Dining trays for indoor and outdoor use

Lappers are ergonomically designed dining trays with indentations fitted with an anti-slip silicone mat to keep plates and glasses in their place. The trays have large, comfortable handles for easy carrying. The trays nest into each other for convenient storage. Made of melamine, they are dishwasher-safe. The mats can be custom-printed (see insert photo for examples).

Wind chimes made of steel, aluminum

Spiral Waves (left) is a new product from Woodstock Chimes. It measures 32.5 inches long and 10 inches wide. It is made of antique-copper finished steel and black-finished ash wood. The chime is sold in a gift box.
The Meditation chime (above) is 39.25 inches long. It is made of silver-anodized luminum and cherry wood. The chime, which is sold in a gift box, is tuned to C, C#, Eb, F, G, Ab, B and C.
See the company at upcoming wholesale gift shows in Atlanta, Dallas and New York.

Bird houses and feeders are a step above the ordinary

Birdbilt is the new retail brand from former wholesaler Maple Hill. In addition to bird feeders, the company sells bird houses with an architectural bent. The company warrants its products against manufacturing defects for one year (from date of purchase).

Serveware for the outdoors

Green garden metal serveware from tag ltd. is galvanized metal with a powder-coated finish. The wooden handles have a distressed finish. The collection consists of an oval travel, and oval tub and an ice bucket with an aluminum scoop.

Garden chimes and bells

Woodstock Chimes’ latest collection is called Woodstock Rust. The 10-piece collection combines the company's sound and design (including wood and precious stone accents) with rusted metal features for a more contemporary look. The rust finish acts to warm-up the steel elements with an earthy, brown color and a weathered texture.
The collection includes a Temple Bell Trio (in turquoise and amber); Portrait chime (jade, amethyst, blue crystal, amber, and turquoise); Metalworks bell (a handcrafted steel bell); Victorian Garden chime (tuned to the peaceful patterns of Gregorian chant); and Butterfly Dancer (shows off the chime's uniquely shaped rod).

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Colorful picnic grill, kitchen items

Bodum's Fyrkat BBQ collection includes a tabletop charcoal grill and accessories in green, orange, blue, yellow, white and black. The grill measures 13.4 inches in diameter. The tools include tongs, a grill fork and brushes.

The French press ice coffee maker has a 51-ounce capacity. Add ground coffee and cold water, allow it to steep for 12 to 24 hours, then press and filter. The maker is available in seven colors; it will hit the market this spring.

At the Housewares show, the company also introduced e-Bodum, its line of kitchen electrics, consisting of a burr grinder, blade grinder, juicer, blender, mixer and two water kettles. The company also offers a toaster.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Outdoor and indoor accessories for holiday 2010

The Merry Moose coir mat from Tag is printed with pigment dyes. Shake it or brush it to clean. Use the mat under a protected area. The product comes with a header card and attached handle for easy display. It measures 18 inches by 30 inches [45.7cm x 76.2]. The company is exhibiting this week at the Atlanta gift show and this winter at markets in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Seattle, and Toronto.
See other items in the Merry Moose line below.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Outdoor rugs

Garden accents

Woolrich is in a licensing agreement with Rowe Pottery Works for a full line of handcrafted dinnerware and garden décor products. Select pieces were shown at the September 2009 International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market at Chicago's Merchandise Mart. The introduction of the complete line will take place at the January 2010 Atlanta market.
Two dinnerware collections, Northwoods and Evening Sage, and garden décor including planters, pots, herb containers, bird houses and even a toad house, were included in the inaugural launch. Designs and color palettes were created to complement the brand’s textiles and outdoor fabric offerings.
Shown are (from left) a hanging birdhouse, a garden toad house and a low-profile herb planter. (Click image for larger view.)

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.

Award winners from Casual Furniture market

from a press release

DESIGN EXCELLENCE COMPETITION AWARDS THE YEAR’S BEST CASUAL FURNISHINGS PRODUCT DESIGNS

Prestigious Awards Honor Outstanding Designs in 11 Product Categories During the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market

CHICAGO (September 22, 2009) – The casual furnishings industry’s top manufacturers were honored with the distinguished Design Excellence Award during the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™, held at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, September 21-24, 2009.

The Design Excellence Awards – considered the highest recognition for new product design in the casual furnishings industry – honor manufacturers whose merchandise demonstrate innovation, fine craftsmanship and great engineering in 11 product categories, including two new important industry categories, Fabric and Outdoor Rugs, Carpeting and Flooring.

Each of the 11 category winners will be judged again to determine the recipient of the Lillian B. Winchester Best Of Show Award, which will be announced at the Apollo Awards Banquet on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. The Best Of Show winner will receive $1,000 to donate to their design school of choice.

A renowned panel of industry experts judged the entries and the International Casual Furnishings Association presented the awards as follows:

Cast Metal Furniture

Pride Family Brands, Sophia Formal Cushion Dining Chair

Complementary Casual Products

Gloster, Axis Coffee Table

Fabric – NEW CATEGORY!

Veneman Collections, Woodgrain Hill – Green

Outdoor Lighting Products

Woodard (by Joe Ruggiero), Belgravia Table Lamp

Outdoor Rugs, Carpeting and Flooring – NEW CATEGORY!

Veneman Collections, Terene Outdoor Rug

Rattan/Wicker/Woven Materials Furniture

Laneventure, Solona Round Dining Table

Shade Products

TUUCI, Ocean Master MAX Crescent Parasol

Tubular Materials Furniture

Barlow Tyrie, Quattro Sun Lounge

Wood Casual Furniture

ScanCom North America, Bogor Recycled Teak Rectangle Table

Wrought Iron/Wrought Aluminum Furniture

Kettler, Sereno Barrel Back Chair

The International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market is exclusively endorsed by the International Casual Furnishings Association (formerly known as the Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association, SCFMA) and the Casual Furniture Retailers Association (CFR) and managed by MMPI.

SAVE THE DATE:

International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, September 21-24, 2010, The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, IL

Outdoor rugs for the porch and patio

Couristan introduces The Urbane collection of outdoor/indoor area rugs. Made with UV-stabilized 100% Courtron polypropylene, these mold and mildew-resistant rugs have a diagonal flatweave with intricate cut-pile accents that form various casual-chic patterns.
See the company at the 2009 International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market.

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Retailers: Contact the manufacturer for prices and minimums.

Shoppers: Ask your favorite independent retailer to order this item for you.