Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

WASHINGTON -- A small but potentially significant group of voters say they remain truly undecided less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election.

They have been derided as uninformed or lying by those who cannot fathom still being undecided, but conversations with a sampling of these voters reveal a complicated tug of war.

Many, like Amanda Jaronowski, are longtime Republicans who say they're wrestling with what they see as a choice between a Democrat whose policies they cannot stomach and a Republican incumbent whose personality revolts them. Some voted for third-party candidates in 2016 because they were repelled by their choices -- Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton -- and they're thinking of doing so again.

Jaronowski, of suburban Cleveland, supports Trump's policies and fears her business could be gutted if Democrat Joe Biden is elected.

But she says she abhors Trump personally, leaving her on the fence about who will get her vote.

It's a "moral dilemma," Jaronowski said as she paced her home one recent evening after pouring a glass of sauvignon blanc.

"It would be so easy for him [Trump] to win my vote if he could just be a decent human being," she had said earlier during a focus group session.

While polls show there are far fewer on-the-fence voters this year than the unusually high number in 2016, the Trump and Biden campaigns each believe they still can win over numbers that matter.

John Welton, 40, a Presbyterian minister from Winfield, Kan., who has spent much of his career moving from parish to parish, is also undecided. His political views, he said, have been shaped in part by watching how trade deals have hurt once-vibrant manufacturing communities and his congregants' livelihoods, as well as by his own "pro-Second Amendment" views.

Welton said he is turned off by Biden's support for tighter gun restrictions. But he said he is also put off by Trump's bullying and demeaning of opponents on Twitter and his divisive rhetoric.

On the other hand, Welton said he has been pleasantly surprised that Trump has made good on his campaign pledge to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan, though thousands still remain.

In 2016, Welton ended up voting for Clinton, but barely. He circled the block at his polling place before making a decision. This year, he's hoping a second debate between Trump and Biden will offer him some clarity.

"I remain pretty swayable," he said.

Cathy Badalamenti, 69, an independent from Lombard, Ill., is also struggling with her vote once again. In 2016, she voted for a third-party candidate after twice supporting Democrat Barack Obama.

"I'm not happy with anybody," she said of her choices this time. She said that's especially hard in a family of ardent Trump supporters who have balked at her indecision.

"Believe me, my son, my kids are looking at me and thinking, 'How can you not like Trump?'" she said, describing difficult Sunday night dinners in which she tries to redirect the conversation from politics to the Cubs.

Badalamenti credits Trump for a booming economy before the pandemic, but she said she's turned off by his knee-jerk reactions, worried about his interactions with world leaders, and feeling that he should think more before he speaks and tweets.

Biden worries her, too: "I think he's trying to make a good effort, but at the same time he doesn't know what's -- he's only being told what's going on."

'DIFFERENT ATTRIBUTES'

Longtime Republican pollster Frank Luntz, who has been running focus groups with undecided voters throughout the election campaign, including one Thursday night that included Jaronowski, sees a common refrain among many of the undecideds.

"They're judging on two completely different attributes, and they can't decide which is more important to them," he said. "They don't like Trump as a person, but they don't feel badly about his administration or his policies. They really like Joe Biden as a person, but they are so nervous about what he's going to do if he were elected. And so they can't figure out which is more important to them."

With two historically unpopular candidates, the 2016 race produced unusually large numbers of voters -- double digits on the eve of the election -- who told pollsters they were either undecided or planned to vote for third-party candidates. Many of those voters rallied around Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, helping to hand him his victory.

Polls suggest there are far fewer on-the-fence voters this time around, but both campaigns believe they have the edge in an election where every vote could count.

"Frankly, I like our chances with them because President Trump has delivered results," said Nick Trainer, Trump's director of battleground strategy. He said that just like in 2016, those who identify as undecided tend to be right-leaning and support conservative policies such as lower taxes and a strong military.

Biden's campaign, which is ahead in polls nationally and in a number of battleground states, voices similar optimism and argues that those who are undecided historically break for the challenger.

Having so few undecided voters to move "is problematic if your candidate is not leading," said Becca Siegel, the Biden campaign's chief analytics officer. She adds that the campaign's focus on unity and bringing the country together is "extremely persuasive to this group."

The Biden campaign has hope of winning over people like Jaronowski, a guidance counselor who comes from a family of lifelong Republicans.

Jaronowski, 37, who lives in Independence, Ohio, said she ended up supporting Clinton in 2016. Jaronowski said she was repulsed by Trump, who she said she hates "with the fire of a thousand suns." But it was hard nonetheless, she said.

