IRVINE, CALIFORNIA

Tropitone Furniture Company opened the HD Expo 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, by announcing the addition of cushion seating and complementary ottoman and accessory tables to the extremely popular South Beach group of outdoor furniture. The additions include models for both individual and modular seating.

The designs for the new models to the South Beach group as well as the existing models in the group are the work of renowned designer Richard Holbrook. Holbrook has designed several successful collections for the Tropitone brand including Cabana Club, Evo, Mia, Mobilis and Millennia.

"The South Beach chaise lounges, dining chairs, bar stools and spa chairs have been such a success for commercial and residential properties that it only seemed natural to take the South Beach design style into another product collection," said Holbrook.

"South Beach cushion models are inspired by the clean, dynamic lines that define the poolside group. My original inspiration for South Beach came from sports cars and Art Deco architecture - like you see all up and down Collins Avenue along the waterfront of Miami's famous South Beach: beautiful automobiles, with sexy curves, surrounded by beautiful people and classic buildings."

Holbrook continued, "I think the same feeling comes through in the South Beach cushion collection. The arcs of the armrests and the lean and low proportions are sexy, fresh and a little bit racy - but the proportions are generous and comfortable."

The four South Beach cushion modular seating models include right side arm, left side arm, armless and corner. The three individual seating models include arm chair, love seat and sofa. Complementary models include ottoman, tea table and coffee table.

All South Beach cushion aluminum frames can be finished in any one of Tropitone's 20 powder coat colors. The cushions are available in any of Tropitone's cushion fabrics.

"We gave Richard Holbrook a very difficult design challenge," said John Mattson, vice president of Sales and Business Development for Tropitone. "We asked him to bring the same clean, fresh, sexy look of the ultra-successful original South Beach collection to a cushion group. We have received universally positive reactions at both commercial and residential preview showings. Richard definitely accomplished the design objective."

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA

Marcia Blake, a leading authority on home décor and merchandising manager for Sunbrella fabrics, will present an accredited continuing education course on performance fabrics for professional interior designers in the new Brown Jordan showroom in the exclusive South Coast Collection (SOCO) in Costa Mesa, California, on June 18.

During her presentation, "Explore the Possibilities with Performance Fabrics," Blake will discuss how fabric performances are designed and manufactured, including fiber types, coloration, finishing, construction and testing.

"Performance fabrics, such as the Sunbrella brand, have changed dramatically in look and feel over the past several years," Blake said. "Our goal with this presentation is to help interior designers gain a better understanding of what makes a true performance fabric and the wide range of creative applications possible both inside and outside of the home."

The one-hour course (CEU-101855) carries a CEU value of 0.1 and has been accredited by the IDCEC Interior Design Continuing Education Council for Members of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), IDC (Interior Designers of Canada) and IIDA (International Interior Design Association.)

To register for the seminar, email to rsvp@brownjordan.com or call (949) 760-6900.

"Marcia's presentation is a rare opportunity to gain insights into performance fabrics and how design professionals can incorporate them into their client work," said Wendy Rhiger, vice president of Strategic Development and Communications with Brown Jordan.

"It's easy to think of performance fabrics as just for outdoor applications, but new technology and creative inspiration have given these fabrics an entirely new look and feel ideal throughout the home."

A 1978 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Blake began her corporate career with several high-profile executive-recruiting and marketing positions, culminating with her role as vice president of the Kole & Company Recruitment firm.

In 2004, she embarked on a new career path, becoming the manager and buyer for Patio Furniture & Collectibles for Roger's Gardens.

Blake's career has also included service as president and creative director of Outdoor Interiors, a full-service design firm specializing in outdoor environments. The new Brown Jordan flagship store, located at 3323 Hyland Avenue, opened in early May, featuring the brand's first retail design gallery that is complete with lifestyle accessories for interior and exterior use. Collections by such design luminaries as Richard Frinier, Michael Berman and John Caldwell, as well as a selection of luxury home goods, are featured at the new Brown Jordan SOCO location.

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI

Viking Range, LLC, the originator of commercial-type appliances for the home, announces the acquisition of longtime distribution partners Gateway Appliance Distributing and Kimball Distributing, and the formation of a new consolidated distributorship to be called Viking Range, LLC Distribution Northwest.  

"The addition of Gateway and Kimball to the Viking team further strengthens the Viking brand and ensures continued success in several vital markets," said Brian Waldrop, Viking executive vice president and CFO. "Strengthening sales and service, dealer support and customer service will be our top priorities as we merge two of our longtime distribution partners into a new consolidated distributorship."

The Gateway organization previously served Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, Montana, Alaska and western Canada, while Kimball served Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, southern Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri.  

The synergies of the combined organizations will provide Viking customers with a unified sales, marketing and logistics division of Viking Range, LLC, led by Paul Casey, president; Dan Detloff, vice president of Sales; Barry Town, Sales manager - Seattle division; Greg Weatherman, Sales manager - Denver division; and Tim Moderie, Operations manager, Seattle and Denver distribution centers.

Headquartered in Kent, Washington, Viking Range, LLC Distribution Northwest will operate a showroom and warehouse in Kent, as well as a showroom and warehouse in Denver, Colorado.