| |
 |
KITCHEN & BATH
DESIGN NEWS |
New York Remodeling Showroom Opens Off Broadway
MyHome is now headlining just minutes from the city’s famed
Broadway. Located on 48th Street between 8th and 9th avenues in New York
City, the kitchen and bath showroom is attracting an audience interested
in the latest trends in the remodeling of kitchens, baths, tiles, flooring,
fixtures and more.
“
We’re located in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, a very dynamic
and growing area of Manhattan.” Explains Vince Wiscovitch, chief
marketing officer, MyHome. “Being on the periphery of the Theatre
District provides ample foot traffic, and we’re also convenient
by mass transit and driving from various areas."
And that convenience is important for attracting the showroom’s
target market of end consumers. Wiscovitch notes that the company also
works closely with various professionals, such as realtors, to connect
with consumers.
A red carpet greeted the 400 guests who attended the showroom’s
grand opening on June 23. Guests were treated to light summer foods as
they strolled through the showroom to the music of a jazz trio. A magician
also circulated through the crowd, entertaining attendees and adding
to the festive atmosphere. Tours of the facility were also provided.“We
were celebrating not only the opening of our showroom, but also the lease
of our new office space for our corporate headquarters, which comprises
the entire third floor of the same building,” comments Wiscovitch. “We
renovated the office enough to put it on display for tours during the
grand opening, and people lived it.”
Distinctive Design
Wiscovitch attributes some of the 3,500-sq.-ft. showroom’s
distinctive design to its exclusive relationships with many suppliers. “For
example, we are the sole New York distributor of Canyon Creek cabinetry
and Manroyce glass tiles,” he explains.
Showroom designer Magdalena Keck, in conjunction with MyHome’s
in-house designers, combined many contemporary and traditional looks
throughout the space. Nine kitchens, 15 bathrooms and one living room
vignette are flanked by tile samples, flooring materials, plumbing
and lighting fixtures, appliances and hardware.
“We cover all categories of materials that are necessary for
a home remodeling project,” Wiscovitch adds, “and we deal
with a few select companies that we’ve chosen because of their
quality of material and service for the major areas.”
In addition to Canyon Creek, the showroom features cabinetry from Aristokraft,
UltraCraft and KBM, with countertops from CaesarStone, Silestone, Corian
and various stone quarries. Tiles from Dal-Tile, American Olean and
Cancos, among a few others, join the Manroyce selection. A limited
number of appliances are available from Fisher & Paykel.
The Learning Curve
MyHome has remodeling consultants, project managers and administrative
staff on hand to work with clients. While there are no CKDs or CBDs
on staff, Wiscovitch notes that the company’s remodeling consultants
have extensive design experience. “We train them during a three-week,
80-plus-hour training course when they join our company,” he
assures.
The consultants use a CAD-style application for designing because,
according to Wiscovitch, “a computer-aided drawing provides the
client with the best indication of what their new space will look like.
We’re able to provide them with 3-D color images, which they
love.”
In addition, the remodeling consultants are available for a free design
consultation, either at the showroom or at the prospective client’s
home. “We don’t charge a non-refundable $100 to $2,500
deposit just to meet with a potential client and take measurements
of their home like many of our competitors,” stresses Wiscovitch.
He further adds that the showroom hosts many of its suppliers for the
training of its remodeling consultants. “We have training classes
on a regular basis,” he remarks. “We provide design services
even for those clients who want to use other contractors for the construction."
To draw customers into the showroom, special events are planned for
later in the year. Clients are also referred by the company’s
Web Site, as well as by professionals and other clients.
Another one of the ways that the showroom is becoming known is through
the media. “We’ve had two television shows filmed here,
and a nationally known magazine has asked to film here for a video
piece on their Web site,” comments Wiscovitch. “That aspect
of the showroom has been a pleasant surprise because it wasn’t
created with filming in mind."
The Theatre District location seems to have encouraged the showroom’s
show business aspirations. “We welcome nearly all opportunities
to appear on TV or film, Wiscovitch includes. |
|
|
|
|
