Archive for the ‘Features’ Category

High Point Market: Harnessing the Power of Pinterest for Your Brand

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Standing room only at the “Competitive Intelligence: The Power of Pinterest” event Monday night at High Point Market, proved that for brands, big and small, Pinterest is a platform with potential. Crystalyn Stuart, president of 5Loom powered by IMRE, provided insight on how best to turn that potential into power for your brand. Additionally, our four panelists provided diverse insight and best practices from the publishing, retail, brand and design industries.

7 Tips for Harnessing the Power of Pinterest for Your Brand

HPMKT High Point Market: Harnessing the Power of Pinterest for Your Brand

One of our pins from High Point Market

1. Understand and optimize for social discovery. Social discovery is adding a new layer of opportunity for brands to reach consumers in the discovery mode—before they’ve refined their want and conducted a keyword search for the item. This change in how users are acquiring knowledge is shifting the consumer-purchasing funnel. Social discovery allows users to discover products and quickly move to purchase with a simple click-through.

2. Identify industry influence. Sixty-five percent of top brands across the home category including furnishings and housewares are active on Pinterest. Look at how others in your industry are using the platform as well as how you can utilize the platform for your brand.

3. Create a balance of content. It is important to strike a balance with content that shows a brand’s personality while still promoting your business to customers. Boards can be organized in a myriad of ways depending on who is contributing, the seasonality of your boards, and what you personally consider to be important. Remember, however, that many followers don’t ever make it to your boards. Each pin is more likely to be viewed as a part rather than a whole of a themed board.

“At Furbish our ultimate goal is to build a lifestyle brand and to create an experience that people want to be part of and a lifestyle that they want to live. Throughout pins of rooms or funny sayings or dogs I will pepper in a piece of jewelry or a new pillow that we have, to engage someone who didn’t realize that I was a retailer. I’ve found that if I’m true to what I really like and continue pinning interesting images then the followers will come.” – panelist Jamie Meares, Owner, Furbish Studio

4. Attract a different audience. Brands are able to reach new readers, customers and influencers through Pinterest. Those who engage with your brand online may be a very different audience than those that gain information via traditional media channels.

“ Our online audience is traditionally very different than our print audience. The best part is when someone looks at a pin, clicks through and lands on Country Living and they’re like ‘I would never guess that this beautiful living room came from Country Living magazine.’” – panelist Rachel DeSchepper, Web Editor, Country Living

“We saw registration [for High Point Market] start to rise especially among those people we were trying to hit with Pinterest which were interior designers and small hip retailers.” – panelist Cheminne Taylor-Smith, Vice President of Marketing, High Point Market Authority

5. Get to know your customers, and let them get to know you. Pinterest provides a way for both the brand and the customer to get to know each other. The platform provides a space to express your personality and preferences allowing for a more harmonious relationship to be developed.

“Most of my clients follow me on Pinterest. If all of my kitchens I have pinned they find completely atrocious they aren’t going to hire me which is good because we aren’t going to work well together. On the flip side of that I’m thrilled if my clients use Pinterest to collect their dream kitchens because it’s a much faster and easier way than them sending me 1,000 emails of things they are interested in. I have the opportunity to look through their pin boards to get a better sense of who they are.” – panelist Traci Zeller, Associate ASID, Traci Zeller Designs

6. Mitigate your liability on Pinterest. Pin carefully. If you post original images, include a watermark on your image to retain your copyrighted material. As a brand pinning images that aren’t yours, we recommend placing a disclaimer on your profile and boards to state your intentions clearly. For more about Pinterest liability best practices, click here.

