Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Argington comments on a recent ChicagoTribune.com article about the changing trends in decorating rooms for babies and children and the challenge of gender-neutral nurseries for interior decorator Marika Meyer.

Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) October 03, 2012

According to the ChicagoTribune.com article, Meyer says, These days, neutrals are the new pink and blue. Parents don't want to compromise the home's sophistication just because there are children in it. Keeping the walls neutral allows them to have both."

ChicagoTribune.com also interviewed Sonu Mathew, designer for Benjamin Moore Paints, who believes that gender-neutral paint choices are part of a larger cultural movement that allows children more creative freedom. Mathew adds, Before World War II, trends in fashion and design pointed to boys wearing pink just as quickly as girls would wear blue. So today, we're going back into that space where things are more level." Mathew goes on to describe yellow as optimistic, energetic and confident, which are all very important words for children.

Newell Turner, editor-in-chief for House Beautiful Magazine, suggested during the interview that there is a subtle psychological tie-in to color selection, reports ChicagoTribune.com. Turner responds to Mathews statement describing yellow as the most versatile gender-neutral color there is."

Argington spokesman Clay Darrohn comments, No matter what the trends in decorating for baby bedrooms happens to be, Argington furniture is suitable for just about every dcor. We pride ourselves on creating pieces that can fit in any room and that will be an attractive option for any designer or expectant parent. Trends will change, color choices will come and go, but our furniture is designed to withstand those trends and the test of time.

Argington is a New York based manufacturer of fine baby furniture and nursery bedding. Proudly offering sustainable products that are organic or eco-friendly, Argingtons products are also designed with mobility and multiple uses in mind to make the lives of parents easier.

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Scott Darrohn Argington 855-347-4228 Email Information

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Argington, Maker of Fine Nursery Furniture Sets, Comments on New Trends in Children’s Nursery Décor

WASHINGTON, Oct.3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 100 Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers will descend upon the Cherry neighborhood in Charlotte alongside partners Rebuilding Together and Carter's Kids Oct. 3 and 4 to provide critical repairs to six homes and install a new playground at Cherry Park. The Rebuild-a-Block project will engage local volunteers to assist fellow Charlotteans with critical repair projects like roof repair, porch replacement, carpet installation, paint and installation of handrails.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090421/REBUILDINGLOGO)

"For several years, Lowe's has partnered with Rebuilding Together and Carter's Kids to rebuild and revitalize communities and playgrounds throughout the country. We're thrilled this project is helping families in theCherry Neighborhood located in Charlotte; right in our backyard," said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe's Community Relations Director. "Lowe's Heroes will be out in full force to improve the neighborhood, which goes beyondroof repairs and paint.It's about partnering with our neighbors to rejuvenate the community and make a lasting impression foryears to come."

Carter Oosterhouse, HGTV star and founder of Carter's Kids, will also lead the volunteers in installing a brand new, customized playground at Cherry Park. The playground will be built on public grounds so that the local community and students of Community Charter School can use it for play and exercise. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at Noon on Oct. 4.

"Lowe's continues to be a great supporter and partner of Rebuilding Together," said Gary Officer, CEO of Rebuilding Together. "With their help, we've been able to provide several families in various neighborhoods with a safe and healthy home. And Carter's Kids has given us the support to truly extend that effort into revitalizing entire communities by offering children and families a place to."

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and healthy home. Our focus provides critical repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficient upgrades to low-income homes and community centers at no cost to service recipients. Our impact extends beyond the individuals served to revitalize and stabilize vulnerable neighborhoods and communities across the country. Our 200 local affiliates complete 10,000 rebuild projects a year thanks to the efforts of nearly 200,000 volunteers from corporate partners, skilled trades professionals and everyday good citizens. Join us visit http://www.RebuildingTogether.org.

About Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation

Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company's signature education grant program, Lowe's Toolbox for Education, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects andour national nonprofit partners such as Rebuilding Together and American Red Cross. In 2011, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

SOURCE Rebuilding Together

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100 Lowe's Heroes Rebuild-a-Block in the Cherry Neighborhood with Rebuilding Together and Carter's Kids

Quality Home Repair offers key ways to improve a home's resale value.

Greenville, SC (PRWEB) October 03, 2012

The first thing that Quality Home Repair recommends is to make good landscaping a top priority. Landscaping provides curb appeal and the very first impression that potential home buyers have of a house. Another secret to improving curb appeal is to repaint the front of the house, the front door and the trim. Other key improvements that are inexpensive include updating old bathroom fixtures and brightening every room in the house with fresh paint.