This year, though she opposes Democratic policies, she said she has deep respect for Biden, whom she calls "a very good man."

But she and her husband own a consumer debt-buying company and fear that a President Biden could cancel that debt, which amounts to tens of millions of dollars.

"Voting in Biden, that's a very scary thing personally," she said, adding that the decision would be far easier if she didn't think he was such a good person.

Others are making their own calculations.

Sam Hillyer, 35, an Arkansan who lives in Fayetteville, voted for third-party candidate Gary Johnson in 2016.

This time, he said, "it's down to either Donald Trump; Jo Jorgensen, the Libertarian candidate; or possibly not voting in the presidential and voting for the other candidates." Hillyer, a dispatcher for a trucking company, has written off Biden, convinced that the Democrat would raise taxes and take a more interventionist approach to foreign policy. And, he said, it "doesn't help with all the new kind of shady scandals popping up."

Hillyer said he closely aligns with Jorgensen on most issues but rejects the candidate's support for abortion rights.

Living in a strongly Republican state, he said, gives him more freedom than if he lived in a battleground state with electoral votes that are up for grabs, in which case he would vote for Trump without hesitation to try to stop Biden.

For now, he said, "I go back and forth maybe a couple times a day."

In this Thursday, Oct. 16, 2020, photo undecided voter Rebecca Westrate poses for a photo at her home in Round Lake, Ill. Four years ago, undecided voters late support for Donald Trump helped push him to victory. While there are fewer on-the-fence voters this time around, a small but potentially significant group say they remain truly undecided less than three weeks before the November 3 election. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

This Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, image provided Amanda Jaronowski shows her in Cleveland, Ohio. The lifelong Republican who lives in the suburbs of Cleveland supports the president's policies and fears her business could be gutted if Democrat Joe Biden wins in November. But she abhors Donald Trump personally, leaving her on the fence. (Joy Lewis Photography via AP)

In this Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, photo Cathy Badalamenti poses for a portrait in her Lombard, Ill., home. Badalamenti has also struggled with her vote once again. In 2016, the Independent eschewed both Trump and Clinton and voted for a third-party candidate, despite having voting twice for former president Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

In this Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, photo undecided voter Tracye Stewart holds her official Virginia ballot in her office in Richmond, Va., Friday Oct. 16, 2020. Stewart, who voted for Donald Trump in 2016, said that shes more ideologically in line with Trump than Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden. But her regular, and sometimes tearful, conversations with a friend shes known since 3rd grade has given her pause. Stewarts ballot remains on her desk at home unfilled. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

This Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, image provided Amanda Jaronowski shows her in Cleveland, Ohio. Jaronowski is part of a small but potentially significant group of voters who say they remain truly undecided less than three weeks before the November 3 election. (Joy Lewis Photography via AP)

In this Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, photo Cathy Badalamenti poses for a portrait at in her Lombard, Ill., home. Badalamenti has also struggled with her vote once again. In 2016, the Independent eschewed both Trump and Clinton and voted for a third-party candidate, despite having voting twice for former president Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

In this Thursday, Oct. 16, 2020, photo undecided voter Rebecca Westrate poses for a photo at her home in Round Lake, Ill. Four years ago, undecided voters late support for Donald Trump helped push him to victory. While there are fewer on-the-fence voters this time around, a small but potentially significant group say they remain truly undecided less than three weeks before the November 3 election. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Original post:
Group of voters still on the fence as election nears - Arkansas Online

DetailsCategory: Local NewsPublished: Tuesday, 20 October 2020 10:07Written by Leah Murray

RCMP issuing a reminder to drivers to adjust their driving habits for the season.

Mounties were called this morning after a vehicle lost control on Yankee Valley Boulevard and crashed through a concrete fence and into a house on the Eastside of the City.

No injuries were reported and RCMP dont believe impairment was a factor in the crash.

Its believed ice and snow on the road likely contributed to the driver of the small SUV losing control. There's no estimate on how much damage was done to the property or an estimate onthe cost for repairs at this time.

Following a very abrupt end to fall and start to winter-like conditions this past weekend, many drivers were caught unprepared. Auto mechanic shops around Airdrie are booked up with appointments for people looking to switch over to their winter tires. The snow and ice and near 0 temperatures can make the roads extremely slippery asthe melting snow and ice freezes and thaws.