7. Build a promotional engine. Pinning great content is fun, but now it is time to get serious on Pinterest and build your promotional engine—the driver that takes Pinterest from a simple pilot to a top contributor to your marketing mix. This is your strategic plan for driving awareness, quantifying and increasing user engagement and building loyalty among your followers. A few ways to build a promotional engine include:

  • Cross-promote across your branded channels – Link pins to your website and other social channels to activate the way users discover your online services.
  • Loyalty Offers –Pinners collaborate and share with others for a special offer to unlock.
  • Blogger partnerships – Leverage or build your relationships with bloggers by repining their content to a specific board on your platform, or allowing them to curate or contribute to a board.
  • Contests and Sweepstakes – These are great for building excitement and increasing fan volumes but be careful to not overuse contests and sweepstakes. If conducted too frequently, brands can suffer high attrition rates and lower quality fan base.

“Show us your Tango!” Pinterest Sweepstakes: Prize Preview

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Our Pinterest Sweepstakes, “Show us Your Tango!“, is in full swing, and we wanted to provide another reason (make that 5 reasons) to dance your way over to Pinterest. Create a Tangerine Tango inspired board and you could win one of the prizes below. To learn more, visit: Tangerine Tango Contest Rules.

Vases and a ceramic tray from Furbish Studio, valued at $71

Furbish studio tangerine tango vases and ceramic tray

1 Year Subscription to Country Living Magazine, valued at $12

Country Living Magazine May Cover

Leather ‘tattooed’ Irezumi Dragon pattern pillow by Red Egg, valued at $350

Red Egg Leather Pillow

10 yards of Burnt Orange fabric from Sensuede, value at $1,000

Sensued Burnt Orange fabric swatch

Riva chair from Lee Industries, valued at $1,234

Lee Industries Riva Chair

Show Us Your Tango Pinterest Sweepstakes

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

IMRE Home IQ Pinterest Contest

Tangerine Tango, the 2012 Pantone Color of the Year, is bringing bright, bold and seductive rhythms into home furnishings. There is nothing like a dramatic hue to inspire design, and no easier way to collectively organize home décor must-haves than on Pinterest. Collect your favorite pins inspired by this trendy color and you could win Tangerine Tango accessories for your home!

Prizes:

  1. Vases and a ceramic tray from Furbish Studio
  2. 1 Year Subscription to Country Living Magazine
  3. Leather ‘tattooed’ Irezumi Dragon pattern pillow by Red Egg
  4. 10 yards of Burnt Orange fabric from Sensuede
  5. Riva chair from Lee Industries

Click here to see photos of all the prizes!

Entering is easy. See below for details.

OFFICIAL RULES

“SHOW US YOUR TANGO” PINTEREST SWEEPSTAKES

Sweepstakes dates: April 17, 2012 – April 27, 2012 Tangerine Tango, named Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year, has already danced its way into home accents, furniture and so much more. IMRE invites you to show us your tango on Pinterest, for the chance to win tangerine décor for your home! Here’s how to enter: -Follow @IMREHOMEIQ on Pinterest -Create a board titled “Tangerine Tango Home Inspirations” -Pin at least five (5) inspiring tangerine images -Repin at least one (1) image from IMREHOMEIQ’s Tangerine Tango board http://pinterest.com/imrehomeiq/tango-sweepstakes/ -With each pin, include the hashtag #tangerine AND #imrehomeiq -Email your board link to IMREHOMEIQ@gmail.com with the subject line “Tangerine Tango” IMRE will randomly select four winners based on all eligible entries received. Have a look at our Tangerine Tango board for inspiration. Only one entry per person. Open to US residents only, 18 or older. Pinterest is invite-only, so if you haven’t already joined, you can request an invite from Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/about/help/

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. By entering the “Show Us Your Tango“ Pinterest Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”), you agree to comply with and be bound by the following official Sweepstakes rules. If you do not agree with the rules in their entirety, you are not permitted to enter the Sweepstakes.

ELIGIBILITY: THE SWEEPSTAKES IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHO ARE 18 OR OLDER AT TIME OF ENTRY. Employees of IMRE (“Sponsor”), any parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies and their immediate family members (defined as spouse, siblings, parents and children) and/or those living in the same household (whether related or not) of each are not eligible to enter. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and where prohibited by law. This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Pinterest. The winner will be notified via email on or around April 30, 2012. The information provided will only be used for the purposes of this Sweepstakes and as otherwise permitted by Sponsor’s privacy policy.

