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Keyword Modeling Analysis To Engage Your Audience – #SESSF Bill Hunt

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Keywords are the core of your search engine marketing strategy. most of us know the basics when it comes to brainstorming, generating and finalizing a list, but how can your company get beyond the basics and focus on advanced keyword analytics. The main focus of the presentation by Bill Hunt (@billhunt) at SES San Francisco focused on moving beyond data and focusing on consumer intent.

When we type in a specific inquiry we expect to find what we are looking for, but often paid search results fail us. In order to capture the user who may be disappointed by search results, marketers can better use keywords leveraging advanced keyword modeling.

Advanced Keyword Modeling

  1. Understand the ‘voice of the customer’
  2. Effectively map your content with query and query intent
  3. Identify new products and services
  4. Create and influence PR & social media opportunities

There are many opportunities for marketers to move beyond Keyword Research 101 and leverage analytics which will maximize keyword strategy. Potential strategies include identifying missed opportunities or finding “needle in a haystack” keywords.

We may make excuses for not updating our keyword strategy and continuing to leverage a keyword strategy which is less than optimal. most common reasons why we are not updating our keyword models:

  1. Not enough time
  2. Too complicated
  3. Can’t make changes to strategy
  4. Management won’t listen
  5. If manager knew how bad current list was we would get fired

Despite the excuses, Bill expands on the realized benefits of updating the your keyword strategy. For example, an electronics retailer that was able to find significant traffic for end of life products which had no representation on their website. Or a travel site that was able to swap top ranking, outdated pages for the current, optimal version of an offering.

Optimize better Using Advanced Analytics

Optimize for different states in the product cycle or user intent. create content which is optimized for user searches targeted to specific stages in the sales funnel. Optimize for users looking for:

  1. Product to use or information
  2. Specific features or functions
  3. Comparing brands
  4. Discounts
  5. Customer services inquiries

Understanding Keyword Qualifiers

Target keywords which will help you isolate specific opportunity, interest, audience or need. Using a  keyword worksheet, which includes description and buying cycle stages, in order to segment by features, functions, types and anything that allows you to understand searchers’ mindset. For example, analyzing current keyword usage is social media and analytics can allow the marketer to segment keywords by buckets. Keyword buckets will allow you to highlight the opportunities to target the topics which are most important to consumers.

Highlight Missed Opportunities  and Underperforming Keywords

Based on market data you can determine how many clicks you have the potential to receive for a keyword, and in turn, the amount of clicks which you are missing. by honing in on the missed opportunities, you can emphasize the words where you should be ranking better organically.

On the other hand, there are some cases, where you are already ranking well for keyowords, but not receiving the clicks which you would expect. These keywords highlight an opportunity to optimize the snippet appearing in the description to make it more compelling to the user.

Both of these analytics models reveal opportunities to better refine your keyword strategy in order to capitalize on additional visitors and revenue.

Align Keyword Strategy to Social Media

Social media provides a rich opportunity to identify and leverage keywords in order to better target customers based on intent. Bill offers tips in order to align your keyword strategy with social media:

  • Add Tier 1 keyword to social media monitoring
  • Understand the sentiment of keywords
  • Understand the context of the words
  • Compare search volumes – conversations to conversions
  • Identify influential social media sites including blogs and forums for link building

Keywords are vital to an online marketing strategy. Bill compels us to move beyond the basic “broad” match strategy to focus on keywords which are going to help companies realize maximize benefit from resources. In order to leverage advanced keyword analytics you must understand the intent of user queries, focus on the real performance of keywords and understand the context of queries.

Keyword Modeling Analysis To Engage Your Audience – #SESSF Bill Hunt

Value and Growth Insights From a Fund Manager

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Jeanie Wyatt, CFA, CEO, and CIO of South Texas Money Management, a value and growth disciplined fund, sat down with Kapitall to share a comprehensive strategy that Main Street investors will be hard-pressed to ignore. 

Growth vs. valueAccording to Ms. Wyatt, by investing in both value and growth names, no matter the size, sector, or country, investors can accomplish lower volatility and achieve a natural hedge in their portfolios.

