Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

When designing for apartments, condos, or older homes, there’s the possibility of running into smaller kitchens. Tight spaces may lead to fewer appliances, smaller furniture and simpler schemes, but they don’t have to cut back on ideas. Use these opportunities to get creative and think outside the box.

Designers, ECPR came up with some of our favorite small kitchen design tips to inspire ideas for your next small-space project.

Tips:

1. Mirrored Illusions

• Glossy appliances – Considering glossy appliances are a hot trend, clients probably won’t mind installing them. The added bonus is they’ll reflect lots of light and make the space feel bigger. 

• Mirrored backsplash – When picking out a backsplash it may be useful to consider choosing one that doubles as a mirror so there is the ability to open the space up even more. 

2. Embrace the Light

• Windows Are A Plus – By adding windows to the kitchen, natural light can flood the room and makes it feel airy and brighter, ultimately making it feel larger. 

• Light Color Schemes- Sticking to crèmes and whites can always makes a room feel larger, which is the way to go in a small space. However don’t be afraid of adding a touch of color. Smaller kitchens still need some personality, so try adding a colorful backsplash or colored appliance. 

3. Go Vertical

• Floor To Ceiling Cabinets – Utilize the space that’s there and provide additional storage space with floor to ceiling cabinets. 

• Taller, narrower cabinetry makes rooms feel more spacious and less clunky. 

4. Islands That Serve A Purpose

• Multi-utility Islands – Even if the kitchen calls for a smaller island, it doesn’t have to lack importance and purpose. Pick an island with plenty of storage options or a breakfast bar attached to the side. Another idea is to install the microwave below the island, allowing the extra wall space for cabinetry. 

• Islands on Wheels – If the kitchen is really cramped opt for a smaller island on wheels. This allows for it to be there while clients are cooking, but can be rolled to another room while they’re entertaining. 

5. Storage Solutions

• Shelves – Just because its storage doesn’t mean it has to be stored away from plain view. Adding shelves are great alternatives to cabinets and allow the space to feel more open. 

• Pull Out Pantries – The last thing a small kitchen needs is clutter, our team suggests adding a pull out pantry, or two, to alleviate spare food items or kitchen products that tend to just hang out on top of the counter. 

Better Homes and Gardens Small Space Kitchen Island Ideas: http://ow.ly/eLjvK

HGTV 10 Small Kitchens: http://ow.ly/eK8qP

39 Small Kitchen Design Ideas: http://ow.ly/eK8lf

House Beautiful Small Kitchen Designs – Ideas for a Small Kitchen: http://ow.ly/eLjV1

The High Point Market is now in full swing and there are many exciting new trends, products and accessories for designers and buyers to see. One of the multiple new collections being showcased this week comes from recognized design personality / HGTV star Candice Olson. The well known designer has partnered with Highland House, a company known for its stylish, easy-to-live with, designer-quality furniture. The new collection features more than 80 pieces of upholstery and case goods. Olson describes the collection as “modern meets traditional.” With Highland House’s traditional approach and Olson’s modern chic design ideas, we believe the two are a great team! 

Our team recently penned a byline article for Greenhouse Grower magazine, one of the top horticulture publications in the nation. From the benefits of using Twitter to an introductory lesson on how to write a results-oriented Tweet, our article provides helpful tips and insights on the inner-workings of this worldwide phenomenon. To read our full article about Twitter, click here.

If you are interested in developing a Twitter channel for your own brand and are unsure of the necessary steps and actions to take, our team can help. At ECPR, we specialize in PR 2.0, as we define it, the combination of traditional public relations and today’s social media networks. This leads to building online communities – of existing customers, potential customers, supporters, media members, and others within your constituency groups. To learn more about our social media and traditional public relations services, visit our website at www.eberlycollardpr.com.

We are excited to announce an upcoming panel discussion and book signing event our team conceptualized and is managing for a client, Historical Concepts. Our very own Don Eberly and Jeff Collard will be on location to moderate the panel.