HOW TO ENTER: The IMRE “Show Us Your Tango” Pinterest Sweepstakes runs from April 17th, 12am EST to 11:59pm EST April 27, 2012. Only entrants who complete the rules required to enter the Sweepstakes during the aforementioned times are eligible to enter to win. Entrants can find the Sweepstakes on the IMREHOMEIQ Pinterest profile, located at pinterest.com/imrehomeiq/tango-sweepstakes/. Entrants must follow all online instructions to be eligible to win the Sweepstakes. Online entrants are subject to all notices posted online including but not limited to privacy policies of the Sponsor. Limit one (1) entry per person. Although subsequent attempts to create boards on a given day may be received, only the first complete board will be eligible; subsequent attempts by the same person to enter, including entries submitted with an alternate Pinterest profile, will be disqualified. All boards will become Sponsor’s property.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: Entrants may earn additional entries by commenting on the original contest image pin daily. Limit one (1) additional entry per entrant per day.

PRIZE & APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE (“ARV”): Five winners will receive tangerine décor for their home valued between $10 and $1,500. The prizes (one prize per winner) include a tangerine tango ceramic tray and two vases donated by Furbish Studio, valued at $71, a one year subscription to Country Living magazine, valued at $12, a leather ‘tattooed’ Irezumi Dragon pattern pillow by Red Egg, valued at $350, 10 yards of burnt orange fabric from Sensuede, value at $1,000, and a Riva chairfrom Lee Industries, valued at $1,234.  The winners will be selected on or around April 30, 2012, and will be notified within 5 business days by email, and will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability and Publicity Release (“Affidavit/Release”) within 14 days of the date specified on the notification, or alternate winners will be selected. Prizes will be shipped within 14 days of the winner’s selection. If potential winners cannot be contacted, or if Affidavit/Release is returned as undeliverable or if selected winners cannot accept or receive the prize for any reason, or he/she is not in compliance with these Official Rules, the prize will be forfeited and awarded to alternate winners in a separate random drawing. If winners are otherwise eligible under these Official Rules, but is nevertheless deemed a minor in his or her state of primary residence, the prize will be awarded in the name of winner’s parent or legal guardian who will be required to execute an affidavit on the minor’s behalf. No substitutions are permitted except if prize is unavailable, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. Prize may not be exchanged. Prize is not redeemable for cash. Prize is non-assignable and non-transferable except to a surviving spouse. Winners are responsible for all federal, state and local sales and income taxes. Any other incidental expenses on prize not specified herein are the sole responsibility of winners. Entry and acceptance of the prize constitute permission to use winner’s name, prize description, hometown and likeness for posting online, advertising and promotional purposes without further compensation, except where prohibited by law. Subject to the terms and conditions provided herein, the prize is guaranteed to be awarded. By participating, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are binding. Entrants agree that they release the Sponsor, Pinterest, any parent company, affiliated companies, and all other businesses involved in this Sweepstakes, as well as the employees, officers, directors and agents of each such company, from all claims and liability relating to their participation, acceptance and use of the prize. Winners assume all liability for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused, by participation in this Sweepstakes or receipt or use of the prize. Sponsor has not made nor is in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee express or implied, in fact or in law, with respect to the prize, including, without limitation, to the prize’s quality or fitness for a particular purpose. The Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the advertising for the Sweepstakes, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible if Sweepstakes cannot take place or if the prize cannot be awarded due to cancellations, delays or interruptions due to acts of God, acts of war (declared or undeclared), natural disasters, weather, acts of terrorism, riot or civil disturbance, satellite or equipment failure, federal state or local government law, order or regulation, public health crisis, order of any court or jurisdiction, or other cause not reasonably within Sponsor’s control (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence). In the event of a dispute over the identity of an online entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the “Authorized Account Holder” of the Pinterest profile and/or e-mail address submitted at time of entry. Authorized Account Holder means the natural person who is assigned to a Pinterest profile email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. Entry materials/data that have been tampered with or altered, or mass entries or entries generated by a script, macro or use of automated devices are void. The Sponsor is not responsible for: (i) error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site or any combination thereof; or (ii) any injury or damage to persons or property, including but not limited to death, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of the prize. By participating in the Sweepstakes, you (i) agree to be bound by these Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements, and (ii) agree to be bound by the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes. Behavior which is intended to disrupt or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes, or which is intended to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person, or any failure to comply with these Official Rules, may result in disqualification from the Sweepstakes, and Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies from any such person engaging in such behavior to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor reserves the right to: (i) permanently disqualify from the Sweepstakes any person it believes has intentionally violated these Official Rules; and (ii) cancel, suspend and/or modify the Sweepstakes without any liability if any fraud, virus or other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the administration, functioning or proper play of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, and withdraw the online method of entry if it becomes technically corrupted (including if a computer virus or system malfunction inalterably impairs its ability to conduct the Sweepstakes), and to select winners from among all eligible entries received prior to withdrawal. Inclusion in such drawing shall be each entrant’s sole and exclusive remedy under such circumstances. LEGAL WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN INDIVIDUAL, WHETHER OR NOT AN ENTRANT, TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE, DESTROY, TAMPER OR VANDALIZE THIS WEB SITE OR INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES, IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND DILIGENTLY PURSUE ALL REMEDIES AGAINST ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. APPLICABLE LAWS AND JURISDICTION: This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Maryland without regard to its conflicts of laws provisions. By participating, entrants agree that any and all disputes arising out of or relating in any way to this Sweepstakes shall be resolved individually, and without resort to class action, exclusively by a state or federal court located in Baltimore, Maryland. Should there be a conflict between the laws of the State of Maryland and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the State of Maryland. All judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Sweepstakes and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.

