First things first!
I got to meet Donny Osmond at the Atlanta market last week! Squeal! I still can’t believe the opportunities I get with this job of mine, but wow is it fun.
I had no idea that THE Donny Osmond, superstar singer, winner of Dancing with the Stars, and overall mega-talented guy, who I’ve watched grow up on TV all these years, now has launched a furniture collection with his beautiful wife, Debbie. I think he is about 2 years younger than me, so we are definitely in the same generation and I loved watching him and his family sing and dance and entertain America all these years. I’ve loved his music and his talent and didn’t miss an episode of the Donny and Marie show back in the day. Their family represented solid family values to me, much the same as my own family does.
So, you can practically say we grew up together!
To get to meet him in person was such an honor and I got to sit down and chat with Donny and Debbie about their newest venture, Donny Osmond Home Collection. I got an email from their PR firm, asking me if I’d like to come to the Mart, see the collection and interview Donnie and Debbie?
Yes, please!
I snapped a few photos in a hurry, but they are not the best. This is my iphone pic with Donny.
And another with Debbie and Donny. They were such nice folks to chat with and very personable and friendly in person.
I did sit down for just a few minutes to ask them a few questions and I planned on recording it so I could remember everything, but my phone didn’t have enough memory. So, instead of a lot of exact quotes from them, I’m going to give you the overview of the conversation.
I asked Donny how they decided to get involved with a venture like this and they told me that it was something that had been on their mind for a few years and things came together for this collection to happen, so they took it. They also mentioned that they are a very private family and don’t open up their home for the public to see, so this was a good way to share their style and love of home with others. They have 5 children and 6 grandchildren (don’t they look great for grandparents!) and have a busy active life. Married for 35 years, Donny is celebrating 50 years in show business. Now that’s incredible!
They really wanted me to convey their love of family and home and how much it means to them to have a comfortable home for family to gather in. I get that myself! I think that’s what most of us want, a comfortable and casual home that feels like HOME to us all. A place for family and friends to come and feel welcome and safe. Their brand message is “Making Home and Family #1”. I love that message!
From a magazine article I read, from Donny, “Debbie and I want to encourage families to spend quality time together and to do so in an environment that is inviting and family friendly. Debbie’s and my home collection is a reflection of the décor found in our home, a blend of textured neutrals with color accents depicting a casual and comfortable lifestyle.”
I also asked Donny if he was still traveling around and touring and he said that he’s been in Las Vegas for the last 6 years with his big show. What started as a 6 week engagement turned into 6 years, so that shows the longevity of this talented guy and how popular he still is to so many people. I can understand that too, I’ve always loved his music. I asked him if he and Marie were still singing together and he said they just finished touring with a Christmas show. I know that would be a good one!
So, I took a little peek around at their brand new collection, just launched this week and I did like what I saw.
They even have a wall tile collection to add architectural details to a wall.
From furniture, accessories, lighting, rugs, linens, bedding, door hardware and more,
Pretty bedding.
Love that wood and glass folding screen in the back, as well as this occasional chair.
Door hardware.
Pretty rustic bookshelf.
From the press release: Retail pricing ranges from moderate to mid-range. Pricing will reflect Donny and Debbie’s desire to create affordable product that appeals to mainstream retail outlets and consumers.
Products will be available in mainstream retail channels and online. Look for Donny Osmond Home in furniture showrooms, department stores, specialty stores, independent retailers and distributor showrooms and catalogs. For lots more information, check out DonnyOsmond.com. You can see the collection and read more about all of their plans.
I loved getting the opportunity to sit down and chat with them! I’ll be back next post to share more from the Atlanta Market. It’s always fun and inspiring to go there and see what’s hot!
First I have to agree with Laura that you look fabulous and I do love your hair, I might get mine cut a little shorter next time I go to the hairdressers as you have inspired me.
You are so lucky getting these invites, I often receive invitations for product launches and openings but sadly have to turn them down as they are all in the UK and I am New Zealand, a bit of an expensive trip for me :(. How lucky you were to meet Donny and his wife, I have always admired him, they both look amazing and I cannot believe they have all those grandchildren.
With regards to their range, well….I had to giggle at the cardboard cut outs but I guess that they are used in the shops. Their range is a little rustic and I quite like some of the pieces, they have a country feel to them and I see a touch of French look in some of the chairs but chunkier, heavier looking which work well with the other wood designs they have such as the shelving and side tables. I do love the sisal looking rug also. They have been very bold taking on a lot of products for their launch, I will be checking out the wesbiste after I have pressed ‘post comment’.
With regards to the bed linen I am not a fan of the first bedroom, in blue but the second one I like the boldness of mixing all those patterns.
Thank you so much for sharing your weekend and experiences, I am sure you must still be buzzing from your trip.
Lee
Hi Rhoda,
What fun for you. I always love hearing that when you meet someone you have admired for years, they don’t disappoint and he never seems too.
I love their collection, but to be truthful, if he really wants his product to be marketable, I personally think Debbie should be more of the feature. They have had pictures of their home and she really is the talent behind this venture so I think she should be featured more.
What a wonderful opportunity that was presented to you to meet and interview Donnie and his beautiful wife…Love their new collections and wide range of products…the tiled wall covering looks very interesting!
Glad you had a fun time!!!
Oh, Rhoda! You have hit the big time!!!
Hi Rhoda, I’ve yet to get there but boy do I want to! Maybe next market. I used to read you a few years back, but somehow fell away from it (you know that life/time thing!) and I’m so glad to be back. I just poked around your site, and it’s so fantastic. I remember your journey and you are an inspiration to me — the keep working at it and moving ahead — you touch more people than you know 😉
Rhoda, Your career has provided you with so many wonderful opportunites. Thank you for sharing all the design and home decor inspiration. I do like the Donny Osmond collection. This is the first that I’ve heard of it. I last saw him in “Joseph and The Technicolor Dreamcoat” It was an amazing show! I too grew up watch both him and Marie. I have to say that you look amazing in the photo! I absolutely love your outfit and the scarf is divine! The cowboy boots really complete the look. It’s been exciting watching your journey throuth 2013. Can’t wait to see what the new year will bring! God bless you!
Donny is DREAMY! What a fun day you must have had. I really like the look of his furniture line. My favorite is the wood and glass folding screen. When I saw it, I stopped to think where it would fit in my house!
Hello this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have
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