Jim Strickland, Historical Concepts Photo Credit: Emily Jenkins Followill

Jim Strickland, Founder and Senior Partner at Historical Concepts and co-author of Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House, will headline the group of well-known designers, authors and media pros for the informative panel that will explore all things related to Southern Vernacular Architecture and Southern Interior Design. The panel will be held at 1:30 p.m., Oct. 18, 2012, in the seminar room at ADAC, the preeminent design center of the Southeast for residential and contract furnishings. Following the panel at 2:30 p.m., the Holland & Company showroom at ADAC (Suite 238) will host a group book signing and “meet and greet” reception with the panelists / authors. 

The renowned panelist members will also include Phoebe Howard, co-owner of retail stores Mrs. Howard and Max & Company, and author of The Joy of Decorating: Southern Style with Mrs. Howard; Kimberly Grigg, founder of Knotting Hill Interiors, guest-host “Stylebroker” on ABC affiliate WPDE TV 15, and author of the upcoming book, Livable Luxury; Carolyn Hultman, founder of Carolyn Hultman Interior Design and featured in books such as Paula Deen’s Savannah Style and Historical Concepts’ Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House; and very special guest panelist Lindsay Bierman, editor-in-chief at Southern Living magazine. 

Coming Home: The Southern Vernacular House, by Strickland and his firm’s partners, showcases Historical Concepts’ expertise in reinterpreting the roots of southern vernacular design. Beautifully photographed, the book offers readers a range of southern inspiration through a number of homes, buildings and communities the architecture firm has designed.

Paula Deen’s book, Savannah Style, offers tips on how to bring southern charm into all aspects of the home. Hultman collaborated with Deen to design and furnish two guest cottages on Deen’s riverside estate, which are prominently featured in the book. In The Joy of Decorating: Southern Style with Mrs. Howard, the grace and elegance of Southern interior design in many stylish spaces are featured and organized by theme. Copies of the three books will be available for purchase and can be signed or personalized by the authors at the event.

As part of Bierman’s panel participation, he will offer insight from his experience driving the editorial vision, content and direction for Southern Living, the country’s seventh-largest monthly paid magazine as well as his vast knowledge of architecture and design.

We are looking forward to this event and hope to see many of our fans and followers at ADAC, Oct. 18.

Kimberly Grigg, Knotting Hill Interiors

Phoebe Howard, Mrs. Howard and Max & Company

Lindsay Bierman, Southern Living

Carolyn Hultman, Carolyn Hultman Interior Design

A big congrats to our client, O.W. Lee, manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture, fire pits, and accessories, for being awarded the International Casual Furnishings Association’s (ICFA) Manufacturer of the Year Award at the ICFA Awards Reception on Sept. 21, 2012. The event took place concurrently with the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market, Sept. 20-23.

It is hard to believe that it is already time to start thinking about colors and trends for spring 2013. Earlier this month, the color experts at Pantone released their 2013 Spring Color Report. Based on the report the hot colors are a reflection of consumers’ desire for self-expression, balance and the need to re-energize. Green will serve as a backdrop for other hues. The three shades of green that are predicted to be the most popular include Tender Shoots, Grayed Jade and Emerald. Other colors that will be big in 2013 are Exotic African Violet, Poppy Red, Nectarine, Lemon Zest, Dusk Blue, Linen and Monaco Blue. 

Photo Credit: House to Home

In addition to our industry-related categories, the ECPR team has now formed a new board entitled “Things We Enjoy Outside the Office.” This board features a selection of our interests, ranging from books and television shows to favorite foods and places we enjoy visiting.

Some of you may be wondering why we created such a board. The answer is simple. Many marketers believe that humanizing your company and brand, gives you an edge over your competitors. Why? Because whether it’s a consumer or potential client researching your company, most are likely to be attracted to the driving force behind companies. We don’t necessarily mean professional goals and mission statements, while those are important too. We are referring to getting an inside look at a team, which includes our interests and hobbies.