WINNER LIST: For confirmation of the prize winners’ name and city of residence, send a self-addressed stamped envelope, to be received by June 1, 2012, to: IMREHOMEIQ Tangerine Tango Pinterest Sweepstakes List Request, c/o Social Media Team, 909 Ridgebrook Road, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21152 SPONSOR: IMRE, 909 Ridgebrook Road, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21152.

Universal Design is Creeping Into Our Lives

Thursday, April 5th, 2012

Universal Design is becoming more and more important in our homes, whether we like it or not. And most often, we don’t like it.

Face it. The idea of living in a “Universal Design” home does not sound appealing to you. People don’t want to be faced with their own mortality, and no matter how well-designed a home can be, mention the words “Universal Design” and all you can think of is a nursing home.universal design 300x234 Universal Design is Creeping Into Our Lives

Fortunately, the Universal Design philosophy is subtly making its way into the mainstream. Even if we don’t call something by that term, products and homes are being designed to be easily accessible and usable by a greater number of people. That’s when “Universal Design” becomes just good design.

Induction cooktops, which are gaining popularity in the United States, provide a great example of this concept. Using magnetism to transfer heat directly to a pan, induction cooktops work faster and waste almost no energy. But their primary Universal Design benefit is safety. The cooktops themselves stay cool, virtually eliminating the risk of accidental burns – an important feature for households with small children.

Homeowners are also choosing to incorporate automation and technology in their homes – lights that turn on and off automatically when you enter and exit a room, security systems that integrate with smart phones and tablets, heating and cooling systems that know when we’re home and when we’re away. These may seem like modern conveniences, but they are examples of Universal Design at work. As less manual work is required to perform simple functions in a home, it becomes safer, easier to use and more accommodating to everyone.

No matter what our age is, we can all benefit from the principles that Universal Design advances. As home builders, remodelers and product manufacturers continue to embrace these principles – without the stigma the term Universal Design carries – our homes will become more comfortable and livable.