RCMP are reminding drivers to slow down as winter driving conditions are in effect and to adjust their estimated travel times accordingly.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to[emailprotected]

Link:
Vehicle crashes through fence and into a home - DiscoverAirdrie.com

The long-running dispute over the wrought iron Westlinks golf coursefencemay end with nofenceat all, much to the chagrin of Overland Park neighbors whose homes abut the course.

The city councils Community Development Committee took up the controversy which has been brewing since 2013 once again Wednesday night and ended with a recommendation that the fence be torn out.

Neighbors have been pushing to have the deteriorating fence replaced with a similar-looking, 5-foot black powder-coated steel fence. They have said that type of fence would maintain their property value and the looks of the course.

In the past, council members have discussed the possibility of replacing the steel fence with a chain-link one, or even essentially gifting a new fence and its ongoing maintenance to homeowners by putting it on their side of the property lines.

However those previously-rejected options were not on the table at the Wednesday meeting. Committee members entertained the idea of putting a steel fence up on the city-owned golf course property over the period of several years and paying for it out of golf course revenue. But that motion was voted down. Instead, committee members voted to accept the staff recommendation that no fence is needed.

Cost was the main stumbling block for the four-member majority who voted to do away with the fence. Informal estimates put the steel fence at $355,000 to $450,000.

I am not in good conscience able to pay for a half a million dollarfencefrom the general fund in the middle of a pandemic. I dont feel that is good use of taxpayer money, said Councilmember Holly Grummert. She also objected to paying it out of user fees from the golf course fund because it would cause delays in the long list of other maintenance needed.

Chairman Curt Skoog and Councilmembers Chris Newlin and Tom Carignan also voted against thefencereplacement. At the end of the day, when staff is saying they dont need afenceI just cannot support replacing thefence, Skoog said.

Golf course neighbors have campaigned hard for replacement, saying that they bought their homes with the understanding that the fence would remain. Their position is based on the history of the course.

The nine-hole Westlinks course is an island that is considered part of the Sykes/Lady Golf Course near 125th Street and Quivira Road but is across the street. When it was built in 1984, the developer paid part of the cost of the ironfence, then gradually deeded the course back to the city.

Neighbors in the nearby Nottingham by the Green subdivision have complained that the city should have done better at maintaining thefence. They have opposed chain link as an inferior replacement, but have also been against removal of thefencebecause their back yards would become unprotected and are too close to cart paths. The idea of a replacementfenceon their own land also was a no-go because it would interfere with landscaping and otherfenceconnections.

Im hopeful that in your consideration you will look at that history and the understanding that the homeowners have had for over 25 years, said neighbor Eleanor Snookie Krumbiegel. Were hopeful this will have a good result for us and this can be put to rest.

Council members Stacie Gram and Faris Farassati supported thefencereplacement, with funding flexible from the golf fund, possibly over a few years.

To me it comes down to the issue of fairness, Gram said. Do I want to fund thisfenceright now under our current economic conditions? No. But I think its fair to do so.

There was a promise made to these neighbors when that development was put together and I think that makes it different, she said.

Farassati said the idea was a good balance between the city and the homeowners needs. Eventually the economy will improve and more people will return to a course that is an amenity and revenue source for the city, he said. Its the best solution we have had so far.

Thefenceis now headed for discussion by the full city council.

Originally posted here:
After years of dispute, OP committee recommends removing and not replacing Westlinks golf course fence - Shawnee Mission Post

The construction of the new fence on the Greek-Turkish border in Evros was the least the government could do to make Greek citizens feel safe who are keeping the countrys morale high at such a difficult moment, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis underlined during his visit to Evros over the weekend.

In March this year, Turkey attempted to asymmetrically invade Greece with the use of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Turkey had not only falsely told the illegal immigrants that Greeces borders were open, but it also facilitated the transportation of the illegal immigrants and utilized their army to try and tear down Greeces border wall. This damage is currently being repaired.

From February 28 to August 3 this year,over 60,000 illegal immigrants were prevented from entering Greece from the Evros areaon the Greek-Turkish border region.

According toSKAI, many of the illegal immigrants arrested by authorities were seeking political asylum in Greece, claiming they were government officials in Turkey and opponents of the Erdoan government.

The border fence project has a total budget of 62.9 million. It will have a total length of 27 kilometres and eight elevated observatories will be constructed to be used by the Hellenic Army. Moreover, the existing fence will be reinforced with a steel railing measuring 4.3 meters in height, instead of the current 3.5 meters.

