Recently, Home Intel met up with John Stein of Kirei USA to talk about the green movement and how he is seeing it affect American consumers. Take a look at the below video to hear his thoughts.
Archive for the ‘Live Coverage’ Category
Industry Insider: Kirei Discusses Green Movement
Monday, May 11th, 2009KBIS Wrap-up Part 3
Monday, May 4th, 2009Designers Urged to Show Value
On Sunday, John Gidding of HGTV’s Designed to Sell addressed interior designers and kitchen/bath industry members in a session entitled “Design and Inspiration.” Gidding emphasized that designers must provide value in order to succeed in the current economy.
He advised designers and industry professional to abide by the three principles below:
- Modify existing and prefabricated products – bargain shop at furniture floor sales and national prefabricated wholesalers. Don’t limit your thinking by accepting pieces as they are, consider adding new fabrics, knobs or even turning a piece into something entirely different.
- Rethink familiar materials - Gidding recommended using butcher block for countertops and back splashes and shared examples of added plywood to these countertops for additional design elements.
- Innovate looking forward – think about designs that are sustainable, thus proving value to the homeowner and practicing environmental good choices.
KBIS Wrap-up Part 2
Monday, May 4th, 2009Homeowners Incorporate Essential Luxuries into Their Homes
At the National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show this past weekend, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and Interior Designer Carole Freehauf from This Old House held a session on “Technology and Trends.” Thoughts were shared regarding how the economic strain is impacting homeowners and the smart decisions they are making in response to it.
As homeowners seek solace from the current economic crisis in their homes, they are focusing on incorporating essential luxuries into their spaces, including easy-to-use products and those that offer sustainability, organization and energy efficiencies.
The speakers also shared the following two findings from a recent AIA study.
- Homeowners are seeking smart makeovers in their homes including larger pantry space, dedicated recycled centers and renewable materials.
- With a focus on better living, there is a decline in unnecessary products like pot fillers, wine refrigerators and warming drawers.
So, what’s next for kitchens and baths? According to these experts, homeowners can expect the kitchens and bathrooms of the future will include smarter products that make living spaces more energy efficient and create optimal organization within a space.
KBIS Wrap-up Part 1
Monday, May 4th, 2009This past weekend, the city of Atlanta hosted the annual National Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Attendees enjoyed a plethora of innovative new products specifically designed to enhance kitchens and bathrooms.
Below are a few product and trend highlights from the show:
- Space savers – As more homeowners want to make the most of their spaces without having to undergo an expensive remodel, manufacturers are developing new products that save space and time. Compact washer and dryer units are not only more stylish, but also more efficient than ever before. Additionally, cabinetmakers introduced innovative racks, ironing stations and various organizational storage solutions.
- LED Lighting – LED lighting is being heavily promoted as an extremely energy efficient light choice as well as an ideal solution for under cabinet lighting. LED is also showing up in unique places include sinks, tubs, faucets and showerheads – it brings a fresh design application to kitchen and bath products while also offering task lighting.
- Color Trends – Several booths revealed new color lines including muted pastels, earth tones, whites as well as bolder colors in the kitchen.
- Sustainable Products – Several innovations to sustainable living were introduced including bamboo outdoor cabinetry, WaterSense certified faucets, water saving toilets, waterless urinals, water efficient showerheads and solar water heating systems.
IMRE asks How Green is That Product? at KBIS this weekend
Monday, May 4th, 2009The house was packed for our expert green presentation at KBIS this weekend. Our very own SVP of Home & Building, Shawn Draper, in partnership with Sarah Gutterman of Green Builder Media, shared a few secrets behind determining if a product is really as green as it’s touted to be. And if not, just how do you authentically market green product lines?
Here’s some key stats coming out of the presentation:
- 90% of buyers age 25 and under are purchasing brands that support a cause
- 40 million baby-boomers using their $3 trillion in buying power to purchased environmentally safe brands
- 80% of corporate sustainability executives from Fortune 500 companies across North America plan to increase spending 73% on sustainability and clean technology by 2010
- Shift of economic values to encourage conservation, efficiency, and more innovation
- Planned product obsolescence
- New,virtuous business cycle in which sustainable thinking begets sustainability
With market forces driving demand for green products, the opportunity for green marketing is growing daily and the risk of undermining consumer confidence is growing right along side it.
