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DECORATOR OF YEAR AND DREAM ROOM WINNERS ANNOUNCED Decorating Den Interiors (DDI), Montgomery Village, MD, announced the winners of its 15th Annual Dream Room Contest and named its Decorator of the Year at an awards ceremony held during its 30th anniversary conference held earlier this year in Palm Springs, CA. Jan Tomlinson was named DDI's Decorator of the Year. Thomlinson also took first place in the bedroom category of the Dream Room Contest. The first runner up was Bonnie Pressley, who also received first-prize recognition in the dining room category. The second runner up was Rebecca Shearn, who also took first place in the child's room category. Shearn is a former DDI Decorator of the Year. The Dream Room Contest is held each spring. Entries consist of a 20- by 30-inch storyboard featuring before and after photographs, sample swatches of materials used and entry forms that outline the parameters of the room makeover. This year's contest consisted of 16 categories including window treatment, bathroom, bedroom, commerical, kitchen, model and show house. INDUSTRY SUPPORTS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Thanks to generous donations from window coverings manufacturers and suppliers, eight new homes in northeast Detroit, MI, built by Habitat for Humanity International have new vertical blinds for their windows. In July, Eclipse Blind Systems, Inc.; Vertilux Collection; Novo Industries; and Buckeye Metal Industries teamed with retailer Express Blinds Factory Outlet, Harper Woods, MI, to make it happen. George Lufty, Express Blinds Outlet, said the response by the suppliers to donate product was outstanding. "It's a way of giving back to the community by helping people who are willing to help themselves," he said. "Our company felt an obligation to get involved and these vendors were eager to back it up," Lufty added. Express Blinds Outlet manufactured and installed 45 custom vertcial blinds for the eight homes. HUNTER DOUGLAS RECEIVES MERCHANDISING AWARDS The Silhouette® with PowerRise® demonstrator and the Nantucket[TM] window shadings sales materials from Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, Upper Saddle River, NJ, were honored this spring with Outstanding Merchandising Achievement Awards, the top awards in the point-of-purchase advertising industry's awards competition. The awards are presented annually for the year's most innovative, sales-driven creations by the Washington, D.C.-based Point-of-Purchase Advertising Institute. The Silhouette PowerRise demonstrator garnered a bronze in the Merchandising category. Consisting of a case with an injection-molded plastic cover and base, the lighweight display allows customers to experience firsthand the battery powered convenience of the remote control lift system. Hunter Douglas launched the Nantucket window shadings with a New England-style clambake, which captured a silver award in the Sales Promotion category. Sales materials from the clambake included a lobster bib and canvas beach bag with the Nantucket logo and a ship in a bottle to serve as a permanent identification piece for fabricators' offices. NEW FABRIC LINE HONORED Gretchen Bellinger Inc., Cohoes, NY, was honored for its innovative line of new fabrics at Decorex USA® 1999, the annual interior design exhibition in Chicago, IL. Chosen Best of Decorex USA® 1999, Best New Fabric-Overall Design, the award honored the Vanity of Vanities[TM], Sea Lines[TM], Gilt Edge[TM] and Cut A Shine[TM] fabric lines, as well as new colors in the Diva® and Sugarcoated[TM] fabrics. WEB SITE UPDATES, ADDITIONS Rowley Co., Gastonia, NC, has updated its Web site with on-line ordering now available. Current customers will need to log-on to www.rowleyco.com and sign up with a user ID and password. All orders are shipped the same day if ordered before 3 p.m. Web users now can find ADO, Spartanburg, SC, at www.ado-usa.com. The company's new Web site is a good way to view a few of its fabrics and learn about its products. New sections are planned for the site soon. Design Shoji, Ukiah, CA, has launched a new Web site: www.design shoji.com. Developed with the interior designer's needs in mind, the site has many color photographs of actual installations that can be downloaded to help clients visualize how shoji panels look and function. A page of frequently asked questions (FAQ) is available to inform specifiers of what they need to know when working with custom shoji panels.

ON-SITE MOVES TO LARGER FACILITY On-Site Corp., Hayden Lake, ID, has moved into a new corporate office and shipping facility. The company's new facility is located at 10762 Government Way, Hayden Lake, ID 83835. Its telephone and fax numbers remain the same: (800) 233-7452; (208) 772-6077; fax: (208) 772-5604. The new On-Site building is four times larger than its previous facility and includes a fabric-testing laboratory to ensure the best possible results on cleaning the latest window treatments on the market. The larger location also enables the company to offer expanded training programs to its clients. SUZ'S SOFTWARE ANNOUNCES MOVE To accommodate its growing business, Suz's Software, Inc., High Point, NC, has moved to a new location. The company's new address is 1314 Long St., Ste. 110, High Point, NC 27262. It's telephone, fax and e-mail information remains the same: (336) 889-2442; fax: (336) 884-1433; e-mail: Sales@SuzsSoftware.com. HOULES OPENS SHOWROOM IN WASHINGTON DESIGN CENTER Houlès-U.S.A., Los Angeles, CA, has relocated its Washington, DC, showroom to accommodate growth and to provide customer service. The new 2,515-square-foot showroom is located at the Washington Design Center, 300 D St., S.W., Suite 404, Washington, DC, 20024; (202) 488-1621. "Washington, DC, is a prime market for us," said Sylvestre Bono, CEO. "With a booming economy, increasing sales and a larger product line, it made sense to relocate." Houlès markets a line of luxury trimmings and Nicodecor, a line of fashionable, affordable trims and accessories to the trade only. QUEPLEX OPENS U.S. BRANCH Queplex Ltd., Saint Leonard, Quebec, Canada, announces the opening of Queplex, USA Inc. The 10,000-square-foot facility is located at 1017 Grand Blvd., Deer Park, NY 11729; (800) 441-2443. The new facility will service the East Coast primarily as well as other areas in the United States. Queplex is a manufacturer of high-end PVC extrusion products including two- and 3 1/2-inch vertical and horizontal louvers. BOWMAN UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Bowman Drapery, Watsonville, CA, is under the new ownership of Eric and Janice Farrell effective July 1, 1999. The Farrells, who have been working at the company for the past eight years, take over ownership at the retirement of Rob Roy Bowman on the same date. The Farrells have been applying for new accounts under the Bowman Drapery name. Any accounts that have open invoices will be paid by Bowman Drapery/Rob Roy Bowman. Inquiries should be directed to Janice Farrell at (831) 476-0310. IFDA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED For its final educational symposium of the century, the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) Educational Foundation chose at its theme and title, "East Meets West: The Rim of the New Millennium." The four-day symposium is scheduled for November 4 to 7 at the Hotel Nikko, San Fransicso, CA. Authorities will share how to negotiate with clients in the Pacific Rim and how to market products and services by tapping in on the cultural and generational differences between markets. Through lively dialogs, experts will explore architectural, design, color and style projections. "Expect days filled with data, expert opinion and forecsast, punctuated by exclusive behind-the-scenes tours as well as optional CEU class offerings and trips to the wine country," said Judy Rigby, co-chair of the event. For more information about the symposium, call (404) 325-0820.