Get the Look: 5 Simple Steps
to a Complete Room Statement

November 22, 2011 Evergreen Enterprises, Inc. 0 Comments

Our newest 2012 Cape Craftsmen catalog is filled with beautiful and useful home decor accessories. In fact, we have a home decor solution for nearly any style or setting.

That said, we recognize that not everyone can immediately envision a combination of home furnishings such as furniture, wall decor, and other accessories that will blend together nicely to create a cohesive, harmonious focal point in a room. So here are 5 simple steps to help you "Get the Look."


1. Accent Furniture

For a rustic equine/country look, combine our Metal and Wood Hall Table, our Wooden Wall Mirror, our Metal Horse Table Decor, our Aqua and Brown Glass Vases, and our Set of 3 Nested Oval Handled Handwoven Baskets.

One of Cape’s mainstays over the years has been accent furniture such as hall tables and cabinets. We offer them in a variety of styles, materials, and finishes. Start with a statement piece of accent furniture to anchor your vignette. It will set the tone and act as a home base for staging additional items.

2. Wall Decor
The wall space over a table or cabinet is perfect opportunity to display a great-looking piece of wall decor. Cape Craftsmen offer a huge selection of wall decor, ranging from mirrors to canvas art to clocks to metal sculptures. Select a coordinating piece of art for visual statement or a matching mirror for additional function. Either way, you'll be adding an eye-level focal point on the wall over the furniture.

3. Tabletop Accessory

For an breezy coastal look, combine our Teal Wooden 6-Drawer Cabinet with Shells, our Beach Canvas Wall Art painted by Cooper Reed, our Set of 3 Frosted Globe Shell Lanterns, and our Blue Bubble Glass Vase.

Moving on to smaller accents, next choose a suitable tabletop accessory to sit on top of the furniture piece. These may include glass vases, wood sculptures, and more. Go for visual appeal and interest here, and don't worry too much about the function. Vases can even work well on display without any kind of botanicals.

4. Lighting Element
Every room can always use a little extra light for the evening hours, and the nothing beats the natural, warm glow of candle light. So next top off your combination with a unique lantern or candle holder to add a functional lighting element. Cape Craftsmen has been selling both lanterns and candleholders for years now, and we've got just the thing for any decor.


5. Floor Storage
Finally, don't forget the floor! Add extra storage or function with baskets or larger accent pieces like trunks or urns, either on a lower shelf or on the floor near the furniture. This gives you a great place to hold things like books, magazines, throws, or just some decorative trinkets. Sometimes the goal of additional storage can be accomplished through the furniture piece, by using a cabinet with doors or drawers.


As examples of the above 5 steps on how to set up an indoor room statement, take a look at the photos we’ve shown here. You don't necessarily have to complete all 5 exactly as we've described, but these should give you a good guideline on how to approach a home decor challenge. For our retail readers, these can also work as great in-store display solutions. Don't forget about the wall surface itself, as the right texture or paint color can make all the difference!

If you’re a retailer and want further examples and ideas, we encourage you to talk with your Territory Manager about how the right combination of Cape Craftsmen products can provide just look you’re searching for.

Shop our entire Cape Craftsmen product line using our full-featured Online Resource Center at www.myevergreen.com


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Behind the Business:
Evergreen's Exclusive Flag Artists

November 09, 2011 Evergreen Enterprises 0 Comments

Evergreen Enterprises has grown into one of the largest flag manufacturers and wholesalers in the world. In order to maintain our competitive edge, we make sure our flags, floormats, and mailbox covers use licensed art from world-class artists, often negotiating exclusive rights to their work. In order give you a deeper perspective into the people that help us create the products we sell, here is an overview of some of our most special artists.

David T. Sands
If you've been in the flag business for a while, you're probably already familiar with David Sands. He founded Toland Flags years ago and launched the first sublimated flag designs, and the Toland brand was a leader in the market for many years. Unfortunately, the business, based in New Orleans, was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and closed its doors six months later. David planned to retire but had too many ideas and too much passion for the industry. He worked with Encore to launch their Flag division in 2007, and now Evergreen has signed him exclusively to offer a David Sands design collection within our Evergreen Flag catalog.

