You may have read about Fix Housing First, which consists of more than 600 organizations, home building companies and manufacturers. The coalition is asking for a stimulus package to stop the declining home values. Additionally, it would like to see stabilized financial markets and a renewed demand for homes and home furnishings. The coalition has urged Congress to support enhancements to the home buyer tax credit and extend help by providing below-market 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages for home purchases.

Fix Housing First has been joined by ISPA, or The International Sleep Products Association. ISPA says a similar plan worked in the recession of 1975, with Congress passing a short-term tax credit along with subsidized mortgage rates. ISPA maintains that stimulus was a shot in the arm for the depressed economy and had positive consequences even after the measure expired.

ISPA is also leading a second coalition that is promoting tax credits of up to $5,000 for consumers who purchase home furnishings when they buy a new home.

IKEA has decided to be part of the Obama inauguration by putting up an Oval Office replica in the main hall of Union Station. The display will go up on January 12, and a mock motorcade carrying furniture strapped to the roof on the 15th and 16th will make its way through the D.C. area.

The replica, complete with “Secret Service protection” will be open to commuters, who can try out the presidential chair, which along with all the other furniture will be from IKEA, of course.

Posters for the coming event are prominently displayed in D.C. transit areas, and buses trains, and billboards also carry the message. Consumers can enter a sweepstakes where three lucky winners will take $1,500 in IKEA gift cards.

According to IKEA, President-elect Obama’s commitment to change and fiscal responsibility is very close to IKEA’s philosophy of practical and affordable furniture for all. IKEA has also extended an offer to the First Family to provide designers and furniture free of charge for any room in the White House. Let’s see if the Obamas take them up on that offer. IKEA in the White House? Is it a good idea?

You can check out the Change Is Coming website for a countdown to the display. When you register this message is displayed “Registration victorious! You are a part of the movement!”

With the economy being what it is, everyone is scrambling to find creative marketing angles these days.

LeatherCreations, a Chicago-area furniture store, is using the Gov. Blagojevich story to sell furniture. The store recently took out a quarter-page ad in the Chicago Tribune which prominently features its Senate sofa, and the copy reads, "We sell more seats than the Governor! ... and our Senate seat only costs $1,999 (Plus this sofa lasts much longer than 6 years)."

Happy 2009! It's a brand new year, and there's so much to do. We've been reading about manufacturers vowing to do more to help the environment. Would you make an effort to buy green?