The number of U.S. housing markets showing consistent improvement in three key measures of strength expanded by 22 in November to a total of 125, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. This marks a third consecutive monthly gain for the index, which now includes representatives from across 38 states as well as the District of Columbia.

The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. Markets added to the list in November include such geographically diverse locations as San Diego, California; Gainesville, Georgia; Omaha, Nebraska; Louisville, Kentucky; and Charlotte, North Carolina.

"Not only did 22 additional markets qualify for the improving list in November, but the geographic distribution of included metros expanded from 33 states to 38 (plus the District of Columbia), while 97 out of 103 markets retained their spots on the list from the previous month," said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the NAHB and a home builder from Gainesville, Florida.

"This shows that a housing recovery is firmly taking root and helping generate needed jobs and economic growth across much of the country - though we know that this expansion could be even stronger were it not for ongoing challenges including overly tight lending conditions and difficult appraisals."

"The solid increase in the number of improving housing markets this month illustrates the degree to which the housing recovery has gained momentum since we initiated the IMI last year," said NAHB chief economist David Crowe. "Compared to the 30 markets that made the list as of November, 2011, we now have 125, which is about one-third of all the markets surveyed for this index."

"This new high point for the Improving Markets Index provides the latest evidence that housing has turned a corner due to rising demand from consumers who are increasingly confident about the direction of local home values," said Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company.

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, housing price appreciation from Freddie Mac and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau.

NAHB uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metropolitan area must see improvement in all three measures for at least six consecutive months following those measures' respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

A complete list of all 125 metropolitan areas currently on the IMI, and separate breakouts of metros newly added to or dropped from the list in November, is available at the website.

Treasure Garden, industry-leading manufacturer of outdoor shade and accessory products, announces the introduction of Serenata, a state of the art umbrella light and media center in one. Treasure Garden's Serenata incorporates wireless remote controlled LED lighting, a duel band AM/FM stereo system and high quality speakers.

Serenata.

"The Serenata turns any umbrella into a compact and multi-functional entertainment system," said Jeff Dorough, vice president, Sales and Marketing. "Providing accent lighting for outdoor spaces is growing in popularity and our designers have taken this one step further with the inclusion of music options compatible with today's electronics."

Included with the Serenata umbrella light and media center is a music player dock and port compatible with iPod/iPhones and other music sources, coupled with illuminating power from eight individual super white LED lights. A bright LCD display panel showing time, temperature and radio stations is also incorporated into Serenata's contemporary design. All features are controlled via a compact hand held remote.

"The Serenata was created in response to requests from our umbrella retailers looking for a quality engineered accessory for market and side post umbrellas," said Dorough. "Beyond the design and functions, Treasure Garden also has incorporated attractive pricing and merchandising for this unit that is being well received by both retailers and consumers."

Product specifications for the Serenata include a self-adjusting clamp, a 110V AC charger that will produce four to six hours of usage with a short six-hour charge time. The units are available with a Serenata P.O.P. display for outdoor showrooms as the unit comes with a shipper/display box holding six units and a poster display backboard. Visit the website or email.

Unity.

Glen Raven Custom Fabrics will debut the industry's first awning and shade fabrics featuring recycled fiber during the IFAI Expo that begins on November 7 in Boston. Sunbrella Renaissance Unity fabrics contain 50 percent post-industrial recycled Sunbrella fiber, resulting in a vintage canvas look yet retaining all of Sunbrella's legendary fade resistance and sun protection qualities.

Unity shade fabrics represent the third addition to Glen Raven's family of Renaissance Sunbrella recycled offerings that encompass braided rugs and Sunbrella Renaissance Heritage upholstery fabrics introduced in 2011.    

"The exciting thing about the new Unity awning and shade fabrics is that they not only have a wonderful environmental story, but they also bring a new look and feel to Sunbrella awning fabrics," said Vince Hankins, industrial business manager for Glen Raven Custom Fabrics. "Because of the recycled content, Unity fabrics have a vintage canvas look that is subtly textural and feels very substantial."

The initial launch of Unity fabrics includes five solid colors designed to coordinate with a variety of exterior building trim and fascia materials. The five colors are Garnet, Leaf, Char, Granite and Ashe.

"As with all Sunbrella branded products, Unity fabrics are GREENGUARD Children and Schools certified as contributing to quality indoor air," Hankins said. "This feature of Unity makes them attractive for use inside sun-lit atriums and solariums popular today for resorts, offices and retail settings."

Sunbrella Renaissance Unity is just one element of Glen Raven's 2013-2014 awning and marine collections to be featured during the IFAI Expo. The 2013-2014 collection includes 21 new styles of stripes and textured solids. Glen Raven is issuing new fabric sample books in support of the refreshed and expanded offering.

"Our 2013-2014 awning and marine fabrics reflect the latest influences in contemporary colors and patterns for residential and commercial shade structures as well as innovative, functional and performance-driven marine canvas design," according to Hankins. "During the past year our design team has invested tremendous effort in preparing the new collection, and the result is a fantastic assembly of fresh new solids, stripes and textures that are joining a host of extremely popular continuing styles."

Renaissance has been a five-year development program by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics and select trade partners to reclaim and re-process fiber and fabric from internal and external sources, including Glen Raven's Recycle My Sunbrella program.

Trellis.

Tropitone Furniture Company opened Boutique Design New York (bdny) by announcing the introduction of five new groups to its Tropitone MODA brand. Toulon, the first group of the new brand, was introduced in May and has created tremendous interest among designers. Trellis, Vue, Seven, Cruz and Tolo complete the initial introductions and build on that interest.

"Since our beginning in 1954, the core Tropitone brand has been synonymous with high performance in the commercial marketplace," said Tanya Stevens, vice president of Marketing and Service Operations. "We wanted to create a new brand and products that communicate high style to complement the core Tropitone brand's high performance. Tropitone MODA is the urbane and elegant companion to the Tropitone brand's fun-loving and approachable personality."

"We wanted to use a variety of materials to communicate high style for multiple spaces," said Peter Homestead, vice president of Design. "We combined tailored upholstered fabrics with polished stainless steel. Rich textured weaves were paired with vibrant powder-coated aluminum and elegant cushions. Some groups include coordinated accessory tables. The product line also includes dining tables framed in stainless steel or powder-coated aluminum with tops of handsome high pressure laminate (HPL) and gracious frosted acrylic."

Vue.

The six new groups include a total of 57 models: 39 seating and ottomans, eight coordinated accessory tables and 10 dining tables.

"The Tropitone® MODA brand gives us the opportunity to better target exceptional outdoor spaces," said John Mattson, vice president of Sales & Business Development. "These six new groups provide a great foundation upon which to build an elegant companion to our high performance Tropitone brand."

For more information visit the Tropitone website or visit the Tropitone MODA website.