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The Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) held its first West Coast Breakfast Symposium during the Pacific Home Fashion Fair August 23 to 25 in San Francisco, CA. Nearly 100 show attendees came for breakfast and to hear featured speakers LaVelle Pinder, owner, LaVelle Pinder Decorating; and Steve Raniszewski, western regional manager, Seabrook Wallcoverings.
Pinder encouraged retailers to make time to form local WCAA chapters. Through a local chapter retailers can enjoy cooperative efforts in purchasing supplies and advertising, yet remain competitive, she said. A local chapter also helps establish clout with suppliers, especially those that are WCAA Industry Partners, she added.
Raniszewski advised retailers on increasing sales with sidewall and border wall coverings. "Set a goal by helping customers visualize what they want in a room," he said. Start with their interests, he advised, by finding out what they've seen and liked. "Don't let them wimp out on color," he added. Instead, steer them to the fabrics, colors and patterns they are immediately attracted to, and tie-in more than one room using coordinating patterns with different background colors.
Raniszewski ended by showing several samples of Seabrook's latest designs and patterns.
Design Competition
WCAA also announced it is sponsoring a Window Design Competition with the winning entries to be displayed at the World of Window Coverings[TM] show March 20 to 22, 1997, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. The competition will include four categories: Living room, dining room, bedroom and family room. A winner will be selected from each category with first prize entries also receiving a certificate of achievement and their treatments featured in Draperies & Window Coverings magazine.
The deadline for entering the competition is February 1, 1997. Entries should be sent to WCAA Design Competition, Larry's Custom Interiors, Inc., P.O. Box 603, North Hampton, NH 03862. Members of the WCAA board of directors will judge the competition, with the winners being announced at the Boston Curtain & Drapery show February 27 to March 1, 1997, in Boston, MA.
Participants are asked to enter a photograph (maximum size of eight by 10 inches) and include a typewritten description of the treatment, a statement about the design (its use, inspiration, historical references and challenges), a detailed description of the fabrics, hardware and materials used, swatches and a complete list of credits. For all contest requirements, contact the WCAA.
As a kick-off for the competition, WCAA board of directors members Doyle Brakebill, Linda Evarts, Bonnie Kramer and LaVelle Pinder created sample designs, which were displayed at the WCAA booth at the Pacific Home Fashion Fair. Each display featured products from WCAA Industry Partners companies. Brakebill's design of vertical blinds with swags and cascades featured Kasmir Fabrics. Evarts designed a wood cornice with draperies, trims and tassels using Artmark fabrics and Conso decorative accessories. Kramer designed a kitchen window that featured a birdhouse as a decorative accessory using a pleated shade from Tentina Window Fashions, Inc.; a throw swag from Mill Supply Drapery Division; and place mats, napkin rings, trays and waste basket from Designer Linens & Accessories. Pinder created a drapery with valance featuring fabric from Kasmir Fabrics and ADO, trimmings from Tuscany Imports and workroom supplies from döfix No*Sew Inc.
Show attendees were asked to vote for the best design using business cards as ballots. When the ballots were counted, the design by Linda Evarts was declared the winner. Evarts and WCAA member Sandy Pfeiffer than selected a business card at random from those cast for the winning design. Margaret Ramirez, Margaret's Decorator Service, San Antonio, TX, was selected to win a free one-year membership in the WCAA.
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