What's hot at High Point?

Had the good luck to connect last week with Decormentor Lisa Ferguson of Lisa Ferguson Interior Design. She was headed off to the High Point Market in North Carolina and kindly offered to track the trends and report back for you, dear reader. This was great news. The High Point Market is the world’s largest home furnishings trade show but, sadly, I couldn't find an editor willing to send me down there.There are some 10 million square feet of display, and twice a year, it's where retailers, designers and magazine editors mix, mingle and proclaim the next big thing. Look below for Lisa’s take on what’s soon to be hot.  

BTW, if Lisa’s name seems familiar, it’s because she's known for having pioneered a much-replicated service concept called Decorating Excursion, which was featured in Style at Home and in the Toronto Star.Recent gigs include lectures on design and social media at Humber College and for Kravet Canada. Next up, she’s curating a five-day sale for HomeSav .

Quality of life counts

Pandora’s European Sleep System, made of hand-picked Hungarian down, is a life changer, says Lisa. Only one minute after cocooning in the bed, the tension of the day is a distant memory. The system consists of four specially sized pillows and a neck roll designed to cradle the body and promote ergonomic, healthy rest. Better than a day at the Spa!

Warmer Woods

Exit dark wood finishes that obscure the beauty of the wood grain. Enter warm medium stains and beautiful grains for visual interest and a collected-over-time feel.

Bernhardt Elements Bookcase Desk 

Smart furniture

Multi functional furniture - check. Next stop, smart furniture. Universal Furniture debuted SmartStuff, a line of youth furniture with "smart" features, such an LED snake light hidden in a bedpost, and secret jewelry storage behind the Cheval mirror.
Images: Universal Furniture

High-back chairs

Shows such as HBO’s Game of Thrones has inspired a love of medieval themes and elements, such as high-back chairs. Christopher Guy was one of many manufacturers to bring the high-back trend to dining room chairs.Image: Christopher Guy

 Gorgeous Interior Finishings

Have you ever opened a drawer on a showstopper piece only to be disappointed by poor craftsmanship and lack of attention to the interior? Prevalent at High Point were gorgeous chests, desks, tables and consoles that provided ahhhhhh! moments when  doors and drawers were opened. This dresser from Jesse has a linen-look interior that’s actually cleanable melamine.

 

 

 

More on breadmakers

 

 

Spent the better part of the last two weeks testing bread machines. So forgive me if I seem a bit fuzzy — I think I may have overdone the carbs!

Because I had one or two blips with these machines, I thought this would be a good time to “test” the company’s customer service lines. I also wanted to compare notes on warranties offered on these products. Here’s what I found. (Machines are shown above in order mentioned.)

Hamilton Beach announced earlier this year that it would offer what I believe is the only five-year warranty in Canada on small appliances. The move was prompted in part by research done by the company indicating that an overwhelming majority of consumers feel that durability, reliability and warranty are extremely important or somewhat important when making a purchase decision. No Duh!

 The HB warranty applies to products purchased only in Canada, and covers defects in material and workmanship. If the item goes on the fritz, the machine will be repaired or replaced — the choice of which belongs to Hamilton Beach — and the cost of retuning defective product or receiving replacement product falls on the consumer.

Hamilton Beach also has a consumer help line, which offers the option of leaving a message requesting a return call rather than waiting on hold. Over the course of a week, I left two messages; neither was returned. There is a Q and A section on the Hamilton Beach website, but breadmakers were not listed as a category. On the plus side, if you lose an instruction book, you can find it easily online here and download it.

Breville offers a one year warranty on defects in material or workmanship. The recipe/instruction booklet for the Breville breadmaker I tested this week directed me to a 1-866 customer line. Unfortunately, it was fully automated, and did not offer the option of getting information on this particular item. So I went to the website and sent in an email query. The response directed me to the nearest retailers that handle and repair Breville products, but did not answer my query directly. However, I realized later that the issue I was having with the fruit and nut dispenser was answered in the troubleshooting section of the instruction booklet and was quickly fixed. Which just goes to show — it pays to read instruction booklets all the way through and to hang on to them.

Finally, I called the line for the  Breadman  machine with a bogus question. There’s lots of options to choose from that will direct your call, although if you’re not aware that Breadman is a Black and Decker product, you may get confused. When I did get through to a customer service rep, however, I did get the information I supposedly needed — from a very patience and polite young man with a charming Southern accent. Breadman offers a standard two-year warranty against defects in material or workmanship.

I really must get out more - just not to the mall

Got a pedometer this week, and was told that I should be walking about 10,000 steps a day. To my utter shame, I am averaging closer to 1,500. But it’s not my fault, I swear. It just seems to get easier and easier to conduct life from a chair in front of a computer. For instance, one hardly needs to go out to shop anymore. There is an upside, of course; I can say with confidence that if I never visited another “power centre” again, it would be too soon. So maybe it’s a good thing that the world of online shopping is exploding. This seems to be especially true of sites devoted to design and décor.  News of two more crossed my desk over the past week. Both are well worth a look.