The Top Household Consumer Trends of 2012

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

This month, the IMRE Home IQ Editors attended the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago, IL to learn first-hand the consumer lifestyle and product trends happening in the home industry. One of the best parts of the show was Global Trend and Design expert, Tom Mirables’ presentation on 2012 Industry Trends. With 2012 already underway, Mirable’s Top Trends provided great insight into the new American consumer on the rise, which takes us to the first trend, Re-imagining the American Consumer.

Trend 1: Re-imaging the American Consumer

household trends The Top Household Consumer Trends of 2012

Photo by Simon Howden

Consumers’ lives have shifted, which has directly affected their buying habits and product needs. It is more common than ever for family members from different generations to live together in the same household. Today’s American consumers can be divided into four sections:

  • Generation Y (84 million): Also known as the Millennials, Generations Yer’s are 17 – 36 years of age. They are techy, non-traditional and dislike not being involved in product experiences. They are the powerhouse generation. If Millennials enjoy a product, they will share their experiences with their friends.
  • Generation X (43 million): Between the ages of 37 – 43, Generation X consumers are buying starter homes, living within their means and supporting local retailers. They were hit hard by the recession and hate wasting space and memory. Gen Xer’s take pride in smart shopping and growing their own vegetables.
  • Baby Boomers (80 million): The third generation of consumers, baby boomers, are between the ages of 44 and 66. They are looking to reinvent themselves and like to pay for experiences. 82% of baby boomers use social media. They work longer years and make decisions for multiple households, assisting with their children and grandchildren’s purchases.
  • Active Seniors (47 million): Active seniors are over 67 years of age. Their needs have moved from product accumulation to life enhancement that center on health and experiences. They are keen on home safety, cooking at home and value a product that offers quality with a good price. They purchase products that can make their lives easier. Many active seniors have refrigerators in their bedrooms for a more convenient experience in their home.

All four of the American consumers require a different product experiences and have differing product needs, which makes the second trend key in creating a successful household product.

Trend 2: Creating Experiences

A successful household product should exert excellence in four key categories to fully satisfy the consumer experience. First, the product must inspire. A consumer who finds a product inspirational will instantly be engaged. Today’s consumers want to unleash their inner chef. Martha Stewart does an excellent job of inspiring the American consumer through “The Martha Stewart Makes Cookies” iPad recipe app. The app offers users photos of the finished dish, detailed explanations, videos of cooking and baking, has a digital timer and will even email you a digital shopping list. Every part of the experience to engage the consumer is achieved.

Second, the product should aid in preparation. The desire to improve nutrition, lose weight and achieve other health and wellness goals is a key reason many Americans are taking greater control over what they prepare in the kitchen. A savvy design is also important when preparing. Housewares are a reflection of style and consumers prefer to mix and match their dining essentials. Third, presentation has been gaining greater emphasis in product packaging and design. Celebrity reality cooking shows place a heavy focus on presentation, and consumers are trying to emulate that upscale look throughout their homes, especially in the kitchen. Fourth, it’s important to create a product consumers can interact with. For example, take the packaging, design and function of a snack. Snacks are eaten during multiple occasions. They are eaten at work. They are eaten while driving, and they are eaten on the go. Creating a product that a consumer can interact with in multiple settings needs to be considered when creating a satisfying product experience.

Trend 3: Rebirth of Aspiration

Following the gratification of creating experiences is finding the aspiration to now drive the purchase, which is our third trend. Five key drivers dictate purchases – innovation, saving time and space, personal expression, intuitive function and intangible assets. These five drivers should answer the following questions:

  • Innovation – Does the product solve problems in new and unique ways?
  • Saving Time and Space – Does the product allow multi-tasking and the ability to take up less space?
  • Personal Expression – Does the product allow consumers to define their unique style?
  • Intuitive Function – Does the product minimize the processes?
  • Intangible Assets – Does the product deliver an intellectual and emotional value?

