Item Description
All artwork may have nicks, rips, marks, stains, divots, waviness, creases, and/or scratches.
And the backing paper may have tears.
Home Interiors and Gifts was a direct sales company specializing in decorating accessories, which were sold by more than 140,000 representatives through home parties in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Highland Capital Management later owned a majority interest in the company.
Mary Crowley founded Home Interiors on December 5, 1957. Its product lines included artificial flowers, candles, framed artwork, mirrors, sconces, small furniture, and shelves. The company bought many of its products from its own manufacturing subsidiaries such as Laredo Candle Company. Her son, Don Carter, joined her in managing the business.
By 1982 Home Interiors had a sales force of 38,000 and gross sales of over $400 million. By 1984 the stated figures were $450 million in sales by a sales force of 39,000, mostly women, who sell door to door and at parties where women socialized as they bought "figurines" and other home decorations.
Home Interiors under Crowley's leadership had a charismatic culture that was conservative, Christian, individualistic, and featured self-help rhetoric; the company promoted the fact that it offered women flexible working schedules, membership in an enthusiastic community of saleswomen, and income.
In 1994, Home Interiors and Gifts was sold to the investment firm of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in a $1 billion leveraged buyout. The company sold more than $850 million annually in silk and polyester flower arrangements, porcelain puppies and other decorative household items at home parties.
The company announced on April 29, 2008, that it and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code for the Northern District of Texas (filing number 08-31961) in order to re-align the Company's business operations and restructure its debt. The Company intends to work with its constituencies to exit bankruptcy as expeditiously as possible, while executing on its reorganization plans. In addition to the Company, Dallas Woodcraft Company, LLC, Laredo Candle Company, LLC, HIG Holdings, LLC, Titan Sourcing, LLC, DWC GP, LLC and Home Interiors de Puerto Rico, Inc., filed voluntary petitions. Home Interiors' Mexican and Canadian subsidiaries as well as Domistyle, Inc. were not a part of the filing.
After bankruptcy Home Interiors was bought by Penny and Steve Carlile, the owners and founders of Home & Garden Party founded in 1996. They merged the two companies renaming it Celebrating Home and it continues to operate from Home and Garden Party's headquarters in Marshall, TX. After the merger Heather Chastain (former president of Home Interiors) became president of Celebrating Home. She has since been removed from her position and is no longer with the company. Home Interiors Mexico operation was also purchased by the Carliles but it continues to operate under the Home Interiors name as an independent entity.
In 2006, Home Interiors was generating $500 million in annual sales with Mike Lohner as CEO. Lohner resigned when Dallas-based investment fund Highland Capital Management acquired a majority interest in Home Interiors. He was replaced as president and chief executive officer by Richard W. Heath, who had founded Dallas-based BeautiControl Cosmetics Inc. in 1981.
***Please look at the attached photos for size and condition. Photos are part of the description representing the condition report and can be used for authentication prior to the sale date. We urge bidder's to view all attached photos in detail. All items are sold "AS IS". Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.
Notes: Please inspect all photos carefully before bidding. Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.
Condition
Consistent with age and use.
Buyer's Premium
18%
Seller Info
Clearing House Estate Sales
6361
Auction Details & Seller Instructions
WHERE TO PICK UP:
Private Residence
Torrington, Connecticut 06790
(Winning Bidders Will Be Given Full Address VIA EMAIL)
Saturday, 12/3, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT
Local Pick Up Date: SATURDAY, December 3 from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
If this date and timeframe does not work for you, please call (860) 997-3332 to make an appointment to pick up your item(s). After December 3rd, 2022, if an appointment is not made, any item not picked up will be considered forfeited without refund, credit, or exchange.
Winning bidders will receive the pick up address via email. Make sure that you have set in your ACCOUNT > DASHBOARD > PREFERENCES to receive auction win emails via email or text.- Auction win emails and invoices can also be accessed via your ACCOUNT > DASHBOARD > INVOICES after the auction closes completely.
*Winning bidders must bring help if required for large/ heavy items & proper packaging materials if needed for pickup.
*Bidders are strongly encouraged to ask any questions prior to bidding.
*Please do all research necessary on your item prior to bidding to assure it is what you want.
*Your bid is your binding contract to purchase
*Please look at all photos closely, for the photographs tell the story of the item.
*Everything, if not listed as new, is from an estate, therefore, not new.
If you have any questions prior to bidding, please call...
Auction Manager
Michael Marsullo
(860) 997-3332
If you would like shipping, please contact Mike at (860) 997-3332 to make arrangements.
Curbside delivery is also available and the charge is $3 per mile (plus tolls, if applicable). New York City & New Jersey deliveries are an additional $30.
COVID-19 Protocol:
• Masks are recommended at pickup.
• Please bring your own pen for signing or bring a signed invoice.
• At pickup, social distancing of at least 6 feet is recommended.
• If you are feeling sick or have traveled recently, please do not come in person to pick up your items. Instead, ask a family member or friend to pick
the item(s) up for you.
Statements regarding the condition of items is only an opinion and should not be treated as fact. While we do our best to list any damage, repairs, or restorations, the absence of these descriptions or conditions must not be taken to imply that the lot is in perfect condition. Most of the items that we sell are typically antique, vintage, or used. You should expect signs of wear consistent with age.
All lots are sold “AS IS”.
All sales are FINAL.
No returns, credits, or exchanges.
Thank you for your interest and good luck bidding.
Seller Info
Clearing House Estate Sales
6361
Auction Manager
Mike Marsullo | (860) 997-3332 | fil14fy@gmail.com
