Park B. Smith Shows Eco-Leadership

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 2/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

At the New York Market — Building on its decade-long involvement in eco-friendly and organic home textiles products, Park B. Smith Co. is expanding those efforts into a broad spa program with new fibers and expanded products.

The company also has also signed on as the bath licensee for the growing licensed program of designer Eileen West. The program will include shower curtains, bath rugs, and bath accessories, Smith said. While product details have not been finalized, "she is here this week to work on different programs," and the ship date is for August delivery to stores, Smith added.

Commenting on her signature looks and design participation, Smith remarked, "Her whole apparel line lends itself to the bath." Additionally, he said, "She really gets involved."

For its own line, Linda Smith, president, said, "We are capitalizing on our long experience with eco and organic products." Besides vegetable dyes, the company is now emphasizing bamboo, corn, and linen fibers.

New for market in the Spa Bath collection is an assortment of spa sprays, lotions and soaps. There are four scents of diffusers, lotions, soaps, room sprays, and lava rocks. Also new is a range of robes at $34.99 to $79.99.

Among the other new Spa bath items are a tile motif rug, and waffle weaves in shower curtains. The tile rugs are $19.99 for the 20-by-30.

The company has launched "The Magic Makeover" — a quick decorating solution that at this point is targeted for bath and table top. In bath, it is called "The Complete Bath" and features a pre-selected shower curtain, 12 rings and a reversible bath mat. In the table top segment, a napkin, placemat, and napkin ring are coordinated and packaged for $3.99.

Noticing a pickup in retail demand for blankets, the company has expanded its diverse offering. "We're really back in the blanket business," said Linda Smith. The range of blankets retails for $49.99 to $99.99 in the full/queen.

The company's proprietary Magic Blinds program and its window coverings collection have been expanded with a slubbed faux silk, a rayon corduroy, burlap, and border treatments.

Florals are a major theme of the company's rug program in scatter and room size versions. Tapestry looks continue be strong and have been expanded this season with the Tiffany collection and Wine is Poetry collection.