Trend 4: Delivering Consumer Engagement

Once a product meets all areas of consumers’ aspirations, the only step remaining is the actual purchase, which brings us to Mirable’s final trend – engagement. The fourth trend, consumer engagement focuses on creating brand loyalty and happiness. Consumers who are emotionally connected to a brand are more likely to return.

So how do consumers engage? Consumers go through a five-step process when making a purchasing decision. First they search, then find, study or research, make a decision and finally share. Social sites, mobile commerce and e-commerce have allowed consumers to engage during any time through the day and anywhere they convene.

A Changing Economy

To successfully execute the top trends of 2012, Mirable left us with six considerations when reaching consumers. As the typical household dynamic continues to shift, embrace household diversity. Remember to cater to the aspirational consumer and take a proactive approach to health and wellness. Become part of the foodie culture to really grasp key experiences taking place in the kitchen for consumers. Engage in social and mobile marketing, and finally, create products that offer relevant consumer solutions. After all, understanding your consumer is crucial to a product’s success!

Consumer Electronics Show: What to look forward to in 2012

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

IMRE’s Home and Building experts had their feet on the streets of Las Vegas this week for the Consumer Electronics Show, where we learned very quickly the trends to look for in 2012.CES 2012 198x300 Consumer Electronics Show: What to look forward to in 2012

  • The television is the hub of technology in the home… and potentially at work. TV’s used to be black or silver, large, and used for watching movies, sports and shows. Now, they are thin, flat, sleek and interoperable with other devices like the Samsung Smart TV .
  • Home automation is at the tip of everyone’s tongue. The ability to connect and control your entire home, without having to physically be there, through a smartphone, tablet or television is what consumers want. This includes locks, windows, garage doors, lighting, temperature control, washers and dryers, refrigerators, stoves, home security, entertainment… the list goes on and on.
  • Personal technology defines our lifestyle. We used to rely on a desktop computer at the office. Now we have one on our cellphone, iPad, tablet, that allows us to do, well… anything.
  • Technology brands are looking to target a female audience as they are making more purchasing decisions. Technology is smaller, lighter, sexier, and can be purchased in any color, appealing to women.
  • Home theater and media rooms once enjoyed by only the affluent is at an increasingly more accessible price point, which will likely lead to more home theater and media rooms.

What other trends did you see at Consumer Electronics Show that you recommend we look for?

Pop Quiz: What’s Your Architectural Personality?

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

 Pop Quiz: What’s Your Architectural Personality?

A few months back we challenged you with a Stylescope Quiz, but this time it’s all about the house, not the stuff that’s in it.  HGTV’s FrontDoor.com recently came out with their “What’s Your Architectural Personality?” Quiz.  Answer 10 quick questions and find out what house style is a blueprint of your personality.

My result of “Ranch House” was spot on:

Simple and suburban by nature, you exude a cozy warmth that lets people know you don’t mind if they leave their shoes on in the house — it’s only carpet, after all! Family and friends are important to you, and you love having them stop by. While not overly fussy or vain, you care about your looks — but honestly, you’re happiest in sweatpants. To you, life isn’t measured in the goods you’ve acquired, but in time well spent.

Lover of friends, family and sweatpants? Check! I’m also definitely drawn more to experiences and memory making than material items.

Take the quiz and let us know what your architectural personality is!

Have Time for a Quick #Chat?

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

While we will always recommend a face-to-face conversation versus a virtual one, we just couldn’t help but fall in love with Twitter chats. They popped onto the scene in 2009 and have continued to gain popularity as the Twitter community grows.

The beauty of these pre-arranged Twitter chats is that they occur at a specific time and are usually lead by a moderator asking a handful of questions on niche topics, making the conversation very focused and content rich. Plus, many are founded by industry professionals, so you’re chatting with the best and brightest.

Here are a few of our favorite, can’t-miss chats:

#IntDesignerChat

  • Overview: An interior design chat mixed with home décor professionals and architects
  • Time: Tuesdays, 6-7 p.m. EST
  • Host: @IntDesignerChat (Founded in June 2010 by @NoirBlancDesign – Barbara Segal, principle, Noir Blanc Interiors)Twitter chats Have Time for a Quick #Chat?

