Differentiate in the Details - Special Not Spendy Options

I came across a terrific product that made me realize there is still opportunity in the details. Modernhousenumbers.com is a small company based in Arizona, offering a very basic product, with stand-out design.  Adding small, well-designed details to your homes will help to differentiate them from the competition, as well as offering a profitable option your competitor hasn't thought of. 

Modern House Numbers offers an element of design in an often overlooked detail - house numbers, mailbox numbers and even street curb stencils.  Four up-to-date fonts are available, and the house numbers come in multiple sizes. Wouldn't your home buyers find value in a reasonably priced but incredibly stylish house number as an upgrade?

The website is a treat as well - start by typing in your own house number, and you will automatically see them in each of four available fonts. Wow - '5320' never looked this good before - (SoHo is my personal favorite). The product assortment is simple and clean, just like the product design - aluminum house numbers, mailbox vinyl numbers and curb stencils with all matching type face.

A sustainable product, the numbers are made of recycled aluminum and cut with water jet machinery to lower energy use and contributes no pollutants.


Started by two young architects, Modern House Numbers is definitely filling a product void. See their product at http://www.modernhousenumbers.com/
Bulk orders for your next developments are available.

The Soho Direct-Vent Gas Fireplace by Heat & Glo

The Soho is also a terrific but small detail that will help differentiate your home from the competition without using valuable floor space. See sexy footage of the SoHo burning here. At just under 30" square, it offers a lot of style in a small space. In fact it frames in at only 11 1/2" deep.  For those of you reading overseas, the Soho is available internationally!

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The Design Minds at Hearth and Home Blog is geared to support design center staff and the new construction industry in selling options and upgrades to the new home consumer. Subscribe for updates. Contact Krisann Parker-Brown for merchandising or marketing support of your design center. She will be happy to work with you on your assortment and presentation to ensure you are on track for upcoming decor trends and your target home buyer.

Krisann Parker-Brown is the merchandising manager for Hearth and Home Technologies, the leading manufacturer and retailer of fireplaces and hearth systems.

Krisann supports design centers and new construction builders in presenting Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire hearth systems, and consulting on design center merchandising, point of sale and the consumer experience.

Krisann is a member of the Retail Design Institute. Contact her at brownkr@hearthnhome.com or 952-985-6537.

Twitter http://twitter.com/kparkerbrown

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/krisannparkerbrown

Free Professional Builder Design Trends Webcast - February 26th

Blu Dot's Desktop Clock Images

'Design' has become even more important to the consumer; manufacturers and retailers who lead are faring better than the masses. Target's "Design For All" campaign, IKEA's presentation of versatile, well designed case goods at a great price, and Design Within Reach/Blu Dot's positioning of owning original designs at accessible prices have helped these parties continue to stand out in an otherwise dismal year in interiors.

Blu Dot believes in democratization of design so much they offer a download for a spiffy desktop clock - click here.

'Differentiation' has become even more important to home builders, as we discussed at IBS. Although most of us are interested in design as it relates to the home industry, many of us are working with a smaller staff (some National builders have eliminated design leadership or design centers entirely) and simply lack the time or opportunity to stay as current on trends as we would like. In times like these, your model homes and design centers need to stand for "Design Leadership" at a competitive price.

Blu Dot's Buttercup Rocker, $849

I am excited to share with you a free webcast on trends hosted by Professional Builder. Register on line to get updates on trends and design.

Professional Builder Presents:

"Design Stars: Winning Homes from the Best in American Living Awards"

Design Stars: Winning Homes from the Best in American Living Awards
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2009
Time: 3:00 PM ET/ 2:00 PM CT/ 12:00 PM PT
Duration: 60-minutes

Register now for this LIVE Webcast highlighting the latest design trends in residential construction and featuring the 2008 Best in American Living judges Grey Lundberg, Jack F. McLaurin and Christy Scanlon and moderated by Senior Editor of Design Susan Bady.

Michael Graves Design™ Whistle Keeper Teakettle
$24.99 TARGET

Also watch out for my upcoming recaps from Las Vegas Furniture and Gift Market, happening next week at World Market Center. I am slated to attend the newest color trends seminar and well as design trend presentations, and new furniture launch receptions. I will recap in a future blog post, please email me if there is any specific information or trend you would like me to research or capture while at market.
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Krisann Parker-Brown is the merchandising manager for Hearth and Home Technologies, the leading manufacturer and retailer of fireplaces and hearth systems. Krisann supports design centers and new construction builders in presenting Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire hearth systems, and consulting on design center merchandising, point of sale and the consumer experience. Krisann is a member of the Retail Design Institute. Contact her at brownkr@hearthnhome.com or 952-985-6537.

