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| | Katie’s Top 5 |
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 As Chute Gerdeman Retail’s Material & Trend Specialist, Katie Clements is involved in all retail projects providing design support as a materials and color expert. She utilizes her vast knowledge and extensive library to present clients with well-considered selections for fabric, carpet, tile, wallcovering, lighting, furniture, and any other special project features.
Summer is finally here, so check out the hot new materials with shimmer and glimmer:
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Proenza Schouler Collection by Knoll Luxe
The new Knoll Luxe line, Proenza Schouler Collection, is inspired by the runway and adds the element of fashion to interior spaces. I love the Gates pattern for the high luster and metallic fibers used to make any upholstered piece shine. This textile is made up of 86% natural fibers and it is Greenguard certified.
www.knoll-luxe.com |
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Diamastone Collection by SMDS
The Diamastone collection by SMDS is a quartz product made up of 95% natural quartz and 5% engineered resins. It is available in various tile sizes as well as slabs. The Silver and Mirage collections have flecks of mirror to make this product sparkle. I love that Diamastone is available in a wide range of colors, from true black and pure white to bright red, blue, and purple.
www.smds.net
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Barreveld
I fell in love with the Barreveld booth at this year's Globalshop because of it's whimsical merchandising and the fantastic product range. Barreveld sells everything from planters to chandeliers to furniture. I especially love the antique-looking crystal glass knobs to give an ordinary fixture a hint of sparkle without breaking the bank. Most knobs are in the $2-$4 range.
www.barreveld.com
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Allure by Pantheon
Allure is a 13" x 13" porcelain tile from Pantheon that looks like tiny glass mosaics. The colors are all neutral with a metallic sheen, and I love the way the light dances off the reflective surfaces.
www.pantheonfs.com
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Glo by Leucos
One of my favorite lighting fixtures is Glo by Leucos. It's really a piece of art. Made of hand blown Murano glass, the fixture can reach up to 9 feet in length and can be either recessed into the ceiling or surface mounted. Available colors include cobalt blue, vibrant red, light blue, and frosted white. This “drop” will add drama to any retail space.
www.leucos.com
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| In Other News… |
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West Marine: For the Love of Boating |
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The in-store experience is perhaps the most important expression of the West Marine brand—it’s where all the spirit and adventure of boating comes to life for customers. West Marine, the leading specialty retailer of boating supplies and accessories, knew their stores weren’t delivering on this brand expression so they challenged Chute Gerdeman Retail to create a memorable and effective flagship retail store in Jacksonville, Florida, that would express the West Marine brand and expand the experience and assortment to attract a wider customer base. [More] |
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What's Your Brand's Secret Sauce? |
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Sweet or spicy, it’s what makes you stand apart from the competition. More and more customers are studying what the market has to offer and then carefully evaluating a product's features and benefits before buying. A great way to appeal to customers is to focus on the end use of an item. Shoppers who ask "What's this going to do for me?" will become buyers when you show them. [More] |
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Flippers Pizzeria: Passion for Perfection |
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Flippers Pizzeria has unveiled a new identity and branded restaurant environment, working with Chute Gerdeman Retail. The first prototype location opened its doors in Orlando May 6. The new warm and casual design communicates Flippers’ freshness message while maintaining its operational efficiencies. [More] |
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20/20 Vision: Five Great Finds |
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In celebration of Chute Gerdeman’s 20th anniversary, we’re introducing a new Gist feature—20/20 Vision. Twenty years at the forefront of retail strategy and design has given us a unique perspective on our ever-changing industry, and our trendwatchers are bringing you their insights—everything from consumer trends and hot new concepts to cutting-edge materials and great do-it-yourself visual techniques. We’ll include five great finds in each quarterly Gist this year. By the end of our 20th year, you’ll have 20 great new ideas—all to give you a better view of the retail world. [More] |
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CG in the News |
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Several Chute Gerdeman concepts and insights have recently been featured in the news. Read more about Barbie, Flippers, Hamleys Dubai, merchandising trends, and store refresh tips. [More] |
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