Additionally, Wyatt found a measurable benefit to keeping exposure to each sector to a minimum. “Whenever there’s a correction, there’s a correction in a highly weighted sector. Even with very conservative stocks like Colgate and Proctor & Gamble (PG), as well as the technology sector.” she adds, “It can really punish your performance when a sector goes out of favor, even if you have the best stocks in that sector.”

Her response is to invest no more than 15% in any sector at a time. A decision, she says, that has helped to lessen volatility. “We had a research firm go back 10 years and rebalance quarterly to see what would be the sector rule to give return and lower volatility. They said you would not put more than 10% in any sectors. so we went back 20 years and came to the same conclusion, and it was even more meaningful than the 10-year study… to control your risk you have to control your sectors.”

Click here for more details on the STMM’s investing strategy, as explained by Jim Kee, Chief Economist and President of the firm. 

Avoiding commodities and Chinese stock exposureIn mid-2011, the consequences of overbuilding real estate in China, and the subsequent pullback, were felt around the globe. All economies felt a ripple from the drop in raw material demand, and analysts loudly predicted a hard landing for China.

Fortunately, these doomsday predictions didn’t pan out in full. China has certainly slowed its growth, but is not in a recession. But as a global driver of growth, a slowdown in China has impacted most commodities, from gold and oil to cotton, all of which had a huge run over the past few years thanks to Chinese demand.

Wyatt says her firm has acted cautiously about growth trends in China by avoiding Chinese stock exposure and holding back on commodities. “Bill Gross famously says real investments like commodities are a good place to put your money, but we disagree.” for example, Oil prices have been so volatile, sweet crude went from $106 per barrel to $78 in a matter of a few months. “Sure, it had a bounce over the Iran conflict, but we generally think oil has downward price momentum.”

Industry and stock favorites“We like consumer discretionary areas,” says Wyatt, despite the sector’s heavy sell-off this summer. “The Gap (GPS) looks really good, the stock is breaking out. It had this headwind of high commodity cotton prices for years, but now prices have fallen and it will be the beneficiary of lower prices. Furthermore, they have outside consultants to help refresh and redesign their brand, and they’re very successful oversees and at franchising their stores.”

Other discretionary names of note are Bed Bath and Beyond, which has sold off a lot, Staples, and Lowe’s. she says U.S. consumer may soon benefit from low commodity prices, low mortgages prices and some stabilization in housing.

In technology, she likes Nice Systems, a sophisticated software developer that addresses online security. “It’s expensive on a P/E valuation [$38.51], but it’s growing. Revenue lines and earnings are growing. Our philosophy is that you’re going to have to pay more for it.”

Technology in carsThe latest technology trends in cars are creating renewed demand for autos, and several technology firms stand to benefit from implementation. “Tech in autos must be everybody’s must have. We’re buying up both.”

“There’s so much tech being put in cars today. the average cars have 130k miles on it, and a lot of new models coming out make people jazzed to get new cars for themselves.” We can expect several new models and model remakes to be on the market between 2014 and 2016.

Tech beneficiaries: Apple, and some of big auto part manufactures like Magna International, General Motors, and Ford have their own propriety technology. for example, GM has OnStar, and Ford’s proprietary tech is called SYNC. “And let’s not forget Google (GOOG)’s leap into auto with their self-driving cars, which “is absolutely a reality within the next 10 years.”

Automakers: Wyatt says that although General Motors and Ford share prices have dropped considerably their sales have been improving. Emerging economy sales are good, but it’s much more important how they’re doing in the U.S.

“It’s interesting, GM’s balance sheet is stronger than Ford’s, but Ford is more aggressive as an automaker. the breakeven is much lower now for both of them, and they’re really working on making progress on pension liabilities. Both will be beneficiaries of demand for technology.”

Most recent tradesMost recent buy: Block trades on the Gap and Bed Bath and beyond. STMM is also looking into, but not currently buying, Pier 1 Imports (PIR), citing that their conservative and upbeat management has “done a great job in online retailing.” she says they’re completely revamping how they display their merchandise, with more lighting and elevated shelf space. They’re also closing unprofitable stores.

Most recent sale: Raymond James Financial. Wyatt says STMM is really cautious on financial stocks. Perhaps more importantly, it had already hit their price target. “It was up 50%. Before we buy something we pick a minimum upside of 25% target price. When it hits that target price we sell.”

