This week, a new proposed ordinance in Los Angeles County means aspiring home chefs will soon be able to upgrade to kitchens that can handle restaurant-level operations. Stay informed with our weekly roundup of news, launches, events, recommended reading and more.
Business news
Earlier this year, news broke that Amazon is planning a new e-commerce site with discount items shipped directly from China, designed to compete with low-cost competitors like Temu and Shein. According to GizmodoThis week, new reports revealed that Amazon will set price caps on certain products on its new website, including $9 for bedding and just $20 for sofas. In the case of other e-commerce giants, offering goods directly from China at extremely low prices often comes at a cost, often involving exploitative labor practices and resulting in flimsy, low-quality products.
In less than two weeks, billionaire landlord Charles Cohen of Cohen Brothers Realty is expected to see several of his company’s properties — including the Design Center of the Americas — go to auction in a $534 million foreclosure sale led from lender Fortress Investment Group. If The real deal If the auction fails to pay the full amount owed to Cohen, Fortress could potentially file a claim against Cohen Realty for the remainder, although the company itself appears to be in serious trouble. According to newly released court documents, a January audit showed that Cohen Realty lost $22.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and recorded negative equity of $502.5 million in a possible precursor to a bankruptcy filing. Based on the numbers, the audit indicated “substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” Elsewhere, a new statement from the ongoing legal proceedings revealed that Cohen’s assets tied to his debts – a portfolio that includes the DCOTA – are operating at a combined net loss of $42 million. Until the auction takes place on November 8, the possibility remains that Cohen and Fortress could settle the foreclosure case. Neither has responded The real deal‘s request for comment.
A non-profit data protection organization has filed a complaint against Pinterest, claiming that the platform tracks users in Europe and uses their personal data for targeted advertising. Agence France Presse reports. The Austria-based advocacy group, called None Of Your Business, claimed in a statement that Pinterest users are automatically opted into data sharing — a practice that violates European Union privacy laws and allows the social media platform “to unlawfully benefit from personal data without ever knowing about it.” A Pinterest spokesperson said the company has not yet seen the complaint and that its targeted advertising strategy complies with European regulations.
Williams-Sonoma is facing its third false advertising lawsuit this year. This class action lawsuit was filed in a California federal court after a customer alleged that the retailer falsely advertised free shipping for its Rejuvenation subsidiary on its website. According to Top class actionsthe plaintiff, Dimitri Kermani, purchased an item on Rejuvenation’s site during a “Free Shipping Sitewide” promotion and was subsequently charged $159 in shipping charges, which he later learned was due to a weight restriction . Now Kermani and his lawyers are trying to represent consumers who were charged similar fees. The lawsuit comes just two months after Williams-Sonoma was sued by Crypton for allegedly using its trademarks to falsely advertise Pottery Barn furniture, and six months after being fined $3.2 million for falsely advertising products as ‘Made in the USA’.
US textile recycling startup Circ has struck a deal with Indian company Birla Cellulose – one of the world’s largest producers of fibers used in clothing and home textiles – that could accelerate the commercial use of recycled fabrics. Vogue Business reports. Through the partnership, Birla Cellulose will purchase a minimum of 5,000 tons of pulp per year from Circ’s recycling facility over the next five years and then convert the material into fiber that apparel brands can purchase. Following last year’s bankruptcy news of US recycling startup Renewcell (previously one of the industry leaders when it comes to scaling up textile recycling), the collaboration between Birla and Circ could mark the start of the first wave of recycled textiles coming to the mass is brought. market.
This spring, beleaguered e-commerce site Burke Decor was sued by DTC lender Ampla for alleged breach of contract and “fraudulent misrepresentations” made by founder Erin Burke. The case has already had a few twists — this summer, Burke filed for personal bankruptcy, removing herself as a defendant — and now there’s another: Ampla has dropped its lawsuit (at least temporarily). This move follows a court order seeking clarification on a jurisdictional issue, at least suggesting the possibility of the lender withdrawing on a legal technicality, and the case was dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning you are free to file a new lawsuit on similar claims. In a Facebook group dedicated to Burke Decor’s rejected shoppers, customers continue to share stories of missing products, in addition to stories of occasional refunds, sometimes in the form of a direct Zelle payment.
Launches and collaborations
Artistic Tile enlisted designer Ryan Saghian to create a new pattern, Metamorphosis. The design began as Saghian’s original artwork, which was then refined using AI technology into a final product featuring pieces of copper and stone in a geometric mosaic design.
Home decor brand June St. George has unveiled The Eloise Collection, inspired by Eloise on the Plazain time for the 70th anniversary of the beloved children’s book. The resulting collection includes cushions, rugs, pet beds and blankets, all decorated with motifs from the Eloise books – the brainchild of writer Kay Thompson and illustrator Hilary Knight – including taxis, bows and checkerboard patterns.
Milan-based design fair Salone del Mobile will expand its presence in China in November with two upcoming events. In the first, Salone will collaborate with the West Bund Art & Design fair in Shanghai from November 8 to 10, featuring a performative installation by artist Matilde Cassani; the second will feature the debut of the exhibition “SaloneSatellite Permanent Collection 1998–2024” from November 11 to 21 at the Arts Pavilion in Hong Kong.
Home textiles maker Coyuchi has welcomed actress Naomi Watts as its first brand ambassador. To celebrate the collaboration’s debut, Watts has curated a selection of items from the brand that reflect her own interest in healthy and sustainable living.
Showroom representation
West Hollywood, California-based design gallery Mogul now represents the work of Italian design duo Barberini & Gunnell. Founded by architects and designers Francesco Barberini and Nina A. Gunnell, the company specializes in sculptural collectibles, often using striking materials such as mirror-polished steel and quartzite to create highly reflective tables, chairs and works of art.
Recommended reading
Although the male population has long dominated the DIY renovation stage, a growing online community is trying to improve these standards. For The New York TimesAnnemarie Conte explores the growing number of social media influencers, Facebook groups and in-person workshops encouraging women and gender non-conforming DIYers to dive into the rugged side of design, by offering resources aimed at woodworking, welding and home construction.
On a side of social media known as “FlipTok,” TikTok content creators are racking up views for videos in which they purchase vintage furniture and customize the pieces to suit their modern tastes — a process that in some cases is causing outrage among users who question the sanctity of antiques (or simply find the renovation choices of the flippers tasteless). For Elle DecorStacia Datskovska surveys designers, content creators and furniture experts on where to draw the line when it comes to furniture flipping.
In recent years, major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco have introduced mansion taxes, a scheme that typically involves a one-time fee on high-value real estate transactions, drawing opposition from real estate professionals who fear the practice will restrict housing development. sale of real estate. In The Wall Street JournalCandace Taylor examines the impact these taxes have had, including how the funds raised through such measures have been used to address local housing issues.
Let’s hear the applause
The International Society of Furniture Designers has announced the winners of the 2024 Pinnacle Awards, honoring professional home furnishings and textile designers and students who demonstrate artistry, craft and innovation in the pieces they bring to market. For the full list of winners, featuring brands such as Bernhardt Furniture, Currey & Company and Kravet in the categories of furniture, home textiles, flooring, decorative accessories and more, click here.
