Ultimate Accents Vice President Ray Steele went to the Cebu furniture market in the Philippines for the first time this past February. He was amazed by what he saw.

While there, he took photo after photo of goods with mixed-media elements ranging from abaca and coco sticks to sea grass, shells and stone. It’s the type of creativity he would love to add to his own occasional line. The photos are a reference — and a reminder — that eventually could result in those manufacturers producing something for his company.

But what struck Steele more than anything was that he hadn’t seen or heard much from the Philippine manufacturers. For years, his company has concentrated on China, which has been a reliable source for its hand-painted chests, vanity sinks and othe...Read More

On May 7, High Point University held its commencement ceremony for about 650 undergraduate and graduate students, including 16 in the home furnishings marketing and interior design programs.

For that special occasion, University President Nido Qubein landed former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as the guest speaker. As you recall, Giuliani was in office during the events of Sept. 11, 2001. His ensuing leadership propelled him into the national spotlight. He has since written a popular book called "Leadership" and even has been considered a candidate for higher office.

Giuliani was at HPU to talk about leadership and inspire his audience. In this respect, he was very approachable, and his speech made you laugh and think at the same time. That said, it gave important lessons to the graduates, many of whom face challenges and opportunities i...Read More