Email  Print  del.icio.us  digg  yahoo!  Feed

Subscribe to Midwest Home : Web Section MH

Twin Cities Showroom

To see a product or service in a showroom setting can have a profound impact. Read about some of the most stunning showrooms in the state.

Whether you are building a new home, remodeling an existing home, contemplating a major building/remodeling project or simply dreaming about your “someday” house, area showrooms can help guide you in the right direction.

Showrooms are no longer delegated to only designers, builders and architects. Today consumers are welcome to browse and gather information from savvy showroom consultants, in addition to gaining layout and design ideas through creative vignettes and displays.

Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer replacing a single fixture, or a homeowner outfitting an entire house, showrooms are a valuable resource.

“Showrooms give clients a venue to see all real examples of the finished products for their new home or remodeling project,” says Kaye Gavic, director of marketing for Builders Showcase. “Clients can get a better idea of how the colors, textures and scale of the products work together, instead of only looking at catalogs or running from showroom to showroom to see samples.”

In a showroom, consumers are able to make an educated decision about how a product best fits their lifestyle and their budget. People invest a lot of money in home improvements and new building projects, and a showroom is the perfect place to see 3-D, real-life examples of how a product would look fully installed in their home.
Showroom options

A consumer can feel overwhelmed when making major home selections. What kind of countertop matches the tile? Will the new refrigerator fit in the kitchen? Will the room flow once all of the elements are put together?

Showrooms exist, in part, to alleviate the stress that is often associated with building or remodeling. No one wants to second-guess a decision or selection after the fact.

For those working on creating their dream kitchen (or just dreaming about it), Guyer’s Builder Supply, GE Builder Appliance Center and Roth Distributing are local showrooms with thousands of square feet of inviting showroom space focused mainly on kitchens.

At Guyer’s, the showroom is configured into a flooring division, cabinet area, fireplace section and appliance area. Several vignettes and three working kitchens allow consumers to “test-drive” the products before making a final decision.

Working kitchens are also an important aspect of the GE Builder Appliance showroom experience.

“We have many live appliances,” explains Stephanie Pfeiffer, GE Appliances sales and marketing manager. “We can show the buyer how our speedcook product works, or they can cook in it themselves.”

The Living Kitchen at the Minneapolis Roth Concept Center, currently under construction, will feature a culinary training center. “Consumers can come in and see the products being used live for demonstrations,” explains Elaine Mahin, marketing specialist, Roth Concept Center. “We will also have live laundry and dishwasher equipment from Asko. This will give consumers a much better idea as to whether or not they are selecting products that will perform to their expectations. They can also meet with professionals that have been trained regarding these specific products. They will be able to get the answers they need to make an informed decision.”

Inspiration for kitchen and bath designs can also be found at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen.

According to Lynn Monson, president of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, “A good showroom will help the client envision what his or her kitchen or bath might look like, and help them to make choices about products and materials.”

To this end, vignettes displaying various styles and realistic elements of the room play an important role in the showroom experience. Everything from quick-fix makeovers to high-end luxury products can be found in kitchen and bath showrooms.

And while many showrooms don’t sell to the public, they do want consumers to make product selections based on what they saw and liked. Asking questions of the design consultants is encouraged—a benefit of visiting a showroom. And seeing different brands and product lines in a realistic environment helps many people make final decisions. Showrooms and design centers help keep a finger on the pulse of changing consumer preferences.

Specialty Showrooms

Specialty showrooms offer products and services not available just anywhere.

Classical forms and function, clean lines and sophisticated style describe the modern kitchen displays at the Poggenpohl showroom, located in International Market Square. With more than 60 cabinet finishes, including high-gloss acrylics, aluminum and book-matched wood veneers, the Poggenpohl collection can be customized to coordinate with any counter surface, sink, faucet, mirror or lighting fixture. Unlimited combinations of accessories and drawer organizers further the personalized look.

Another ultra-modern showroom, Montaggio, features euro-contemporary kitchen and bath faucets, fixtures and accessories, only available in Minneapolis, Frankfurt, Brussels, Helsinki, Venice and Amsterdam.

Right next door to Montaggio in the Warehouse District is the new Poliform showroom, featuring Italian cabinets and furniture—yet another example of a specialty product available to view and experience in a beautiful showroom environment.

Sometimes a showroom features a certain type of product, like custom window coverings from Viking Discount Blinds, unique lights from Cartier Lighting or beautiful cabinets from Eischen Cabinet Company. At Eischen's, consumers can go a step beyond the cabinet design and choose from different wood species, staining and faux finishes.

Those looking for stone for their home will find a variety of options at Cold Spring Granite, with stone selection centers in Maple Grove, Eagan and Des Moines, Iowa.

“We try to help our customers visualize what is going into their home,” says Margi Manning, an account executive with Cold Spring Granite. “People need to see what they’re selecting. Visiting a showroom gives them a personal choice in what they want in their home.”

When choosing products for your home, it's important to see a wide variety.

Those planning on making over their game room or entertainment area will find variety at Stool Store, with over 300 stools on display and over 30 furniture manufacturers represented. If a customer is interested in purchasing matching chairs, sofas, end tables, and other furniture, Stool Store has access to the manufacturers' entire lines.
 

Market Trends

Good displays also represent up-to-date market trends, keeping consumers on the cutting edge.

“Mosaic tiles are very popular, so we have a mosaic shower, a full backsplash in a kitchen and then a mosaic-granite backsplash in another kitchen to show the different ways it can be applied,” comments Marta Jackson, president of Granite Transformations.

A popular trend in lighting is contemporary colorful crystal, says Kari Cartier with Cartier Lighting. “The colored crystal comes in shapes such as cubes, pyramids and spirals, and can be installed in kitchens, bathrooms or anywhere to add a dazzling effect.”

Cooking and cleaning stations are a popular kitchen trend, says Elaine Mahin with Roth Distributing.

A popular kitchen trend found at GE Builder Appliance Center is stainless steel, in addition to a lower-cost alternative called Cleansteel. Showrooms help consumers anticipate “the next big thing” in the industry.

The Kate-Lo Tile & Stone showroom displays the most current trends in the tile and stone industry.

“We travel the world year-round to keep our look and selection fresh,” says Rick Hagen, Kate-Lo Tile & Stone sales manager.

Showroom Savvy

A good sales staff is the heart of the showroom. A good sales force is constantly striving to learn about the industry and share this expertise with clients. They take pride in their company, are advocates for both the manufacturers and their customers, and believe in what they’re selling. They are professional, helpful and courteous.

A consumer, builder, designer or architect should leave a showroom confident that they’ve had the opportunity to view a wide range of products and received all necessary information to help them make a selection.

“If our sales force doesn’t have proper training and can’t pass on knowledgeable information, we’re not doing the client justice,” says Alan Oppegaard, sales manager/masonry division of Hedberg Aggregates.

Experienced design consultants can educate clients on the strengths and weaknesses of different products, from interior to exterior selections.

“Our highly trained designers do far more than simply assist in the choices of finishing materials, they guide the homeowner,” says Debbie Roberts, a designer and manager at Creative Floor Gallery, located in Prior Lake. “Homeowners appreciate the care in which we walk them through the sometimes overwhelming process, advising on color and design.”

Many features and options presented by the displays aren’t always readily apparent to visitors, says Sandy Monson with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen.

“Touring the showroom is just the start,” she says. “The knowledgeable designer/salesperson takes them through the rest of the remodeling journey.”