The Greek PM noted that the work is advancing rapidly, adding that the project will be completed in April 2021 as planned.

He also had the opportunity to speak to some of the border guards. We would like to thank you for the states support in this difficult task that we have been doing for many years: for the new hiring of colleagues after 18 years. It is really great support for us, said the representative of the border guards, Panagiotis Harelas to the Prime Minister.

Read the original here:
Construction Of Evros Border Fence Is Advancing Rapidly, Says Greek PM - GreekCityTimes.com

Last weekend was a 3-day-one for federal employees. Because Monday was a bank holiday. Yet it seems that this doesnt go for everybody employed by the United States Postal Service (USPS). I saw several USPS vehicles in different parts of the region on Sunday. And my heart went out to their drivers because here I was headed for lunch and their family had to have Sunday lunch without them.

On Tuesday, I headed for the Lakewood post office shortly after lunch. I wanted to mail a calendar that one of my readers had won in a give-away activity on my public Facebook page. And a handwritten letter to my father, who is currently recovering from surgery in a German sanitorium. There was a line in the lobby of the postal office that reached to the doors. No way would that deter my determination to send off the gift or the letter.

It was a very interesting experience to stand in that line. Normally, Id have expected some annoyed commenting. But this time, everybody was strangely quiet. People kept their distance, and all wore masks. If somebody needed help, such as being pointed to the mailbox, they were accommodated. Inside the business area, there was laughter at the counters. The employees treated every customer with kindness and patience, interspersed with good humor. And getting some very pretty, new Forever stamps added to my pleasant experience.

What was interesting to me was that the one bank holiday had such an impact on the frequency of the post office. It was as if everybody had had the same idea of packing boxes and writing letters over the weekend. And, of course, a lot couldnt be mailed off on Monday. Well, I might want to avoid Mondays and Fridays as well as days after a holiday in the future in order to avoid standing in a line especially in Covid times. But these postal employees cant. They will be seeing these lines every Monday, Friday, and day after a holiday. And this is only their receiving end.

The delivery end is what I saw last Sunday. If there is an extra-load of boxes and envelopes, these people are out on the road even when they should have their day off. Tuesday started off with some thunderstorm from hell, heavy rain, and wind gusts that were ripping off big branches from trees. Did this deter the postal employees from delivering our mail? No. Because they keep doing their work rain or shine, in blistering summer heat, during wet storms, and in bitingly cold weather. When their load is extra-big, they deliver until their work is done. Shortly before I started writing this article, I found somebody on Facebook reporting from Steilacoom that their mail had been delivered around 1930 h on Tuesday. I keep thinking that by that time, I had had a cozy dinner with my husband already, and was chatting with him over a glass of wine very leisurely. And some postal employee was still out there doing their job!

The holiday season is coming up. Ill be sending out a whole lot of cards and Christmas gifts in a while. Postal lines will be insanely long, as everybody will be doing the same. Maybe even more than ever, in Covid times, as letters and gifts are a sign that we care about our loved ones who are far away, whom we may not even be able to visit. I should hope that we remember that postal employees are at the receiving end when we bring them our load. We are sending out loving thoughts to our loved ones dont let us do it with impatience or anger against the postal employees, who are trying to keep ahead of the constant flow of mail. And lets wait graciously for our mail if we have to wait. We are in the coziness of our homes while somebody out there is fighting the elements and foregoes the comfort of a family meal to deliver their task.

There are countless other essential workers out there who do theirs so we are seen to in our needs and whims. They have the same needs and whims as we, only theirs might get seen to later. If at all. If we put ourselves into their shoes, we can make their world a little friendlier, too. Even if there is a long line between them and us.

Related

The rest is here:
Across the Fence: Mail - The Suburban Times

A senior director in the public works department admits: In terms of war, we are fragile

BL PREMIUM

19 October 2020 - 18:07 Tom Eaton

Throwing an entire ministry under the bus is difficult at the best of times, but for senior members of the ANC it comes with an almost impossibly long list of challenges: asking taxi bosses for permission to appear in public next to a bus, finding a bus, extinguishing it ...

And thats before the inevitable tender process for identifying the company that will do the actual throwing, usually a catering firm created eight days earlier whose postal address is a wheelie-bin in an abandoned lot apparently owned by two people, one of whom died in 1968, while the other was born last Wednesday.

