Waverly, Kirsch ink licensing agreement

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 2/19/2001 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK -Waverly and Kirsch have entered into a licensing agreement to produce a complete line of drapery hardware, custom blinds and custom window shades.

More than 90 skus will be marketed through Newell Window Furnishings and by Levolor Home Fashions. The drapery hardware collection will be marketed through Newell, while custom blinds and shades will go through Levolor.

Both Newell and Levolor are divisions of Newell Rubbermaid, which also owns Kirsch.

"These product categories complement our own Waverly Home Fashions soft window treatments," said Christiane Michaels, president/gm of Waverly Lifestyle Group. "This allows us to round out our entire offering of window fashions for the consumer."

Included in the mix will be a mix-and-match assortment of wood and metal poles, decorative finials, rosettes and end caps. Metal finishes will include black wrought iron, antique black pewter, patina and weathered bronze, while wood finishes will be dark brown, washed ivory, light natural, warm oak and black. Traditional balls, buttons and leaves, as well as more whimsical designs such as butterflies and roosters, will adorn the finials and rosettes.

The custom blinds and shades will also be offered in a variety of styles, including Roman shades; cellular shades; vertical blinds; aluminum horizontal blinds; 2-inch wood blinds; and faux wood composites. The Roman shades will be available in 40 different fabrics, while the cellular shades and vertical blinds will be available in 70 different tones and colors. And the aluminum blinds will be offered in more than 50 hues.

"The combination of different styles and different media is what makes this such an exciting program," said Julie Sandberg, senior product manager, decorative drapery, Kirsch. "It gives the consumer a true decorator look that they create themselves."

The drapery hardware program will be distributed to department and specialty stores as well as to independent decorators and designers and Waverly Place dealers.