Dering Hall  is an online design marketplace where interior designers, architects, artisans, and design dealers can show their wares in almost 100 permanent virtual storefronts. The lucky ducks have an “a strategic partnership” with Hearst Magazines, which includes financial support, and print and online media collaboration with Hearst titles ELLE DECOR, House Beautiful, and Veranda. Designer products from the magazines and the accompanying websites will be available during “featured sales”.

There are a few cool features: Dering Hall users can:

follow favorite designers (all look to be U.S.-based at this point, but I did see the magnificent Martha Sturdy on there) through storefronts and automatic weekly email updates. Shoppers must check with individual vendors for information on shipping to Canada.

engage directly with individual designers to ask questions, and order product

find talent in a Designer Directory

browse editorial pages with shopping links

post and share news of Dering Hall merchandise and designers on Facebook

I could easily window shop here for a few hours — if I didn’t have to get up and walk around the block ten times! Of course, unless your daddy’s rich, you may want to be sitting down when you look at the prices, which include $425 for a pillow and $12,000 for a lighting fixture. Granted, both are exquisite — but they may be outside the reach of les pauvre schmoes comme moi. (that's French for "poor schmoes like me".)

 A new flash sales website called The Foundary brings to market a curated selection home and lifestyle products — both from brand names and emerging designers — at up to 70 per cent off retail. It’s the latest venture from the folks at Hayneedle, an online retailer that opened in 2002 as NetShops, offering consumers product from niche webstores. It quickly became one of the biggest online retailers of home and lifestyle products. In August 2009, NetShops became Hayneedle Inc., an umbrella for over 250 stores. At this point it seems more focused on selling — there are no inspirational blogs or lists of tips and tricks. But there is an extensive product selection — encompassing everything from tabletop to furniture to toys.

Alas, the Foundary only ships a few items to Canada. For an extensive online selection that ships to both Canada and the U.S., check out HomeSav, which offers great deals on a wide range of home decor items.  And, ahem, you might want to make a special note to visit their virtual store on Nov. 8, which is when a sale of tabletop and entertaining items picked by me, moi and myself will go on sale. It will be a great opportunity to stock up on lovely additions to your dining/entertaining arsenal, without busting your budget before the gift-buying even begins! 

 

 

 

New European appliance line hits Canada

High-end appliance brands, such as Miele and Bosch, will be watching closely to see what kind of splash Scholtès, a line from European appliance manufacturer Indesit, makes as it enters the North American market this month. The company prides itself on technological innovation, laying claim to the first enameled steel cooker (1923) the first pyrolytic self-cleaning oven (1969), the first glass ceramic cooktop (1974) and first induction cooktop (1979). They also boast of a penchant for avant-garde design.

Despite slightly uncertain economic conditions, the company thinks the Canadian market will embrace a new, higher-priced player. “We appeal to the customer who wants a professional-style performance product and unique design in their renovation or new build at a price tag that offers true value,” said Marco D’Arsie, North American sales manager, in a prepared release.

The line includes built-in ovens, gas and electric cooktops, ventilation, dishwashers, refrigeration drawers, wine cabinets, beverage centres and coffee machines. Take a look at the pics above, and see if you like what you see. If you do, watch for the product to begin rolling into independent retailers sooner rather than later.  I'll confirm locations as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can also check out the North American website  for more information.

Win gob(lin)s of cash for a goulish pumpkin

Forego carving your Halloween pumpkin and wrap it with Duck Tape instead and you could be in for a real treat — like a pillowcase full of Dough-Ray-Me. The company has launched a Stick or Treat Jack-O-Lantern contest, asking homeowners to get creative with Duck Tape, which comes in more than 20 colours and prints. Check out the first pic above for inspiration and take note of the second – it was the big winner last year.

Duck Tape also comes in 8.25- by 10-inch sheets, which can be used for large designs. The contest ends on November 1, when a panel of judges will choose winners based on originality, workmanship, use of color and quantity of duct tape used. First place prize in the contest is $1,000, second prize nets $500 and the third place winner will receive $250.

Good help is not so hard to find

As I point out in this week’s Hot Home Products column, Canadians are doing lots of reno and repair work these days. We’re also among the heaviest internet users on the planet. It’s no surprise, then, that we’re increasingly going online to find home improvement products and services, and people to install and deliver them. My column focuses on two new entries, but they are by far not the only ones in this rapidly expanding category.

Renomark is one of the grand-daddys. Joe Vaccaro, acting president of Building Industry and Land Development Association explains that the service was launched in 2001 in response to a growing need by consumers.