Another major sale was Comcast. “It was a good name and we liked media because it was more defensive in a slow economic cycle. It’s currently facing a huge pending lawsuit with Supreme Court. It was safest to just go ahead and book our profit.”

Business section: Investing ideasAre you looking to follow the investing advice of Jeanie Wyatt, CFA and South Texas Money Management? In addition to the insights and recent trades mentioned above, we list STMM’s top 10 holding below. the firm holds roughly 175 positions in total.

South Texas Money Management has done considerable research on each of these names, and feels confident in their ability to meet high standards in growth and value. what do you think? (Click here to access free, interactive tools to analyze these ideas.)

  1. International Business Machines
  2. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
  3. Technology SPDR 
  4. iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Index
  5. Texas Instruments 
  6. Archer Daniels Midland
  7. Unitedhealth Group
  8. Hancock Holding 
  9. FedEx
  10. Patterson-UTI Energy 

Interactive Chart: Press Play to compare changes in analyst ratings over the last two years for the stocks mentioned above. Analyst ratings sourced from Zacks Investment Research.

Kapitall’s Rebecca Lipman does not own any of the shares mentioned above. Data sourced from MyPlanIQ and Finviz. For more data on new positions, visit J3sg.com.

the article Value and Growth Insights from a Fund Manager originally appeared on Fool.com.

the Motley Fool owns shares of Ford Motor, Apple, Staples, and International Business Machines. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of General Motors, UnitedHealth Group, FedEx, Staples, Apple, Bed Bath & beyond, and Ford Motor.  Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a bull call spread position in Apple. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a synthetic long position in Ford Motor. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a synthetic long position in International Business Machines. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended writing covered calls on Lowe’s Companies. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a diagonal call position in UnitedHealth Group. the Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days.

Copyright © 1995 – 2012 the Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. the Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Value and Growth Insights From a Fund Manager

Wash this space for ideas on a new bathroom look

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Bathrooms are probably the hardest-working area in a house these days as we demand more of them than ever before.

To be successful, they should work as a practical space for the daily wash-and-go as well as being a haven dedicated to wellbeing and pampering.

“Long gone are the days when the bathroom was simply a functional space. People are moving away from the Victorian-style basic bathroom and towards the modern, spacious spa feel,” says Anthony Howells, bathrooms buyer for B&Q.

“They want the clean lines, minimalism, wet rooms and walk-in doorless showers, enhanced by chunky floating yet stylish fixtures such as units and frosted glass, which they see when they stay in hotels and want to replicate.”

He predicts that, where space allows, the popularity of free-standing baths, becoming more sculptural in shape, will continue to grow as they provide a focal point in large bathrooms.

Experimenting both with design and colour is a growing trend, according to Rita Rendo Castro, sales and marketing manager at Catchpole & Rye.

“People are becoming increasingly design confident, with more opting to make a statement with a brightly-painted bath or patterned tiles,” she says.

“The bathroom is an ideal space to try out new colours in a small area which wouldn’t necessarily work in a larger living space. Dove grey is a chic but safe choice for walls and gives a neutral base which can be enlivened by other colour choices. Salmon pink and yellow are one of my favourite combinations as they’re elegant but have a warm, summery feel.”

Taking the waters has never been more pleasurable – so check out a bathroom solution for your home.

Bathrooms are embracing technology so that they can be the ultimate, flexible retreats, says Cheryl Gurner, creative director at Bathrooms International.

“The bathroom has benefited hugely from advances in technology in recent years. Bathroom-friendly flat screen televisions, fibre-optic lighting in showers which mimic a twinkling star effect and hidden speakers offering surround sound – all add up to the wow factor in this most personal space.”

While Paul Flowers, senior vice president of design at Grohe, predicts that the bathroom will be transformed in the next 10 years, as it develops into a space fully-equipped to cater for health and wellbeing.

“Developments in technology are already allowing us to equip it with personal lifestyle and health functions such as diagnostic mirrors, which measure and monitor the status of our physical health.

“Lighting, projection and sound are bringing “entertainment” into the room, and can be programmed, just like showers, to precisely suit your mood at different times of the day.

“As the barriers between the bedroom and the bathroom blur, the space will become more sensual, decorative and truly have the atmosphere of a fully-equipped indulgent zone.”