David uses traditional painting techniques combined with a full array of digital resources, including the use of vintage fabrics, hand-painted textures and layering to create his trademark depth and complexity in finished designs. His first designs with Evergreen are shown in our recent October catalog which features mostly Coastal, Patriotic and True Summer. His entrepreneurial spirit, passion for the flag business, and artistic talent are great additions to Evergreen. Look for many more of David's designs, including new and beset sellers on future flags in the Evergreen portfolio.

David's wife Jill has been his partner in business for many years. An artist herself, her passion is trend. You can see her at http://www.TheTrendForecaster.com. You can also browse all of David's art collections at http://www.davidtsands.com.


Annie LaPoint
California artist Annie LaPoint began to draw and paint at an early age. In high school she loved her art classes. Annie received private art instruction as a teenager. After high school, she always stayed creative, drawing in pen and ink, working with wood, and arranging fresh and dried flowers.

In 1991, soon after the birth of her third child, Annie began to study the technique of watercolor at a local art league and today works exclusively in this medium. Her instructor’s focus was on painting landscapes, but from the very beginning all Annie wanted to paint were clay pots of ivy and flowers!

Her passion for gardening is reflected in all of her artwork. Annie is best known for her rich watercolors of mossy terracotta pots and urns filled with ivy topiaries, flowering bulbs, and blooms of all kinds.

Follow the Artistry of Annie LaPoint on Facebook.


Andrea Tachiera
Watercolor artist Andrea Tachiera’s fondest wish is to transport you from urban bustle to nature’s paradise. Through her designs for the home, gifts and stationery you can easily enter her world.

Currently licensing her illustrations to over 20 manufacturers, anyone seeking refuge from the daily grind need only turn to Tachiera’s various designs on products ranging from Garden flags and bank checks to Christmas ornaments and gift bags. Andrea’s illustrations have appeared on Children’s books for the Monterey Bay Aquarium as well as packaging for Gourmet Foods.

Andrea has always felt the pull of the natural world around her and translates her love of the outdoors into her paintings. She and her family are avid travelers and many of her designs are influenced by their family excursions across the US and abroad.

She currently lives in Northern California and works in a sunny studio overlooking the San Francisco Bay.


Nancy Mink
Nancy E. Mink knew as a child that she would someday be an artist. After a few decades as a civil engineer, her artistic dream was launched with a contract to provide home and garden magazine illustrations and eventually book illustrations. Soon after, Nancy’s artwork became licensed for a wide range of home décor, fabric collections and paper products.

Using multiple layers of watercolor washes, each stroke of saturated color from her brush reflects her love for nature and everyday home life. Nancy considers herself blessed to be a full-time artist in her rural Oregon studio while the wildlife outside her window beckons to become the next subject.

Read Nancy's blog here.


Jim Shore
The enormous popularity of award-winning artist Jim Shore is the result of a lifetime of dedication, inspiration and plain old hard work.

And as with most successful people, some good fortune has played a part as well. As Jim puts it, “Art is something I’ve done all my life. It’s what I’ve always loved and the only thing I ever wanted to do. But making a living as an artist isn’t easy. There are thousands of very talented people out there that never get a chance to show what they can do. I’ve been lucky. Not only do I get to do what I love, I get to share it with people around the world. I’ve been given a tremendous gift and I thank God for it every day.”

The magic of Jim’s design style is that it can be applied to a huge variety of themes and formats, creating a charming and innovative American country décor statement for the home.

He says, “My work is not a single statement, but a lot of elements mixed together. I use colors that I love – colonial, antiques, jewel tones and some unusual colors that I loved at the moment. Put together, it’s a pleasure to look at. It doesn’t really matter what item it’s on.”

Visit Jim Shore's official web site.


Evergreen Artists
Evergreen’s team of exclusive in-house artists is the creative force behind all of Evergreen’s non-licensed art. Inspired by the latest trends in home and outdoor décor, the Evergreen Creative Team uses their many talents to concept one of a kind designs. Creating concepts across all Flag categories, the in-house artists vary in their techniques from traditional painters to computer graphic designers. Their diversified educational backgrounds range from the Fine Arts to Industrial Design and bring an expanded vision to the Evergreen brand.

Every piece of art or item that the Creative Team designs is exclusive to Evergreen and is in turn exclusive to Evergreen’s customers.

