This week, our Home Intel experts asked a variety of people where they get inspiration for their home décor. From renters to homeowners, to a professional interior designer, the responses were different across the board. However, in each response, a unique aspect of that individual’s personality was revealed.

Check out the answers below, and read on to find out where our contributor’s shop the most when it comes to home décor! Also, feel free to share the root of your decoration inspiration with our experts.

Noelle, Renter

• What drives? “My decoration inspiration is my sense of style given the space I’m working with. I try to achieve a clean and modern, yet cozy feel. My style reflects where I am in my life. For instance, when I was in college my room was a lot more playful. Now, my room is more mature.”
• Where she shops: Target, Home Goods, IKEA, and Bed Bath & Beyond

Susan, Homeowner

• What drives? “Seasonal changes drive my decoration inspiration – specifically the colors and textures of different seasons.”
• Where she shops: Kohl’s, Target and Michael’s

Ryan, Renter (IMRE team member)

• What Drives? “I tend to mix and match styles.  I could be out at a restaurant or watching a movie and get ideas. I gravitate toward simple designs that have some kind of quirky feature, be it colors, shape, etc. Recently, I’ve really been intrigued by design from the 50’s.  The classic record player stand I recently bought fits in well.”
• Where he shops: IKEA, Thrift Shops and Target

Diane, Professional Interior Designer, www.designsonadime.webs.com

• What Drives? “Much of my inspiration comes from the thousands of photographed designer room clippings I’ve collected from decorating magazines such as Traditional Home, Better Homes & Garden and Country Living.”
• Where she shops: JC Penny, IKEA, Country Curtains and other home décor catalogs

Mariellen, Homeowner

• What drives? “Victorian and traditional “comfort.” I like rich, warm colors and soft lines. Heavy drapes and lace curtains. Ying and Yang, a mixture so that I don’t have a cookie cutter house.”
• Where she shops: Pier 1, The Home Store, Gardiner’s, Marshall’s and Big Lots

Caitlin, Renter (IMRE team member)

• What Drives? “I like to turn to decorating magazines for ideas and inspiration. I like to think that my personal decorating style is a combination of many different styles, so browsing through magazines helps me fine-tune what I like and pick out my favorites. Decorating for me is a work in progress that is constantly changing and evolving as my lifestyle does.”
• Where she shops? Home Goods, Pier 1 and TJMaxx

Courtesy of designerpreviews.com

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By Kristen Jones

CSR - it’s an acronym many companies are using now that had little meaning twenty years ago.  Corporate Social Responsibility, although started off as a trend, has manifested into a strategic business platform for many companies, both domestic and global, to drive positive change.  It’s no longer a company differentiator or “PR  ploy,” but rather a movement that all companies are integrating into their overall business strategy.  It’s become THE standard way of doing business.

The demand for more ethical and law-abiding business practices came to life in the 21^st century - specifically with the boom of eco-conscious companies wanting to make a real worldly (earthly) difference, as well as to infuse behavioral changes amongst its customer base.  Business ethics came into play, so companies both big and small began developing sustainable eco-friendly business models, started taking responsibility for the global environment, and began giving back to the communities in need - both in-kind and financially.

The “green boom” brought corporate responsibility to the forefront to many corporations (and consumers) minds and helped to bring all CSR practices to a helm.  Many companies now follow a three-tiered structural approach - social, environmental and economic - to help build its business infrastructure and strengthen its brand.

• Social Change - The demand for measurable social impact is growing rapidly. Whether donating their services pro bono, employees volunteering at local nonprofits, providing disaster relief, helping local schools, or providing military support, companies are putting a stake in the ground and helping to strengthen their communities. Strong and communities equal stronger businesses.

• Environmental Responsibility - Companies are developing and implementing new ways to be environmentally mindful by minimizing their carbon footprint, through tactics like waste management, low/zero emission facilities, government compliance and sustainable products and packaging.

• Economic Accountability - Companies’ financial commitment and a clear corporate governance strategy is equally important to its CSR efforts, from community development programs, providing jobs, corporate compliance and careful site and product selection.

Now more so than ever, customers are demanding that companies be held accountable for its actions and give back.  People want to shop, work and interact with brands that are dedicated to creating a measurable social impact.  In fact, a Cone Inc survey conducted in 2006 found that of the 28% of ages 13 to 25 who are employed full time, 79% said they want to work for a company that cares about how it affects or contributes to society.  It also suggests these “millennials” are “the most socially conscious consumers to date.” It’s the ole’ chicken and the egg question. Coincidence? Did a corporate light bulb go off or was it a response to their customers’ demands?  Does it even matter?  As long as companies are jumping on the CSR bandwagon and driving positive change, who cares how the movement started - just as long as it’s in motion.