Quality Home Repair believes that even the smallest improvements and maintenance improve a home's resale value. Their professionals understand however that not everyone has the time to make the improvements. This is why the professional handymen at Quality Home Repair are highly trained to handle any Home Repair and Home Improvement need. From full service interior and exterior house painting services to home repair and carpet cleaning, Quality Home Repair is a one stop shop for improving a home's resale value. "We even offer bundle rates for people needing to fix up their house for re-sale," says Quality Home Repair owner Tony Hughey.

Quality Home Repair offers a comprehensive selection of home repair, maintenance and installation services, including Residential Painting, Concrete Driveway Repair, Ceramic Tile, Carpet Installation and Cleaning, Roofing, Plumbing Installation, Carpentry, Decks, Fences and many other services. For a complete listing of the professional home maintenance services that Quality Home Repair provides, visit their website at http://www.qualityhomerepairgreenvillesc.com.

About the company:

Quality Home Repair, serving the Greenville community since 1989, has a long tradition of satisfying customers. They specialize in repair and maintenance, and they work on anything from residential painting to plumbing, cabinet refinishing to carpet installation, and everything in between. Their professionals are courteous, neat and orderly, and they offer 24 hour emergency service. For more information visit their website at http://www.qualityhomerepairgreenvillesc.com.

Tony Hughey Quality Home Repair 864-345-8221 Email Information

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Quality Home Repair in Greenville Offers Tips for Improving a Home's Resale Value

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UNIQLO, the global clothing retailer, will open its new San Francisco store at 111 Powell Street on Friday, October 5th.

At 29,000 square feet, the three-story Union Square store will mark UNIQLO's first flagship store on the West Coast and will bring together the latest technology and design to transform the Bay Area retail experience.

UNIQLO Chairman & Global CEO, Tadashi Yanai, joined by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 5th at 9:45 AM, with the store officially opening to the public at 10:00 AM.

"Friday will be a landmark day for UNIQLO as we open our doors on the West Coast. We look forward to welcoming customers into our San Francisco flagship store and sharing our innovative products and brand philosophy with the Bay Area," said UNIQLO USA Chief Operating Officer Yasunobu Kyogoku. "San Francisco is the center of global innovation and we are delighted to join this vibrant community."

"The opening of UNIQLO in San Francisco adds even more excitement to our world-class Union Square," said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. "The arrival of UNIQLO's new West Coast flagship home to the Bay Area brings nearly 500 new jobs and is helping to boost our local economic recovery."

UNIQLO's West Coast store will be a true architectural gem in the heart of Union Square, incorporating sleek design and the latest modern technology to create a unique shopping experience that is Made for All. High-beamed ceilings and a large basement to roof skylight enables natural sunlight to illuminate the central glass case housing some of the more than 91 rotating mannequins situated around the store sporting the latest UNIQLO fashions. An LED-illuminated rainbow staircase reflects the colorful diversity of UNIQLO's product offerings while serving as a strong focal point for shoppers to browse the different floors and designer collections. 77 LCD screens line the perimeter of the store on seven large monitor walls featuring a rotational mix of UNIQLO marketing campaigns and product promotions. And the technology doesn't stop there.

The global unveiling of UNIQLO's "Magic Mirror" technology will occur at the San Francisco location. Developed by the worlds leading printing company Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), this 'virtual dressing room' allows customers to use the Kinect color-changing engine and half-mirror touch panel technology to instantly switch between different color palettes of iconic UNIQLO clothing. The exceptionally large bright color monitor brings to life the vivid product quality and details to make consumers feel like they are actually wearing the real product, while also matching color variation to best fit the style preferences of San Francisco's diverse demographic technology that is Made for All.

"We are very pleased with the beautiful design and stunning architecture of our Flagship San Francisco store," said Kyogoku. "We've preserved the historical facade while completely remodeling the interior, rejuvenating the space with a modern contemporary twist. We've also infused the latest state-of-the art technology to create a marquis shopping destination."

San Francisco is the company's fifth U.S. retail location. Other U.S. locations include the UNIQLO store in Paramus, New Jersey, UNIQLO Soho, UNIQLO 5th Avenue and UNIQLO 34th Street.

About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing:

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UNIQLO Opens First West Coast Flagship Store in Union Square

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --On September 19, 2012, Home Owners Circle has released a new ratings and reviews system for the 2.6 million Contractors on its site. With up to date reviews of local service professionals, Home Owners Circle's members have exceptional insight to which contractors to use for their project. Ratings and reviews are completely free to post and view,justsign-up at HomeOwnersCircle.com.

