Thursday, October 26, 2006

Yahoo Search Marketing

Where do you put your online advertising dollars?
According to a recent comScore report focusing on Internet Yellow Pages searches, 68 million U.S. Internet users performed an Internet Yellow Page (IYP) search online in July.

This represents a 46 percent increase versus year ago. When analyzing the total share of IYP searches, which by their nature have local intent, comScore's data reveals that Yahoo! Sites and Verizon SuperPages garnered the largest share, with 23.9 percent and 20.1 percent, respectively. Google Sites ranked third in IYP searches, capturing 12.5 percent, followed by Yellowpages.com with 12.0 percent.
Landfair Furniture advertises on Google and Verizon's Superpages. When I saw that Yahoo has a 23.9% share and I don't advertise there, I immediately "Yahoo"ed Furniture Portland Oregon. I had to search many pages to find us. We now have a Yahoo account for a reasonable amount of money per month and I can find Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery.

After I signed up, Yahoo designed my ad based on our web site and then Tara Ramachandran, Inside Sales Representative for Yahoo called me and walked me through all the reports. They are there 24/7 to help me make Yahoo work for us.

Why not give Tara a call at (503)615-3784 for Yahoo Search Marketing?

Bev and Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The Next Hot Thing In Furniture

INFURNITURE has an article about "the newest furniture and hottest style directions taking shape at the fall High Point Market Show. Landfair Furniture is proud to carry some of the furniture and accessory lines singled out.

Resort Redefined:



PALECEK has one foot in the office and the other in the sand with the Metro swivel chair in woven abaca with chrome legs.

Real Mods Have Curves:



CALLIGARIS offers the Jam dining chair that pairs a chrome base with a seat available in 18 colors.

Understated Explorer:

SHERRILL offers a tall 8 drawer chest in a variety of rich wood finishes and golden metallic detail (see the catalog in our showroom).

The Emperor's New Ohs

In this category JD CHAMBERLAIN was featured offering a tailored, but exotic new sideboard (in the style of this rattan server cabinet:


Savoir Faire Never Sleeps:

HAMMARY goes back to the scroll in a striking bed with rubbed through black finish.

Downtown Truly Brown:

BERMANFALK launches the Parisian Sleeping and Living collection by Joel Dessaule that includes this six-drawer dresser.
(hit the "zoom" link to see a larger picture)

Gotta Getaway:

LEGACY LEATHER in a new move debuts the Tack Room collection that includes a hearty credenza with leather fronts on the doors.

Stop in to Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery to see other new styles for fall, all of course Chosen by Beverly.

Bev & Mike


Wednesday, October 18, 2006

The Pinnacle Design Achievement Awards.

Congratulations!

Stone Sculptures by Yuri Zatarain for The Phillips Collection took top honors including Capital Balcony by Jodell Clark for Global Views
in the The Pinnacle Design Achievement awards.

The Pinnacle Design Achievement awards were created in April 1995 by the Board of Directors of the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) to promote better design quality and encourage the recognition of furniture designers within the retail home furnishings industry. As such the awards are intended to celebrate designs that are produced in large numbers for sale to customers through retail stores.

About the Stone Sculptures, the judges praised Zatarain for the his novel use of ceramics; artistic interpretation of human form; saying it was interesting, and a delightful conversation piece.

Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery is delighted to offer accessories from these two vendors.

Bev & Mike

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Accent Chairs

From FURNITURE Today,
For consumers looking to dress up a room, accent chairs remain a viable and often affordable alternative. The style mix continues to expand as well, giving them plenty of options to choose from when selecting a piece.


Sam Moore's Grasshopper club chair is a modern-style chair, here in a raven finish. It features exposed wood arms and legs shaped like a grasshopper. The fabric shown here is a faux animal skin in a blend of polyester and acrylic fibers. It retails for $799.

Sam Moore Furniture is doing well with traditional-style leather club chairs. But it, too, is seeing the market shift more toward transitional and contemporary-style frames.

"That's a big category for us," said President Mike Moldenhauer, noting that wing chairs only represent 7% of sales, down from 19% a decade ago. "It seems like when we introduce a new style, it does well for us."

Its line of 300 chairs is mostly sold as proprietary products for various retailers, at retail price points ranging from $399 to $999 per chair.

Sam Moore still produces 80% of its line in a 400,000-square-foot factory in Bedford, Va. That domestic operation allows it to customize orders, with 500 fabrics and 100 leathers. It also has 30 custom finishes, all of which also are offered by suppliers in China and the Philippines for the remaining 20% of its line that's imported.

Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery is pleased to carry Sam Moore.

Bev & Mike

What Not To Serve At A Dinner Party

Back in June we quoted from an article in House Beautiful by the Barefoot Contessa about Tips for Entertaining at Home. A recent issue has an article entitled What Not to Serve at a dinner party. The Contessa has read my mind.

1. Appetizers that require two hands! You know the party. You take a napkin or a little plate and help yourself to crudites with ranch dressing, some meat balls, maybe those little cocktail wienies and a fork. There you are with a drink in one hand and your napkin and the plate in the other. In order to eat or shake hands you must put your drink down.