SPLASH OUT SOLUTIONS: Grohe Power & Soul showerhead starts from £70 and offers 11 different spray patterns.

Bathstore has a waterproof high-definition touch-screen TV, £999.

Or take a light-changing, mood-enhancing shower with a colour range including green for balance, blue for relaxation and red for energy. Sky Shower Chromotherapy, from £3,500, from Bathrooms International.

SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED

Although the glossy interiors magazines feature vast bathrooms, the UK has the smallest bathrooms in Europe.

“But just because your bathroom’s small it doesn’t mean you need to compromise on the quality or style of fittings,” says Robin Levien, design director of Ideal Standard, which has a Space range designed for compact areas.

“By utilising innovative design and clever storage, your bathroom can still be well equipped and a calm rather than crowded space.”

He suggests wall-hung toilets with a cistern neatly hidden behind a wall or fitted unit; basins and showers which fit snugly into corners, and clever features such as a bath with storage drawers at one or both ends.

“A sliding door can release further space, while large-size tiles create an illusion of more space more effectively than small ones,” he says.

“Don’t pack out the walls with cupboards and definitely avoid too much at high level as this can reduce ‘head space’ which, if the area is small, is claustrophobic.”

SPLASH OUT SOLUTIONS: Ideal Standard’s Space range includes an offset corner basin with semi-pedestal, £165.75, and Moments furniture bath with two end storage units, £3,611.

Bathstore boasts an ultra-compact range, Cityspace, with a choice of three different basin sizes plus toilets which project minimally into the room. A close coupled WC £228; a 500 Basin, £45, and pedestal, £40.

Colour’s back in fashion in homes and that’s being reflected in new ranges of bathroom furniture in a range of rainbow colours, which can brighten even the dullest space.

“Add a pop of colour to your bathroom by installing a brightly-coloured basin or furniture,” says Ellen Tietz, marketing manager at Villeroy & Boch.

“Sunflower orange, olive green and petrol blue are popular at the moment and sit beautifully alongside clean bright white ceramics.”

SPLASH OUT SOLUTIONS: Villeroy & Boch’s Subway bathroom furniture is available in petrol blue, as well as white and glossy grey. Vanity unit from £456.

B&Q’s Duchess Paintable baths, from £729, could be one way to introduce a favourite shade. All paintable baths are primed and must be painted with an acrylic based paint, such as Fired Earth Eggshell Paints, £17.98 for 750ml.

Revamping a whole bathroom isn’t always possible if the budget’s tight, so it’s worth looking at a more affordable update of features and accessories.

“An easy, affordable and effective option is to replace some of the brassware and accessories, such as taps, radiators and mirrors,” says Emma Sturgess, marketing manager at Frontline Bathrooms.

“These relatively simple changes can make a real difference to the look and style of the bathroom – delivering a totally fresh look.”

SPLASH OUT SOLUTIONS: Frontline’s range includes the chic chrome Stream Mono Basin Mixer, £110 (matching bath and bath shower mixer taps also available); a Windsor Mirror with integral lights and accessory shelves, £135.

If you’re despairing about old, damaged sanitaryware, The Bath Business could float your boat. It re-surfaces a wide range of sanitaryware and also sources original classics. Restoration prices start from £204 for re-enamelling basins and shower trays; from £358 for re-enamelling baths, and from £180 for reconditioning or re-plating taps in brass.

Wash this space for ideas on a new bathroom look

Parankewich Manor – Walkout Level – Generation Suite – Master & Ensuite

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This post deals with the clients master & ensuite in the generation suite designed for his mother.

The first picture, key, locates the master & ensuite on the walkout level.

Preamble

Not the normal builders grade bedroom is what the client has asked for both himself and his mothers private bedroom & ensuite.

Aging in place and families sharing is a growing trend, according to the National Association of Homebuilders, and many homeowners are creating master suites on the main level for easy access as they grow older. the Generation Suite is found on the 1200 sf. walk out level and has a no stairs access from the private garage at the walkout level.

The clients mother is to occupy this self-contained fully useful suite with all the comforts of a home. for our client’s mother’s master bedroom & ensuite (immediately adjoining a bedroom and forming part of the same set of rooms) the client asks for a homelike yet tasteful retreat within the generation suite.

