Inspiration for Kitchens and Baths

It used to be said that "a picture is worth a thousand words." How quickly the internet has changed that. We used to be happy with those pictures in the shelter magazines or what Tom Wolf called "plutography." Now still pictures are not enough, we have come to expect to see the world in video - and here it is, my favorite bath in video format - "Clodagh talks about baths." Kohler has a wonderful set of short videos of interior spaces in every imaginable style on their website. I've always loved the pictures I've seen of this bath, but the designer, Clodaugh narrating this video makes it so much more real. If you love minimalism take a look at the Dwell magazine video of a Harlem brownstone renovation on the Kohler site - simply fabulous!

Sicis in New York: An Italian touch... a showroom of colors.

Consumers actually watch this Valspar Ad

What a mesmerizing ad for the colors of an interior finish! According to Business Week people with Tivo are actually choosing to watch some ads, and this Valspar ad is one of them. What various pundits have said is true - "make ads interesting and they will watch." Maybe it is because I am in the business, but I took special note of what product the ad was promoting the first time I saw it because it so intrigued me. Such a simple concept -so well done! (Even the music is uplifting.)

The Laws of Physics

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, globalization had to bring back the local. We are afraid the eat seafood from Asia, and if you have ever tried to eat California peaches in New England, you know that fruit picked before it is ripe in California often isn't even edible once it reaches East Coast stores. The local is returning in home furnishings as well, and it it about more than "carbon neutrality."

For example, we are no longer excited about centuries old bucolic toiles. Today we buy local - seafood, fruit, and toiles. Studio Printworks offers a delightful collection of scenes like the South Beach Toile by Given Campbell and the Harlem Toile de Jouy by Sheila Bridges for those of you for whom these scenes are local or even hold fond memories. Why? Because, like eating a ripe peach, it is a much more satisfying experience.

So many choices...So many decisions

It has been fascinating to follow the blog of the couple building a house in Florida in the New York Times. The couple has just begun to think about the selection process and are already overwhelmed before they even begin. "As soon as I saw the Kraftmaid cabinet display my confusion got worse. Several years ago I renovated a kitchen, but I don’t remember having to make so many choices." The Internet gives us insight into the mind of the consumer, as never before possible.

If you involved with home furnishing finishes - whether for a starter home, a luxury upgrade or anywhere in between, read the initial posting in this blog as a reminder of how important it is to edit your product offering for the particular market segment to which you are appealing. Keep in mind that consumers will long remember the buying experience - it becomes a part of every product - it becomes a story to be shared over and over - just as the story in the New York Times blog will be shared.