“The Association (at that time the Greater Toronto Homebuilder’s Association) decided there needed to be a professional renovation brand to help consumers identify  high-quality and well-qualified renovators,” says Vaccaro.  “The defining factor was that members would have to agree to adhere to a code of ethics that required them, among other things, to provide warranties, carry liability and WSIB insurance, and follow permitting regulations. We wanted to raise the bar, so that people could have confidence in who they hired.”

Part of the initial goal was to educate consumers, many of whom were too tightly focused on price. “Often you ended up in conversations with a consumer who wanted to know how to save a few bucks,” says Vaccaro. “That reasonable, but a good pro can help you do that so that you don’t undermine yourself.  For example, you need building permits – there’s a reason for them. If you build a deck and tie it into your house, and there’s no permit, when it comes time to sell, a good real estate person will ask that question, and it could affect your resale value. If you finish a basement and don’t inform your insurance company and then, say, are affected by flooding, your insurer may not pay because as far as they are concerned, you have an unfinished basement. But a professional renovator will flag issues like that.”

Using a recognized service is about more than just providing you with good workmanship, adds Vaccaro. “It’s about the peace of mind that comes with warranties, and with knowing that you won’t be liable if a worker has an accident on your property.”

Renomark is now endorsed by 32 local associations across Canada, and is poised to expand further. That, says Vaccaro, shows that it’s benefitting both consumers and contractors.

“What’s really striking is that it’s generally perceived that industry pushes back from standardization, and too much regulation. But they have embraced RenoMark because they see the value.”

Education will continue to be a big part of what they do, especially around issues such as the underground economy. “It’s still a challenge,” says Vaccaro. “But as the costs of projects grow, consumers become less willing to take that risk. They need more than a “red light warranty” – that’s the one where your warranty lasts as long as you can still see the red taillights of the guy’s truck as he leaves your driveway! You may save money in the short-term, but you really need to think about whether it’s worth it to give up all the protection that you have a right to, to expose yourself to liability and to affect the quality of your living space.”

Other sites include:

eRenovate, a free online community built for homeowners with user-friendly tools with a heavy emphasis on ideas and inspiration, as well as expert advice. Screened trades people can be accessed and will provide online quotes.

CasaGuru Another free web community that connects homeowners with local house experts, or “gurus” who provide advice on everything from designing, building, renovating to decorating a home. Experts are top drawer, and include the likes of Steve Maxwell and Janice Lindsay. As with the other sites, there are often prizes, contest and rebates. Currently, for example, CasaGuru is giving away about $25,000 worth of home-related loot. My sources tell me that CasaGuru is about to announce expansion plans. No word yet, but watch this space for news.

HomeStars was designed as a virtual word-of-mouth referral service, and is where homeowners can find renovators, repairpeople and retailers by searching an extensive database. They can then write reviews based on their experience.  Business owners are also free to respond to both positive and negative reviews. Homeowners can also talk to each other and share information and advice on the site’s forums.

Zoomission  Similar to uknowa, Zoomission (featured in my Hot Homes column) lets you gather quotes, compare contractors' profiles and read customer feedback before hiring.

CanadianHandyman is a source for the handyman and home repairs industry in Canada. There, you can explore manufacturers' websites, find local businesses and get quotes for residential or commercial projects. It’s all free.

 

White hot chair design

Design hounds, open your calendars to November. That's when reDesign 2011 will bring together 36 Toronto-based  artists, designers and architects, all of whom are reinventing Louis XVI-style armchairs that will sold by silent auction on November 3 at the Gladstone Hotel. Proceeds from the sale will support one of the city’s best-kept secrets — the Textile Museum of Canada — which is home to amazing textile exhibits, collections and public programs.

If the efforts of artist Peter Fleming are any indication, bravura design will be in full display. Fleming actually burned his chair to create carbonized wood which he’s planning on using to make frames.

Other participants include Bent and Gable, Bruno Billio, bookhou, Brothers Dressler, Cannon Design, Castor, David Chang, Creative Matters Inc., Georgia Dickie, David Dixon, Peter Fleming, Abe Galway, Charlene and Grant Gilmour, Grant Heaps, Thrush Holmes, Patty Johnson, Virginia Johnson, KerrSmith Design, Jeremy Laing, Ryan Legassicke, Levitt Goodman Architects, MADE, Amanda McCavour, Gord Peteran, Ed Pien, Sandy Plotnikoff, Amanda Reed, Daemon Rowanchilde, superkül inc architect, Annie Thompson, Kathryn Walter, Kevin Weiss with Holman, Gareth Wilson and Logan Wilson, and Pam Woodward.

Chef  Marc Breton will provide the food, and beer and wine are included in the $100 ticket price. For more information, call 416-599-5321 x2246, email marketing@textilemuseum.ca or click here.