When nothing else in the world appears to be right, you can always count on the master bedroom & unsuite being perfect; that is, when you take the time to design it to meet a client’s wishes.

Bed

The bed anchors the room and becomes the focal point, set out against a feature wall and placed between night tables and mirrors. the night tables, mirrors, feature wall and bed appear as one integrated element. eight feet of window wall provide a side yard garden view. a decision is yet to be made to include french doors into the protected, on three sides, garden space.

Sitting Room

The master bedroom suite includes a sitting area for reading and relaxing. When you just want a cozy, quiet spot to get away from it all and read. With this in mind, lighting becomes top priority. In order to properly light a reading area, you should have two lamps with dimming high watt bulbs. however, some prefer a setting that is a little less glaring. An alternate is to use spot lighting in the sitting areas where you will be reading and then diffusing it by using softer lighting in the rest of the room.

Storage

Following along with modern design the storage of clothing and bathroom supplies are housed in two custom built cabinets. We have moved away from the traditional outdated clothes closet and have designed a 24′ deep wardrobe unit serving both the bedroom and ensuite storage needs. the wardrobe and smaller bathroom storage unit near the sink serve as room dividers and save on building standard drywall partitions which are difficult to move.

Toilet Room

A private “toilet room” has become a big trend lately. the toilet which is placed on the outside wall to keep down the flushing sound that could be heard by guests if located on the common wall between the living room and ensuite. this planned location allows for a simple partial height privacy wall and an outside window. the privacy wall provides a centrally located home for a heated towel rack.

Garden View

The design includes a window wall that views a rock garden filled with flowers bursting in vivid colours that just beg to be brought inside. this small-scale unsuite feels much larger than it really is. As the manor is set on a large lot this private garden can be as large as the owner wants. Flowers, both inside and outside the master ensuite appeal to the senses. the decision to put a door into the private garden is yet to be decided.

Colour Possibilities

Despite the sterile tie with white, this colour can also be very soothing and calming, and there are many different subtle shades to choose from. Stark white is not put forward for a bedroom, but more creamy colours can be so sensual as to take-ones-breath-away.

Shower

A stand alone 3′ x 5′- 6″ doorless walk-in shower and bench is provided in the spa like ensuite. In the master bathroom the client wants a separate shower and tub as well as the best vanity lighting ideas and plenty of storage. the master bathroom shower is where you jump-start your day as well as relax at the end of a long stressful day. Large and luxurious master bathroom showers are a great way to enjoy this time and ensure that you achieve optimum relaxation.

Tub

There’s nothing quite like sitting in a tub and letting the water jets relax your tired body after a hard day’s work. the trends suggest homeowners are replacing their noisy Jacuzzi tubs with large deep soaking tubs along with an oversized shower with a bench, which may include multiple shower heads and a steam option.

The tub decision has yet to be made so the design has left enough space for a larger jet tub while showing a standard 5′ tub in a platform.

Natural Light

Full window walls of glass provides lots of natural light into the master bedroom & ensuite.

Floor Finishes

I suggest a light coloured hardwood floor in the bedroom and a tile floor in the ensuite. When picking tile or stone flooring for wet areas it is wise to take special note of the slip factor. Large smooth tiles are the most slippery. the more grout lines the more grip.

Next Steps

Choose finishes and colours. Design for safety using grab bars. Finalize storage details. Pick bathroom fixtures. Add in the toilet roll dispenser, towel bars, soap holders etc. make decisions on outside private garden. Pick bed and design feature wall.

End Remarks

The ideal bedroom & ensuite is a sanctuary, a space for relaxation and rest. more than just a place to lay our heads, today’s master bedrooms have become luxurious full-service suites. these spacious-feeling rooms often offer amenities such as sitting areas, fireplaces, dressing rooms, decadent baths—even mini-kitchens and bars. With these offerings, the master suite truly becomes a retreat from the rest of the world—a home within a home.

Parankewich Manor – Design Brief – Functional Areas

Parankewich Manor － Design Brief

Parankewich Manor

Parankewich Manor – Walkout Level – Generation Suite – Master & Ensuite

Rochester Plaza Hotel to get makeover

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Posted at: 07/12/2012 3:51 PM

The Rochester Plaza Hotel is about to get a big makeover. It is investing 2 million dollars in total interior renovations beginning next month. the hotel says its new look will be contemporary. everything from the lobby to the ballroom to meeting rooms, restaurants. Even the fitness center and pool will be updated.