2. Beets or red wine! We never serve red wine in our showroom. However, we do have several overturned wine glasses with acrylic red wine that makes a frightening gift for use on a light sofa or light carpet.

3. Three rich courses!
If you're serving a rich main course, start with a salad and end with some fruit and a delicious cookie. Your friends will thank you.
4. Garlic and raw onions! Mike and I always ask, Are you eating onions?

5. Spinach! No one wants to ask if they have spinach between their teeth.

6. Corn on the cob! (See Spinach.)

7. Two fish courses!


8. Offal!
They always looks so good, those bacon wrapped somethings. I take a big bite and it's liver! Gag me. Contessa says same goes for "tongue, tripe and sweetbreads."

9. Nuts! Skip dishes made with nuts as ingredients. People may be allergic.

10. Blowfish!

Here are a few of our own:

1. Skip the dip that consists of a brick of cream cheese and some green or red sause poured on top.
2. Skip serving grapes with seeds or cherries.
3. Make sure any meat you serve has no gristle.
4. Avoid low quality non-alcoholic beers.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Monday, October 09, 2006

Elegance in Furniture Design

From Home Accents Today an article on Accent Furniture - The Chic Corner by Tracy Bulla
Elegance reigns with tailored, sophisticated styles that draw on both European and Asian influences. Graceful curves and flowing lines add to the impression of welcoming hospitality.
An example of graceful curves is this piece from J.D. Chamberlain with a slight scalloping that lends a sophisticated edge:


Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery is proud to carry the furniture of John and Dori McKearn founders of J.D. Chamberlain.
Read "Sharing a company and a life together" on their website and experience their call to distinction and quality.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Top Designers of 2005: Interview with Donya Wiland

Resuming our interviews of Top Designers for 2005, we are pleased to speak with Donya Wiland / Twilight Design. You know it is going to be an interesting interview when your subject arrives in a white 52 MG TD. Donya’s hair is in a kerchief like you would see on one of those bikers we saw traveling through Yellowstone in August. She’s the type of woman who could wield a wrench one day and belly dance, her hobby, the next day after a manicure.

LF+DG: Donya, thank you so much for making time to answer some questions about your design practice. Tell us something about your background and what are your credentials?
Wiland: You know, I just felt that I had a knack for interior design, but I needed training, so over six years ago I went to the Heritage School of Interior Design and graduated with an ICD.

LF+DG: You are one of the savviest marketers of your services? Tell us about how you get clients.
Wiland: The best sources of new clients are referrals. I also teach seminars at the Home & Garden Show twice a year. Topics include:
# Seven steps to interior design. Before you start spending money and the science behind it.
# Quality vs Price
# Proportion and Scale
# How designers work
# Where do you start, how to implement a design and how to finish.

I believe every one can use a designer to save time and money. My motto is: “Maximize the outcome, minimize the investment.”

LF+DG: Who or what has been an influence in your design?
Wiland: Communication is important with clients, especially when a couple have different views. I use the same communication style as Michael Payne the host of Designing for the Sexes. We share the same skills. He’s a nice guy.

LF+DG: How do you define good design?
Wiland: It’s not what you spend. It’s how you spend it

LF+DG: If I were to hire you to decorate my home, would people who visit say, "Ah, this is a Donya Wiland home?"
Wiland: No, it’s my job to pull together the look the client wants.

LF+DG: Do you come up with a presentation board?
Wiland: After the free consultation, I do a complete design book, which includes the client concept, design suggestions, color palette, color shopping card, floor plan with measurements, paint map and helpful hints.

LF+DG: How do you charge for your services?
Wiland: After the free consultation, my fee is $95 per hour. I pass on any designer discounts to my clients and will go shopping with them. Shopping is a sport for me. I love to win for my client. I believe one should never pay retail!

LF+DG: What other creative things do you do?
Wiland: I am involved in Yoga for fitness and I meet in a Mid-Eastern restaurant to belly dance with a dance troupe. I love to travel and I love cars. I am currently helping my husband Craig restore a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad. And, and, I watch Storm Large compete in Rock Star: Supernova.

LF+DG: Were you disappointed that she lost and Lukas won?
Wiland: No, I rooted for Storm, but Lukas will fit right in with Supernova. Remember, Craig and I and you and Mike have a date to see Storm perform next time she's in Portland!

LF+DG: Donya, where can people reach you?
Wiland: Bev, they can reach me at

Donya Wiland / Twilight Design
Visit my web site: www.donyatwdesign.com
or
Email me at: msmgdiva@yahoo.com
or
Call me at 480-247-2513

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery




Monday, October 02, 2006

Palicek Featured in HAT

From Home Accents Today Mirrors - Natural Instincts by Tracy Bulla
Shells, bark and bamboo update mirrors with a little sass and sophistication. The more decorative the treatment, the greater the visual pop.

Tiny iridescent squares of capiz form a chic mosaic tile accompaniment to Palecek's rectangular mirror.

Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery is proud to offer the full line of Palicek, distinctive furniture, lighting, and accessories.
Part of Palicek's distinction for years has been their ability to mix and weave natural fibers into unique statement pieces out of materials such as wicker, rattan, abaca, seagrass, leather, wood, and bamboo.

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery