Created to inspire and support architects and designers, each studio showcases the versatility and functionality of Corian® in three-dimensional applications using the latest design technologies. Both studios will feature designer exhibits.

“The studios will highlight Corian® as a multi-dimensional design material that has reinvented itself for over 40 years to provide sustainable, inventive and modern designs that are bringing homes and offices into the 21st century,” said Thomas F. Schuler, vice president and general manager — DuPont Building Innovations. “They give us a direct link to our customers so we can continue to provide innovative products that are relevant and readily available. These studios give us the opportunity to showcase that offering.”

DuPont, surface solutions provider Evans & Paul and marketing distributor Dolan & Traynor recently unveiled the DuPont™ Corian® Design Studio in New York City as an interactive workshop.

Architects and designers can make one-on-one appointments at the New York-based DuPont™ Corian® Design Studio through www.designstudio.corian.com.

DuPont™ Corian® is a material that can be thermoformed into custom shapes and contours, sandblasted, routed, carved, laser-etched and backlit, making it ideal for a wide range of residential and commercial applications. It is a nonporous, high-performing and easy-to-maintain solid surface that can be fabricated into virtually seamless surfaces.

With proper cleaning, DuPont™ Corian® does not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria. It meets all of the 18 preferred characteristics outlined in the 2006 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities as the ideal healthcare surface to help facilitate improved infection control. Nontoxic and nonallergenic to humans, DuPont™ Corian® also has received NSF/ANSI 51 Certification for food contact and Class ™ (A) fire rating.

In commercial environments, DuPont™ Zodiaq® quartz surface can be used in a variety of applications including conference tables, work stations and service countertops; restroom vanities and partitions; hot and cold buffets; as well as backsplashes, wainscoting and wall cladding. Zodiaq® is nonporous and when properly cleaned does not promote the growth of mold, mildew or bacteria. More information on the entire DuPont Surfaces portfolio is available at surfaces.dupont.com.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

The DuPont Oval, DuPont™, Corian® and Zodiaq® are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. Only DuPont makes DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces and Zodiaq® quartz surfaces.

Dror for Target features a variety of products, including comforters, quilts, sheets and tapestries in elegant shades of brown, raspberry, plum and aqua with textures and patterns that are destined for mixing and matching. The decorative accessories selection includes removable wall decals, a clock, lamps, a side table and a nesting bookcase. Stationery items include file folders, sketchbook and mini composition books that are emblazoned with modern graphics. Many products collapse, fold away or serve multiple functions, making them ideal for city dwellers, college students or anyone looking to maximize space on a tight budget.

“Target continues to provide smart living storage solutions that add graphic appeal to the home,” said Gina Sprenger, senior vice president of Merchandising, Target. “The Dror for Target collection is another example of how Target delivers on our brand promise, Expect More. Pay Less.”

Benshetrit established his multidisciplinary design practice, Dror, in 2002 with the intent of “bringing poetry to function.” Benshetrit is known for creating functional objects that are enhanced by an artist’s eye. His designs are intuitive, easy to use and imbued with a lighthearted spirit that brings an element of joy to everyday tasks.

“I design all of my work to evoke emotion and inspire well being,” said Benshetrit. “Not only are these products wonderfully practical, they’re engineered to create a spark of energy in the lives of their owners.”
 
The collection ranges in price from $0.99 for mini composition books to $89.99 for the nesting bookshelf. Benshetrit’s goal in creating this collection for Target is to help guests organize more with less by emphasizing the concepts of utility and multi-function. The products work in a variety of room settings, from home offices to bedrooms, and many perform more than one task. Bookcases can be stacked and grouped for unlimited storage options, and each four-shelf unit can disassemble into a compact bundle for easy transport. And textured and patterned quilts and throw pillows are double-sided, providing twice the decorating power.

Visit the new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) to discover a wide assortment of highly recognized and popular home and living brands (over 2,000 brands and growing everyday). A sampling of the well-known, international brands you’ll find include: Calvin Klein, Vera Wang, Le Creuset, Versace, Viking Range and Laura Ashley, as well as more recently launched lines such as DwellStudio, Perry Ellis Bedding and Blissliving Home. It all adds up to a comprehensive online destination, filled with over 200,000 top branded products for every room in the home — from bedding and bath to dining and decor and much, much more.

But top brands and a huge product selection is just the start. New categories have been added too, including pet products; a large selection of high quality nursery bedding, accessories and baby gear, such as CoCaLo; a variety of travel accessories and luggage for any occasion. Be sure to check the site daily for its ever changing “Deal of the Day” and Clearance Center that promise deals like you’ve never seen before. With a focus on pricing its products for today’s cost-conscious, quality-driven consumer, the new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) prides itself on its leading staple of brands offering products at every price point.

