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Published:4/1/2008

January in Atlanta has become a ritual of sorts for many garden center buyers. Not only is it time to buy for the upcoming holiday season, it’s an opportunity to check out what’s new in AmericasMart in Atlanta, Georgia, “The Gardens” floors. January 2009 will bring a new name and new home for this venue, in Building Two West Wing (currently, it’s in Building one on the 14th and 15th floors). The 9th and 10th floors of the new space will be called “AmericasMart Living” and will feature a two-story fiber optic waterfall. With the addition of the new building, plus the great seminars and events, I think we’ll need to add a few days to our 2009 schedule, pack the large bottle of Advil and hope Red Bull will be available for breakfast.

European Flair

We found some exciting new home and garden vendors in the Temporary floors. I spoke with several new European vendors who felt timing was right to enter the U.S. market. The company that really stood out was PTMD. They are Dutch Masters of the “mix”: just the right balance of elements, presented in simple, elegant and seasonal collections. The colors are given fun names like Snazzy Green and Swanky Black to take the edge off formality. Each month of their calendar features a photo of product with two descriptors, the first always being “Simply.” I couldn’t wait to see what “my” month was: Simply Basic. (The month before is Simply Romantic and the month following is Simply Exciting) This company exemplifies the total package: product, presentation and promotion. Go to www.ptmd.nl to see for yourself.

Speaking of European influences, Barreveld International, debuted their Shop Within a Shop concept. This is a kit retailers can assemble within their own facility to create a Barreveld Shop. This is actually a shop with a storefront and several rooms that you construct from 4x8 ft. panels complete with windows and doors. Talk about instant architectural interest. Fill it with Barreveld product and you’re good to go. Search no more for the “whole enchilada!”

American History

Let’s shift gears to something totally American. Williamsburg, Virginia, was everywhere. Aldik Artificial and Campania International are two companies partnering with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to reproduce historic looks and items for 2008. Aldik has a beautiful holiday theme true to Colonial Williamsburg. Classic topiaries and garlands festooned with oranges, lemons and limes created a dramatic statement. The citrus colors pulled people into the showroom and gave Williamsburg fresh appeal. Campania International also has a Williamsburg Collection that features cast stone pieces that embody timeless tradition with relevance for today’s garden.

The resurgence of historic style seems to be the trend this year. Napa Home and Garden follows suit with a line of Faux Bois pieces by Richard Taylor. The craft of creating garden accessories to imitate wood was popular in the late 19th century up until the 1940s. The art disappeared mostly because the masters of the discipline disappeared. The craft has been reborn, and once again enchanting Faux Bois pieces are available.

Off in the Woods

Woodland colors of mossy green and brown, popped with white, were the fashion forward choices for late 2008. Scheurich’s Botanical line features colors they call Muscade, Olive Green and Glossy Cream. The line will be available mid May. It is always reassuring to see other segments of the industry in step with Scheurich. K&K Interiors showed a fall vignette that featured white sunflowers and birch branches. Very showy.

There's Always a Failsafe

There is one failsafe rule to finding the “sure thing” at market: Go where the women are! There was no better example of this than the Round Top Booth in Building Three. Opening day of the Temporary Show, people waited in line for over two hours to place an order. The Round Top phenomenon is worth mentioning for several reasons. In less than perfect economic times, it’s still possible to enjoy great success. The Round Top Collection is proof that if you offer the right product and pair it with a sound strategy, they will come. An hour before the show opened on Saturday, we were in line. I had a chance to talk to Jeff Krause, the artist and founder, and he wanted to make sure his customers understood how much their patience and loyalty are appreciated. It was a nice chat about the humble beginnings of his business, and it was one of those reaffirming moments. Jeff knows if you treat your customer right and have product they want, you’ll be rewarded no matter what the economic climate. Go to www.thertc.com for great metal accessories for home and garden.

Nancy Durand is president of Durand and Associates and also works as the buyer and merchandiser for Tonkadale Greenhouse, Minnetonka, Minnesota. She can be reached at nancy@durand-associates.com, or visit her website at www.durand-associates.com.