It has always been a struggle for Home Owners to find local contractors that they can trust. Home Owners Circle's innovative reviews system helps Home Owners save time and energy. As the site continues to grow, there is no doubt that the ratings and reviews system will become even more powerful. In addition to ratings and reviews, Home Owners Circle also provides a ton of additional information to help home service projects to get done effectively. For example, the site suggests other home owners in your geographic area who may have completed a similar project and can help overcome obstacles. Also, the site provides hundreds of articles in the areas of Home Improvement, Repair, Home Purchasing, Interior Design, and Home Exterior. In fact, this week the site has produced interesting articles on insulation, Best Practices for Hard Wood, and Basement Finishing.

About HomeOwnersCircle.com:

HomeOwnersCircle is the premier site for Home Owners and local Service Professionals to connect across North America. The site includes an industry leading social platform for Home Owners to connect about home improvement tasks like Kitchen remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Room Additions, Floor Coverings, Painting and much more. With over 1,000,000 members and 2.6 Million Service Professionals, Home Owners Circle is an essential daily resource for every home owner or contractor!

About SaleSpider Media:

SaleSpider Media is a leading digital media company. We own multiple properties that offer online advertising solutions to both b2b and b2c advertisers and direct marketers. Clients range from small to medium businesses to Fortune 1000 companies and their media agencies.

SaleSpider Media's publications and media brands include:

SaleSpider Media is a clear front runner in social media - its network of social brands have massive followings of highly loyal and related consumer and business audiences. SaleSpider Media's network of sites harness the power of interactivity to make daily life easier and more productive for people all over North America and Globally.

To learn more about SaleSpider Media, please see http://www.salespidermedia.com or http://www.homeownerscircle.com.

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Home Owners Circle Adds Ratings for Local Contractors!

NAPLES, Fla., Oct. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viper Networks, Inc. (Pink Sheets:VPER), is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to commence a short-term pilot program by installing about 100 LED indoor lights and approximately one dozen street lights near the Ministry's administration building as a small size, short trial test period.

The estimated 30 to 90 day pilot program has been agreed to as an initial requirement to confirm Viper Networks (and Apollo Metro Solutions) LED lighting electricity savings and ease of installation capabilities as it relates to potentially replacing all of Sri Lanka's eighteen (18) existing harbors and eleven (11) new harbors under construction with approximately 150 to 200 indoor lights and street lights for each location.

The largest of these new harbors being built is slated to open next month during November 2012, which along with all of the country's harbors, is under the supervision of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Shareholders and potential investors should note that this news release announcing the pilot project with one of Sri Lanka's Ministries is expected to be only the first of several separate agreements with different ministries in the country.

In addition to successfully concluding the pilot project agreement in person in Sri Lanka, the CEO of Viper Networks has also met with other key ministers and officials this week, including the Mayor of the Capital city of Colombo and the Ministry of Electricity; where talks were centered on Viper Networks and Apollo Metro's solicitation to provide LED street lights and other advanced lighting technologies for Sri Lanka's roads and highways.

The result of this meeting was immediate, as Sri Lanka officials have requested a detailed plan and proposal for the Company to provide various LED lighting solutions for three major cities in Sri Lanka, including Colombo, which is the largest city and metropolitan area with a population of approximately 1.5 million people (per the 2012 census).

And finally, Viper CEO Farid Shouekani is meeting with Sri Lanka's Ministry of Water Management since they have expressed a strong desire for an automatic meter reading system similar to the system Viper and Apollo are working on in the United States. In fact, the Water Management minister is scheduled to visit the U.S on October 16th for an official review of the live working system prior to signing an agreement.

The management of Viper Networks would like to extend their appreciation for everyone's patience and strongly encourage all shareholders to continue to follow corporate developments closely. The Company anticipates announcing further details on each aspect noted in today's news release and forthcoming updates regarding other positive developments in India and the USA.

Sri Lanka is a sizable island country covering over 25,000 square miles, which is located off the southern coast of India. Sri Lanka has one of the fasting growing economies in the world and an expanding population currently estimated at 20.3 million (2012 census). With a strategic location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka has been known as 'The Pearl of the Indian Ocean.'

All LED product specifications and options and LED Lighting Systems and Intelligent Lighting Solutions are featured at http://www.ApolloMetro.com, which also provides PDF documents of product dimensions and sample configurations for downloading or printing.

