A celebrity putting their name on a product makes no difference to me. I view it the same as a prostitute selling themself for money.

A famous name to me is a licensing agreement. If they are famous in another context (other than design), I would be no more likely to buy it. If it is a famous name within design (Thomas O'Brien, Martha Stewart) I may be more likely to sort through all the offerings, but no more likely to buy it than if I liked it at random.

Not likely to buy a rug associated with a collection of furniture. I am not likely to buy multiple pieces in any collection because there is no challenge in that, other people are going to have the same "look" if they do so, and I think that things presented in collections go together too well for my particular esthetic.

I may look at a rug because it has a designer's name that I really like name on it but I definately wouldn't look at say a Vera Wang rug because that would be down right silly!

I buy rugs based on my needs in color, size and type. That is hard enough to find without worrying about if it has a designer name.

I forgot to add that in some cases the name may make it less likely for me to look at something.

If rugs are grouped by collection I would skip "The Olson Twins Collection" for example.

This is a lighting example, but as much as a generally admire Candice Olson, I generally find her lighting style: transitional and crystalled, a bit too foo and glitzy for my taste. If a site has it grouped by name, I would skip it unless I had a lot of time.

I don't buy anything just because it has a designer's name on it. That includes clothing, purses, paint, perfume, etc. I purchase what is good quality and visually pleasing.

A home decor designer's name might make me more interested - any other celebrity might make me take notice, but neither one would really influence the decision to buy.

The fact that items come in a collection may be convenient for some people, and perhaps is a jumping off point in seeing what things might work together. However, I would not be inclined to buy a 'collection' of anything.

Well, maybe chocolate...

Like Pal, I would take a look at collections from designers whose look I am familiar with and already know I am drawn to...like Martha or Thomas. Many of the other so-called celebrity designers these days are TV people and they just don't register on my meter. But, I am weird...I have never once seen Candace Olsen on TV and probably wouldn't even recognize most of the "famous" names.

I did buy some wall-to-wall for a couple of rooms and loved a particular celebrity brand, though I can't remember the name right now. The colors were clear and the textures had a more up-to-date feeling, so though I perused the entire store, I did find myself returning to these couple of displays repeatedly. If I were to buy w-t-w again, I would certainly start there, confident that the range would probably satisfy my needs.

I would never buy a branded rug with furniture because my style is collected and therefore it's already too late for me! Most of my rugs are OOAK tribals. Sorry Martha! Rug matching furniture sounds a little like Rooms-To-Go. But, that is what lots of people like and I think it might offer some sense of comfort...that everything will match! (shudder)

A celebrity name would not push me to buy a rug, but like others stated, I might look at a collection if the name was one I was familiar with and admired. I would most likely not buy a rug w/ a furniture purchase just because it was displayed with it.

I think most answers on this forum would be no to both questions, because most posters on this forum take decorating as an art form. As such they tend to collect individual pieces. The average joe/jill might buy a rug displayed with furniture. That's why so many living room "sets" consisting of a sofa, loveseat, chair, coffee table, 2 end tables, and lamps are sold.(ugh)

I was going to reply the same as everyone else until I read their replies. I admit it: I would give a second look at anything Candice Olson put her name on. And a Vera Wang rug.

But I would not be impressed by seeing Thomas Kinkaid or Kathy Ireland on an item.

That's it!!! Kathy Ireland (who I discovered a few years ago IS NOT Kathryn Ireland....boy, if I were Kathryn, I'd be so pissed!) I just love the "real" Kathryn's look.

It was Kathy for Shaw and I loved all the color. Okay, I just googled her....maybe I am missing something....but she looks like a Sport's Illustrated swimsuit model. Whaa???

Thomas Kinkaid just scares me...a lot!

To me, "celebs" are fashion or movie stars. Their name(s) on a rug collection would make me less interested. I probably wouldn't click on them. Jane Seymour and Cindy Crawford, for examples.

