Saturday, May 26, 2007

Had Enough?

I know this doesn't have a darn thing to do with kitchens or remodeling or design. What it DOES have to do with is our country and how it is run.

I, along with Lee Iacocca and many others across our great nation have had enough.

I've had enough of this war in Iraq for one thing. I've also had enough of being jerked around by the self-serving corporate media and the self-serving politicians.

I'm tired of "being good" and "being quiet" and "going about my business" while my great nation and its once-proud people are going down the toilet.

I suggest today, instead of shopping around for a kitchen designer or ideas about your project, that you read Mr. Iacocca's op-ed and get mad yourselves.

Then, instead of going on about your business, I suggest you call or write or email your legislators and tell them you've had it. After that, call or write or email your news outlets and tell them you've had it and you won't be back until they tell the truth, and stop with the damn "talking heads" and points of view.

It's a hell of a note when an 82 year old man has to get up out of his rocking chair to light a fire under the American people and tell us what anybody with EYES can see. Have YOU had enough?

Peggy

Monday, May 14, 2007

Report Shows Kitchen & Bath Sales Drooping

I just read a report in Qualified Remodeler, one of two major magazines catering to the remodeling contractor.

It says (between the lines) what I have been seeing in our market, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
That remodeling activity is cooling in every sector except the high end market.

The rich have plenty of money to spend.
But the middle class, who have been the backbone of the remodeling boom for a decade or more, are AWOL this year.

Between building and remodeling our sector has kept the nation booming, even with signals to the contrary; such as an expensive war, deficit spending and a dropping dollar

I think a number of factors are driving this trend:

1. Housing values are stagnant or dropping.
2. Incomes (except the executives) are not keeping up with inflation.
3. Massive household debt.
4. Tightening credit.

It'll be interesting to see what happens next.

Peggy

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Susan Serra Blogging at KBIS

Susan will be sending real time reports from the Kitchen Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas this week.
If you want to be up on the latest and greatest trends and hot new products, don't miss her blog posts on The Kitchen Designer including podcasts of interesting seminars.

Peggy


Below is a copy of her post:


Going To The Kitchen Show in Vegas, Baby!

I'll be working hard, trying to fit everything in, the fabulous food samples on the show floor by top chefs like Marcus Samuelsson, from the major appliance manufacturers, the massages from Moen at their press event, the press events at top nightclubs...and, oh yes, the products at the booths, l promise to find all kinds of great stuff and dutifully report back. Whether from major manufacturers, or very small, wonderful artisans, the show has it ALL. You'll hear from me during the show!

I got this great new voice recorder thing that does something special with podcasts, so if I can figure it out, I'll be putting up podcasts. I hate my voice (doesn't everyone?) played back, but I'll sacrifice vanity to give you information right from the sources. I'm so revved up for this as I am every year....see you in Vegas, baby!