An Amazing Before and After
We recently hired Fred Gerlich Studios to professional photograph a few of our projects at St. Marlos Country Club in Duluth. Realizing these transformations was a proud moment for us! To see more before and afters, just click on the link to our website below. Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.
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HOT COLOR TRENDS FOR 2008
We keep our eye on the trend tracking skills of the Color Marketing Group. CMG forecasts color trends up to three years into the future. These colors then influence designs made for everything from paint, to carpets to cars. We thought we'd share a few with you:
1. THINK GREEN - Think the colors of nature - full of texture and natural imperfections - off-whites, sandy and linen-y colors, rock and soil colors, and brownish-greens.
2. THE NEW BLUE- Think of the blue that reminds you of sky and water - inspired once again by environmentalism - even in the kitchen. New next year will be the emergence of a much blacker blue (inspired by technology) - a deep, vibrant navy so dark you'll swear it's black.
3. WARM METALLICS- Advances in technology have made shimmery, specialized finishes really hot. Metallics continue to go warmer though - so after many years of brushed chrome and nickel - look for warmer shades like copper and bronze tones.
4. ETHNIC ACCENTS- Globalism continues to inspire colors. Coming to us from India, China and Latin America, we are seeing reds and bright oranges, rosy pinks, golden yellows and lots of turquoise. You've already seen it in fashion (this always come first) and now you'll see these "punches" of color in home decor and paint. They look great paired with rich browns and neutrals.
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What recession?
Do you ever wonder if the media would just stop the recession hype than we could all just carry on? We do!
Gordon Segal, the CEO of Crate and Barrel, had this to say. "I've lived through five of these (recessions) over the past 46 years, and they're actually good for business. You look at all the expenses you took for granted, and you negotiate better. You get rid of the fluff and get down to lean red meat. For instance, we just figured out that we can save money by changing our packaging to a smaller box size. We hadn't looked at our packaging in 10 years."
Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan, Founders of the environmentally friendly cleaning products Method say, "Nobody loves a recession. But many successful entrepeneurs say that, in retrospect, they were lucky to have launched their businesses in tough times." Adam and Eric say that the recession actually helped them become a better company since "the hungriest wolves hunt best."
This will be a time when the companies that are committed to customer service, fair and honest pricing, and quality services stay alive and thrive. There will end up being less competition because the weaker companies won't be able to hang in there.
This is only good for YOU, the consumer. Kandrac & Kole is busier than ever and we are proud to have grown a client base that we can call friends and that continue to refer us even more friends!
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Words to Live By
"Why go further and further,
Look, happiness is right here." -- Goethe
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