Ethan Allen Global, Inc.

The Rising Star Spirit Award recognizes Ethan Allen designers who exhibit outstanding sales performance and superior client service during their first two years at Ethan Allen—in other words, designers recognized as particularly outstanding additions to their teams.     Here's what their leaders had to say about them—    “Whether creating the perfect space for her clients or acting as a mentor to her coworkers, Caroline brings out the best in everyone she works with.”      “Martin’s personalized service has led to many referrals from satisfied clients. He has an exceptional knack for quickly adapting to clients’ personalities and building a strong rapport.”     “During the consultative process, with confidence and skill, Dana educates clients on what a true designer can do, while her exceptional work always impresses.”     We’re so looking forward to what each of these designers accomplishes as their careers unfold at Ethan Allen! 

Nothing epitomizes our commitment to sustainable manufacturing like the Quincy bed, one of our most beloved pieces of furniture. It all begins in Beecher Falls, Vermont, with logs that we source from responsibly managed Appalachian forests, and keep wet with low-flow sprinklers to conserve water. Logs are milled, then the lumber is dried in kilns heated with recycled wood chips and sawdust—all in a facility that uses energy-efficient lighting. Once it’s ready, the lumber takes a short trip to Orleans, Vermont, a factory that hasn’t burned #4 fuel oil in more than a decade. After the furniture is fashioned, its finish is applied using low-HAP, low-VOC compounds for a healthier home. Happy Earth Day from Ethan Allen. 🌳🌎💚

Could you tell these images were 3D renders when you looked at them? Probably not! That’s how good Traci Duva is at making them, and how she earned her Spirit Award.     When a client from Chicago contacted her via email about a condo they’d purchased on Amelia Island, Traci found the architectural plans online and drafted a 3D rendering almost immediately.     She knew her client would spend a lot of time on their patio, so she set up living and dining areas beneath the room and chaises near the railing where they could enjoy full sun. A lowcountry coastal palette—blues, whites, and mossy greens—tied the patio to the home’s interior.      In her 3D plans, Traci decorates every shelf, adds realistic backgrounds, and even incorporates the client’s rugs and artwork. “Clients think it's cool,” she says, “how real the 3D plan looks.”

It's a special thing to have your design be voted #1 by your fellow Ethan Allen designers. Jennifer Donovan's gorgeous formal dining room, designed primarily via email for a client whose main home is in Chicago, earned this year's prize.     "I loved doing a dining room that had defined walls, where I could really do a dedicated and special design with wallpaper and all of the jewelry," Jennifer said. "The room needed drama; a large-scale patterned wallpaper was obvious choice for the highest impact." Also dramatic is the room's moody palette, which Jennifer noted was balanced by both natural light and beautiful overhead lighting—"who doesn't want to dine by romantic fractals of light through a beautiful crystal chandelier?" And the final dramatic touch: "The large heron picture was the cherry on top!" 

We invite you to read the recent profile of our Chairman and CEO, Farooq Kathwari, from the latest edition of LEADERS magazine. In the interview, he discusses Ethan Allen's rebranding as the Interior Design Destination, which included a reimagining of our Design Centers and an increased emphasis on technology. He also shared his insights on the keys to effective leadership—and the leadership win he celebrates most. https://lnkd.in/ecnTzHJ6

"I wanted to create a clean and modern working space for my client to enjoy for many years," says Mark McIntyre of Canton, CT, about his Spirit Award-winning home office. "I chose the wall color because darker tones of green can make rooms feel soothing and relaxing. My client spends a lot of time in this space working, so I wanted that sense of calm."    Mark says that functionality also plays a huge role in a home office. "Layered lighting such as task lighting, natural light, overhead lighting, and floor lighting affect one's mood and also the functionality of the space." Another key to his design: a place to unwind. "I think every office needs a cozy chair—this is a must!"

Our Burlington, Massachusetts, Design Center recently hosted a Dogs & Décor event in partnership with Great Dog Rescue New England and Boston Barkery. Guests brought their own dogs in costume to walk the red carpet for puparazzi photos and got great designer tips on creating pet-friendly homes, and the best news of all—5 rescues found new furever homes.

After a client contacted Ethan Allen designer Peter Balistreri about creating her family’s home, he sent her a series of images from Houzz and a fabric selection that she fell in love with.      He then recommended adding shiplap to the living room’s cathedral ceiling and suggested a large black chandelier to balance out her media cabinet. “My favorite thing about this design was how the various components of the room, including the architectural ceiling, worked in creating the final coastal cottage environment.”

After a major life change, a client Deena Doherty had known for a long time bought a smaller place and needed help making it feel like her own. To turn this downsize project into a Spirit Award-winning home, Deena took inspiration from the turquoise pool tiles, creating a unified palette of turquoise, black, and white in the poolhouse and in the home itself.   “What separates Ethan Allen from other places is the variety of outdoor fabrics we have; we can even offer customizations like contrast welt,” she says. “Designers at Ethan Allen are of a high caliber; clients know we’re more than salespeople, and that they’re in good hands.”

“Your career is like a garden. It can hold an assortment of life’s energy that yields a bounty for you. You do not need to grow just one thing in your garden. You do not need to do just one thing in your career.” —Jennifer Ritchie Payette We hope this International Women's Day finds you designing a bright and beautiful future for yourself—and if you've ever envisioned a future at Ethan Allen, explore our Careers page to find opportunities near you. https://lnkd.in/e-cW3U3M