Visit link:
TOM EATON: De Fence that offers no defence and MPs who are weirdly not sitting on the fence - Business Day

The report published on Infrared Fence Market is an invaluable foundation of insightful data helpful for the decision-makers to form the business strategies related to R&D investment, sales and growth, key trends, technological advancement, emerging market and more. The COVID-19 outbreak is currently going the world over, this report covers the impact of the coronavirus on leading companies in the Infrared Fence sector. This research report categorizes as the key players in the Infrared Fence market and also gives a comprehensive study of Covid-19 impact analysis of the market.

The Infrared Fence market report comprises of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of this industry vertical while elaborating on data such as major trends and their effect on the profitability graph of the said market. The study not only classifies market into various segmentations, but also provides with growth rate and revenue predictions over the forecast period.

The study also measures the existing market size and provides a summary of the volume sales and industry share estimations. Moreover, the document unveils information concerning the consumption graph as well as price analysis.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.express-journal.com/request-sample/226495

Elaborating on the regional scope:

Additional details specified in the Infrared Fence market report:

KEY REPORT POINTERS & HIGHLIGHTS:

Request Customization on This Report @ https://www.express-journal.com/request-for-customization/226495

The rest is here:
Infrared Fence Market Growth Manufacturers, Regions, Product Types, Major Application Analysis & Forecast To 2025 - Express Journal

IndustryGrowthInsights, one of the worlds prominent market research firms has announced a novel report on the Fence market. The report is integrated with imperative insights on the market which will support the clients to make precise business decisions. This research will help both existing and new aspirants for Global Fence Market to figure out and study market requirements, market size, and competition. The report incorporates data regarding the supply and demand situation, the competitive scenario, and the challenges for market growth, market opportunities, and the threats encountered by key players during the forecast period of 2020-2027.

Request a sample before buying this report @ https://industrygrowthinsights.com/request-sample/?reportId=190652

Impact of COVID-19

The report also incorporates the impact of the ongoing global crisis i.e. COVID-19 on the Fence market and explains how the future is going to unfold for the global market. The report also provides an analysis of the effects of the pandemic on the global economy. The outbreak has directly affected production and demand disrupted the demand and supply chain. The report also computes the financial impact on firms and financial markets. IndustryGrowthInsights has accumulated insights from various delegates of the industry and got involved in the primary and secondary research to offer the clients data & strategies to combat the market challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Benefits of buying the report:

Industry experts and research analysts have worked extensively to fabricate the research report which will give that extra edge to your business in the competitive market. The market research report can be customized as per you and your needs. This means that IndustryGrowthInsights can cover a particular product, application, or can offer a detailed analysis in the report. You can also buy a separate report for a specific region.

You can buy the complete report @ https://industrygrowthinsights.com/checkout/?reportId=190652

Some of the major companies that are covered in this report:

Allied Tube and ConduitAmeristar Fence ProductsAssociated Materials LLCJerith Manufacturing CompanyLong Fence CompanyBekaertGregory IndustriesBetafence NVCertainTeed CorporationPly Gem Holdings

*Note: Additional companies can be included on request

The market scenario is likely to be fairly competitive. To analyze any market with simplicity the market is fragmented into the following segments:

By Application:

GovernmentPetroleum & ChemicalsMilitary & DefenseMiningEnergy & PowerTransportOthers

By Type:

MetalWoodPlastic & CompositeConcrete

By Geographical Regions

Asia Pacific: China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia PacificEurope: Germany, the UK, France, and Rest of EuropeNorth America: The US, Mexico, and CanadaLatin America: Brazil and Rest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & Africa: GCC Countries and Rest of Middle East & Africa

Segmenting the market into smaller components helps in analyzing the dynamics of the market with more clarity. Another key component that is integrated into the report is the regional analysis to assess the global presence of the Fence market. You can also opt for a yearly subscription of all the updates on the Fence market.

Below is the TOC of the report:

Executive Summary

Assumptions and Acronyms Used

Research Methodology

Fence Market Overview

Global Fence Market Analysis and Forecast by Type

Global Fence Market Analysis and Forecast by Application

Global Fence Market Analysis and Forecast by Sales Channel

Global Fence Market Analysis and Forecast by Region

North America Fence Market Analysis and Forecast

Latin America Fence Market Analysis and Forecast

Europe Fence Market Analysis and Forecast

Asia Pacific Fence Market Analysis and Forecast

Asia Pacific Fence Market Size and Volume Forecast by Application

Middle East & Africa Fence Market Analysis and Forecast

Competition Landscape

If you have any questions on this report, feel free to reach us! @ https://industrygrowthinsights.com/enquiry-before-buying/?reportId=190652

About IndustryGrowthInsights:

IndustryGrowthInsights has a vast experience in making customized market research reports in a number of industry verticals. Our motto is to provide complete client satisfaction. We cover in-depth market analysis, which consists of stipulating lucrative business strategies, especially for the new entrants and the emerging players of the market. We make sure that each report goes through intensive primary, secondary research, interviews, and consumer surveys before final dispatch.