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Viper Networks Signs Pilot Project With Sri Lanka Ministry for LED Street Lights and Indoor Lighting

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The business mantra "bigger is better" isn't always right. Custom software development company Amadeus Consulting's co-founder and CIO John Bassos newly released book, Micro-Corps: Rise of the Idea Architects (self-published, 2012) explains the significant role Micro-Corps play in todays economy. Citing their best practices, strategies, and mindsets, Bassos book offers practical information to position even the smallest companies as thought-leaders and significant revenue generators.

As Basso explains in his book, Micro-Corps are run by people who are very passionate about their ideas. Micro-Corp owners are more enthusiastic about these ideas than they are about the corporate structure that contains them. This book is about those Idea Architects and how they bring their ideas to life through Micro-Corps.

Topics Basso addresses in Micro-Corps: Rise of the Idea Architects include:

As small and large businesses struggle to stay afloat in today's unstable economic climate, Bassos book empowers those who may be stuck in a rut to break out of the constructs of traditional business management systems and learn how they can make more focused, intelligent decisions about resource acquisition, labor, and investments in a sustainable, practical manner. For a review copy or to request an interview with John Basso, please contact Michelle Francis 720-254-1288 or michelle.francis@2020strategyinc.com.

About John Basso

As the co-founder and CIO of Amadeus Consulting, John Basso has worked at the intersection of business and technology for more than 17 years. He has worked with hundreds of companies, some large, some small and many Micro-Corps. His first passion is technology; Basso has always worked hard to improve his business and the businesses of his clients. His second passion is sustainability, not only concerning the environment but in creating sustainable, viable businesses. One day he hopes to create a Micro-Corp that combines both of his passions. For good karma, he currently acts as a free mentor consulting other businesses making their businesses more sustainable. For more information about John Basso, visit http://www.amadeusconsulting.com, http://www.johnbasso.com, or http://www.blastnetwork.org.

About Amadeus Consulting

Amadeus Consultingis a complete technology solutions provider, leveraging the appropriate technology - via the web, PC, and a broad arrange of mobile devices - to deliver successful business results to each client. The company features enterprise development, creative and business consulting services, conversion analytics and digital marketing expertise and expert technical staffing. Amadeus Consulting solutions utilize a variety of business processes to meet clients unique business and technology challenges.

Amadeus Consulting was honored as a 2011 Colorado Company to Watch, named the Top Mobile Developer in its region since 2010 from the BCBR, and has placed on the Inc. 5000 list since 2006.For more information, visit http://www.amadeusconsulting.com.

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Newly-Published Micro-Corps: Rise of the Idea Architects (A New Generation of Entrepreneurs) Poises “The Little Guy ...

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lend Lease, one of the world's leaders in Project Management & Construction, is pleased to announce that Kelly Benedict became Regional Director of Business Development for the Americas region of Lend Lease on September 24, 2012. Kelly will remain based in the Chicago office of Lend Lease.

"Kelly has demonstrated an innovative, passionate and professional approach to business development in our Great Lakes business unit and is an obvious person to take on this role regionally for us," stated Dale Connor, Managing Director, Project Management & Construction, Americas.

In Kelly's new role, she will bring together business developers from the Americas region of Lend Lease into a Peer Group and ensure consistency of sales efforts, that lessons learned are shared and that there is a renewed focus, where appropriate, on regional clients.

Kelly Benedict has been in the commercial real estate industry for over 20 years as a Senior Business Development and Marketing Executive. She has served in business development and marketing roles in the Architectural, Construction, and Development disciplines, and has a balanced perspective of the business. In her previous position she held the role of Vice President, Director of Business Development for the Chicago office, and has previous experience working in the Lend Lease Washington, D.C. office.

Benedict is also involved with a number of professional affiliations, including Chairman of the Board for the Chicago Affiliate of ACE Mentoring, National Association of Industrial & Office Properties (NAIOP) and Urban Land Institute (ULI). She and her husband and son live in the Chicago area.

About Lend Lease

Lend Lease is a leading international property and infrastructure group. Listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and with circa 17,000 employees worldwide, the firm's capabilities span the property and infrastructure spectrum.

In the US, Lend Lease offers over 95 years of experience in the project management and construction industry. In the past decade alone, the firm has provided construction services on over 2,500 projects for 1,100 clients nationwide. The company provides a full range of construction services including construction management, general contracting, program management, project management, design/build and consulting services.