Martha Stewart, Joe Ruggiero, Todd Oldham - more likely to click, not likely to buy unless it is exactly what I am looking for. I lumped Martha in with designers since she is not an actress and everything she does involves being creative.

If an interior designer has his/her name on rugs -- I MIGHT take a look ..... but my buying decision would be based on the rug quality and price -- and whether or not it would work in my own decor! :)

So many so-called "celebrities" in any line of work are simply greedy and put their names on anything or everything .... even in the design world I often wonder IF they actually USE their own products ......!!

Of course -- IF you do sell interior designer or decorator items -- it helps the customer to show photos of rooms decorated by that person .... or their decor books etc.

Jan

I did use a Jane Seymour lamp on a project. I was really surprised when I saw the tag on it, after it was delivered It was not what I would have expected

Often I am surprised that the celebrity "designer" stuff doesnt really look different than anything else in that price point so I am not sure what sets it apart other than the name.

I know that Pierre Cardin opened himself to a lot of criticism by licensing his name to everything in the 60s and 70s but at least it all had an identity.

If I saw Candace's name I'd take a second look, if I saw Cindy Crawford, I'd keep walking. That is based on quality not necessarily style.

Agree with brutuses~hi Patsy ;o). The run-of-the-mill Hollywood celebs aren't going to make me run out and buy something unless I absolutely in love with it. However, Christopher Lowell's line of homegoods/paint is worth taking a look at, as his prices are reasonable. Candace Olsen would definitely get a look-see by me. ;o)

If it is a designer I had heard of before and liked. It might make me more intersted. A celeb, probably the opposite! :)

1) Does a famous name represent quality to you or is it merely a style?

I avoid anything with a famous celebrity name attached to it. I never buy anything where name is front and center on any item such as clothes nor would I buy any item that looks like it might be a copy of something famous. If they want me to advertise their products, they can pay me to be a bill board. LOL Like most here I look for quality, value and style that meets my needs. However I think that a survey of posters here probably doesn't represent the average shopper who are attracted because they feel it's safe or perceive that the item has more value.

I will look at and consider purchasing something which was designed by a designer who is known for their work in that field or a related one. For example, I appreciate Jonathan Adler's ceramics and I've seen his pillows and bed linens. I would be inclined to look at any rug he designed. I wouldn't purchase it just for his name, it would be judged with the same criteria I use for a non-designer, non-celebrity rug.

When a designer attaches their name to a wide array of products then I put them into the celebrity category. They probably didn't even see the item. Decisions are made by the business owners and their concern is with the revenues generated. In these cases often there isn't a rhyme or reason for the name attached because the styles and quality can be all over the place.

Martha Stewart has her name on tons of stuff in Macy's that have been around for years. MS Macy's bundt pans can be bought without her name elsewhere for less - what does that say about the value attached to her name? She had nothing to do with their design or manufacturing.

2) Are you more apt to purchase a rug that is presented with the furnitue collection so you don't have to shop for one?

No. Many people who aren't interested in decorating are very happy to buy everything that co-ordinates. It is easier and less stressful for someone who has no interest in decorating.

LOL Les, I love your comment about a box of matched chocolates.

Sky

As others have stated, if it were a designer that I admired who had attached their name to products, I might be inclined to at least take a look. I might be slightly more inclined to believe that the quality would be above average, but only looking and feeling for myself would confirm or refute that initial thought. I certainly wouldn't buy something based solely on a Candace Olson (for example) endorsement though.

As for Kathy Ireland, here's some info on her:

Starting in 1984, Ireland was featured in the annual Swimsuit Issue an extraordinary dozen times before her final appearance in 1996. In addition to her long tenure within the pages, Ireland appeared on the cover of the annual issue three times, a feat tied by Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs and surpassed only by Elle Macpherson. Ireland was the cover model for the first time on the 25th Anniversary Swimsuit Edition, which became SI's best selling swimsuit issue to date. She returned to the cover in 1992, and in 1994. In her third appearance, she was accompanied by Rachel Hunter and Elle Macpherson; notably, both Hunter and Ireland were pregnant at the time.