Courtesy of 2008 PriceWaterhouse Cooper Survey
We touched on best practices for green marketing last week, but here are some areas every manufacturer, builder, designer and architect should keep in mind when touting their organizations’ green attributes.
Manufacturing:
- Eliminate toxins & pollutants; Zero-waste & energy;
- High-efficiency processes; Carbon credits
Products:
- Recycled/renewable inputs; Reduce embodied energy; Increase life-cycle and durability; Product recovery and transformation into other products
Packaging:
- Reduce materials used; Use recycled material; Use returnable/renewable/biodegradable packaging; Deliver products in bulk to reduce packaging
Transportation:
- Reduce distances; Route efficiencies; Alternative vehicles & fuels; Invest in tree planting programs to offset transportation impact
Purchasing:
- Buy materials from suppliers that have a sustainability strategy; Analyze embodied energy, resource use, packaging and waste production from product
Corporate Culture:
- Programs to promote sustainable thinking, choices & decisions; Alternative live/work scenarios; Conservation; Morale-building initiatives; Use ‘green’ accounting to reflect full environmental costs of decisions
Download the full presentation here:
And feel free to email us any additional questions you might have.
Enjoy the View from K/BIS 2009
Friday, May 1st, 2009
Check out the sights from our trip to K/BIS 2009! We hit the show floor on Friday morning and will be sharing updates and insights with you throughout the weekend. You can also follow the action on Twitter – http://twitter.com/homeintel.
HIRI Report: Four Common Thoughts About the Home Industry
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009Yesterday, we attended the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) 2009 Spring Conference where speakers discussed “Home Improvement in Challenging Times,” and economists shared data to showcase the influence of the current recession on the home industry.
Although multiple forecasts were presented, there were four messages that continued to pop up throughout the day. While these four points are not earth-shatteringly new, its nice to see commonalities within the industry.
The four common threads from the conference presentations and discussions among attendees include:
- This year is going to be very difficult for the home industry, but we can expect to see an uptick in home sales, consumer spending, housing starts, etc in 2010 with acceleration in 2011.
- After watching the values of their homes plummet, consumers are fearful and lack confidence when it comes to spending money on home repairs. Given the fact that their confidence is at an all-time low, we cannot expect that it will bounce back quickly. Rather, it will be a slow crawl to recovery for many Americans.
- There is a huge shift from “do it for me” to “do it yourself” as more and more homeowners are tackling home projects on their own in an attempt to save money.
- While the average ticket is not nearly as high as it used to be, homeowners are still spending money to update their properties. As marketers, the key is to recognize that the projects that homeowners are doing are on a much smaller scale than they used to be.
In an attempt to maintain a positive outlook, it is important to note that several of the presenters mentioned that the recession will ultimately allow more people to enter the housing market. As prices continue to fall, more Americans will be encouraged to get off the sidelines and purchase their dream home.
Pantone Unveils 2010 Color Direction at the 2009 International Home + Housewares Show
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009
Highlights from Leatrice Eiseman’s Keynote Address and Handouts
“Design and color trends are not conjured up in a crystal ball – they are a result of much observation of the surrounding natural world as well as the influences that will impact the world of the future”, said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute yesterday at the 2009 International Home and Housewares show in Chicago, IL.
To a packed ballroom full of eager show attendees, Eiseman shared her insights about what influences color trends and revealed Pantone’s 2010 Color Forecast. The eight palettes for 2010 are Greenmarket, Resourceful, Transformations, Ambiance, Gatherings, Galaxy, High Definition and Pastiche.
Here’s a look at what Eiseman shared with us about these color palettes*:
- Greenmarket – The need for healthier and more artisanal foods has grown from the traditional farmers market to the green market. From Tomato Puree to Beaujolais and the tang of Super Lemons or the bite of Apple Green to the more exotic flavors of Dijon, Paprika or Chutney, there are representational hues that both entice and appeal to the eyes and the taste buds. We’ll see more of these color combos emerging in 2010.
- Resourceful – The colors in this palette include mauve, orange, yellow and light pinks. It’s not the mauve though of your mothers’ days, or the mauve seen in the1980s. Rather, it’s a more mauve orchid color. Additional colors in this palette such as Sequoia, Golden Ochre and Aqua Sky, speak of earth and sky, but vibrant Tiger lily and Mauve Orchid add a unique and distinctive presence to the mix.
