Monthly Archives: February 2012

There’s An App for Everything… Even Furniture!

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As smartphones get smarter, they can help customers pick out furniture.This past weekend at the Evansville Startup Weekend in Evansville, Indiana, young entrepreneurs gathered at the University Of Southern Indiana College Of Business to show off some innovative, new ideas.  But the big winner wasn’t curing cancer, lowering carbon emissions, or contriving new ways to win big on the stock market – they were helping to place furniture.

The winning idea, Furnish, designed by Michael Patzer, Andrew Heil and Andy Markle, allows users to walk into a room and virtually place furniture.

The app, aimed at interior designers and furniture companies, is one of the many furniture oriented apps available on the market today.  This article from Furnish 123 Austin highlights a number of unique applications specifically designed for home design and remodeling.

MagicPlan, for instance, takes pictures of a space and then measures, draws, and publishes an interactive floor plan on the web.  Colorsnap takes color photos and matches them with Sherwin-Williams paint colors.  And I.D. Wood, which works with or without an Internet connection, provides a virtual wood guide featuring samples and information.

And there’s more.   Scoured throughout the web and buzzing through the minds of innovative thinkers, furniture apps are growing and growing, making the shopping experience easier and more precise than ever.

Photo Credit: Gillyberlin

You Get One More Day on a Leap Year. Make It Count!

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Make leap year extra special!This February, we all get a special treat: one more day!  Think about how cool that is.  Since this a leap year, you have one extra day to make 2012 one day more special.  What are you going to do?

Here at Contempo Space, we’re going to do what we always do, regardless of days in the year: design sturdy modern furniture, custom-made to fit our customers’ needs.  From built-in closets to wall units to sofas and more, we spend every day working to make our furniture better.

If you’re still not sure what do with your extra day, why not check out one of our websites (Contempo Space, Contempo Closet, Contempo Wall, and Contempo Sofa) and see what we can do for you.  If you like what you see, visit our showroom or call us any time to learn more.

One extra day means one more chance to make this year count.  What are you going to do?

Photo Credit: Kevin Wen

New York City Real Estate Market Still Growing in 2012

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Despite a national recession, the NYC housing market just keeps on growing and growing.Good news everyone!  According to research released by mortgage giant Freddie Mac, the National housing market has continued to improve over January and the early months of February.  The rate of seriously delinquent loans (90 days or more past due plus the foreclosure inventory) fell to 5.3% of prime mortgages at the end of 2011.

According to the Census Bureau, new residential construction projects beginning early this year actually outpaced the market forecast.  In Jan. existing home sales were also at their strongest growth rate since May 2010.

A bit closer to home, the New York City real estate market was “one of the shining gems in the country’s flailing real estate market” in 2011 and real estate experts are putting faith in the Big Apple’s continued real estate draw.

According to Stephen G. Kliegerman, president of Halstead Property Development Marketing, low interest rates and a steady rental market will be a big draw for major investors looking for safe bets in 2012.  “With rents skyrocketing and Wall Streeters wary of betting on the house, they will choose to invest [their bonus money] in new developments rather than the currently unpredictable stock market.”

According to Gary Malin, president of realty firm Citi Habitats, Queens will be the next big thing for new developments.  “There is available land for development,” says Malin, “and past projects have rented or sold quickly, proving that the area is viable.”

If you’re thinking about buying or renting in NYC, don’t forget that Contempo Space is only a short ride away in Passaic, NJ.  We’ve furnished countless spaces in NYC and we’re more than positive we could help put the magic touch on yours to turn your new NYC apartment into a new NYC home.

Photo Credit: Digital Art

Let in the Wild: Using Natural Elements to Brighten Your Home

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Let in the outdoorsHere on the East coast, winter is on its last legs, though sometimes it feels like it never got out of bed in the first place.  Nonetheless, with warm weather, we’re all spending a little more time outside and starting to realize how nice it is not to spend the whole day cooped up.  Things like grass, plants, trees, and animals are pretty cool, and it’s a real bummer we have to leave them for a few months each year.

