FURNITURE & DESIGN BRIEFS

Lowell brings designs to DirectBuy

Renowned interior design, author and Emmy Award-winning television host Christopher Lowell will develop a line of full kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms especially for DirectBuy, a members-only showroom and home-design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices.

Lowell will create 12 room settings using his "seven layers of design" that will be showcased at more than 130 DirectBuy locations throughout the United States and Canada, including Las Vegas. Lowell created his layered design process to keep homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed. It has since become a proven, world-renowned approach to home décor.

"I share DirectBuy's passion for helping people improve their homes without emptying their bank accounts," Lowell said. "With the flexibility to design 12 different rooms with DirectBuy's unmatched array of merchandise, I was able to create design solutions that will appeal to almost any homeowner."

Since the fall 1996 launch of "Interior Motives with Christopher Lowell," Lowell's engaging personality and attractive, cost-effective decorating solutions have made him one of the country's most prominent designers. He is the Emmy Award-winning host of "It's Christopher Lowell!" and "The Christopher Lowell Show," as well as the author of several interior decorating books.

Members of DirectBuy have access to thousands of items from more than 700 top manufacturers at showrooms in the United States and 500 top manufacturers at showrooms in Canada.

Lauren, JCPenney to launch lifestyle line

Polo Ralph Lauren's Global Brands Concepts is teaming with JCPenney to launch American Living, a new lifestyle brand created exclusively for the retailer.

The launch will be the largest in JCPenney's history and will include a full range of merchandise for women, men and children, as well as intimate apparel, accessories and home. American Living will be available beginning in spring 2008.

"American Living will be an exciting new lifestyle brand for JCPenney, offering America's families inspiring style and great quality at smart prices," said Myron Ullman III, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are enthusiastic about working with Global Brand Concepts to bring American Living to our customers. For 40 years, Polo Ralph Lauren has been the leader in developing compelling lifestyle brands and we believe American Living will be an outstanding reflection of that talent and vision."

American Living is the first brand being created by Global Brand Concepts, a new group formed within the Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. earlier this year.