To learn more, check out the Committee for Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, Harvard Business Review and Corporation for National and Community Service.

• Consumer 101: 2010 Corporate Sustainability Expectations

As the economy began to weaken, language including “Staycation,” “DIY” and “weekend warriors” started becoming regular vocabulary in mainstream consumer America.  DIY is largely seen as a way for homeowners and consumers to save money and tackle challenges on their own, without the help of a professional.  But a second, completely different definition of DIY is becoming mainstream: DIY for art, individuality and culture.  Made of consumers, artists and creative sprits, the Handmade Revolution is slowly growing its voice in consumer culture.

Defining Handmade

Describing an object as “handmade” may conjure notions of amateur, country crafts or our grandmothers; the modern definition is anything but. Today handmade can be defined as a convergence of craft, art and necessity.  As consumers and homeowners across the nation began doing improvement projects on their own, such as adding a garden, replacing hardware and laying new flooring, similarly a number of those same consumers began to look at how they can apply the same philosophy to things that would go inside the house.  Whether it’s jewelry, blankets, wall art, clothing or the other countless examples of handmade items, the movement is taking crafting to a new level.  The modern handmade world isn’t your grandma and her friends knitting over a cup of tea, its members are not only artists, but advocates for individuality, creativity, sustainability and the idea that people really can do it themselves.  The movement is driven by a simple but obvious pairing of Internet access and the DIY culture.

Leaders of the movement

In 2008 The New York Times produced a profile piece on The Handmade Nation and its leader Faythe Levine.  The article portrays two sides to The Nation - first the creative and hands-on part that shows people doing something they love, and second that it’s not all hot glue and fabric - the Handmade Nation is a business thriving on entrepreneurial spirit.  As The Handmade Nation documentary and book show there are many crafters and creatives across the U.S. that make up this Indie nation. Mass networks of talent, including The Handmade Nation and associations like The American Craft Council, are truly giving the movement a voice.  Etsy, an online marketplace where crafters and enthusiasts can buy and sell their handmade items, features everything from clothing to home goods.  The site is a leader in the handmade trend, and even spurred the development of chapters or local coalitions like BEST - The Baltimore Etsy Street Team.

The Business

Design*Sponge recently featured a post on Kari Chapin’s new book, The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally and Online.  Taking a closer look at the business side of the handmade movement, it’s clear that its success is heavily due to the pairing of the internet market and the DIY trend.  In today’s economy, the bottom line is people want to save money in all possible ways.  As a result, a number of trends have seen growth because they each provide a different approach to meeting that bottom line.  Sustainability and handmade are two movements that have successfully developed into this type of trend.  Buying and living sustainably allows consumers to save on energy costs and other resources but also gives them the satisfaction that they’ve done something greater and good for the environment.  Practicing handmade crafts and buying handmade puts a creative and fun approach on saving money and recycling materials and everyday objects.  The handmade and sustainable movements give consumers a little bit of that control and power back that they thought they lost during the recession.

The Culture

We said before that handmade is successful thanks to the mix of the Internet and DIY.  It’s taken off as a trend, and more and more people are leaving the big boxes behind to find or create something unique to meet their needs.  Last month Wired.com featured an article on the Revlolution in Micromanufacturing that describes the take off of the trend.  Just as there’s a satisfaction in creating or buying something that allows you to save or recycle, there’s also a wanting among consumers to be individualized.  The handmade movement is highly fueled on aesthetic appeal, which is something in higher demand now that many consumers have had to cut back on those unnecessary items or “wants” in the down economy.

There are so many facets of The Handmade Nation, and we can’t narrow it down to one post.  Over the next few months we’ll be producing a series highlighting different parts and people of handmade. Until our next post, take a look at some of our favorite blogs that feature handmade works:

Design*Sponge

ScoutieGirl

HelloCraft

CraftZine

TheCraftyDevils

Etsy-Love

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Happy Friday! For some fun Friday reading, check out the links below for news and trends you may have missed this week.

How to Decorate Using Color

Fun and Colorful Humidifiers

Hearst Rolling Out “Esquire Home Collection” for Ultimate Bachelor Pad

Wonder: Pantone View Colour Planner Winter 2011/2012

Wallpaper Trends: Wallpaper an Entryway

Courtesy of Good Bones Great Pieces

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Spring is on its way! And with the leaves returning and flowers blooming, most homeowners are starting their spring-cleaning to-do lists. We’ve got ours underway…closet reorganization, yard-sale plans, power washing appointments.