One way of dealing with the loss of outdoor time in the winter months, is to bring the wild inside.  Potted plants, wood carvings, and other outdoor amenities refitted for inside the home add a touch of life to any room.  Likewise, paintings of animals and natural spaces can lighten up the room and even let you feel like there’s a little more space within your four walls.  Add a few candles with natural outdoor scents as well to really capture nature’s magic.

Photo Credit: Anat_Tikker

Get Discount Tickets to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show with Contempo Space

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2013 Update: You are viewing the entry for 2012.
Click here to get discounted tickets for the 2013 Architectural Digest Home Show

 

Contempo Space will appear at the Architectural Digest Home Design ShowMarch 22-25, 2012, Contempo Space will be appearing at the 11th Architectural Digest Home Design Show at Pier 94 in Manhattan.  We’d love you to see you there, and, to make it a bit easier, Architectural Digest and Contempo Space are offering a $5 discount on general admission (Friday-Sunday) and VIP consumer (Thursday) tickets.

All you have to do is use our promo discount code to purchase your tickets online and you’ll receive a $5 discount on general admission!

Promo Discount Code: CONTEMPO

Tickets may be purchased online via Architectural Digest.  To claim your $5 discount, type “CONTEMPO” in the field labeled “Enter Promotion Code.”

For more information regarding the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, check out the Contempo Space blog here.  We hope to see you there!

Let’s Be Practical: NASCAR Driver Danica Patrick’s Casual Car Choice

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NASCAR Driver Danica PatrickThe other day, a fun-fact popped across our newsfeed: a Lamborghini Gallardo doesn’t have any cup-holders.

According to Yahoo Sports, NASCAR driver Danica Patrick’s Lamborghini Gallardo wasn’t a very smart purchase.  Facing problems like “potholes, parking and nowhere to put her black coffee,” the car dealt Patrick more challenges than solutions.

“The last straw was probably having to pick up my sister at the airport in a Lamborghini,” Patrick said. “I couldn’t have felt more stupid.”

“She’s got bags. I don’t have a trunk. I’ve got a briefcase-sized spot in the front of the car. I have no space.”

It’s a funny story to remind us all that price and practicality don’t always go hand in hand.  Thankfully though, at Contempo Space we’ll custom design your furniture to incorporate whatever luxury items you want while making sure it’s still a completely utilitarian piece of furniture.  Oh, and our prices won’t send you into the red.

Be sure to watch Danica Patrick on the Daytona 500 Sunday Feb. 26 at 1pm.

Photo Credit: ManningMBD

Lighten Up

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LED lightsAt Contempo Space, we focus primarily on furniture, but we’d be amiss to ignore one of the key components of interior design that actually helps to make our furniture look even better: lighting.

The lighting in a space can play a key role in the presentation of the room.  Dark spaces can attract feelings of mystery and intrigue, while bright spaces feel fresh and lively.

Be creative with your lighting choices, or at least let Contempo Space provide some more interesting means of lighting up your home.  An Ambient Light System in your entertainment center can create a soothing glow and make your TV actually look better.  Likewise, our new LED light solutions from Contempo Closet can create radiant shades around shelves and mirrors.

Make your home shine like new with light solutions from Contempo Space!

The Keegan

Note the glow behind the TV on the Keegan Wall Unit

LED Photo Credit: Afrank99

 

Contempo Space Appearing at Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2012

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Contempo Space will appear at the Architectural Digest Home Design ShowNJ Furniture Manufacturer Contempo Space will be appearing at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show March 22-25, 2012 at Pier 94 in Manhattan.

Passaic, NJ Feb. 20, 2012 – For nearly 50 years, Contempo Space has provided quality, hand-made custom furniture to customers throughout the Northeast.  On March 22-25, 2012, representatives from Contempo Space will be appearing at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, highlighting the latest in modern furnishing  designs and solutions. Contempo Space will be presenting at booth #511, where the manufacturer will showcase products from family brands Contempo Closet and Contempo Wall.

This year marks the 11th annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show.  In addition to nearly 400 attending brands, the show will feature a keynote presentation by Architectural Digest Editor-in-Chief Margaret Russell, design seminars presented by The New York Times, cooking demonstrations, and one-on-one design consultations.

