Welcome to the Kleber & Associates blog! Here’s the latest on the Top Products at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show:
Housing From a New York Perspective
Although the housing start numbers came in slightly below expectations this week, there were nevertheless several important positive takeaways to salute. While new construction dropped slightly from 909,000 in January to 907,000 in February… new building permits rose 7.7%, to the highest rate since October and the second highest rate since the middle of 2009. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median existing home price in February was up 9.1% year over year.
What’s more, RealtyTrac reported that foreclosure activity in February fell to its lowest level in more than seven years. The combination of limited supply, recovering economic conditions with low rates and strong permitting bodes well for steady gains in construction activities during the upcoming spring and summer months. You wouldn’t know there were tensions in US-Russian diplomacy, Federal Reserve commentary or even missing airliners from New York fashion media. Instead, attention there this week was focused on the Architectural Digest Home Design Show – one of the year’s most important forums for what’s new and what’s next in Home and Building Products. In case you couldn’t be in attendance, below are our five favorite brands from the show.
Blomberg
Leading European appliance manufacturer, Blomberg debuted several innovative products for the US, including their new Four-Door Cooling Refrigerator. With proprietary Blue Light Technology to maintain the freshness and vitamin value of fruits and vegetables as well as a Flexi Zone temperature control system that extends cooling from -10°F to +50°F, allowing for storage of fresh or frozen foods in a single compartment… this fridge is truly in harmony with today’s lifestyles.
Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens
Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens hosted several new stainless steel cabinet finishes, designed for outdoor living enthusiasts looking for a splash of color. The display gave attendees a taste of the popular “inside/out” residential experience… complete with color-coordinated stainless steel cabinets, appliances and matching furniture. And we were not the only fans of this exciting offering, as the brand won the coveted ASID Top Pick 2014 Award at the show.
Atocha Design
Retro was hot, from mid-century modern design to products that reminded us of simpler times — when vacuum tubes ruled the technology landscape. Made for vinyl enthusiasts and collectors, the Atocha Design Record Cabinet is designed to preserve your music collection while offering the elegance and aesthetics of hand-crafted furniture. Each drawer holds approximately 95 LPs (now being re-issued again, remember those?) and various models are available for holding CDs, 7-Crestron offered great insight into the true power of home automation technology. Motorized shades, automatic lighting, climate control, security and door locks were just some of the convenience features on display. The brand demonstrated how hand-held smart phone mobile devices can be used for a number of important tasks, including adjusting thermostats and remote locking and unlocking doors.
Crestron
Motorized shades, automatic lighting, climate control, security and door locks were just some of the convenience features on display. The brand demonstrated how hand-held smart phone mobile devices can be used for a number of important tasks, including adjusting thermostats and remote locking and unlocking doors.
Walpole Outdoors
Walpole Outdoors brought to the event their new PVC Pergola product — echoing the overall show trend of alternative materials for traditional applications. PVC provides superior durability and resistance to the elements with the ability to color match to homeowner’s most exacting specifications. And to “top” things off, Walpole demonstrated a remote-controlled motorized, retractable ceiling screen… designed to deliver even further control over mother nature.
Kleber & Associates is an Atlanta-based integrated marketing communications agency serving the home and building products industry for 25 years. Visit the Kleber & Associates website for the latest news and information about marketing for home and building products for consumers, architects, builders, remodelers, designers and manufacturers. Through our marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing expertise — we build better brands that build a better home.