The new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) is built on an innovative, technologically-advanced e-commerce platform that enhances the online shopping experience based on real-time consumer demand. The website changes automatically by the day and even by hour based on what customers are buying. New brands and products are added constantly while the existing inventory is continually remerchandized to meet the consumer demand and desires.

The new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) builds on the enormous customer following that started 34 years ago with a single store in West Orange, New Jersey. Recognized as one of the top two home retailers in North America, something that very few home textiles and housewares brands have achieved, the new Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com) offers consumers the ultimate shopping experience that includes new and noteworthy retail partnerships, from brands that have been trusted for decades to leading brands in contemporary home furnishings, accessories and much more.

About Linens ‘N Things (www.lnt.com)

The first Linens ‘N Things store opened in 1975 in West Orange, New Jersey, offering high-end linens at discount prices. The company grew to become the second largest specialty retailer of home furnishings and decorative accessories with 589 stores across North America. Now part of the Gordon Brothers Brands and Hilco Consumer Capital portfolio of retail brands, the new Linens ‘N Things hits home with consumers as a popular e-commerce website, featuring top brands, new categories, hot deals, and the ultimate shopping sensation. Poised to become the modern standard in retailing, the new Linens ‘N Things caters to the demands and desires of today’s consumer.

Featuring fresh home decor that redefines “country” and focuses on design, quality and comfort, the Country Living Collection will offer four distinct looks: Modern Countryside, Blue & White, Red & White and Faded Antique. Each will span traditional, classic and modern country sensibilities. Rolling out this August in more than 1,200 Kmart stores and 500 Sears stores nationwide, the product line will be priced accessibly, ranging from $3.99 for candles to $349 for dining furniture.

The number one selling home magazine on newsstands, Country Living reaches more than 11 million consumers per month with approachable lifestyle content on decorating, gardening, entertaining, travel and more.

“Country Living’s readers are passionate about their surroundings and how they entertain,” said Editor-in-Chief Sarah Gray Miller. “They value attainable luxury, quality, authenticity and comfort – all of which is reflected in our new home collection.”

Hearst’s Glen Ellen Brown added: “Our partnership with Kmart and Sears will enable millions of consumers to personally experience the Country Living brand and bring its ‘come home to comfort’ message into their homes with beautiful, yet accessible, decor options.”

Since fall 2007, Kmart has re-focused efforts on expanding its soft home offerings to establish itself as a quality, style and value leader in the home fashions marketplace. The Country Living Collection joins a large portfolio of existing soft home products that includes the newly launched Cannon line and the Jaclyn Smith Home Collection. Sears, in turn, will be offering a new design sensibility with the Country Living Collection that complements trusted brands like Lands’ End and Cannon, and signature collections like Ty Pennington Style.

“The Country Living Collection at Kmart and Sears features a country style sensibility that is new to our assortment,” said Doug Wurl of Sears Holdings. “It strengthens our ability to offer customers beautifully coordinated products which make home decorating incredibly easy and affordable. Country Living is a great American brand that offers a wide interpretation of what ‘country’ means. Our collaboration represents our continued commitment to our customers’ love of good design, high quality and comfort.”

ShopSmart Poll:
* Only 7% of Women Hate Cleaning Their Homes;
* Spend Five Hours per Week Cleaning

According to a new poll featured in the May 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, women spend an average of five hours per week cleaning their homes. Surprisingly, only seven percent said that they hate cleaning their home, while 25% said that they love cleaning or find it relaxing.

The poll also found that vacuuming is by far the preferred cleaning task for women (41%), while cleaning the shower or tub (26%) and toilets (25%) were the tasks disliked the most.

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Conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, the household cleaning habits poll is part of ShopSmart’s feature on making cleaning easier and saving consumers’ money, which includes a list of the best household cleaners; a roundup of cleaners to avoid; cleaning safety advice; top reader tips; and a guide to tackling the toughest jobs.

“We were surprised to find that women actually like to clean their homes, some even finding it relaxing!” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart. “Our guide will help make cleaning easier and cheaper by showing women which key items they need to purchase and the ones to avoid.”

BEST Household Cleaners

All-Purpose — Ammonia is an inexpensive good all-around cleaner.

Bathroom — Comet Scratch Free Disinfectant with Bleach is the top rated shower scum buster.

Windows — Windex No Drip works on indoor and outdoor grime.

Dishes — Dawn Direct Foam got the best results in dirty-plate tests.

Metal & Floors — For the best results, pick a product designed for the particular surface.

What NOT to Buy
Antibacterial cleaners — Overuse can result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Drain cleaners — These can damage skin, eyes, lungs and septic tanks, use a Master Plunger instead.

Furniture polish — New furniture is sealed at the factory, making polish unnecessary.

Toilet-bowl cleaners — All-purpose cleaner gets the job done instead.

Oven cleaners — Chemicals are corrosive; use nonabrasive nylon scrubbing pads and baking soda, add salt for tough stains.

Who Does the Dirty Work?
Eighty-three percent of married* women said they do the majority of the cleaning in their household. However, 56% indicated that their spouse or significant other also helps with the cleaning.
Thirty-seven percent of married* women said that they have arguments about cleaning the house.
Over a quarter of women (26%) said that the amount of cleaning their spouse is doing is declining.

What are you Purchasing?
On average, women typically use five products to clean their homes.
Over one-third (37%) of women are purchasing more environmentally friendly cleaning products than last year, while 13% admit they are buying less.

Coming Clean
Thirty-six percent have made areas off-limits to guests because the rooms weren’t clean.
Three quarters (75%) of respondents said their home is as clean or cleaner than the one they grew up in.
* Married includes single, but living as married.

ShopSmart’s Nine Cleaning Tools For Getting At Every Crevice

• Feather duster for cleaning knickknacks, photo frames, and other lightweight objects.
• White cotton gloves for cleaning chandeliers and between the slats of Venetian blinds.
• Disposable Swiffer cloths for cleaning dust magnets like computer and TV screens, all kinds of hard surfaces like tabletops and floors, and even car dashboards. Keep one in your car and do a quick swipe when you’re at a stoplight.
• Scrub brush with a handle for miscellaneous cleaning tasks.
• Microfiber cloth for catching and holding dust.
• Cotton swabs to get into tiny crevices in plastic bath mats, silver, and other small, hard-to-reach spots.
• Tile grout brushes with a single row of stiff bristles for scrubbing between ceramic tiles. Toothbrushes also do the job.
• Lint-free dust cloths made of 100 percent cotton for cleaning easily scratched items; other fabrics used as rags can create lint and are abrasive.
• Lambswool Dusters or dust mops for wiping large surfaces, even walls, to pick up dust and cobwebs. The head can be removed and washed. Or save a few bucks and make a dust mop by wrapping an old cotton rag around the end of a broomstick.

ShopSmart Brand Loyalty Poll Methodology
The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability sample of telephone households. 1,008 interviews were completed among women aged 18+. Interviewing took place over December 18-21, 2008. The margin of error is +/- 3.2% points at a 95% confidence level.

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix.

According to home improvement expert Leslie Segrete, “With so many great materials and choices available, you’ll be able to decorate stylishly, while making a difference for our planet.” Here are some of her tips on getting started:

Green Foundation

Build an eco-friendly room from the ground up. 100-percent recycled floor tiles made of materials such as rich recycled leather, provide a fashionable and environmentally responsible alternative to chemically-treated rugs and manmade flooring.

Look for carpeting that is made from hemp, linen, wool or cotton, they come in a range of colors made from natural dyes. These biodegradable and chemical-free carpets often even use a rubber backing made from recycled windshield wipers or bicycle tires.

Wise Walls

Sherwin-Williams and other paint companies have recently introduced water-based paints to combat the environmental hazards often caused by chemical-laden paints. Alternative home wall coverings can also be made from earth-friendly materials, like hemp, linen, bamboo, cork and recycled paper.

“For an adventurous, unique look that combines color and texture, try American Clay Plaster,” Segrete said. “Create an array of colors with different tints and finishes that appear smooth, rustic or even Old World.”

Faucet Flow

New automatic hands-free faucets, like the Destiny bathroom faucet from ShowHouse by Moen, conserve water with a sleek minimalist design and a distinctly-styled spout that produces a sheeting water flow. The Destiny faucet reduces water waste, providing water only when it is needed.

Window to Tomorrow

Large, high-efficiency windows let more daylight into the home and decrease the need for electrical lighting. To further this green option, forgo window treatments altogether and install frosted glass panes. Additionally, supplement natural lighting by replacing energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures.

As ‘going green’ continues to gain momentum, it’s easier than ever before to make a style statement in your home while still having a conscience.

About Moen

Moen offers a diverse selection of thoughtfully designed, on-trend kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, showerheads, and stainless steel sinks for residential and commercial applications. As the #1 faucet brand in North America, customers have come to rely on Moen to deliver dependable products and service. Moen is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO, www.fortunebrands.com), a leading consumer brands company.Going Grecsfff

People are always asking, “Is Mrs. Meyer a real person?” Well she actually is and we want to confirm it once and for all! Mrs. Thelma Meyer is much more than the name behind Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products. She is a mother of nine who kept house in a small town in Iowa. Though retired now, she has tended to her own home for more than 50 years and is the inspiration behind the brand Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. Mrs. Meyer’s daughter started the line to honor her mother’s old-fashioned values and make honest cleaners that smell good and work like the dickens on dirt. And now for the first time ever her timeless tricks of the trade are available in MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME, a revolutionary new cleaning guide chock full of practical tips and secrets to domestic success.

