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Two Trends Favoring Our Businesses

June 30, 2009

Cynthia Aiken Interiors

There's hope for us'ns!  Cynthia Aiken, prominent Atlanta interior designer and owner of Cynthia Aiken Interiors says she's seeing a pickup in business from clients seeking design help to upgrade their homes rather than trade up.  Even though interest rates are low and it's a buyers market for homes, Aiken says people are deciding to stay put.  They are staying because of required larger down payments required by banks and the difficulty of selling their existing home.

"In today's market, where people are staying put, I am being asked for help in complementing existing furnishings or to "fill in" where there are gaps in the furnishings or incomplete interior design. While the initial reason for doing this is often financial, many times my clients tell me, after transforming their home, that they wonder why they ever considered moving to a new home in the first place. With the help of a good interior designer, you can create an entirely new look to existing space at a very reasonable cost."

We are reading that another trend beside "staying put" is the "staycation."

According to Ace Hardware, a supposed rise in staycations is showing up in sales.  Staycations are considered economical alternatives to vacations, because consumers choose to spend time at home, rather than spend money traveling.

Ace Hardware reports that national sales of its outdoor living products and decor have doubled from last year, an indication that people are investing in their home environments.

The popular items this year are fountains, statues, lawn lighting equipment and outdoor furniture says this hardware retailer with several locations in the Roanoke Valley.

The upturn can't come fast enough.  Can it?

Thoughts?  You can comment directly, email me at landfair3554@comcast.net or follow me @landfairfurnitu.

Posted by Mike Landfair on June 30, 2009 | Comments (1)