Ireland has appeared in a small number of television and movie roles. Her first movie, 1988's Alien from L.A., was later skewered during the fifth season of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Ireland also appeared in Melrose Place, Side Out, Mr. Destiny, Loaded Weapon 1, Once Upon A Christmas,Twice Upon A Christmas,Mom and Dad Save the World and Necessary Roughness.

In 1993, Ireland put her name on a line of socks. After they proved a best-seller for Kmart, the retailer gave Ireland her own clothing line. Ireland then founded Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a brand product marketing company in which she holds a majority stake. By 2004, Ireland was marketing products from 16 manufacturers, primarily those of Standard Furniture. Ireland's long-term exclusive contract with the K-mart Corporation lasted until 2003, after which the company contracted with thousands of independent mid-tier retail stores for distribution. By 2005, KIWW products were sold at over 50,000 locations in 15 countries, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in retail sales. Ireland's annual take is thought to be around $10 million, which has prompted Forbes to name her the "prototype for model-turned-mogul" in an article about the trend of modelpreneurs.

Since 1994, Ireland has published several fitness videos. In 2004, she authored Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons that Will Change Your Life, published by Random House. In the book, Ireland uses the Bible and her Christian faith to highlight her life story and beliefs.

I saw her home featured in a tv program several years ago, and it was gorgeous.

I dunno--I might be willing to buy the Brad Pitt bed if he was willing to test it with me.

But in general--celebrities not known for design should think twice before endorsing sheets, towels, furniture, etc.

No, I don't want to buy the rug in a room grouping.

2) Are you more apt to purchase a rug that is presented with the furnitue collection so you don't have to shop for one?

I forgot to answer this question! No, I'm not more apt to buy a rug presented with a furniture collection. Then again, I'm not apt to buy a furniture collection either, so perhaps the point is moot for me.

This is an interesting question. First, I don't have cable, so I've never watched HGTV and don't know many designers, but as a former subscriber to Home Magazine (now defunct), I am familiar with Candace Olsen and have to say that I think she's cookie cutter, predictable and way too faux glam.

Anyway, I actually think celeb endorsements can detract from the product. Take the Elextrolux models that anexoric Kelly Ripa pimps; really, are we supposed to think she washes her own clothes? Cooks dinner for her kids? Goes grocery shopping? Please. And Cindy Crawford, whom I don't detest (she's a public supporter of breastfeeding, so she's OK in my book), are we supposed to think she "designs" those fugly couches? Or that she has them in her house? Uhh, I think not.

But I am a cranky, old hick who doesn't have a designer anything and we don't have clothing, purses, etc., with designer names, logos, symbols, etc., on them, why give those people free advertising? Heck, I even tore the license place holder with the dealership name off of my car...

Now, to answer your question tryin2grow:

1. No, a famous name does not represent quality to me, I see it as a money grab from the celeb ($6mm woman hawking beds, anyone?).
2. No, I am not apt to buy a rug that is presented with a furniture collection, I am suspicious of sets and matchy-matchy.

sandyponder

No collections, no celeb buying anything. Would I look at something April Cornell designed? Yes. As I would for any home dec designer that I like. Mostly I look, then I try to figure out how I can create it myself in my style. I'm cheap I guess and I don't think mass produced items really fit my style.
Diane

Honestly, an item with a celeb's name attached would scare me away. I would think it would be a more mass-produced item, which I wouldn't want.

No collections for me either.

1) Does a famous name represent quality to you or is it merely a style?

A famous designer's name wouldn't stop me from looking at a product. But I would not assume that the product was of good quality--I'd need to check that for myself. The name of a famous person who was not a designer would make me pause--like texashottie, I'd assume that the line would be poor quality, mass-produced goods.

If I saw something I liked and then later realized it was a celebrity line, I would check and double-check before buying it to make sure it was good quality. And I might not buy it even then, because it might be embarrassing to admit that I bought [Famous Celebrity's] line of logo embossed things.

