ATLANTA—In a bold move to address the changing needs of customers, AmericasMart Atlanta is rebranding Floor 4 of Building 1 by integrating home furnishings and accents with area rugs. The new Home & Rug floor will unveil its expanded product mix during the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, scheduled to take place Jan. 9 to 16 (temporaries Jan. 10 to 15), which will run in conjunction with the Atlanta International Area Rug Market, Jan. 10 to 13.
Home furnishings manufacturer Four Hands will relocate from the Home Furniture Center to its new expanded 12,000-sq.-ft. showroom on Floor 4, joining rug companies such as Azra Imports, Caravan, F.J. Kashanian Rug Corp., French Accents Rugs & Tapestries, Kalaty Rug, Kas Oriental Rugs, Loloi and Momeni. Based in Austin, Tex., Four Hands offers fashion-forward collections of rugs, upholstery, case goods, accents and lighting.
“Our recent expansion in both size and presence across the major markets has been a key focus in our growth strategy,” said Matthew Briggs, CEO/president of Four Hands. “It’s been very effective. When the opportunity arose to anchor a new concept in Atlanta, we couldn’t pass it up.”
Staging a preeminent lifestyle home furnishings showroom on a primarily rug floor is an industry first, noted Jeffrey Portman, president and COO of AMC, the parent company of AmericasMart Atlanta, and will establish Four Hands as a floor anchor while positioning it as a destination for customers.
“Retailers coming to market now want to see products across a wide variety of merchandise classifications,” he added. “Their stores are increasingly carrying multiple product categories, so the one-stop approach reflects what they come to market for. We saw that with the combining of the gift and home market dates with the rug show dates, and now organizing the market along these lines is the logical next step.
Signing on the dotted…
“AmericasMart is the market of choice for both buyers and a growing number of exhibitors,” Portman continued. “This is evidenced by the robust leasing activity by both new and existing exhibitors, as they want to be a part of the premier event of the year.”
First-time exhibitors are signing permanent leases, he noted, and AmericasMart veterans “are inking new leases to increase their showroom space, some of which are relocating to ensure more visibility and a larger presence.”
For example, area rug and home accessory maker Surya will move to Building 1, Floor 11, adding a broader dimension to the home accents and furnishings floor, Portman noted.
Kaleen has doubled its showroom space to 6,000 square feet on Floor 3 of Building 1. Kaleen produces a full line of both handmade and machine-made rugs including licensed collections.
According to Joe Barkley, Kaleen’s executive president, “The additional space allows us greater ability to show our expansive product assortment in a more comfortable and exciting setting. We believe AmericasMart Atlanta is the best venue for rug suppliers and retailers to come together in North America and AmericasMart staff and management are committed to providing the most positive and productive environment in the decorative flooring industry. Kaleen is certain our expansion is a positive investment in the future.”
Currey & Co. will nearly double the size of its Building 1, Floor 14 showroom. Best known for lighting products, including chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamps and floor lamps, Currey also sells interior furniture, garden furniture and accessories and has recently launched an area rug line to be displayed in its expanded showroom.
For more information on attending or exhibiting at the market, call 404.220.2128.