Sep 7, 2008

Engage Environments announces new era in bedding

(Las Vegas, NV) – A new wave in interior design that bridges the gap of trendy and austere has been realized. Engage Environments, the first player in the industry to identify a market need – developmental interiors – for the infant and child markets, announced today, the introduction of their first product line for families with young children – Backdrops Bedding, in the colors of childhood.

The company markets and manufactures groundbreaking bedding products for the juvenile marketplace and marries fundamental principles in child development and innovative interior design concepts. The product line is being introduced during the ABC Expo (in Booth 1227).

“To succeed in the world, children need to develop a sense-of-self and a belief in their own competency,” said Carolyn Gatzke, Co-Founder of Engage Environments. “Parents can help facilitate this is by providing a space where children can think their own thoughts, display their own interests and reflect their individual personalities.”

“The key to creating a nursery that is relevant beyond infancy is the absence of themes and the use of a broad-ranging, well-saturated color palette, that allows the environment to evolve as the child grows,” said Diane Lechner, Co-Founder of Engage Environments.

About Engage Environments Products
Engage Environments’ innovative product line includes versatile bedding created with the principles of child development implemented in both form and function. The company’s core philosophy begins with bedding for the littlest ones – babies.

To provide a peaceful sleep sanctuary for infants, the interior of the crib is designed with a primarily neutral palette, void of bright colors and busy patterns. The soft and cozy setting is crafted from four visually soothing, yet tactilely appealing fabrics to promote smooth transitions and restful sleep.

The crib interior features “Crib Cozies,” Engage Environments’ safe alternative to crib bumpers, designed to be removed from the crib to enhance physical development as infants become mobile, eventually serving as imaginary play toys and bed bolsters.

Anticipated Developmental Benefits for Infants
-Promotes ability to self-soothe
-Peaceful sleep environment
-Enhanced tummy-time/large motor development

Designed for continued, long-term use, the unique, patented bed skirt expands from crib use to fit a single or full size bed – providing continuity for the child and economical benefit for parents. Two custom colored striped palettes – dubbed “Hopscotch” and “Boomerang” – create a versatile backdrop allowing unlimited options for personalization and self-expression even in shared spaces.

To complete the crib’s “grow-up” features, a durable, lightweight, reversible micro-fiber twin and full coverlet is available in coordinating colors. Designed with fitted corners and patented pillow pockets, kids can easily and successfully make their own beds, and store their pillow, ‘jammies’ and ‘lovey’ for safe-keeping. Coverlets are available in “Sandlot” – turquoise/brown, “Lemonade Stand” – bright pink/soft green, “Playground” – blue/olive and “Swing Set” – turquoise/honey.

Because of Engage Environment’s versatile color spectrum, the collection easily coordinates with other bedding lines. It provides children with the opportunity to customize their personal space, without parents having to incur the cost of purchasing new bedding as the child grows. The bedding invites and encourages multiple changing of accessories as the child’s interest change, and offers product value that extends beyond infancy.

Engage Environments bedding collection will be available in the first quarter of 2009 at specialty stores nationwide and on-line. Infant bedding sets include: Crib Cozies, expandable dust skirt, coordinating crib sheet and blanket. Crib Cozies may be purchased separately and are offered in five accent colors and sheets with a choice of six different contrasting color bands.

The Engage Environments Founders
Thirteen years ago, Carolyn Gatzke, M.A., Human Development – a parent coach and Diane Lechner, B.S., Interior Design – an interior designer, found a distinct synergy in each other and in their work disciplines. Their work together inspired a friendship as well as a new business, Engage Environments. The two professionals met when Diane enrolled her three-year-old daughter in Carolyn’s parent-participation preschool class and Diane re-designed Carolyn’s home for family living. Over the course of learning and sharing how they lived and worked as well as what made them successful, Carolyn and Diane evolved to a place where they felt compelled to act upon their ‘AHA moment’ – there was a need in the marketplace that had not been satisfied and consumers were ready.

Compatible Philosophies
Carolyn urges her clients to “set children up for success” by providing living spaces that allow children to be children. She encourages parents to select materials that are easily cleaned, durable for enthusiastic use and compatible with their interests. She cautions parents not to define children before they are born with the use of themes that may or may not suit the child and could send the message, “you are not what we expected.” Diane works with parents to provide an environment that is soft and cozy to welcome the infant with a color palette that will coordinate with the soon to arrive characters, crayons and crafts. She strives to provide flexibility in the design to allow for the introduction of new and ever-changing interests so that the environment can evolve with the child. Diane and Carolyn’s shared commitment and passion for what is possible for all families led to a new blueprint called, Engage Environments.

About Engage Environments
Founded in February 2007, the Long Beach, CA-based company’s mission is to create lifestyle product offerings that are sensitive to, and help facilitate, the stages of a child’s development and provide long-term use and continuity for the child through young childhood. Based on a belief of “how it lives is as important as how it looks,” Engage Environments seeks to provide families and their children with leading edge design, quality and functional furnishings with a methodology and style philosophy that has beauty, relevance and scale.

The company has three new patent-pending products and exclusive custom-colored fabrics. For more information about Engage Environments and the company’s product line, please visit, www.engageenvironments.com.