venture called Ashmoon Growth, a marketing strategy and planning agency for interior designers. The company provides marketing strategies for clients looking to expand their customer base and grow their companies. business coaching. Digital development and design. Digital marketing and promotion services.
Calico Wallpaper has collaborated with Brooklyn-based potter Cody Hoyt to create a new custom wallpaper collection, Botanica. This new line, which showcases the inverted forms of Hoyt’s work, is inspired by the Japanese kneading technique of stacking pieces of colored clay, painted in large-scale murals available in eight different styles. It features a composition of flowers.
Benjamin Moore debuted as the color of the year. Blue Nova 825, a mid-tone blend of blue and violet. This shade headlines the company’s larger Color Trends 2024 palette, which includes traditional styles and shades including White Dove, Pristine, Topaz, Teacup Rose, Honey Bee, Regent Green, Antique Pewter, Polar Sky, and Hazy Lilac. Featuring 10 colors selected to blend modern style.
Brought to you by Replacements.com
New York-based French bakery Maman has partnered with tableware supplier Replacements.com to launch its first tableware collection. Inspired by Maman co-founder Elisa Marshall’s blue-and-white tableware inherited from her in-laws (the same pieces found in Maman’s cafes), the new line includes vintage-inspired pieces. Includes plate set, tea cup and platter.
show house
Architectural Digest and Black Interior Designers, Inc. have announced the third installment of the Iconic Home virtual showhouse, scheduled for October 26th. It focuses on accessible design themes for all generations. Tosin Osinowo, an architect and designer based in Lagos, Nigeria, will serve as the lead architect. Architectural visualization firm The Boundary will create the virtual property. Its interiors will be transformed by a team of eight Black designers, including Nikki Chu, Linda Hayslett, Laura Hodges, June Rhys, Nekea McSwain, Byron Risdon, Ron Woodson and Michael London.
Expression in the showroom
The Invisible Collection currently represents French clichés within the Upper East Side Gallery. The French brand, founded in 2019 by Emily Marant and Hugo Massa, will display an assortment of handcrafted collectible design objects, from bronze candleholders to blown glass vases, at its New York gallery .
InColour, a New York-based paint and color studio and showroom, now carries London-based handmade tile brand Bert & May. For the brand’s U.S. debut, the Tribeca space will feature a collection of tiles available in a variety of natural pigments, from baked cement and porcelain to jelly and reclaimed.
Recommended books
In early August, Home Depot discovered it was the victim of an organized retail crime syndicate. At the center of the scheme was an unlikely pastor from Florida who directed a team of petty criminals to steal tools such as drills and pin nailers, and then resold the items on eBay. In a few years, he made a total of $3 million.As Inti Pacheco writes wall street journal, and not just home improvement retailers. Retailers such as Walmart, Target, Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods have recently accused criminal networks of causing problems with their inventory, adding to the broader scope of retail crime, which is increasingly complicated by online resale platforms. joining the trend.
When New York City formally enacted a new law banning most short-term rental properties, the impact was immediate. The number of short-term listings on Airbnb fell by more than 80% from late August to October 1, dropping from 22,434 to just 3,227. But as Amanda Huber writes, wired, those illegal listings didn’t just disappear. Local housing experts say the ban has created a “black market” for temporary rentals in the city, with flocks of hosts and guests flocking to sites like Facebook, Craigslist and Hoofy to sign short-term stay agreements. In order to do so, he is bypassing the mortgage loan. All regulations (and safeguards) in the process.
Call for entries
The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show is now accepting applications for the 2024 Best of KBIS Awards. The organization is looking for brands that emphasize both function and design in categories such as kitchens, bathrooms, sustainability, wellness, innovation, functionality and best in show. Click here to submit your entry before the December 1st deadline.
signal of applause
New England Home announces this year’s inductees to the New England Design Hall of Fame. Winners in the architecture category include Jim Cappuccino of Hutker Architects and Frank Shirley of Frank Shirley Architects. The interior design department will be led by Paula Daher of Daher Interior Design and Nicole Hogarty of Nicole Hogarty Designs. and builder division Sea-Dar Construction.
The Créateurs Design Association has announced Gaetano Pesce as the 2024 recipient of the Andre Putman Lifetime Achievement Award. With a career spanning 60 years, Pesce’s portfolio spans architecture, urban planning, interior design, exhibitions and industrial design, and his ability to experiment with new materials and shapes to create renowned works has earned him international recognition. It is recognized.