We invest in our analysts to ensure that we have a full roster of experience and expertise in any field we cover. Our team members are selected for stellar academic records, specializations in technical fields, and exceptional analytical and communication skills. We also offer ongoing training and knowledge sharing to keep our analysts tapped into industry best practices and loaded with information.

Contact Info: Name: Alex MathewsAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario,CA 91764, United States.Phone No: USA: +1 909 545 6473 | IND: +91-7000061386Email: [emailprotected]Website: https://industrygrowthinsights.com

See original here:
Fence Market Study Report (2020-2026), Competitive Analysis, Proposal Strategy, Potential Targets, Assessment And Recommendations | Industry Growth...

Earlier this year, Schumacher quietly acquired the digital assets of erstwhile online design platform Homepolish, which went under in September 2019. This morning, the company launched a new website (and rebranded Homepolishs social media accounts) to announce the debut of Freddie, a to-be-developed membership community for interior designers that aims to amplify the to-the-trade industry by encouraging consumers to engage with decorators. (The name is a playful nod to Frederic Schumacher, who founded the New Yorkbased design house in 1889.)

The new brands development has been spearheaded by Schumacher president and CEO Timur Yumusaklar and creative director Dara Caponigro, along with Stephen Puschel, the fifth-generation owner of F. Schumacher & Co., which includes Schumacher and rug and carpet brand Patterson Flynn Martin. The three also brought on Homepolish founder Noa Santos as an adviser, and he has helped shape Freddie around Homepolishs original purpose while offering guidance on how to sidestep some of the challenges his company faced.

I still very much believe in what we were doing with Homepolishthe mission of helping designers build their business by helping them find clients, Santos tells Business of Home. I also want to make sure that Freddie is set up for as much success as possible, and that it is not falling into the same potholes that [Homepolish] might have fallen in over the years[because] Im intimately familiar with those potholes.

The Freddie homepageJoinFreddie.com

Founded in 2012 by Santos and early Buzzfeed employee Will Nathan, Homepolish offered designers a steady stream of leads, marketing muscle, and back-office support. In exchange, the company kept a percentage of the designers hourly rates. At the time, its approachespecially its embrace of clear pricing and entry-level budgetswas revelatory in an industry that largely chases only the biggest projects. For several years, it worked well: Designers built healthy businesses with Homepolishs leads, and clients were happy. But by 2016, facing mounting competition from well-funded online competitors that had entered the scene, the company announced a $20 million round of funding. The resulting pressure to turn a profit, fast, led the company to implement unpopular featuresan unwieldy project management tool designers had little incentive to use, a hastily built platform matching clients with contractors, and a more restrictive contract structure. Running low on cash, Santos looked to raise another round of funding to keep the company afloat, but a deal never materialized and Homepolish shuttered dramatically last fall, leaving many designers owed thousands of dollars for their work.

In the aftermath of Homepolishs collapse, Santos went looking for the right buyer for the companys most valuable assetsan Instagram account with 1.8 million followers, a robust presence on Pinterest, and email newsletter lists reaching both designers and consumers. (A Marker story in February suggested that one early model he considered was a subscription service where designers and clients pay to be matched.) Once the partnership with Schumacher was secured, Freddie was developed throughout the spring and summer, in part in reaction to the dramatic ways COVID has reshaped consumer thinking.

Whats wonderful about having Schumacher as a partner is that it is in stark contrast to the venture-funded history we had, says Santos. Obviously we want to make money, but there arent the same expectations that come with venture capital funding. The sense that this is something thats meant to be built slowly and with carein the spirit of the original Homepolish, when we were self-fundedis why I was particularly excited to find this partnership.

While the vision for Freddie is in place, the specifics of its development are still in flux. In its first phase, the brands landing page invites designers to request an invitation for membership. In return, Freddies initial offering includes exposure on its social media platforms and in email newsletters. Future additions to the platform will likely include a matchmaking tool to more directly connect designers with potential clients, as well as community-building features that enable designers to pick up business best practices from one another. What were trying to do is start low and iterate, listening to the participants on the platform, says Santos. In the beginning, were using the assets to help designers generate business. The obvious best way for us to do that is with our marketing channels.