Renovations of rooms will start in December and take about three months.

Rooms are getting new furniture, carpets, walls, flat screen televisions, lighting and bathroom décor.

the last renovation at the plaza was in 2008.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com. Like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter Print Story

Rochester Plaza Hotel to get makeover

Signature Kitchen & Bath Opens New Design Showroom in St. Louis County

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In order to make it more convenient for customers, Signature Kitchen & Bath recently opened a new store in St. Louis County. The Rock Hill, MO location has the most up-to-date bathroom and kitchen design showroom St. Louis has to offer. Jon Kay, Retail Sales Manager at Signature Kitchen & Bath, has over 23 years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry and joined the business back in 2005.

“We believe that investing in a new store benefits our customers by improving our inventory and providing a more convenient location,” says Kay. “Our goal is to make Signature Kitchen & Bath customers feel as comfortable as possible with their investment and this new store does just that.”

The new store has a solution to almost every kitchen and bath need including kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, countertops, sinks, faucets, showers, and bathtubs. The pristine showroom displays a variety of kitchen products and bathroom products from all leading brands so that customers can see first-hand the quality and look of the product they are purchasing.

Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom is a huge investment that can add great value to a home when done properly. The experienced designers at Signature Kitchen & Bath envision their customers’ dream kitchen or bath remodel and create a plan to achieve this. Customers receive a free design consultation so they are under no financial obligation if the plan doesn’t reach their standards.

For more information about kitchen or bath remodeling, visit one of three Signature Kitchen & Bath locations. Customers can also visit their website to schedule a free design consultation. with over 36 years of experience and a team of highly qualified designers, Signature Kitchen & Bath understands the importance of their customers’ investment and invites them to experience the best kitchen and bath remodeling service in the St. Louis area.

About Signature Kitchen & Bath Signature Kitchen & Bath has been one of the leading kitchen and bathroom remodelers in St. Louis since 1976. Signature Kitchen & Bath wants their customers to feel comfortable about their investment before actually incurring any costs. Customers get a feel for the service they’re receiving before committing to any payments. Designers will assist them throughout the entire design process and are available to answer any questions they may have along the way. Visit the new Rock Hill location at 9701 Manchester Rd., St. Louis, MO 63119 or call 636-720-0451.

Signature Kitchen & Bath Opens New Design Showroom in St. Louis County

A Selection of Modern Bathroom Vanities with A Little Vintage Flair to Make the Best of Both Worlds is Introduced by HomeThangs.com – Home Improvement Super Store

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(PRWEB) July 21, 2012

HomeThangs.com – the Home Improvement Super Store has made their goal to deliver the right product to the consumer, with that in mind, shopping and home design tips, as well as special product selections are being introduced.

Some homes are so architecturally distinct that they dictate the way to design inside. Victorian, Cape Cod, cottage style, and ranch homes all come with set, expected interior decor, just to name a few. But if a home doesn’t conform to any particular structural form, there is a lot more freedom to choose any decor. although, it can be difficult to choose a single style, and effectively executing an eclectic design isn’t easy. especially when it comes to bathroom design, many people are torn between decadent vintage styles and a simpler, sleeker modern design. the opulence of a period bathroom is great for a little R&R, but modern bathroom design often makes for a cleaner finish.

HomeThangs.com introduced a selection of bathroom vanities that combine both styles – they have all the minimal, slightly surprising design expected from modern bathroom vanities, but are made in simplified antique and vintage shapes for a modern take on classical elegance. Designers at HomeThangs highlighted the key elements of successfully mixing the two styles together.

1.    Antique-inspired shape and modern finish. A Vintage Inspired WA3037 vanity by Legion Furniture uses a dresser-like shape, but instead of keeping the elegantly curved legs, it opts to draw out the antique style in the curved bottom edges, and the slight but whimsical coiled handles. White bathroom vanities are a good way to fuse vintage and modern design. White is prominent in modern bathrooms, largely because the color is perfect for comparing and contrasting textures rather than shades. the slight gloss on a vanity, for example, will make it look clean, elegant, eye-catching, and unique when set against more antique white materials, like faux fur rugs, gauzy curtains, or even other white paint with a different level of shine.

