Kea Capel launches company

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 4/21/2003 12:00:00 AM

PINEHURST, NC —

Longtime industry player Kea Capel launched her new company, Kea Inc., at the spring market with an extensive line of indoor/outdoor mats, upscale braided chenille rounds and quilted-pieced rugs.

Kea Inc. is owned in part by Capel as well as investor company VKO Inc., which also owns rug supplier Homemaker Industries.

True to her signature style of casual beach house looks in candylike colors, Kea Inc.'s product launch included a collection of polyester and cotton blend indoor and outdoor rugs and doormats as well as five collections of braided rugs, three of which are made of 100 percent cotton and two that are made of 100 percent wool.

"The colors I use have been described as flavors," Capel said. "They are Lily Pulitzer-inspired."

Capel has subcontracted Homemaker, which operates a factory in Mexico, to manufacture and distribute her braided rugs and also to assist with back office and sales support.

Over the next year Kea Inc. will add constructions of area rugs from overseas, including felt from India and other styles from China, as well as enter categories such as bedding, table linens and window coverings.

Targeting independent furniture stores, catalogs and specialty chains, the line's suggested retail price points include $199.99 for a 5-foot quilted round, $199 for a 5' x 8' 100 percent wool braid, $9.99 for a 2' x 3' indoor/outdoor poly-cotton blend mat and $29.99 for a appliqué chenille round.