European Kitchen Design Review

Mix of Natural Wood With Stainless Steel and Laminate - Zurich

Many of you know about my recent trip to Europe, including Amsterdam, Zurich, Lucerne and Milan. I brought back photos of kitchens that emphasize some common design elements. Enjoy!

Stand outs to me included:

• Mix of man made/technical materials with organic naturals
• Clean Lines
• Smaller footprint
• Use of graphic elements emanating from nature
• Key focus on great lighting

Graphic design elements and terrific lighting

Graphic design elements - etched glass room divider

The jury is out on this chandelier...

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The Design Minds at Hearth and Home Blog is geared to support design center staff and the new construction industry in selling options and upgrades to the new home consumer. Subscribe for updates. Contact Krisann Parker-Brown for merchandising or marketing support of your design center. She will be happy to work with you on your assortment and presentation to ensure you are on track for the upcoming decor and lifestyle trends.

Krisann Parker-Brown is the merchandising manager for Hearth and Home Technologies, the leading manufacturer and retailer of fireplaces and hearth systems. Krisann supports design centers and new construction builders in presenting Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire hearth systems, and consulting on design center merchandising, point of sale and the consumer experience. Krisann is a member of the Institute of Store Planners, now the Retail Design Institute. Contact her at brownkr@hearthnhome.com or 952-985-6537.

What Happened To The Jones' ?! - Selling Options to the 'Simplifier'

Hello all - This post is coming to you from Europe, where I am taking great photos to show you design influences from Amsterdam, Zurich, and tomorrow, Milan.... New post very soon!

Perfect for the Simplifier Consumer Interested in Experience and Design

Heat & Glo's Contemporary Fireplace

Red 40

The October Harvard Business School review features an article by Harvard professor John Quelch on the new breed of consumer – the middle-aged Simplifier.

This new consumer can be recognized by her refusal to ‘buy-in’ to the conspicuous consumption so popular in the 90’s and early 2000’s. John Quelch calls out the following characteristics:

Downsized- The simplifier perceives that they have more ‘stuff’ than they truly need, and looks to downsize and simplify.
Experiences- The simplifier seeks to add to life through rich experiences, not possessions. Dining out, foreign travel, spa experiences, learning a new sport, activity or hobby all fit the desires of this emerging consumer group.
Possessions– They are embarrassed by their possessions, especially those flagrant indicators of their wealth.
Wealth– Although this group is self assured in their wealth, they remain comfortable leasing their car, renting a vacation home, and no longer feel it necessary to amass possessions.

John Quelch tells us empty-nester baby boomers make up a large portion of this group, already trading in their large SUV’s for a Prius. They seek detail and architectural character in their new homes, and even special spaces to display a few carefully chosen items from their life ‘experiences’, be it travel, or painting lessons. They seek low maintenance, smaller spaces. From a design perspective, we see this consumer seeking clean, modern minimalism.

While this consumer is downsizing, they are not downscaling, and they value quality over quantity in goods. High end finishes and new home add-ons such as wine storage, closet organization, and luxury spa bathrooms will reach this consumer. Adding additional fireplaces in the home add to the ‘experience’ for this consumer, be it in the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. Sarah Suzanka’s now 10 year classic “The Not So Big House” becomes even more of a guide in creating a finely crafted and well designed home interior that will satisfy this consumer.

John Quelch points to EBay and the internet as the high tech equivalent of a yard sale allowing these consumers to rid themselves of unnecessary things and start fresh.
The October 2008 issue of Details gives well to do, style conscious men tips on how to minimize the showy appearances of wealth and status in these uncertain times. A recent Wall Street Journal article discusses the same, as well as John Quelch’s article in The Economist, “Too Much Stuff”.

When selling to this consumer, speak to quality, design, durability and green aspects of features and upgrades. This consumer may be more willing to upgrade in interior experiential home options rather than status exterior home upgrades. Think outdoor living rooms, luxury shower heads, art niches, fireplaces and top end granites. The important thing to this consumer is quality without showiness. The Jones’ be damned.
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The Design Minds at Hearth and Home Blog is geared to support design center staff and the new construction industry in selling options and upgrades to the new home consumer. Subscribe for updates. Contact Krisann Parker-Brown for merchandising or marketing support of your design center. She will be happy to work with you on your assortment and presentation to ensure you are on track for the upcoming decor and lifestyle trends.

Krisann Parker-Brown is the merchandising manager for Hearth and Home Technologies, the leading manufacturer and retailer of fireplaces and hearth systems. Krisann supports design centers and new construction builders in presenting Heat & Glo, Heatilator and Quadra-Fire hearth systems, and consulting on design center merchandising, point of sale and the consumer experience. Krisann is a member of the Institute of Store Planners, now the Retail Design Institute. Contact her at brownkr@hearthnhome.com or 952-985-6537.