The work of Freddies three founding membersdesigners Paloma Contreras, Celerie Kemble and Mark D. Sikesis currently showcased on a page dedicated to featured members, but Yumusaklar says he expects members to ultimately range from emerging to established designers. Once we launch, well have a really exciting group [of founding members] to help us make the whole community a real success, he says. Helping decorators build out their businesses will help them to strengthen the industry at large. Not everybody has the time or resources to build [a social media following] out themselves, so I feel we can be very helpful as a great starting point.

Its a concept that has precedent. Homepolish in its heyday provided a launchpad for designers who are now inching toward stardom, from Ariel Okin to Orlando Soria. And though Freddie is launching without much of the back-end operations that powered Homepolish, its marketing capabilities remain powerful tools. One of the things we did particularly well with Homepolish was to understand how these platforms all interact with each otherhow, through the customer journey, someone is first exposed, and then they see it again and again, explains Santos. On average, it takes being exposed to something five times before you convert. So the idea is: How do you create that multi-touch experience that gets the person who is thinking about doing their kitchen in six months to actually reach out?

Throughout its many incarnations, one of Homepolishs greatest strengths was clarity for consumers: The company established an uncomplicated path to finding, hiring and working with a designer. It also acted as a custodian through a stressful process, offering the security of knowing that there was a larger company involved to manage billing and referee misunderstandings. Without that standardization or perceived guarantee, however, the path to consumer confidence will likely be more complicated.

The most important thing is to keep it focused and simple, adds Yumusaklar. Were not in the business of losing money, but this is coming from a place of strengthening our industry rather than [us] figuring out how we can make the most money off it. The main idea is that were building a great community and a great stage. Thats our mission, and thats what connects us to the mission of Homepolish when it started out, which was to empower designers and provide the necessary resources.

Timur YumusaklarCourtesy of Schumacher

Noa SantosJulia Robbs

Left: Timur Yumusaklar Courtesy of Schumacher | Right: Noa Santos Julia Robbs

While Freddies membership fee is expected to generate some revenue, its founders say theres no external pressure to fast-track profit-driving initiatives on the platform. In fact, Yumusaklar is just as adamant about what Freddie will not become as he is about its potential. For example, unlike Homepolish, Freddie will remove itself from the design process once it links a designer with a client, and the platform will not take a cut of the designers fee. He is also adamant that the site will not evolve into a project management tool or a marketplace, and that it wont be another marketing vehicle for the Schumacher brand. Its very much open for other brandswell definitely post images of everybodys product, says Yumusaklar. Santos agreed that, in general, the accounts Instagram followers may not even notice a shift beyond the name change: The channel will stay by and large almost identically what it was, which was promoting designers work.

Freddies basic business mission to help designers is not a new one. Its current model recalls Dering Halls original business plan, which, when it was founded in 2011, promised designers exposure, help getting projects published and a listing in an online directory in exchange for a membership fee. The matchmaking component has also gained digital legs of late: Several membership-based platforms have debuted in the past year, from Estee Stanleys agency, The Eye, to Interior Collab, a nonprofit founded by former Homepolish designers after the platform went offline, which has grown into a collective of nearly 30 firms.

But Freddie is certainly a product of the current climate, motivated in part by an underlying concern that consumers are increasingly turning to online resources and major retailersfrom Wayfair to West Elm to RHfor design inspiration and expertise. As it presents viable alternatives to well-known retail options on a consumer-facing platform, Yumusaklar sees Freddie as a big-picture play that helps trade brands by supporting their customers (designers) in attracting their customers (consumers) in hopes that designers will keep shopping. Its a giant sales pitch on behalf of every decoratortelling homeowners why they should hire a designer to save them time, finding them better prices and exclusive goods, and preventing them from making costly mistakes.

Despite the challenges, educating would-be clientsand helping them find the right designeris certainly a worthy goal. After all, for every homeowner out there who hires a decorator for a full-service project, there are hundreds more who dont realize a designer could help themand who have no sense of how much the resulting project would cost. (Santos says that Homepolish once conducted a survey to understand consumer expectations when it came to spending on their homes. The result? Respondents indicated that they expected a fully designed living room to cost $1,500a figure so off-base that the company never released the surveys findings.)