2) Are you more apt to purchase a rug that is presented with the furnitue collection so you don't have to shop for one?

I wouldn't. I tend to buy pieces one at a time, to coordinate with what I have, but not match it. On the other hand, I have friends who go into a furniture store and buy the sofa, the coffee table shown with it and the accessories on the coffee table, just because they like the look as it is put together in the store. So I'm sure that there are people who would like to see coordinated rugs available to go with their new furniture purchase.

FYI Sandy, Kelly Ripa does most of her own housework, cooking and child rearing. She's not a "typical" celeb in those areas. About her pimping out those Electorlux appliances. I own an Electrolux vacum and the new fridge but I didn't buy either because of Kelly, even though I think the commercials are cute. LOL

Kelly Ripa is anorexic? I don't think so! LOL! I think she looks amazing, and I'd love to have a toned body like that!

OK ... back to your regularly scheduled programming ...

I don't buy anything with a celeb name on it. I take it as a warning to stay away. At least I assume that the "name" belongs to a so called celebrity as I dont recognise many of them, who is Kelly Ripa? LOL

One more thing I wanted to add, Electrolux was around 80 or so years before Kelly Ripa was even thought of. LOL My grandma had an Electrolux vacum cleaner. Kelly is simply their spokesperson and they are not her "line" as with Lowell, Olsen, Madden, and others, who actually design and promote the product.

I was just laughing at how foolish Cindy Crawford looked yesterday. As she layed on her sofa's in her commericals with the wind machine blowing her hair. Gawd I would be embarrassed to do that, even if I did look like Cindy Crawford.

Meanwhile, she has the Obama's decorator do her house. I bet you she didn't use that crap she sells at, Rooms to Go in her house.

Just because someone makes 20 million to play make believe. Doesn't mean they know anything about furniture or decorating. So no, celeb's names don't mean anything to me on a product.

....Jane

newdawn, when I see her on that sofa my first thought is, doesn't she have millions of dollars? Why is she doing this cheesy commercial? I think some of these celebrities just have to have their face out there to be happy. In her case, her face being her business, this is most probably the case.

No, and no.
Thirty years ago, when the first wave of designer-labeled clothing was breaking over the market, a wonderful cartoon appeared in The New Yorker. A prosperous-looking older man in an elegant coat and hat is standing at a department store counter, where the clerk is holding up a shirt monogrammed "YSL," and he says, "If my mother and father had wanted to see Yves Saint Laurent's initials on my possessions, one supposes they would have named me Yves Saint Laurent."
My sentiments precisely.

Wow, thank you all so much for your feedback.

What prompted my question was finding that Donald Trump has a furniture line with Lexington and a coordinating area rug line with another mfg.

Which got me thinking along the lines of some of you...what does Donald Trump's name on furniture/rugs have to do with the quality?

The same furniture maker has an Arnold Palmer and Liz Claiborne line. Paula Deen has her name on a rug collection and the list goes on.

So, if you have heard of the person, many of you are saying the product may catch your eye, but in the end the name is not the motivating factor when it comes to the purchase.

There are true 'designers' that create area rugs but those weren't the names I was referring to. (Thanks Pal & nice to see you). It's the celeb endorsements that had me puzzled.

Very interesting!

Brutuses I couldn't agree more.

Oh my goodness, based on videos I have seen of his house, I would run in the opposite direction from anything with DT's name attached to it.

While I wouldn't buy anything due to the association with a celebs name, I would perhaps look at the item (which might lead to a purchase) if the name was associated with a higher level of taste.

For instance, I would run out of the store screaming if you were trying to get me to look at your "Jessica Simpson" rugs or your "Paris Hilton Carpet". Both scream overdone/tacky probably cheap and made in China to me.

But I wouldn't think twice about looking at the Vera Want selection or the Versace collection because a certain level of quality is implied via the association. They haven't tossed their name on much crap (unlike the above).

