Lodge Living Introduced at Summer Las Vegas Market

Furniture World Magazine

From rustic cabin to luxe lodge to mountain modern, World Market Center, Las Vegas says that the Lodge Living area and complementary programming will be an exciting and inspirational new destination at the Summer 2008 Las Vegas Market, July 28 – Aug. 1. According to Russell Blair, director of furniture leasing for World Market Center Las Vegas, Lodge Living area will take center stage in a 25,000-square-foot glass enclosed showroom on the thirteenth floor of the new Building C at World Market Center Las Vegas. “Lodge Living is a natural for us in the West,” he said. “We have had some of these companies showing at previous Markets, and grouping them together in one well-situated destination will be an added convenience for Market attendees interested in this growing category.” Lodge Living features approximately 20 exhibitors, all catering to this growing category. Woolrich, Inc. has 11 home furnishings licensees producing outdoors-inspired products, said Sharon Kepley, Licensing Manager, Home Furnishings. “All our licensing brand partners are collaborating on the collective space, and for six of the companies this Market marks their debut at World Market Center Las Vegas,” Kepley said. “Attendees will see Woolrich outdoor furniture, bedding ensembles, bath accessories, table and kitchen linens, rugs, wall décor, lighting, blankets, log and timber homes, wallcoverings and dinnerware in a cohesive setting.” In addition to the Lodge Living area, four Woolrich licensees have permanent showrooms at the Las Vegas Market: Berry Creek Home Collection, Mohawk Home, Picture Source and Shady Lady Lighting. Dan Morris of Handcrafted Creations has been exhibiting at Las Vegas Market since the very first Market. Morris, whose company has been established since 1984, applauded World Market Center Las Vegas for giving an added focus to the category and said grouping exhibitors into a central lodge living area will bring the important category more to the forefront for attending buyers. Handcrafted Creations specializes in high quality Aspen log furniture and will be introducing its new Colorado Rustic Elegance Collection featuring knotty alder wood and hand-tooled leather. Morris said Lodge living has transcended the stereotype of simply rustic furniture. “There are more higher-end products and the new Lodge Living area will give buyers a different taste of all that is available within the category.” Handcrafted Creations will show casegoods, vases, table lamps, deerskin shades, oil lamps, hurricane lamps and upholstered goods, among other products. Ski Country Antiques and Originals is an importer of fine European antiques with its own line of distinct pieces. The company caters to higher-end stores and designers around the USA and Canada, according to Tony Wilson, wholesale accounts manager and manufacturing. At Market, he plans to show originals and antiques. “We have around 20 new or modified items coming for the debut of Building C and our first shot at a more permanent showroom in the Lodge Living section,” Wilson said. “Targeted areas seem to really make Las Vegas Market more user-friendly for the buyers, as they don't have to go around and search out the styles they are looking for. I am a believer and I am very excited to see the results.” Outdoor inspiration comes alive in this destination, featuring the newest in rustic living. Lodge Living exhibitors include: Adventure Marketing, Brazilian Furniture, Coast Lamp, Colorado Dallas, Copper Instincts, Expressions Art, German Tapia, Handcrafted Creations, Lodge Americana, Loon Lake Decoy, Marsh Trading, Merles Custom Frames, Mountain Woods Furniture, My Amigos Imports, Quintana Roo, Red Horse Signs, Ski Country Antiques, Vintage Editions, Wood Graphix, and Wooded River. Western-themed Programming and Events to Educate Market-goers Pamela Kelly, Director of Licensing for the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, will present an inspiring talk about The New Western Style that will redefine western style, including a historical perspective, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 in the Lodge Living Area on the thirteenth floor of Building C. She will cover how to successfully partner with historic properties and bring integrity and volume to merchandising and marketing efforts. To Kelly, western style is a more relaxed, informal style, but also much more refined than a lot of people think. “Western style has always had a nod to nature, whether one resides in the west, a lodge in the Adirondacks, urban Texas, California or even Kansas City. The style has come a long way from the clichéd interpretation. And there has been a huge demographic shift to the west as baby boomers age,” Kelly said. “As people are retiring, they want to live out all of their fantasies and the west has always been where people go to face themselves, find themselves and reinvent themselves.” Following Kelly’s talk, World Market Center Las Vegas will also host a festive and authentic “Sundance Style Cocktail Reception” in the Lodge Living area from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 to celebrate the distinctive flavor of the western United States. The Summer 2008 Las Vegas Market is scheduled for July 28 through August 1, 2008 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Complimentary M-Line Shuttles will run continuously all day from host hotels to World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.LasVegasMarket.com.