By sharing this information, we have the ability to relate to prospective clients on a deeper and more personal level. Thus, we are not only establishing credibility, but also client loyalty. In addition, our “Things We Enjoy Outside the Office” Pinterest board helps us encourage more interaction among our friends and fans, which in turn allows us to create a dialogue that can lead into discussions about our company and services. And, as a result, by humanizing our company, we are increasing the ability to generate relationships essential to our work, campaigns, clients, and business.

No matter if you are B2B or B2C, we encourage you to invest in this type of marketing, because it can not only help promote brand awareness, but can also establish a positive reputation. Need we say more? Start your own “Things We Enjoy Outside the Office” Pinterest board today, or contact us for a quote to manage your business’ public / media relations and social media.

The National Hardware Show in May 2012 left a trail of excitement and positive feedback that we are still hearing about from those who attended and exhibited. This year’s highly successful show featured exhibitors from all over the world. Ranging from lawn and garden products, hardware and tools, and outdoor living products to paint, outdoor accessories, plumbing, and electrical, the National Hardware Show had it all.

Before the show began, the ECPR team had the privilege of creating a “Sneak Peek” Facebook photo album for the show. Exhibitors were able to submit product information and photos to be featured on our Facebook Timeline and be seen by top trade and consumer publication editors. After compiling feedback from our select editor / media contacts as well as assessing all of the submissions, we have chosen our “Best of Show” picks. Each product featured in this blog post has unique and innovative characteristics, earning them honorable mentions.

Twistfree

The first company to which we awarded “Best of Show” is Twistfree, a company that manufactures extension cord and hose organizers. At this year’s show, Twistfree debuted a new line of products designed to make handling cords and hoses easy and efficient, whether for home or industrial use. The company’s collection of products includes the Roadee Cord Organizer; which is available in three different sizes; the Roadee Hose Organizer, available in two sizes; and Gripz for extension cords. Twistfree’s cord organizers ensure extension cords, cables and hoses are twist and knot free, making them easy to use and store. To learn more, visit www.twistfree.com.

Viatek

Viatek Consumer Products’ newest product, the Handheld Bladeless Fan, made its way into our National Hardware Show “Best of Show.” This ultra-portable and lightweight fan is ideal for sporting events, the beach, parks, and even to the office. Its sleek and stylish features makes this product the latest in bladeless fan technology, delivering a cool, smooth stream of air without the unpleasant buffeting sound associated with fan blades. Completely cordless, it runs on just three AA batteries and uses only half the energy of a conventional fan. For more information about the Handheld Bladeless Fan, visit Viatek’s website at www.viatekproducts.com.

Sycamore Group

Big mess, no problem! Sycamore Group’s Big Wipes Industrial are pre-impregnated industrial-strength cleaning wipes designed for use by anyone who needs a quick and effective cleaning product. They are perfect for those who work in construction, engineering, painting, and more. The Big Wipes have the ability to clean a wide range of substances from hands, tools and surfaces, including: grime, grease, oil- & water-based paints & coatings, adhesives, silicone & acrylic sealants, poly foam, epoxy, oil, tar, etc. This product was chosen to be part of our “Best of Show” because of its durability, effectiveness and versatility. For more information on Big Wipes Industrial, visit www.bigwipesusa.com.

Liquid Fence’s Yard Net Granular Lawn and Yard Insect Repellent was one of the standouts at this year’s NHS, making the product a shoe-in for our “Best of Show.” This industry‐first, time‐release formula encapsulates and preserves the effectiveness of the natural essential oil ingredients. As the granules biodegrade, they slowly release the oils, creating long‐lasting, eco‐safe repellency for up to a full week. Yard Net Granular significantly controls biting insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, black flies and gnats. And, it contains no pyrethrins, no pyrethroids and no d‐limonene, so it’s safe to use around kids and pets, and won’t harm vegetation. To learn more, visit www.liquidfence.com.