Santos says that ultimately, Freddies goal isnt just to get jobs for designers, but rather to help reframe the way designers are perceived in the culture of home. If you just see a designer as just an avenue to get a sofa, theres not a lot [of opportunity] there in the long run, because technology will supplant it, he says. But if you see a designer like an artist or a therapisttheres a reason why they havent been replaced by software. Away doesnt sell luggage, they sell the promise of travel. I think the conversation in the industry needs to move from design being a functional and aesthetic exercise to it being a life experience.

Homepage photo: A project by David Kaihoi, featured in a recent issue of Schumachers biannual magazine, Bulletin | Francesco Lagnese, courtesy of Schumacher

Read more:
Schumacher bought Homepolish. Here's what they're going to do with it - Business of Home

Nobility Crests amenity area.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (PRWEB) October 20, 2020

Nobility Crest, a 55+ luxury condominium community in Ocean Township, recently announced the opening of Building 6 with only limited opportunities remaining in Building 5. To learn more or to schedule a one-on-one or virtual appointment, call 732-361-4982 or visit http://www.NobilityCrest55.com. All in-person appointments will follow all state-mandated guidelines to guarantee the safety of staff and future residents.

If the benefits of new construction appeal to you, now is the time to make your move and receive the best pricing on the remaining homes in Building 5 and learn about the last new opportunities available in Building 6, said Robert Adinolfi, Chief Operating Officer at Renaissance Properties.

Building 6 is the final building that will ultimately complete the 198-unit Nobility Crest. This new building features one- and two-bedroom home designs including some new model types priced from the mid $300s. All homes highlight open living spaces, spacious master suites, and appealing, designer-selected finishes. In addition, each home comes with an assigned parking spot and storage space in a secure, well-lit enclosed garage that enjoys elevator access to and from each floor.

Just minutes from Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk, Nobility Crest at Ocean Township also features exciting onsite amenities that can be enjoyed year-round. The community showcases a low-maintenance lifestyle with access to a 4,300 sq. ft. Lifestyle Center with a fitness center, business center, lounge, library, large multi-purpose room, media room, billiard and card rooms. Each new building will also add either a club room with billiards, a fitness room or an all-purpose room. For those with furry friends, a new dog park will also be constructed onsite.

Following a $1M redesign and renovation of Nobility Crests pool and amenity area, residents spent the summer taking advantage of all that the community has to offer with a beach-entry pool, sundeck, shaded pergolas, barbeque areas, fire pit and more. This community offers the carefree lifestyle our savvy buyers have worked for, said Adinolfi.

In addition to ample onsite amenities, the Jersey Shore location of Nobility Crest put owners at the center of it all. Nearby shopping includes everything from groceries at Shop Rite just 1.3 miles away to incredible deals on world-famous designer goods at the Jersey Shore Premium Outlets less than three miles away. Need some beach therapy? Make a quick left onto Route 66 and youll be at the Asbury Park Beach and Boardwalk in under four miles. The community also offers easy access from both Route 18 and the Garden Parkway.

Nobility Crest is located at 7 Centre Street in Ocean Township. Take Route 66 to Cedar Village Boulevard, enter 0827 on the Call Box for the salesperson to open the gate and make a left on Centre Street. To learn more, visit http://www.NobilityCrest55.com or email nobilitycrestinfo@renaprop.com. The Sales Center is now open, schedule an appointment from 10am to 5pm daily. To learn more, please call 732-361-4982.

About Renaissance Properties Since its creation nearly 30 years ago, Renaissance Properties has evolved from a small real estate brokerage company to a multi-faceted real estate development firm and home builder with over 1,000 new homes and nearly 800,000 square feet of commercial space to its credit. The dedicated team at Renaissance Properties works tirelessly to ensure quality, integrity and customer satisfaction in all its endeavors. With distinctive designs and accommodating layouts, new home buyers and tenants alike are delighted with the product offered by Renaissance Properties. To learn more, visit https://www.renaissanceprop.com/.

About Blue Star Group With over 80 years of combined experience in home building excellence and customer satisfaction, the Blue Star Group, LLC is recognized as one of Staten Islands foremost builders. Since its inception in 1976, Blue Star has received continual acclaim both from homebuyers and respected industry associations. Blue Stars standards are set at the highest levels of home design, building materials and craftsmanship to consistently deliver on its promise of bringing the best value to its deserving customers.

Share article on social media or email:

Link:
Final new building now open at Nobility Crest in Ocean Township - PR Web