2.    Contrast. for a look that truly fuses modern elegance with classical decadence, a Modern Vanity like 203037-B by Bellaterra Home or Aubrey Vanity by Cole and Co should be put in a black and white bathroom. Contrast is key in modern design, and the higher the contrast, the bolder the look. having a few dramatically vintage pieces, like a black clawfoot tub or a beautiful black accent chair can really ramp up the wow factor, making a space look incredibly elegant, even if all the elements are relatively simple in design.

3.    Texture. the Studded Black Vanity 203057B by BellaTerra is, in one sense, one of the more traditional vanities on this list, with the shape of a French Regency dresser from head to toe… except for the spiky, glossy black studs that cover the entire front face of the vanity. this vanity does dramatically merge two styles.

4.    Balance between the vintage and modern. Whenever two styles are merged, tub, lighting, sink, or even tile or window dressings can push the needle in one direction or the other, but classical/modern bathroom vanities can mingle the two styles in a lot of different ways as well. While the studded vanity has the shape of an antique piece, it probably couldn’t mesh with a more conventionally period inspired bathroom. the Antique Console Vanity BF80010R by Belle Foret, on the other hand, is more authentically vintage. Even though it is a simplified design, it has more intricate detailing on the edges than many similar transitional bathroom vanities, as well as the antique style legs. here, the black finish is the most modern element.

5.    Wood finish. the Venisia VENISIA-V30-BK bathroom vanity by Avanity keeps the curved legs and feet and the arched bottom edge of some similar vanities, but instead of a pure black or white finish, it opts to accent the black legs and counter with a dark wood grain finish. Though the doors themselves are made of MDF, not real wood, the effect is striking – like a dramatic accent wall, the horizontal wood grain works equally well to tie in vintage wood elements or as an echo for more modern elements, like striped fabric or animal prints.

Many bathroom vanities balance and blend many design elements, and provide a venue for new unique and eclectic takes on conventional styles. With so many modern bathroom vanities to choose from, creativity is really the limit.

HomeThangs.com is not only a home improvement superstore, it also provides expert design tips and a comprehensive shopping guide, taking the ideas from professional interior designers, and offering tips to the consumers on how to pick the products to best suit their needs.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/modern-bathroom-vanities/vintage-inspired-vanities/prweb9722154.htm

A Selection of Modern Bathroom Vanities with A Little Vintage Flair to Make the Best of Both Worlds is Introduced by HomeThangs.com – Home Improvement Super Store

Collection; Resin Charms/ Pendants

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so after, for discipline, we had a quiz…. THEN, WE MADE BATH BOMBS! They're SO cute, I made this dirty one with a cute sea-shell-printed one …

(that should look like littoral sand) ~shells on a net hanging decor -bought from Rite Aid ~2 lamps (for apart lighting… although I know i should …

river takes him, His bones divide some, upon the flame'n corals, Where crabs and sea shells boils, upon the unadaptable stone serpent's coil, He …

CATO | the seven-fellow Odyssey of the Mind team at Cato-Meridian is an excited bouquet of fifth graders who will head to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa Express University may 23-27.

O-M, an international scholastic problem-solving competition, requires teams to clear a problem and present their solutions in a skit that takes eight minutes or less to set up, act out and dismantle. Judges make a hit the teams.

There are also spontaneous questions, where teams have just a couple of minutes in front of judges to replication questions they didn’t have access to in advance.

the Cato-Meridian unite had one of five 2011-12 O-M problems — the You Make the Call problem, in which team members had to make and build a structure made of only balsa wood and glue, according to the O-M website.

the link up’s goal in this problem is to have the structure support as much weight as possible. the shape can weigh nine grams, in which case a team will earn credit for double-dealing the weight of what the structure can hold; 12 grams, for which a team will pull down 1.5 times the credit for the weight the structure can actually postpone; or 15 grams, in which case the team will earn credit only for the clout the structure will actually hold.

