Park Smith believes in Magic Blinds program

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 3/22/2004 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Park B. Smith is dramatically growing its patented Magic Blinds program both through new fabrics and an expansion of color offerings in existing fabrics.

"We have received our patent and are expanding the program, which is very successful at retail," said Park Smith, chairman. Overall, "Window is our biggest explosion of growth, with Magic Blinds setting the pace, but we're also becoming known for being trend-right," added Linda Johnson, president.

New fabrics for Magic Blinds, some of which also are part of the company's bedding, window covering and shower curtain programs are a microfiber velvet, Wild Life; a collection of animal-themed designs, Metro; a textured chenille, Angelina; and a yarn-dyed damask with Asian overtones, Moderne.

Wild Life and Angelina are priced at $59.99.

New in the window category is Challis, a collection of scarves as top treatments of rayon challis at $19.95.

Bedding, daybeds and bedspreads are dynamic growth areas, said Smith. "They are absolutely coming back."

For this market, every bed with a comforter style also is available in the other styles, Johnson related.

Overall, there are 18 new bedding designs paced by Wild Life and a coordinate Venetian "that is inspired by the animal colorway but doesn't say 'skin' as the design," Johnson explained.

Claudia, a clean tapestry in paprika, is an important new woven. The velvet solid plays an important role in bedding as well as shower curtains and place mats, napkins and runners.

Daybeds start at $49.99.

Rug introductions are paced by Heather Stripe, a cotton shag/chenille combination, an expansion of colors in Luxe, the upscale spa style. Expanded colors in both Plush Confetti and Plush Chenille bringing each style up to 24 colors.

Heather Stripe is $12.99, Plush Chenille is $14.99 and Plush Confetti is $19.99, all for the opening size.

In addition to the velvet in table linens at $2.99 for the mats, introductions include a tapestry collection with wine as a theme, and a variety of solids in a mix of textures and fabrications.

The new line, Smith said "reflects the time of opportunity we are now in. Customers want pretty, well styled, affordable products and they'll buy them. The industry has talked fashion, and made utility for too long. Now more than ever we're stepping up to color."