FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEFS

Serena & Lily, which specializes in upscale wares and linens for children, has partnered with Baby Buggy to collect gently used crib bumpers for the New York-based charity’s Project Safe Sleep.

The project is part of newly launched Gently Loved, the company’s philanthropic partnership with the nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing families in need with essential equipment, clothing and products for their infants and young children. The online program will allow visitors to the retailer’s Web site the opportunity to donate their gently used crib bumpers.

With any purchase of $250 or more, parents will become eligible to participate in the program. Serena & Lily will then send them a prepaid UPS label addressed to Baby Buggy, along with instructions on how to send the gently used bumper. Once Baby Buggy receives the bumper, parents will receive a $100 gift certificate, which is good toward any purchase on the retailer’s Web site.

In 2005, with a 200 percent increase in infant fatalities attributed to infants sleeping in unsafe places, Baby Buggy started Project Safe Sleep and began donating cribs and bassinets so that many of these unnecessary deaths could be prevented. Through partnerships with local hospitals, the organization has donated more than 3,000 cribs and bassinets to families.

“It is with great pleasure that we support Baby Buggy’s efforts to help protect infants in need, and we know that our customers will be proud to participate as well,” said Lily Kanter, co-founder of Serena & Lily. “We are dedicated to continuing our company’s social mission of giving back and by the end of 2007, Serena & Lily has pledged to donate over 3,000 new crib sheets by incorporating fabric overruns and extras to Project Safe Sleep.”

To participate in the Gently Loved program, visit www.serenaandlily.com.

Pottery unveils new tile design tool

California Pottery & Tile Works recently unveiled Tile Painter 2.0, a proprietary online design tool that combines modern technology with the ancient craft of ceramics.

The tool allows users to capture the essence of Old-World tile making or invent a 21st century interpretation of classic Malibu-inspired tiles. It provides design professionals and their clients with the opportunity to create custom tile designs.

“Customization is a key aspect of our business model,” said Sean McLean, founder of California Pottery & Tile Works.

McLean originally created the concept for Tile Painter in 1995. The online, user-friendly program debuted in 2001.

“Tile Painter 2.0 is the true definition of what I imagined as an online tile designer,” McLean adds about the highly integrated features, easy-to-use applications, user-friendly navigation and interactive tutorial program.

The program allows design professionals to lay out their original ceramic visions in full color and provides visuals of finished products for clients before ordering strike-offs and prior to order fulfillment. Additionally, the program will help the manufacturer ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget with minimal or no change orders.

California Pottery & Tile Works is a full-service custom manufacturer with on-site artisans. Projects include new, restorative and decorative architectural ceramics for custom residential, commercial and hospitality murals, flooring, pools, fountains and more for celebrity homes and places such as the MGM Grand Mansions, Wynn Las Vegas, California Well-Being Institute, Ablitt House in Santa Barbara’s historic district, and city of Camarillo library.

For more information, visit www.calpot.com or call 323-235-4151.