ATLANTA - January 16, 2012

With The Visual Display Award, AmericasMart celebrated visual excellence in both permanent showrooms and temporary exhibits at the nation’s only global wholesale trade event of 2012: The Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market Jan. 11-18 (Temporaries: Jan. 13-17), with the Atlanta International  Area Rug Market featuring the National Oriental Rug Show taking place Jan. 12-15   (Temporaries: Jan. 13-15).

Thirty-three permanent showrooms and exhibitors in 18 temporary product collections, plus Best of Show Temporaries, received AmericasMart’s coveted Visual Display Award (VDA), which recognizes excellence in visual presentation, use of space, product placement and overall composition.  Judging was conducted and winners selected by independent design and retail visual merchandising experts with decades of
combined experience.

The January 2012 Visual Display Awards For Permanent Showrooms winners are:

AMERICASMART 1

KD Vintage:  20A16

• Vintage props, enhanced by subdued warm lighting.
• Neutral soft earth tones complement old-world product.

Unlimited Containers, Inc.:  19A6

• Dazzling lighting calls attention to oversized product and floral accents.
• Presentation follows balanced and symmetrical rhythm.
• Energized swing vocals enliven the environment.

Sage & Company:  18A6

• Soft palette of greens creates serene atmosphere.
• Impeccable details and technically precise implementation.
• Oversized shadowbox presentations create a unique Hi Definition effect.

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting:  17E23, 24

• Generous allocation of space to showcase product fully—nice utilization.
• Stimulating techno-grid lighting.

Seasons Designs:  16E8

• Dramatic yet simple concept—blacken the walls, turn off the lights and let the oversized glowing animals take center stage.
• Nice harmonies achieved through repetitive product presentation.

Ibolili, Inc.:  14E20

• Excellent use of granny smith-green palette to electrify space and set off neutral wood product.
• Oversized product thoughtfully positioned.

Leftbank Art Co.:  13D6

• Angled feature walls create an infinity effect.
• Breathtaking and perfectly executed.

Urban Trends Collection:  12C5

• Impactful color blocked backdrops.
• Complementary color accents create balance and rhythm.
• Effective use of lighting to highlight high-gloss product.

Four Hands:  11A1

• Large showroom wrapped in matte charcoal gray creates an elegant urban environment.
• Excellent anchoring of vignettes through string “curtain” panels.
• Engaging product groupings.

Art Addiction:  10E13

• Superb recreation of a gallery setting.
• Center focal wall featuring art and glass vessels simple yet dynamic.

Home Source International: 9A5

• Open and airy yet full of visual stimulation and unexpected treatments.
• Suspended beds throughout create a playful, arresting environment.
• Purposeful use of color moves the intentionally through the space.

Capel:  6F2

• Welcoming entrance introduces new neutral product.
• Interesting treatment of “rug columns” tied with burlap bows.
• Americana selections well presented.

Marcella:  5C10

• Grand entrance with larger-than-life tromp’ l’ oeil commands attention, sets tone.
• Perimeter windows continue the aesthetic.

Loloi, Inc.:  4C7

• Spacious entrance immediately directs the eye to bold color collage of saris and whimsical colored balls.
• Consistent presentation in outer windows creates symmetry.
• Very well designed.

Kaleen Inc.:  3C9

• Stacked-stone flanked entrances crate texture and provide unique background referencing product to come.
• Dramatic burnt orange curved wall crates impact.
• Excellent lighting throughout.

AMERICASMART 2

OneCoast:  1800

• Dynamic, energized entrances with outstanding vendor identifications and boutiquing.
• Excellent use of lighting to showcase and define product presentations.

Torre & Tagus:  1715

• Clean, crisp, concise contemporary presentation.
• Balanced, symmetrical and technically detailed.
• Effective use of high-gloss surfaces to enhance the contemporary vibe.

Cupecoy Design:  1639

• Four eye-catching elements unify the space:  Salmon-blocked walls; white walls, tables
• and fixturing; bold black graphics; gray shag rugs.
• Strong, intense lighting is stimulating.

Glitterville (A Division of DHR):  1500

• A wonderland of confectionary delights.
• Tiny space full of energy and life.
• A whimsical candyland.

Candle Impressions:  1421

• Warm, cozy and inviting with appropriate lighting to achieve a “candleglow” effect.
• Effective use of angled walls and étagères.

Blue Mountain Arts:  1321

• A wash of pastels unifies and enlivens this happy room.
• Bold graphics effectively identify vendors.

A&B Home Group: 1201

• Fresh colors and a vintage flair create an engaging environment here.
• Antique wood, mirrors and colored glass achieve authenticity.

Kaemingk International:  1115

• Breathtaking and stunning.
• Unexpected details and inspirations abound across the entire front entrance:
• fur, ice encrustations, more.
• Soft neutral lighting completes the ambiance.

Grace Direct:  1030

• Innovative window designs effectively use glass-based and ribbon “rain”, umbrellas and more.
• Achieves the romantic flavor of a springtime garden.
• Superb, precise product placement throughout the space.

Bray-Farmer Associates:  900

• A good marriage of fine tabletop and linens with impeccable presentation standards and creativity.
• A five-star-hotel-quality presentation with beautiful appointments and florals.

Lifeguard Press:  813A

• Lively, vibrant pinks, greens and oranges define this environment.
• Mirrors, glass and crystal achieve cohesion and “extend” the small space.

burton + BURTON:  721, 728

• Larger-than-life “theme park” excitement.
• Various themes are tightly grouped and well defined.
• Easy “no boundaries” access.
• A happy place.

Collins Painting & Design, LLC.:  612B

• Flea-Market and junkyard treasures serve as an effective, alluring backdrop.
• Soft lighting encourages a nostalgic ambiance.

AMERICASMART 2WW

Viducci’s Garden USA:  10B85

• Excellent vendor identification front to back.
• Good rhythm and flow of product placement.

CRP Products Inc./Mariachi Imports:  9C88

• Two separate vendors unified through excellent design.
• Collections coordinated by color and lighting.

Salem Baking Company:  868B

• Warm and welcoming keeping-room charm.
• Product placement orderly and easily identifiable.

In the Breeze:  767D

• Tiny wedge chockfull of colorful wind accessories.
• Excellent “curtain effect” created with wall-to-wall product.
• Clever logo applications.

Mint:  679

• Refreshing and crisp blue and white palette.
• Engaging “peppermint” graphics.

The January 2012 Temporary Visual Display Winners are:

BEST OF SHOW:

• Mimex Brands & Labels

Temporary VDA Winners:

• New York Graphic Society
• Decor FiftyFive
• Lowcountry Originals
• Aquiesse
• Hammond's Candies Since 1920
• Freaker USA
• Pose-Ez
• Nantucket Bike Basket Co.
• Garden Route
• Solmate Socks
• Salem Collection
• Handmade Expressions
• Empress Arts Ltd.
• Do Not Disturb, Inc.
• Mariana Distributed by Michal's Imports
• Judson Company
• Rachel Brown Fowler
• 95 & Sunny