With an abundance of children, pets, and work to be done around the house, it’s no wonder that Mrs. Meyer picked up some handy tricks over the years and discovered ways to make the day-to-day work easier and a joy. Though Mrs. Meyer admits to not being a meticulous housekeeper, she knows a little something about cleaning and wants to share her advice with anyone who will grab a duster and listen. With shortcuts and tips for cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room (including nooks and crannies), as well as timesaving tips on what to tackle during the week so you’ll have your weekend free, MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME will become a household fixture with advice such as:

Never use vinegar and water on wood floors. One part dish soap and four parts water is the only way to truly get them clean. And remember to buff with a terrycloth towel.
Always clean out the fridge before grocery shopping. Serve the kids “Musko” (“must go”) for dinner, using the items that are fast approaching expiration.
Tackle stains in a flash! When your mascara wand drops on your favorite blouse, mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with two cups cold water, apply it to the stain, and then blot ’til it’s gone.
“A clean house is a happier house,” explains Thelma Meyer. “The faster you can do away with the messes, the more time you have for what really matters — children, relatives, friends and neighbors.”

Fully illustrated and packed with user-friendly lists, charts, and quick tips, MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME reminds us that since life is hectic and messy, keeping your home nice and clean is the only sensible thing to do, and it doesn’t always have to be a chore!

Seeing an opportunity in the marketplace for reinventing the tired, toxic household cleaning market, Monica Nassif created Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day to honor her mother and the hard-working values she taught her children. Launched in 2001, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is a collection of 16 hard-working home cleaners and five laundry products that embody simplicity, efficiency and the refreshing power of herbs and garden flowers. The line stays true to a bygone era of proud, no-nonsense clean with products that work quickly, simply and effectively. Basil, Lavender, Lemon Verbena and Geranium fragrances get up and go in collections that let you clean your entire home, from kitchen to bath, in one good-smelling scent.

MRS. MEYER’S CLEAN HOME is published by the Hachette Book Group and available at retailers nationwide. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day makes more than one hundred different hardworking products, from baby detergent to dishwashing soap. All of our products are cruelty-free and biodegradable, ensuring a world, which will remain beautiful for our grandchildren and the generations to come. For further information about Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, please visit www.mrsmeyers.com.

NEW YORK, Feb. 18 — Fast-paced lifestyles, increasingly hectic schedules, and more responsibilities than ever before have escalated stress levels for many individuals. As such, the desire for relaxation and rejuvenation is at the forefront of people’s minds.

Spa treatments and relaxing retreats are a popular way to de-stress and enjoy a little personal time. However, the same pressures that cause stress can make it difficult to find time for a little rest and relaxation.

Home spas are growing in popularity thanks to their convenience and the comfort they can provide. A home spa can also be a cost-effective investment. That’s because while the upfront costs of a complete bathroom spa renovation could be a few thousand dollars, over time homeowners save from a number of factors.

Bathroom remodels give homeowners a good rate of return on their investment should they choose to sell down the road. Having a home relaxation oasis reduces the need to visit spas, relaxation centers, and masseurs — services that can quickly add up in cost. Also, a home spa enables a person to reduce stress, which could parlay into fewer trips to the doctor and less missed work as a result of illness. Renovating a bathroom with new fixtures — particularly environmentally friendly ones — can also save money on energy and promote efficiency.

There are a number of fixtures and products that can help create a spa experience at home. Moen features Nurture(TM), a three-setting showerhead that offers distinct spray settings to suit any mood: “Relaxing” wide spray, “Invigorating” concentrated spray and “Refreshing” combination spray. The showerhead is available in a fixed model and handheld version. Both feature a lever spray selector that makes it easy to change from one setting to another. The handheld showerhead also features an ergonomic grip handle for even more comfort.

Setting this fixture apart from others of its kind, the Nurture flow-optimized showerhead has a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute, making it one of the first water-efficient showerheads to offer up to a 30 percent water savings from the industry-standard 2.5 gallons per minute showerheads. These savings are significant in reducing both water consumption and energy costs.

The functional and environmental friendly Nurture three-setting showerhead is easy to install and conveniently available at Lowe’s. To learn more, visit www.moen.com.

In addition to the eco-friendly Nurture showerhead, here are other ways to make your home spa “green”.

• Use natural massage oils and skip petroleum-based mineral oil
• Place plenty of plants in your home, including in your home spa. Plants help filter the air and can reduce indoor air contaminants
• Set a relaxing mood with beeswax or vegetable oil candles
• Choose natural, non-toxic body creams and other products to keep you fresh during and after the spa experience
• Install LED lights in the bathroom to minimize energy consumption. LEDs also last much longer before needing to be changed

SOURCE Moen Nurture Showerhead