Along with those typical chores comes an itch for something to brighten or refresh the home and make everything “new” again.

There’s no denying the downturn in the economy brought a return to the home…more people are eating in, entertaining casually and focusing on the spaces that mean the most. So, what better time to look around your home and make some improvements that don’t cost a lot but bring about major results?

The kitchen is considered the heartbeat of a home…it’s likely where we spend the most time together, and with guests. So, why not focus there when looking to refresh your living space? There are many new options in the market now that can make a big impact.

Lighting – Consider your lighting. Are harsh fluorescents skewing the look of the kitchen? A new chandelier combined with task lighting could be the perfect item to shed new light. To figure out the size you need, measure the length and width of the room in feet. Then add the two numbers together. The sum should equal the diameter of the chandelier—in inches.

Countertops – While most people head straight for the granite, there are other surfaces to consider when refreshing the kitchen counter….like molded linoleum tiles coated with a polyurethane finish. Here’s an example featured in a recent Country Living kitchen remodel.

Plumbing Fixtures – Faucets are one of the easiest items to replace in a kitchen, and there’s one for every style kitchen and home. Here’s one that’s great to look at, but also provides the added benefit of hot, cold and filtered water from a single source. Rhol brings this innovative, integrated faucet filtration solution to consumers via the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. For tips for kitchen faucet shopping, take a look at this article.

Cabinet Hardware – With the easy-to-install addition of new hardware, cabinets and drawers can look brand new, and in 2010 it’s all about traditional. So, these pulls from Hickory Hardware could be perfect for a quick kitchen facelift. According to the company, you can get this little project done on a Saturday morning.

Floors – New floors require a budget, but a new rug can bring new life to a room and have a lasting impact. With kitchen traffic in mind, consider a rug that’s easily cleaned – preferably in the washing machine.

Decorative Accents – With the kitchen serving as the social center of the home, it’s not enough to just be functional anymore. Sure, the right cookware is key, even for the novice cook, but what’ll keep them in the room while you’re slaving away is the overall atmosphere. Make it warm. Make it inviting. But make it yours. Choose interesting artwork, special stoneware and unique objects that personalize the space.

With just a few additions like these, your kitchen spring spruce-up is sure to satisfy that urge for something completely new.

We should note that for some a little refresh project doesn’t always solve that itch for something new. And according to Harvard’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), there are signs the remodeling industry is poised for renewal this spring. Good news for those in the industry! What will be the key to success, however, is how those companies market products to consumers. Americans are still watching pennies and cutting coupons…and the purchases they are making are those that bring the most value. Give them a product that will make their lives easier or more satisfying…and brings exceptional value….and they’ll buy.

PS – We will be walking the halls at the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and looks forward to sharing even more trends, tips and tricks from Chicago’s McCormick Place.

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Fortunately, manufacturers like Sub-Zero, GE and Whirlpool understand that the average consumer doesn’t spend a ton of time paying attention to this key kitchen appliance, and they have proactively researched ways to tackle the messy, unorganized refrigerator problem that many of us face.

In addition to supplying educational information that tells consumers how they should store food, top brands are also introducing innovative features that are designed to combat germs, purify air and make it easier for consumers to see the items that are in their refrigerators.

In May 2010, GE will introduce new models with 10 lighting sources rather than the standard three so that food is easier to spot. According to this article, the company hopes that the added lighting sources will make food more visible to consumers and therefore prevent items from spoiling due to the fact that they have been hidden in dark corners and forgotten.

Later this year, Whirlpool will introduce new refrigerators with shelves that have a microscopic etching and are 25% larger than those on existing models. The etching is designed to create surface tension, causing spilled liquids to bubble up around the perimeter of the container rather than spill over.

Courtesy of kitchencontraptions.com

With new innovations like these, it will be interesting to see how consumers’ relationships with their refrigerators changes, if at all. As far as GE, Sub-Zero and Whirlpool are concerned, they certainly hope that we all pay better attention to the way we store items and how frequently we clean these appliances.

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Believe it or not the thaw is on its way, and as those spring cleaning lists grow, be sure to add a home energy audit to your to-dos. The audits take a closer look around the house and can help identify more than the obvious energy sucking cracks and leaks you’re already aware of – and in addition to being beneficial for the environment, the audits can help you save, too. Today we’ve got the scoop on home energy audits.