If I stumbled across a carpet I liked, and you told me it was a Simpson, I'd actually not buy it, because I just can't stand the broad LOL (I did this at Nordys when I found out a shoe I liked was one of hers) so to me a name can definately hurt an association.

No I wouldn't buy a carpet shown with a sitting in a show room. I might buy the carpet on it's own, but not with a group of things (to much of a kit). But I would say that 80% of my friends actually would just wrap up the whole kit, flooring included if you offered it, so given your market...perhaps those folks are the ones you should consider more than me :)

Well a Vera Wang MATTRESS? as an extension of the wedding, I suppose? Hmph.

Donald Trump: If you can get a hold of 80s early 90s New York Interiors--there is a spread on Donald Trumps' and Marla Maples' apartment. An odd combination of Vatican + Wh*rehouse.

A combination of Good and Evil, huh Palimpsest? I needed a good laugh tonight, how funny.

No to both questions. Names don't mean anything to me. Quality does. I wouldn't know most of them anyway except for Martha Stewart which I don't like her so I don't buy anything with her name on it good or not, I know there will always be something else similar that I could use instead. Obvious celebrity names that I would know like Cindy Crawford, Tori Spelling I stay away from the product because they don't have anything to do with its design, production or quality assurance. Its just a money deal for them. No thanks.

With that said, I think the older wiser generations understands that name doesn't equal quality but if you polled some younger people say twenty somethings you might get a different response. Young people today are all about the name brands quality or not. Of course their are some older people who are into that as well. So where that may work for some people it won't work for others.

I often thought about suggesting to GM or Ford or Crysler to get Paris Hilton to appear in their commerials. It might just get them out of trouble. Stranger things have happened, maybe. lol

Kids are influenced so easily. And parents want to do right by their kids, it might work reckon? lol

I'd buy one if it had T2G's name on it....otherwise, it's back to the junque shops for me ;^)

Ok I confess, I looked up Nate Burkus and bought some of his items. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeze forgive me :-)

I'm a contrarian. I tend to run the other way when I see a logo on the outside of a garment or accessory or a celebrity's name on a product. Same goes for things that are marketed together. Once in awhile I make an exception, but not often.

"Branding" products is *relatively* new. Not that celebs haven't touted products forever, but the names didn't used to be on anything and everything.

Doesn't mean a thing most of the time to us oldies. Most of this mass market stuff is made offshore and is not great quality. Sometimes it means prices are inflated IMO.

It does impress many of those who have grown up expecting this like my 30-something kids.

Luckygal, branding has been around for a very long time.

For example: Vernon and Irene Castle slapped their names on everything and anything you can imagine and stuff that you can't from candy to cigars, shoes, records etc. This was back in 1912. They were the pair that put ballroom dancing on the map and made it extremely popular. Irene set many fashions trends in her day including the incredibly ugly but very popular stove top hat and was one of the first to bob her hair setting off a new look for hair in the 1920's flapper. They owned nightclubs and dance studios. The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers dancing that we all recall fondly in their old movies was based on Vernon and Irene's innovations in dance.

My kids (aged 30 and 26) are not swayed by such nonsense and neither are their friends. I think there has always been (and always will be) people who feel safer purchasing something endorsed by a "name" and others who look for quality, value and style.

Sky

Here is a link that might be useful: wiki Vernon and Irene Castle

If you think about it. You work hard for you money and then give it to some celebrity for some lousy product they are selling. They get richer and spend another month in Aspen or Greece or wherever it is they go for weeks at a time. Yeah a great way to invest your hard earned cash... in someone elses never ending vacation. :I have no interest in helping them get yet another mansion or send their kids to college by purchasing their overpriced products. My motto get exactly what you want in life at the cheapest price possible. :)

Its silly really unless the product is top quality of which I am sure they are not the only ones with it, it can be found elsewhere. They memorize some lines for a movie or sing a song and for that I should give them some outrageous amount of my money for an item. Ha don't bet on it.