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Speak up! Public speaking is good for business

Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Public speaking is a good way for interior design professionals to create credibility, establish expertise and get business. Designers can share their insights by speaking at home shows, conferences of facility managers, "lunch and learn" meetings for realtors, continuing education classes or other public programs. It's an easy way to make a maximum marketing impact for a minimal investment of time and money.

All signs pointing up for home remodelers

Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Studies conducted by various industry bodies point to a positive future ahead for the housing market at large, and more specifically the remodeling market. According to Hanley Wood's Metro study unit, the Residential Remodeling Index (RRI), there will be an average growth of about 4 percent in the remodeling business. The prediction encompasses all metropolitan areas in the United States, with indications that the third quarter will see tremendous results.

Transforming a small space into a luxury kitchen

Jane Blanchard Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Tiny homes are on the rise. They're more energy efficient, and there are countless creative ways to maximize minimal space. However, when it comes to the kitchen, less is not more. Everyone wants a large, spacious kitchen with an island (or perhaps two), plenty of storage, an eat-in area and tons of counter space.

Affluent women reshaping luxury market

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

When you think "luxury," images of diamonds, jewelry, furs, high-fashion gowns, designer shoes and bespoke handbags likely come to mind. Fashion and lifestyle magazines are crammed with ads showing women sporting these and other high-priced items.

What lies beneath the latest home renovation trends?

Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

There seems to be a common theme for many home renovation ideas this year. If you have been browsing through the 2015 trends on the same, you will notice that every expert panel has given a strong focus on ease of use. Yes, enhancing usability and the basic livability of space is paramount for all interior designers and renovators now.

Ready or not? Mixed signals from the millennial home market

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

The latest jobs report from the U.S. Department of Labor shows employment among 25-to-34-year-olds reaching its highest level since the end of 2008. That news set off another round of industry speculation: Are millennials finally ready to buy their first home, or are predictions of a rebound in the first-time housing market a bit premature?

Kitchen and bath upgrades leading remodeling recovery

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Attendees at this year's KBIS had a lot to celebrate — new products, new technologies, lots of industry presence and, most of all, an encouraging forecast for the year to come. At its annual address, the National Kitchen and Bath Association reported that the state of the industry is "excellent."

Luxury housing growth mirrors growing wealth gap

Bambi Majumdar Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

A new report from Oxfam shows that half of global wealth held is by 1 percent of the world's population. By next year, they will own more wealth than the other 99 percent combined. This uneven distribution of wealth has had its ripple effects, and even the housing industry has felt the tremors.

Homeowners ready to tackle overdue renovations

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Positive economic and employment news, along with declining gas prices, have boosted consumer confidence to its highest level in the past seven years. With a bit more money in their pockets and less worry about job security, consumers are once again ready to spend.

Build your design business with a powerful Houzz profile

Fred Berns Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

If Houzz.com is going to work for you, you need to put some work into it. That's one of the takeaways from a new report issued by representatives of this social media platform that connects homeowners with design and building professionals.

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