Monday, August 10, 2009

Really Cool Renovation Blogs

During this recession, consumers have been holding off on large, expensive remodeling projects in favor of smaller projects that add personal touches to their living spaces. I discussed this trend in a March post, and since then, I have found some very cool blogs where people show off some of their home renovations, share inspirations, and provide how-to's online.

The first post that stopped me in my tracks was a project that I stumbled upon on Designsponge.com. The project was a woman named Lori's painted sun room floor. This was just such a beautiful, fresh take on painting a floor that I had to share it. Most times you see a painted floor, it is done on the outside to bring some color to a boring wooden patio, but this one has made me think twice about the idea of a painted floor.

Some other great sites for great home decorating ideas that I've come across are Remodelista, and http://www.budgetdesigner.blogspot.com/. Remodelista is a website that I have found great inspirations from. The designs are more upscale, but they provide good ideas that can be emulated on a budget. Budgetdesigner.blogspot.com offers very helpful and insightful advice on making decor renovations on a budget.

I found these sites to be very helpful and inspiring. If your business caters to the home improvement sector, you should be sharing ideas like this. Do you have a web site? Do you have a blog? Do you see where you're missing out? Get on the social media band wagon now. You'll be glad you did.

June Bisel
BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
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845-291-7399
junebisel@bbggadv.com

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Home Improvements Still Create Value

According to the 2008 AOL Real Estate Survey, 69% of homeowners in the US agree that home improvements will help increase their home's value... even as home values decrease.

And where do people want to invest their money? It's no big surprise -- kitchens, bathrooms, and master bedrooms.

In fact, a recent trend, caused as a result of the decline in the housing market, is that many people who had planned to move are now staying put and adapting their homes to better meet their needs. This could include elderly who are investing in a kitchen that is more "user-friendly", or installing a chair lift to second floor bedrooms. It includes couples who are adding on bedrooms for a growing family. It includes recent empty-nesters, like me, who always wanted a jacuzzi in the bathroom, a sun room out back, or a master bedroom large enough to fit a king-size bed and have a walk-in closet. 

There are plenty of opportunities if you're in the business of home improvement. Like every other industry, you have to know your customer -- who they are, where they are, and what's the best way to reach them. You have to know what's important to them, and you have to give them more than they expected. Make the experience of working with you so easy, and so pleasant, that they wouldn't even consider working with anyone else. Deliver quality. Deliver on time. And deliver it with a smile.

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising & Public Relations
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