#kbtribechat

  • Overview: For kitchen & bath industry professionals on varying topics
  • Time: Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. EST
  • Host: @kbtribechat (Founded in April 2011 by @cabinetmakers – Stacy Garcia, owner of Garcia Cabinetmakers)

#AskAD100

  • Overview: Weekly chats with an esteemed talent in architecture or interior design from Architectural Digest’s annual AD100 group
  • Time: Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. EST
  • Host: @ArchDigestChat (Architectural Digest)

#GetPublished

  • Overview: Brings together design editors and the design community
  • Time: The first Wednesday of the month, 6-7 p.m. EST
  • Host: @tkpleslie (Leslie Carothers, CEO of The Kaleidoscope Partnership)

#DesignTV

  • Overview: Covers lifestyle, décor, design and making your house a home
  • Time: Thursdays, 5-6 p.m. EST
  • Host: @ABCDdesigns (Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo, lifestyle expert and creator of ABCD Design) & @JonathanLegate (Jonathan Legate, interior consultant) – Founded in October 2010

Any home, design, or interior Twitter chats we forgot? Which chats do you tune into?

A Real Chef’s Kitchen

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Not surprisingly at Home IQ, we devour home publications, websites, and blogs frequently.  We’ve been known to spend evenings looking at new home listings and even troll open houses on Saturdays and Sundays.  Seeing the newest and best of our industry is not only our work, it’s a favorite hobby.

Quite often during this immersion into our industry, one key home feature is exalted again and again.  From double-page photo spreads in our favorite magazines like Real Simple and Better Homes and Gardens to the million dollar homes in local home tours, our industry praises ”The Chef’s Kitchen.”

You’ve seen them. You’ve likely dog-eared a page or two in your favorite periodical. And we dare say you’ve bookmarked a couple of inspirational websites.  After all, who could say no to the multitude of high-gloss appliances, floor to ceiling custom cabinetry, special nooks and drawers for every kitchen staple?

With all their polish, beauty and gadgets galore, these rooms make me ask myself,  “Is this really a chef’s kitchen?”   The thought has passed through my mind enough, that I decided to ask my friend.  A 20+ year kitchen veteran who’s fed movie stars, presidents, and athletes, he professes the best meals are made in his home for his family and friends.  Jeff told us that if you enjoy cooking, you don’t need all those accouterments to have a true chef’s kitchen.  All you need is a little music to get you in the groove, and a few key tools to make life in the kitchen a breeze.

With the holiday’s coming, we know you’ll be spending copious amounts of time in the kitchen, so here’s the list for equipping a real chef’s kitchen. Bon appetite!

Kitchen Aid mixer – Worth the investment, this mixer can do it all, from making smooth whipped potatoes to grinding your own meats for homemade sausages.

Mixer 300x300 A Real Chef’s Kitchen

To keep your knuckles safe from grill burns, serve food from pot to plate quickly and even remove cookie sheets from the oven, a. 8-in. pair of super-high quality tongs are a must.

Asparagus 300x300 A Real Chef’s Kitchen

Southerners know the value of a passed-down cast-iron treasure.  Get your mitts on one from a grandmother or great-aunt, and in lieu of that, search your local flea market.  An old as the hills 12-inch well-seasoned cast-iron skillet is better than any of today’s best non-stick technology.  And remember – NEVER wash it with soap!

Skillet 225x300 A Real Chef’s Kitchen

Like to make soups, salad dressings and tomato sauces from scratch?  Invest in a decent immersion blender for tackling these tasks with ease.  And, as a plus, your kids will love to help make baby food, morning smoothies and milkshakes for dessert!

Mixer 2 300x225 A Real Chef’s KitchenYou’d think any old chopping block would do, right?  But according to the expert, a 1.5-in. BOOS Block is the best for chopping any- and everything and helps keep your knives sharp longer.