Energy Audit Options

DIY Approach

If you’re planning to take the DIY rout to the audit, we suggest (as always) doing the research first. Since taking a walking tour of your home to find problem areas can seem like a daunting task, it’s a good idea to identify target areas for improvement. For example, here the DOE’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) office provides Air Leaks, Insulation, Heating/Cooling and Lighting as main categories; then the site gives details on how to take a closer look at them in your home.

DIFM Approach

For energy audits when it comes to hiring the pros there’s a ton of options, and it’s essential to pick the most credible source. Certification is something important to look for in a home energy audit service. At Home Intel we think the best bet is too look for a tie to an organization or association, since most likely means the pros were trained and tested on the latest standards in energy efficiency. The Building Performance Institute offers services to find a certified contractor, as well as background information on the different tests and they do and what they’re looking to gather. The Residential Energy Services Network can help you find a certified tester, and also provides a wealth of valuable information for consumers.

Outside of associations/organizations/institutions there are a variety of independent audit solutions. Since there’s a lot of clutter to navigate through in the world of independent audit services, Wall Street Journal wrote a piece on filtering the good from the bad. They found a lot of services that either gave too technical much info that, or services that didn’t give enough feedback in their reporting. Still in their research they did find a few winners, and their ratings and conclusions are outlined at the end of the article.

Keep in mind…

• Technology - It’s important to make sure energy audit services and pros have the experience and certification, but if you’re going to pay for a service make sure they’ve also got the leading technology for the job. The EERE says key devices and methods include blower door test, thermographic scans and the PFT air infiltration measurement technique. It’s up to you how much you want to learn about these new technologies/methods, but it’s a good idea to at least mention them in your audit service interview process.
• Set Goals - Whether you’re doing a DIY audit or working with a pro, make sure you set expectations and communicate what you want to get out of the audit. If you’re doing it on your own set a plan for yourself and don’t deviate from that rout. If you’re working with a pro use the EERE list as a reference and give them areas you’d like to focus on improving in addition to the areas they’ll search on their own.
• Next Steps – Once the audit is complete it’s easy to loose steam and motivation to carry out the improvements to problem areas you found. Gather your results divide them into two categories – areas of improvement you and your family can make and bigger projects that you may want to consult a professional on. If you worked with a service to do your audit, ask them for suggestions for next steps.

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Think positive, but be realistic.  And, clean your house!

Oh the joys of the real estate market. The frustration of trying to sell is only (slightly) overridden by the hope that you can take advantage of the market lows when you are able to purchase. It’s certainly a catch-22 as no one wants to take a bath on their own house, yet we’re fully prepared to take some poor seller to the cleaners.

When will we sell? What will the interest rate be? Should we put an offer on contingency? While we all wish it would be as easy as Johnny Carson in a turban putting an envelope to his head and saying, “May, 2010 for 2% under asking price,” it’s a waiting game. And a preparation game.

What we do have is data. The real estate industry and the economic forecasters do nothing if not produce data. The challenge, as with all financial predications based on history and market conditions, is getting a decent analysis. From realtor websites that want to create a hospitable atmosphere to the financial pundits who are doom and gloom, it’s all about reading multiple opinions, getting local information and doing your own analysis.

Where to start? Take a quick national glance, then take it local and apply that information to your town. In December 2009, sales of existing homes in the U.S. declined significantly, coinciding with the original deadline for the first-time homebuyer tax credit program. The National Association of Realtors reported that the total sales of existing homes dropped 16.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.45 million units, down from 6.54 million in November. However, sales were up 15 percent from 4.74 million homes in December 2008.

Maybe you’re lucky enough to live in one of the more favorable areas. Reporter Liz Scherzer from SmartMoney.com reported on the top five areas of the country that Moody’s Examiner.com analyzed and deemed the fare the best in 2010. The predicted areas are: Tacoma, Wash., (an increase of 2.44%); Memphis, Tenn., (up 0.99%); Pittsburgh (up 0.89%); Charleston, S.C. (up 0.18%); and Seattle (decline of 0.50%).

Regardless of your locale, here are tips from RealEstateABC.com for anyone selling a home:

• Repair the little things. The potential buyer easily notices loose hinges and railings, and likely they’ll think that the bigger things have also been neglected.
• Cleanliness is key. In a slow market, don’t turn down potential walk-throughs just because you’re not prepared. Keep it clean and take advantage of all opportunities.
• Consider home staging, depersonalization and clutter removal. It will make it easier for the buyer to “see” themselves in that space.
• Keep pets caged and litter boxes cleaned. Seems obvious, but….