Thursday March 22, the show will begin at 10am and end at 7pm.  This day is only open to trade and preview guests.  Registered interior designers and licensed architects may pre-register by March 15.  Consumers may purchase preview tickets for $95.  Purchase includes a one-year subscription to Architectural Digest, gift bag, and cocktail reception.

Friday through Sunday, the show will be open to the public.  Friday March 23 and Saturday March 24, the show will begin at 10am and end at 7pm.  Sunday, the show will begin at 10am and end at 6pm.

Tickets are available for $25 in advance or $30 on-site.  Advance purchase includes a one-year subscription to Architectural Digest.

Children under age 12 may enter the show free.

Pier 94 is located at 55th St. and Twelfth Avenue, NYC.  For more information, visit the show’s webpage.

Contempo Space, with family brands Contempo Wall, Contempo Closet and Contempo Sofa, specializes in custom home furnishings, including wardrobes, entertainment centers and wall units.  Design consultants and craftsmen work with customers to create the perfect piece for any space.  Delivery and on-site assembly are also available upon request.

For more information on products and services, visit ContempoSpace.com.  For further updates, follow Contempo Space on twitter via @ContempoSpace and at Facebook.com/ContempoSpace.

Be Unique Like New Orleans

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March to your own drum beat on Mardi GrasPeople often speak of New Orleans with a different tone than many other American cities because, simply put, it’s not like any other American city.  It has its own spicy, Cajun flavor, inimitable by outsiders.  Everything about it – from the music to the architecture to the food – walks with its own rhythm, whistling a hearty creole tune with a piquant flavor and a Cajun brogue.

But New Orleans didn’t become New Orleans overnight.  The city’s particular essence formed over hundreds of years of immigration, commerce and cultural growth.  It took time and pace.

But you know what else took hundreds, if not thousands of years to form?  YOU.  You are the end result of all history leading up to you.  You’re the result of hundreds of biological and historical catalysts, movements so grand no textbook could begin to sum it all up.

You’re special.  You’re unique.  You’re a one-and-only.  Shouldn’t your furniture be, too?

At Contempo Space, we craft custom furniture for custom folks like you.  View our products online or come visit our showroom, and we’ll see what we can make just for you.

Contempo Space Connects with Customers at ACS NJ Spring Home Show

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Contempo Space Representative Gary Flax shows a customer the Alpha Wardrobe CollectionFeb. 17-19, 2012, representatives from Contempo Space attended the ACS New Jersey Spring Home Show.  Showcasing products from family brands Contempo Wall and Contempo Closet, Contempo Space connected with customers to exhibit the latest in modern home furnishing.

Passaic, NJ Feb. 20. 2012 – Contempo Space has nearly 50 years of experience crafting custom modern furniture.  This past weekend, Feb. 17-19, 2012, representatives from Contempo Space exhibited at the ACS New Jersey Spring Home Show at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus.  The representatives connected with customers and colleagues, showcasing new products from Contempo Wall and Contempo Closet with great zeal and success.

“It’s always fun to come out here and meet with the customers,” says Contempo Space representative Gary Flax. “It helps to get a real sense of what people are looking for and what they want, which helps us design furniture that looks great and fulfills people’s needs.”

Exhibiting at Booth 411, the Contempo Space representatives passed out leaflets and brochures to interested customers, while also highlighting new features and designs from Contempo Space.   Contempo Space placed two products on display – Contempo Closet’s Alpha Wardrobe Collection and a customized Tristan Wall Unit from Contempo Wall.

Contempo Space’s new LED light solutions were received with particular intrigue.  Customers were treated to a demonstration of Contempo’s new light solutions as LED bulbs flickered on and off with opening closet doors and strip lights created a radiant halo surrounding mirrors and shelves.

Contempo Space, with family brands Contempo Wall, Contempo Closet and Contempo Sofa, specializes in custom home furnishings, including wardrobes, entertainment centers and wall units.  Design consultants and craftsmen work with customers to create the perfect piece for any space.  Delivery and on-site assembly are also available upon request.

For more information on products and services, visit ContempoSpace.com.  For further updates, follow Contempo Space on twitter via @ContempoSpace and at Facebook.com/ContempoSpace.