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H o s p i ta l i t y & D e s i g n S h o w D a i l y Tu e s d a y, J u n e 1 0 , 2 0 1 4 1 4 IZIT LEATHER BY WILLOW TEX – AMERICAN INNOVATION Synthetic leather producer Willow Tex introduced the original IZIT Leather more than 25 years ago, becoming the very first polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather for upholstery use. Willow Tex has continually developed and advanced synthetic leather technology. "By moving production to the U.S., not only will we continue our legacy of innovation, Willow Tex will be a phenomenal resource for our cus- tomers," said Willow Tex Executive Director Jeff Noethlich. "We are mov- ing all IZIT Leather production to the U.S.A., and with our new eco-efficient manufacturing facility opening this summer in North Carolina, we will leverage our proprietary manufactur- ing process which uses up to 90 per- cent less energy and 80 percent less solvents than conventional synthetic leather." Willow Tex has engineered IZIT Leather to perform in high traffic, abusive environ- ments while maintaining its luxurious aesthetic and soft supple hand feel. With unmatched appearance reten- tion, IZIT Leather far exceeds the performance requirements for finish adhesion, abrasion resist- ance, stitch tear strength and light/color fastness. Mr. Noethlich also said, "Willow Tex's move to produce IZIT Leather in the U.S.A. will be the best choice for meeting and exceeding our customers needs. We will be in better contact and have more resources avail- able to our customers while shortening lead times, strengthening supply chains and driving down costs." With people becom- ing more and more con- scious of where their products are coming from, "Made in the USA" has become more than just a slogan. It's a movement to restore America, and it's one that Willow Tex is proud to help bolster. For more information, visit IZIT Leather at booth 2050 on the 7th floor. HALE UNVEILS WALLS THAT WORK LIKE YOU DO Hale Manufacturing announces Hale³, pronounced Hale Cubed, which intro- duces limitless wall storage possibilities. Designers and facilities managers will be unfettered by conventional storage con- straints and will be able to adapt their storage to today's technology and flexi- bility needs. "The new series is the product of marketing research and strategic plan- ning with our reps and customers," said Brooke Benson, Vice President of Hale. "It is answering the needs of what mod- ern offices really want." Hale³ is a custom cube modular wall series which encourages companies to "Build Your World." Hale³ takes a new leap in the future by allowing buyers to mix, match and move their modular wall cubes. The company already prides itself on the ability to turn on a dime, but by putting this customization ability into the hands of customers, they take a new direction for the future of the company. Customers will be able to specify various options such as feet, finishes, electrical compo- nents, depths, decorative glass doors, edge detail, drawer options and different backs. "It's more contemporary than what we've done in the past," said Jim Benson, President of Hale Manufacturing. "Hale 3 can be changed throughout the life of the product to meet the needs of the end user. Hale 3 is incredibly customizable and we're con- fident that it will be a popular choice in modular storage." About Hale Hale is a third generation eco-conscious furniture manufacturer. The com- pany was made famous with the introduction of sectional bar- rister bookcases. Since 1907, Hale has produced solid wood cabinetry and bookcases made by Central New York artisans. Visit Hale Manufacturing at booth 7- 7072. For more information, go online to www.halesince1907.com. KELLY'S HICKORY HIRES NEW NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Kelly's Hickory Furniture is happy to announce Mike Patterson as the National Sales Manager. Mike's previous experi- ence in sales and knowledge in the design industry makes him the perfect candidate to lead the company to accelerated growth. Patterson is leading a sales team expanding from the Midwest to the East and West Coasts. Patterson said, "Joining Kelly's team has been exciting and challenging. I appreciate working with such a respected company that prides itself on first class customer service. My past experience is a good fit for Kelly's Hickory customer base and overall company philosophy. This Sales Manager position will allow me to bring a depth of knowledge and a new vision of growth for Kelly's Hickory and its customers. I continue to learn and appreciate the craftsman- ship that goes into this furniture, which makes my job much easier. I am excit- ed to be a part of this family and look forward to a prosper- ous future. Kelly's Hickory is unique and brings a fresh new appeal to the hickory furniture category. They are constantly keeping the innovation pipeline full while working with new designs and fabric patterns to keep their satisfaction rating high." Mark Barton, VP, said, "Patterson is a natural sales professional, and I look forward to working with Mike to accom- plish our sales goals. We are fortunate to have found someone of Mike's caliber to fill this position. Our new product designs and the increasing demand from our customers led us to find the right person. He is a great asset to our company." Kelly's Hickory is located in Hopkins, Minn. which is the gate- way to the northern Minnesota land of lakes. The furniture will be sold in multiple retail locations around the United States. At Kelly's Hickory, you can expect quality prod- ucts, quick delivery and excellent cus- tomer service. Visit Kelly's Hickory Furniture at booth 7-3113. For more information, go to www.kellyshickory.com, call 952-417- 6907 or email zhengyikelly@gmail.com. FORMICA NORTH AMERICA: WHAT'S NEW FOR 2014 An interview with Gerri Chmiel, Senior Design Manager, Formica North America. HDSD: Which countertop patterns are trending with consumers in 2014? GC: Although the look of granite con- tinues to be popular, consumers are expanding material preferences to include new stone variations such as soft stones and white stones. Soft stones, modern takes on tradi- tional stone patterns, have lyrical movement, yet more subtle veining than granite. We're answering this trend with the launch of Sand Flow and Lava Flow, laminate patterns featuring fine granular sandstone designs. White stones remain hot for 2014, gray stones are up-and-coming. These stones are commonly featured on islands, backsplashes and countertops in tradi- tional and contemporary kitchens alike. In response to this trend, we've launched two new stone laminates: Carrara Bianco, an elegant white marble, and Argento Romano, a gray-based neutral with taupe and beige accents that pro- vides an alternative to pure white. HDSD: How are Millennial countertop preferences different from other gener- ations? GC: Millennials don't feel pressured to conform or buy what their parents have. Contemporary designs, fun col- ors and graphic patterns [think our Anniversary Collection!] allow them to express individualism. And, although they're comfortable with traditional choices such as granite, they are more likely to experiment with nontradition- al surfacing materials such as wood, concrete and engineered stone or sus- tainable alternatives. With this in mind, we designed our Paloma Series – clean, modern quartz-inspired looks ideal for any space. HDSD: Outside of patterns, what other design trends are you are seeing for countertops? GC: Waterfall countertops, where the surface extends down the sides of a kitchen island or bank of cabinetry, is an effective way to create a striking kitchen focal point. Designers are also experimenting with various countertop thicknesses. With traditional countertops measuring between 1.25 and 1.5 inches thick, altering the surface to be thicker or thinner creates a contemporary look. Lastly, designers are mixing and matching surfacing materials more than ever, pairing laminate or solid surfacing with stainless steel, concrete or wood. Sometimes the motive is high cost/low cost while other times, it's about using different textures and fin- ishes to create a layered look. HDSD: How is the overall kitchen design changing? GC: As walls are knocked down in kitchen remodels and new home plans expand the kitchen footprint, rein- forcing its role as the home's command center, the formal dining room has all but dis- appeared. As such, the tradi- tional kitchen triangle layout is being replaced by various 'zones' that serve specific purposes, such as homework, bill paying, crafts or meal prep. Differing countertop heights – counterscaping – and varying surfac- ing materials are two popular ways to define these zones. Marble might be used by a baker in a dough prep area, while durable laminate is a practical choice for family areas. An integrated dining area – a new norm thanks to the extinction of the dining room – might be defined with a raised, or lowered, surface height. Bottom line, practicality and func- tionality are always in style. For more information, visit www.formica .com or call 800-FORMICA.