Hot Off the Furniture Press This Week

Crate & Barrel is CLOSING its flagship Madison Ave Manhattan store due to rising rent.   Having occupied their Midtown East location for 20+ years it’s a sign of the times.  CB lovers will either have to visit the SOHO store or do the more convenient order online option and forget slugging awkwardly sized items through the subway!

Our Canadian friends to the West at Build Direct have been busy shopping – for a software tool to help homeowners design the floorpans of their rooms easily.  We love that they’ve acquired DraftingSPACE, a Velocity startup by two savvy ladies with architectural backgrounds based in where else – Waterloo.

If you aren’t Canadian or just don’t know: Vancouver and Waterloo are two hot beds of technology companies giving Silicon Valley a run for it’s money.  Word on the block is Build Direct, out of Vancouver, will be opening a Waterloo office to house these young entrepreneurs and then some in shortly.

Congrats to you both on your new marriage and welcome to the East officially; we certainly look forward to finally being able to say we know a great user friendly tool to whip up a layout on!  Read more about the deal here.

There’s a new outdoor player in town.  Safavieh is debuting a new outdoor furniture category including rugs, furniture and umbrellas this summer and we have already taken delivery!  Seriously impressive and designed with al fresco entertaining in mind, it plays to all trends with muted neutrals AND lively colorful patterns.  Available with $1 shipping duties included to Canada/USA work with a free Stylist to build your order.

Global Views is collaborating with designer Julia Buckingham on a collection of furniture and home goods to include furniture, lighting, rugs, tabletop and home accessories.  Word on the street is it marries modern and antique styles, not to mention there is a chair called the Wiggle chair!  We can’t wait to see it – congrats to all!

Miss last week’s roundup?  Catch it here.