And here are a few from us at HomeIntel

• You know your home better than anyone. Don’t be afraid to tell your realtor exactly what you want highlighted in the brochure. Or, better, create it yourself.
• Done any major upgrades to your home? Create a one-pager or add it to your brochure.
• Think beyond your local community. If you live in Florida and your neighbors seem to be moving in from up north, then market your home in New Jersey or New York local media outlets.

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A look at programs and services that help consumers recycle items beyond the typical paper, glass, plastic.

Complements of the Highland Council

When you consider the history of recycling, we’ve moved from the stereotype of “only paper” to separating paper, glass, and plastic to single stream recycling where all materials can be mixed into one container.  Though more recycling bins line the streets of suburbia and dot the alleys of the cities today than in the past, sometimes it can be difficult to determine how to properly recycle those bigger items found around the home.  Today we’re providing a list of services and organizations that provide information on how to dispose of unwanted clutter- whether old furniture or an outdated PC.

Government

A good place to start learning about recycling is the EPA’s website.  Here you can find information on recycling categories and actual services and best practices.  Here the EPA explains eCycling - the method of recycling old electronic products.  Once you have the background you can check out this page, which lists different eCycling programs and services.

Some governing bodies in the U.S. are working to pass laws that require manufacturers to pick up their portion of the tab.  This New York Times article provides a great example of New York City working to pass a law that makes collection and recycling services mandatory for manufacturers when it comes to electronic waste.

Brands

Keeping with the idea that the responsibility of recycling shouldn’t completely fall on the shoulders of consumers, there are a number of brands that offer recycle and trade in programs.

If you’re looking for a quick drop off point, try Best Buy’s Walk-in recycle program.  Or consider a larger initiative like the partnership between LG and Waste Management.  Together the brands are offering consumers a recycling program for televisions.

Associations

With such a large number of homeowners trading in their outdated appliances for newer energy efficient models, you have to wonder where all of those old appliances are going.  Working with an organization like The Steel Recycling Institute is a great way to ensure you’re hunk of metal doesn’t wind up rotting away and causing problems in a landfill.  At The Institute’s website you can find information on not only how to recycle but also how to buy recycled.

Independent Sources

Beyond the corporations, associations and governing bodies, there are a number of newly developed sources that can help answer questions when it comes to recycling.  Over at Earth911.com there’s always an interesting article that gives a fresh angle to consider the recycling process.  Currently they have sustainability and recycle themed pieces that consider the Olympics, Mardi Gras trash, and “Wow, You Can Recycle That?”

Lessons Learned

Here are a few quick tips that are good to keep in mind for recycling items beyond the typical:

• Check the EPA website
• Check with your local government for any programs offered
• Check with the company that your product came from - they may offer a program to take it back and dispose of it properly
• If you’re buying a new item, check with the company that makes that new item as they may also have a trade in program
• No recycling question is stupid - no matter how large or small the item.  When in doubt call your state or county waste management service

Want more info on salvage and building wast - check out our latest post on our sister blog Build Intel. Click here.

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Today, it’s all about convenience. We pay our bills online, check ourselves out at the grocery store and, chances are, most people can’t remember the last time they actually walked into a bank. Throughout the course of a day, we interact with dozens of brands without ever encountering a single human being.

The rise of online networks, blogs, and social media tools in recent years has made it so easy and convenient for companies to interact with customers virtually, some would say the need for the face-to-face interaction is no longer relevant.

However, not all companies are taking that approach. Instead of asking customers what they think of a product, 3M Company has set up customer innovation centers all over the world to give customers the opportunity to be part of the product development process.

According to a recent New York Times article, John Horn, vice president for research and development at 3M’s industrial and transportation business, explained, “The goal is to understand what our customers are trying to accomplish, not what they say they need.”

What can we learn from all this?

Turns out we, as homeowners, might be the most important source for product development research out there. We’re the ones who are using these products on a daily basis. We know which ones delight us and which ones fall short. We know what features would make our lives so much easier, and which only seem to complicate things.

This approach is also something to consider when making important purchasing decisions. Do we want to buy our next major appliance from a manufacturer that wants us to share our experience with the product online after the fact, or one that relied on customer input from the start?

Maybe more companies in our industry will see the value in this model and consider tapping into their greatest product development resource…the homeowner. If so, we’re ready when you are.

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