Kea, Homemaker expand core line

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 3/29/2004 12:00:00 AM

BROCKTON, MASS. —

Through the alliance it forged with designer Kea Capel Meachum about one year ago, 65-year-old braided rug company Homemaker Industries Inc. is now "reaping the fruits of that labor," with new product categories and updated fashion looks to its core line, said Mike Kelly, president and chief operating officer, Homemaker Industries.

Kelly said that under the design leadership of Meachum, the company recently added several new product categories that will take it to a higher retail channel than its traditional customer, which sells opening to middle price point product.

These new categories are: kitchen textiles and select table linens pieces that are packaged as its "Kitchen To Go" collection; indoor/outdoor rugs; wool rugs; and decorative accessories, including scented candles, wall art and braided-fabric stackable baskets.

"Our sales are very strong and most of that is due to new styles and new product categories we're getting in," Kelly said.

The Kitchen-To-Go collection is available in eight patterns. Each set includes four placemats, four napkins, four chair pads and one accent rug. Separate coordinates include runners, tablecloths and decorative braided baskets and oversized coasters made of cotton blend fabrics baskets.

Anapolis is the name of the new 100 percent wool rug collection, comprised of braided rugs that range in size from a 2-by-3 mat through a 9-by-12 area rug.

The indoor/outdoor rugs —also ranging in size from small scatters through roomsize area rugs — are braided and made of a polypropylene blend.

Meachum is playing a dual role, acting as head designer for Homemaker as well as operating her home textiles division, called This Is Kea.

"She is looking to design the room from the rug up," Kelly said. "And as she gains more momentum, she plans on adding more components."

Homemaker is exploring opportunities for partnering with a bedding supplier to create fully coordinate collections, Kelly said.

Having also recently entered the bath rug category, the company is open to expanding its bath offerings.