Design Network takes over 295 suite

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 5/7/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK — Moving out of suite 202 of the 295 Fifth Avenue Home Textiles building here is kitchen textile manufacturer Kay Dee Designs.

Moving in: Design Network, the rug and doormat manufacturing division of Cecil Saydah/Louisville Saydah.

As of October — just in time for the New York Home Textiles Show in the fall — Design Network's new 1,000-square-foot space will become a new addition to Cecil Saydah/ Louisville Saydah's existing space that occupies suites 206 and 201.

"We're thrilled to have the space," said Deborah Powell, director of marketing for Design Network. "We need the room, and we need a comfortable visual experience for our clients. Before, we were cornered. This will be a more open feeling."

Design Network took over the lease for the 202 space in February, in time to use it during the spring New York Home Textiles Show last month.

"The reaction to the new space and product was fantastic. Nothing is more satisfying than a buyer walking in and reacting by saying 'Wow' when they step into your showroom," Powell said.

Added Bruce Batcheller, national sales manager: "This market gave us an opportunity to showcase our strength in product diversity."

For April market, Design Network did some cosmetic renovations, mostly painting and shelving. For the upcoming market in October, major construction will be done to tear down the hallway dividing the showrooms and create one large space for the entire company's offerings.

"We were happy to have the extra space because we've been waiting on it for a while," Powell said.

In its 16 months of existence, Design Network has built up its business considerably. Its doormat line currently includes 600 skus, six times greater than its offering during the New York Home Textiles Show in October 2000. Its juvenile line has increased from five to 75 skus during the same period. And for the next home textiles show in October, Design Network will expand on its new Crossroads collection of recycled rug and doormat products made from everything from seatbelts to sweatshirts.

"We're doing good," Powell said. "Even with the economy how it is, I feel confident in saying we are doing very well."