Shop all of Evergreen's flag products online at www.myevergreen.com

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Home Highlights: New Product for Cape Craftsmen in 2012

November 02, 2011 Evergreen Enterprises 0 Comments

Prior to the last month's launch of our new Cape Craftsmen 2012 catalog, it had been a full year since we had last comprehensively updated the entire line with new product and new collections. We're really pleased with the way our newest Cape Craftsmen product release of over 230 new items came together, as perhaps the most extensive update to our home furnishing division in quite a while. Below are some key highlights in 3 distinct areas of expansion.

1. Gorgeous Glass

New for next year, we have greatly increased our use of glass in home decor accents. This is most obvious in our selection of glass vases, which include several hand-blown and large pieces in a range of colors that work with many themes from coastal to rustic. Most of our new glass pieces can serve as either vases or candleholders, and many are stunning enough just to be shown by themselves. Our new glass cloches can be used to cultivate plants, showcase collectibles, or cover food for entertainment as they display lovely artwork on the outside.

You'll also find plenty of glass that's beautifully combined with metal in our glass and metal wall and table decor. These items use colored and sculpted glass sections on a painted metal frame to create vivid statements. We've widely expanded our offering of colorful and detailed glass and metal wall art, and the collection now features all different sizes and price points and subject matter, from leaves to frogs to butterflies to sea life to crosses to lodge. Based on the success of the fish lamp from last May's catalog, we've added 11 new glass and metal lamp designs in unique shapes that can also be used as outdoor yard art if the the internal lamp component is removed.

2. Captivating Canvas

Stretched canvas wall art has long been a popular element of the Cape Craftsmen product line. This year we are proud to introduce 3 new variations on the canvas theme—framed canvas, outdoor canvas, and linen canvas.

Framed Canvas is a classy addition to our wide selection of wall art options. We’ve taken several of our most popular wall canvases and added a stylish floater frame to showcase the art for a more polished look and feel. The frame sits behind the canvas to give a nice dimension and depth.

Outdoor Canvas is a unique garden item that can enhance any outdoor living area. Prints are on 100% organic cotton all-weather canvas. The giclée printing process provides vibrant color accuracy using plant-based inks. This canvas is stretched and gallery wrapped on a 1.5" thick stretcher bar comprised of a “green” technology that combines the integrity and structure of wood with a eco-friendly binding agent. Our outdoor canvas is then treated with UV lacquer on the front and back that will prevent the vivid color from fading for years to come. Prints are 100% waterproof and use only stainless steel staples to prevent rust. Special mounting hardware is included for outdoor use, which will prevent prints from blowing away in winds up to 60 mph. This eco-friendly wall decor can be used indoors too!

We are also excited to introduce a collection of stretched canvas using linen fabric. Elegant in its own way, the textural finish of linen adds tactile interest to our wall canvas and when combined with great art it's a easy way to accessorize a room. Look close and you’ll even notice some pieces have gold overpaint giving it a gilded look. The neutral linen fabric adds a unique touch that makes a piece of art look seemingly antique like a one-of-a-kind find from a estate sale! The linen texture itself adds visual interest, while the gold overpaint adds an antique accent.

3. Flexible Furniture

Accent furniture, such as tables, has always been a core strength of the Cape Craftmen product offering. This coming year, we will introduce several new pieces that demonstrate delightful diversity.

Our new demilune (French for "half-moon") tables are a great addition to a hall or foyer. Their straight back fits flush against a wall while their curved front extends softly into the room. Make sure to check out all of our new demilune tables, including our on-trend blue and green painted wooden table, our painted metal teal and white fish table, and our urban-styled, glass-topped metal bicycle-spoke table (shown at left). All of them will work perfectly to anchor an indoor decor statement in a variety of different themes.

For those who prefer a look of strength over grace and elegance, be sure to notice the girthy pieces in our Rustic Charm collection. The wall mirror, 4-tier etagere, and both small table and large table all feature thick, solid wood storage surfaces and heavy, sturdy metal frames and handles.

As part of our new extension into outdoor garden decor, we offer several large painted metal pieces that are perfect for patio use. You'll find benches, plant displays (many of which fold flat for easy packing) including terrariums, and some metal planters in a variety of finishes, including bright red, verdi green, and a gray vintage look.

Finally, don't miss the new blue and white wooden 2-door cabinet in our Regal Coastal collection. Remember that blue is not just for coastal situations; it's also great for everyday use to communicate a calm, elegant look.



Shop the entire Cape Craftsmen product line on our web site at www.myevergreen.com

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