Collection; Resin Charms/ Pendants

Hotel Bathroom Trends: Luxury Bathrooms

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For hoteliers, luxury bathrooms are the order of the day. We explore the latest hotel bathroom trends emerging from companies like Aston Matthews, Villeroy & Bosch and Dornbracht.

The hotel industry remains as competitive as ever with businesses looking at ways they can more effectively compete in this fierce marketplace. although offering customers the best service, rooms, food and drink possible is important, the smaller amenities and touches provided by a hotel can often be the deciding factor for whether a customers experience was positive or negative.

As customers continue to be ever demanding, with expectations levels at a new high, providing a clean, luxurious bathroom is something that many guests now expect. For hoteliers, choosing the right manufacturer, bathroom suite and bathroom products is vital for reflecting the hotel, its decor and for the creation of an ambience that guests will enjoy. Budgets and the market for which the hotel is geared will determine much of this choice, but there is a good market from where to choose.

Aston Matthews

Aston Matthews has recently launched its new ‘Elements’ collection of bathroom furniture, which offers an extensive range of modular units so the combinations for designing original, unique bathroom suites are plentiful. Design ideas range from using a full range of drawers and cupboards to provide as much storage as is needed to a minimalist floating worktop that supports the basin.

Villeroy & Bosch

Villeroy & Bosch have developed a distinctive series of bathtubs that match the Loop & Friends washbasin programme and feature a prominently simple, yet intelligent concept. The oval and rectangular inner forms, offered in White Alpin and Star White are available for 22 bathtubs with an additional five different large rectangular built in tubs. The range also offers a freestanding bathtub, two trapezoidal bathtubs, an oval tub, corner bath and two hexagonal bathtubs. The Loop & Friends range will give hoteliers multiple choices of how to equip their bathrooms from built-in-tubs to save space, to freestanding bathtubs that provide an excellent spatial impact. Whether it is a large or small bathroom that needs to be furnished, there is certainly good choice out there to meet the demands of the customer.

Even down to the last details, such as taps, Villeroy & Bosch have designed a range of high quality fittings that will cater for all hotel bathroom requirements. they have extended their current Subway range and now offer the Cult tap fitting in a new, pure matt white finish. sometimes the little details can make the big difference.

Horizontal Shower from Dornbracht

Hoteliers might want to look at offering their guests a completely new and different experience from anything their competitors can provide and the Horizontal Shower from Dornbracht could be the addition to the bathroom that adds that bit of spark and flair to the hotel. using the groundbreaking Ambience Tuning Technique, users can enjoy this shower technology lying down with Dornbracht boasting, “With Horizontal Shower, we are transporting the showering experience into a new dimension.”

Making sure that the bedrooms and shared public spaces offer guests what they want is very important and it is often on these criteria that hotels are judged. However, the bathroom is a vital service that hoteliers provide, so ensuring it is well-equipped, stylish, has excellent fixtures and fittings and is an enjoyable experience, can make all the difference for a customers perception of the business.

By Phil Benson

See also:

  1. Independent Hotel 12: your Chance to do Business with Britain’s Independent, Luxury and Boutique Hotel Sector
  2. Hotel Industry Trends: Latest Hotel Industry Trends
  3. The Hotel Industry in 2012: top 5 Emerging Trends
  4. Latest Trends in Hotel Refurbishment
  5. London Luxury Hotels Profit From Middle East Unrest

Hotel Bathroom Trends: Luxury Bathrooms

EliteFixtures.com Brings Wider Selection to Customer Base

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EliteFixtures.com rolls out enhanced product taxonomy

Boston, MA (PRWEB) may 19, 2012

EliteFixtures.com, the web’s #1 source for all things fixtures and home lighting, has released an enhanced product taxonomy to make it even easier for its users to discover the extraordinary quality home products EliteFixtures is known for.the taxonomic index is at lighting.elitefixtures.com, where customers can browse indoor lighting, outdoor lighting, lighting by brand, such as Kichler, Sea Gull Lighting, Besa, and Murray Feiss, as well as by rooms like Living Room Lighting, Dining Room & Kitchen Lighting, Bedroom Lighting, Bathroom Lighting and more.

The browser’s ability to select by finish, size and price make the EliteFixtures.com shopping experience better than ever.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9521361.htm

EliteFixtures.com Brings Wider Selection to Customer Base