Smarts

Showroom-of-the-Year-Awards — We all have a story to tell. In this issue, check out our profiles on the Showroom of the Year Award winners, where they offer their thoughts on the future and share the biggest risks they've taken.

Storytime

"Tell me a bit about yourself.” No matter how many times I’ve been asked that question (or a variation of it) in networking circles, I will unabashedly say that my inner monologue still hesitates…

Showroom of the Year Awards, Kimberley Wray, Palette & Parlor, Cynthia Heathcoe, Contemporary Living

Dallas-Market-Center-against-Texas-bathroom-bill — Dallas Market Center joined a large group of business leaders in Texas to oppose the bathroom bill legislation.

What You Need to Know About Texas' Bathroom Bill

Over the past few months, Texas lawmakers have been debating their own version of a bathroom bill. Similar to North Carolina's HB2, the Texas proposal would require any transgender individual to use…

Dallas Market Center, Cindy Morris, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Mitchell Gold, Lightovation

Home-Depot-partners-with-Laurel-Wolfe — Home Depot announced its new partnership late last month.

Home Depot and Laurel & Wolfe Announce Digital Interior Design Partnership

Over the last few years, online interior design services such as Home Polish and Havenly have challenged the notion that interior design is an in-person experience. While these companies have seen…

Home Depot, Laurel & Wolfe, Leura Fine, Havenly, Home Polish

Facebook-Social-Media-Pixel — Learn more about your website visitors with Facebook Pixel. (Photo: Hamza Butt via Sole Treadmill)

Facebook Ads Manager: How to Set Up a Facebook Pixel

With 1.94 billion monthly active users, Facebook continues to be the dominate social media platform. No matter your target demographic, you can find them posting, sharing and commenting on Facebook,…

Facebook, Facebook ads, digital marketing

Luke-Irwin-London-hand-knotted-rugs — The designer in his showroom.

Designer Q&A: Luke Irwin

What do members of the British Royal family, U2 and Rolling Stones, and the Obamas have in common? A Luke Irwin rug. Luke Irwin established his rug company in 2003, producing custom-made hand-…

Luke Irwin, Oscar Isberian, area rug

Goombay-Bash-The-H-Foundation-Navy-Pier-Grand-Ballroom — The stage was set at Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom for a night of fun.

The 17th Annual Goombay Bash Breaks Fundraising Record

The 17th annual Goombay Bash shattered its fundraising record on Saturday night, raising over $700,000 to be donated to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.…

The H Foundation, Goombay Bash, Hortons Home Lighting , John Rot , David Eigenberg

Macy's-State-Street-Chicago — Macy’s green clocks have watched State Street morph into the retail powerhouse it is today, but no retailer or designer is truly safe from the internet’s grasp.

Design Interrupted

In 2005, Marshall Field & Company announced its flagship store on State Street in Chicago would be changed to Macy’s. What would become of the iconic green clocks that overlooked State Street?…

Marshall Field & Company, Macy’s, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel , High Point Market

Perkins-School-for-the-Blind — Through using screen readers and software, web users with visual impairments are able to navigate the Internet. It's up to retailers to make sure their sites are easy to use. (Photo: Perkins School for the Blind)

What You Should Know About Web Accessibility and the Law

In our June issue, we talked to web accessibility experts about the importance of making your website easy to navigate for everyone, including those with visual impairments. Making sure that…

Marla Runyan, Perkins School for the Blind, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, website accessibility

The Mohr & McPherson showroom showcases textiles, casegoods, artwork and more from all over the world.

Retail Road Trip: Boston

We kicked off our Retail Road Trip series in March with Lighting & Decor’s hometown of Chicago. Our second stop is Boston, where among rich history, delicious seafood and sports fanatics, two…

Mohr & McPherson, Cal McPherson, Kevin McPherson , Wolfers Lighting, Jeff Seigal

Legrand-adorne-Google-Home-Amazon-Echo — Legrand's adorne collection will now be able to talk to Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Legrand's Smart Move and What It Means for Smart Lighting

An estimated 10 million Amazon Alexa-powered devices have been sold, according to a recent report from the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. This past July, the company sold three times as…

Legrand, Smart Homes, Smart Lighting, Amazon Alexa Voice Service, Amazon Echo