- Transformations – This is a romantic color combination in both style and mood, offering the promise of a quiet respite. Shapes are graceful, surfaces and colors are engaging and unobtrusive in soothing Stratosphere Blue, Crème de Menthe, Lavender Gray, Willow Green, Cameo Pink, Amber light and hints of pale gold. Look for colors in the palette to surface more in 2010.
- Ambiance – This grouping adds a thoughtful aesthetic that can be adapted seamlessly and successfully into many motifs. Rich Coffee Bean, and Cognac are central to the color theme, while the subtle shades of Stonewash Blue, Stucco and Silver Pink and two shades of gray add an interesting intensity and synergistic effect to this palette.
- Gatherings – Inspired primarily by the continent of Africa with its vastness and complexities, Gatherings brings together a compilation of colors that demonstrates the uniqueness of the region. Colors highlighted in this palette include Cypress Green, Smoke Blue, Sand and Oasis mixed with the magic of Twilight Mauve, Lemon Curry and the heated glimmer of Copper Coin. Eiseman says we should expect to see more influences from Africa in home décor in 2010.
- Galaxy – Mirroring the colors of the earth, this is a soothing palette. The greens in this pallet are called Greener Pastures and Peridot. These colors powerfully contrast against the deeper extraterrestrial blues, silvers, and stormy violets also reflected in this color combination. Brilliant sprays of Turquoise and Orchid Tone enhance the palette, while Rich Gold embodies the energy and splendors of the epicenter of it all – the sun.
- High Definition – Black, white and gray are the timeless centerpieces of this color palette. They are enriched and defined by the dramatic infusion of Amaranth, Paisley Purple, Malaga Wine and the flowering fuchsia shade of Ibis Rose.
- Pastiche – This palette illustrates not only a collection of unexpected styles, but colors as well. It includes combinations such as Lavendula and Absinthe Green along with Chipmunk, Mimosa Yellow and a brighten Strawberry Ice among other colors.
For more on color trends check out Eiseman’s blog at http://eisemancolorblog.com/
*Descriptions of color palettes are not complete overviews. They are highlights only and taken in part directly from presentation handout.
Trend Report from the 2009 International Home + Housewares Show
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
Experts Offer a Sneak Peak at Today’s Biggest Lifestyle Trends
Color, design and function are the buzzwords at the 2009 International Home and Housewares show in Chicago, IL.
Today, the second day of the show, opened with an enlightening keynote presentation by Tom Mirabile, vice present of global trend and design for Lifetime Brands. Tom, along with a panel of trend analysts, gave a sneak peak at the most important trends at work in the consumer marketplace right now.
Specific trend highlights include:
Generational Divides – We now have four generations of homeowners. The way each generation views the home is very different, so marketers cannot market to all homeowners in the same way and expect to get results. Rather, each generation needs to be targeted individually.
- Generation Y (Age 14 to 33, 84 million in America) are looking for color and style. Home is more of a turnkey space at this stage of life.
- Generation X (Age 34 to 43, 43 million in America) are looking for products that can multi-task. They will pay for improved functionality.
- Baby Boomers (Age 44 to 63, 81 million) are looking for durable products. Additionally, this group of homeowners is looking for products that make entertaining easier.
- Prime Timers (Age 64 and over, 40 million) want easy features and products that have ergonomic and intuitive designs.
Live-in Kitchens – Kitchens are being reinvented as the second living room, so homeowners are looking for things like camouflaged appliances. Tom urged manufactures to think about the total experience in the kitchen and look at the room in different zones. (One zone should be designated for cooking, one for homework/crafts and another for entertaining).
Living Within Our Means – This recession is a life-changing event for all consumers. It is redirecting value – quality and durability are replacing disposable consumption. Tom cautioned attendees to think about what it means to be a frugal customer and keep that question in mind when designing products.
The Green Kitchen – According to the panel this morning, over consumption is being replaced by commitment to conservation. Being green is becoming a key factor in how consumers perceive companies overall. Consumers want to know what is really green, and they expect retailers and manufactures to pick up the tab for green enhancements. In making this trend work for you, Tom suggested that manufacturers minimize consumer confusion by verifying and proving green claims.
Wellness Kitchen – Like green kitchens, wellness kitchens are on the rise. Given the renewed commitment to living longer and healthier lives, consumers want products that help them buy local and grow their own food.
Cooking for Fun – As a culture we are returning to core values, such as spending time with family and friends. Because Americans are foodies, making food has become a key outlet for these values.
Stay tuned for more updates from the show.