We create innovative and sustainable property solutions, forging partnerships and delivering maximum benefits to clients, investors and communities. Safety is our number one priority and Lend Lease is committed to operating Incident & Injury Free wherever we have a presence.

http://www.lendlease.com

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Kelly Benedict Becomes Regional Director of Business Development for the Americas region of Lend Lease

NASHVILLE, Tenn (Reuters) - Country stars Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, the Civil Wars and Rosanne Cash join forces this week in a fund-raising concert for the restoration of the boyhood home of late legend Johnny Cash.

Cash's humble home in the tiny town of Dyess, Arkansas, was acquired in 2011 by Arkansas State University, which is spearheading the drive to repair and furnish the 1930s era house where the "Ring of Fire" singer grew up with his six brothers and sisters.

"It's been a long process," Cash's song-writer daughter, Rosanne, told Reuters, referring to purchasing the home and getting the restoration underway. "There are a lot of Johnny Cash projects out there, but this is the one that captured my heart."

Cash, an icon of country music whose hits spanned more than 50 years, died in 2003 at age 71.

Bentley, 36, who has had eight number one hits including " "Home," and "5-1-5-0," said he wanted to take part in Friday's fundraiser out of respect for the veteran performers who have paved the way for his new generation of singers.

"I don't know anyone who doesn't love Johnny Cash," Bentley told Reuters. "It's pretty cool to be part of that show."

"To have the chance to be part of a unique festival always excites me, especially when you are raising money for a great cause and it's tied to a guy that this town (Nashville) really respects a lot," Bentley added.

Cash's family moved to rural Dyess in 1936 because they were given 20 acres of land under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal plan to boost agriculture.

Arkansas State University is working to save the Cash house, and other historic buildings in Dyess, as heritage sites and to develop them as tourist destinations.

An initial fundraiser in 2011 raised $300,000 for the Cash home, and Bill Carter, who is producing Friday's Johnny Cash Music Festival event, hopes it will bring in another $200,000.

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Country stars raising funds to restore Johnny Cash boyhood home

NEW YORK (AP) Glenn Bridges can tell that the market for home remodeling is picking up when he's hanging cabinets or laying a floor in a customer's house, a next-door neighbor is bound to knock on the door and ask if he's available for another project.

They'll look at his handiwork and then say, "we have something we're interested in doing," Bridges says. "It's quite uplifting."

The collapse of the housing market decimated business for contractors like Bridges, most of whom are small businesses with just a handful of employees. But many are seeing business improve as home sales slowly recover and homeowners who had put off projects during the recession are feeling better about the economy. Still, the improvement is gradual and projects aren't typically as lucrative as they were back when homeowners were able borrow against a large amount of equity in their houses.

Bridges was so optimistic about the remodeling market that in February that he restarted the contracting business he was forced to shut down in 2007. When he closed, he had to lay off his three full-time workers. But at the start of 2012, things began to change.

"I had people that needed work done and all in one weekend they said to me, 'why don't you help me ... why don't you get active again?'" says Bridges, owner of Eagle Ridge Contractor Services in Naples, Fla. He had spent the intervening years working on projects with other business owners.

He's worked steadily since February, installing new kitchens and bathrooms that range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on the size of the room and the quality of the cabinets and appliances. He hired one full-time worker when he started his business again and says he may take on as many as three more if business is good enough. And he's optimistic that it will be, because he's getting more requests for bids on projects. "Where I was pricing one or two (projects) a month, I might now price five or six a month. And I think I'm not unusual for our market, there's more optimism."

Bridges isn't alone. Sales of previously occupied homes are up more than 9 percent this year, and spending on residential construction has risen 16 percent. People who track housing trends see signs that remodeling is on the rise and that the improvement will continue. Harvard University's Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity suggests that annual homeowner improvement spending could rise 12.2 percent in the first quarter of 2013, up from levels reached in the first three months of 2012.

Some of the uptick is coming from new homeowners fixing up and some is coming from people who put off work during the recession.

"Even though it's a down market, homeowners are always having to do certain projects roofing, siding, heating systems," says Abbe Will a research analyst with Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. "When we're moving into a recovery phase, we're going to be looking to the discretionary projects, like kitchen and bath remodeling. We're expecting to see lots more of that as the housing market stabilizes."

But while the upturn is encouraging, it hasn't yet turned into the boom that some had hoped for. After rising from a low reached at the end of 2008, remodeling activity rose sharply but then fluctuated since the end of 2009, according to the National Association of Home Builders' index of remodeling activity. It's "improving, but not as much as we thought it had been earlier," says Steve Millman, director of economic services at the NAHB.

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Remodeling resurgence boosts sales for contractors