Block 300x200 A Real Chef’s Kitchen

And, speaking of knives – forget the packaged set of 10 with knife block, etc.  Our chef says he uses the same three knives every day.  He prefers the Henkel brand for his 10-in. chef’s knife, 2.5-in paring knife, and large serrated knife. (Remember to sharpen your knives on a stone or steel after every couple of uses and they’ll last forever).

Getting ready for that Thanksgiving turkey?  Be sure you have an instant read thermometer on hand.  If it goes up to at least 500 degrees, you won’t have to question if the turkey’s done (or the fried chicken you’re making for next week’s Sunday dinner).

Our chef didn’t provide a lot of “must haves” when it came to food staples, but he did mention the wonders of kosher salt.  We’re thinking of buying a salt box like this one from Williams Sonoma to keep right by the stove as he suggested.

Salt 225x300 A Real Chef’s Kitchen

Fresh veggies are a must in our house (and that kosher salt is yummy on grilled veg), but peeling them is the least favorite sous chef job. Apparently the OXO Y peeler takes down potatoes and squash with ease.

Our chef also told us to purchase some good commercial grade kitchen shears and set of stainless nesting bowls and to designate an old coffee grinder for spices and herbs.

Knowing he’s not a “kitchen gadget” guy, we wanted to know if there’s one tool he can’t live without. “Yep, “ he replied. “I can’t believe I’m saying it, because I fought my wife for years about it.  But a salad spinner/herb dryer is worth the money and the space it takes.  It saves major time and makes it easy to fix a quick salad anytime.  Cut and wash the leaves, spin them and then store them in a container in the fridge.  Instant healthy meal anytime.”

Spinner 300x300 A Real Chef’s Kitchen“Really,” I thought?  And then I thought again…  This is a good idea for the post-holiday diets we’ll all be embarking on.

Becoming an ‘Accidental Landlord’

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

One of the interesting effects of the housing market being down is that people, who are unable to sell their homes, are now becoming accidental landlords. In other words, if they are compelled to relocate but cannot sell their house for a reasonable price, they rent it out.

This dynamic has placed many people in a role they might not be comfortable with, and one they never thought they’d be in: The Landlord.

There are some things to keep in mind, as you become an accidental landlord:

HouseForRent 2 Becoming an ‘Accidental Landlord’

Check out potential tenants. As a first-time landlord, you need to be careful about who you accept as a tenant, as you don’t want to be stuck with someone who doesn’t pay the rent or who mistreats your home. There are online resources that allow you to perform credit and background checks for free or for a small fee. You would be surprised to find out that “normal,” nice people have very checkered pasts.

Look into leasing agents. A leasing agent will advertise your homefor you, screen tenants and arrange all the paperwork, so you don’t have to worry about it. All that convenience comes at a cost, of course. It can be steep – as much as your first month’s rent – but it might be worth it.

Allow pets. First-time landlords will be tempted to not allow pets in their property. We all have visions of a Crazy Cat Lady living amongst 50 or more cats, and the unthinkable damage that can do to your home. But the fact is pet owners make up about half of your potential tenants, and they are typically willing to pay a bit more for rent. And you can always put reasonable limits on the type, number and size of pets allowed in your lease agreement.

Find management help. This is especially important if you are an absentee landlord. Recruit a friend or relative to serve as the local contact for the tenants. That person can work with the tenants on any problems they might have and occasionally visit the property to make sure it’s being maintained. It will be well worth paying your friend a small fee. You can also hire a management company, but that also gets expensive.

Get to know a handyman (or woman). As a homeowner, you know that things always need fixing. If you’re not around to fix them, you will need someone you can trust to do any and all minor repairs. There are plenty of handymen and handywomen like this in your area. Ask friends and family for recommendations, and build a relationship with someone you can call for quick repairs.

Renting out your home rather than selling it at a significant loss can be a good alternative. In many cases, the income you get from renting will exceed your mortgage payment. That allows you to continue to build equity in the home while the market recovers over the next couple years…we hope.


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