I've been fortunate to spend a fair amount of time abroad this year and in walking around a bath trade show in Europe, one would be hard-pressed to notice that there's a global recession on. While in the US, people seem thrilled to wallow in the economic doldrums, in Europe people can't shed them fast enough.
The key word over there right now is color and I hope with everything I have that the economic optimism I've seen in Europe this year extends across the Atlantic, and soon. While economic conditions in the EU are bad, they are addressing them. Unlike here in the US where everybody seems to want to point fingers and whine about the price of groceries.
As bad as things are in the US, I'm convinced that the first Economics teacher I ever had was right, recessions are psychological. So while the US languishes in shades of gray, the EU loves color. Here are some shots I took of Cersaie, the tile and bath show I went to in Bologna a few weeks ago.
See all that color? Good to moderate times are coming, I believe that with every fiber of my being. So long as the Tea Party implodes that is. Sorry to get political. Kind of. Anyhow, here are some examples of the bright colors I've seen in the EU.
Between the amazing colors and shapes on display in Bologna this year, I'm beginning to think that there is a way out. Endless thanks to Tiles of Italy for getting me to Bologna and for letting this blogger know that there's a thread or two of hope out there.
| Name | Blog Name | Blog URL |
|---|---|---|
| Susan Abbott | Customer Experience Crossroads | http://www.cust omercrossroads.com/customercrossroads/ |
| Paul Anater | Kitchen and Residential Design | http://www.kitchenandresi dentialdesign.com |
| Shannon Bilby | From the Floors Up | http://fromthefloorsup.com/ |
| Toby Bloomberg | Diva Marketing | http://bloom bergmarketing.blogs.com/bloomberg_marketing/ |
| Laurence Borel | Blog Till You Drop | http://www.laurenceborel.com/ |
| Bill Buyok | Avente Tile Talk | http://tiletalk.blogspot.com |
| Jeanne Byington | The Importance of Earnest Service | http://blog.jmbyington.com/ |
| Becky Carroll | Customers Rock! | http://customersrock.net |
| Katie Clark | Practical Katie | http://practicalkatie.blogspot.co m/ |
| Nora DePalma | O'Reilly DePalma: The Blog | http://www.oreilly-depalma.com/b log/ |
| Paul Friederichsen | The BrandBiz Blog | http://brandbizblog.com/ |
| Tish Grier | The Constant Observer | http://spap-oop.blogspot.com/ |
| Elizabeth Hise | Flooring The Consumer | http://flooringtheconsumer.b logspot.com |
| Emily Hooper | Floor Covering News Blog | http://www.fcnews.net/category/b log/ |
| Diane Kazan | Urban Design Renovation | http://blog.urbandesignrenovat ion.com |
| Joseph Michelli | Dr. Joseph Michelli's Blog | http://www.josephmichelli.com/blog |
| Veronika Miller | Modenus Blog | http://www.modenus.com/blog |
| Arpi Nalbandian | Tile Magazine Editors' Blog | http://www.tile magonline.com/Articles/Blog_Nalbandian |
| David Polinchock | Polinchock's Ponderings | http://blog.polinchock.com/ |
| Professor Toilet | American Standard's Professor Toilet | http://www.professortoilet.com |
| David Reich | my 2 cents | http://reichcomm.typepad.com |
| Victoria Redshaw & Shelley Pond | Scarlet Opus Trends Blog | http://www.trendsblog.co.uk |
| Sandy Renshaw | Purple Wren | http://www.PurpleWren.com |
| Bethany Richmond | Carpet and Rug Institute Blog | http://www.carpet-and-r ug-institute-blog.com/ |
| Bruce D. Sanders | RIMtailing | http://www.rimtailing.blogspot.co m |
| Paige Smith | Neuse Tile Service blog | http://neusetile.wordpress.com/ |
| Stephanie Weaver | Experienceology | http://experienceology.blogspot. com/ |
| Christine B. Whittemore | Content Talks Business Blog | http://sim plemarketingnow.com/content-talks-business-blog/ |
| Christine B. Whittemore | Smoke Rise & Kinnelon Blog | http://smokerise-nj.blogspot.com/ |
| Christine B. Whittemore | Simple Marketing Blog | http://www.simplemarketingblog.co m/ |
| Ted Whittemore | Working Computers | http://www.kinneloncomputers.com/ |
| Chris Woelfel | Artcraft Granite, Marble & Tile Co. | http://www.artcraftgmt.com |
| Patty Woodland | Broken Teepee | http://www.brokenteepee.com/ |
| Denise Lee Yohn | brand as business bites | http://deniseleeyohn.com/best-bit es |
I am loving the blue bathtub. I hope people do break out the recession funk and start enjoying their homes again.
ReplyDeleteAmen Ann!
ReplyDeleteOn what is a dreary day in Boston - I needed to see these pops of color. Thanks Paul!
ReplyDeleteYes, totally agree Ann! Design is sold through passion and excitement by creating - forgive the word - LUST for something new and exhilarating in one's life and not by arguing profitability and bottom lines. Great selection of juicy colors Paul!
ReplyDeleteColor commentary is just perfect for Bathroom Blogfest. Let's climb out of boring.
ReplyDeletePretty interesting stuff. would love to be able to go one of those at some point. Wonder when there will be something like that in california. www.tiledaily.com
ReplyDeleteAhh...I am inspired! Now, off to find a client to inspire.
ReplyDeletePaul, hurray for glorious color, unexpected shapes and definite optimism! We can't help but climb out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of the Bathroom Blogfest fun and adding so much inspiration...
Best,
CB
OMG. I didn't know there WERE red bathtubs. I have a 60's pink one but that doesn't quite compare.... I love the pink polka dot wall paper. I may be inspired here.
ReplyDelete"So while the US languishes in shades of gray, the EU loves color."
ReplyDeleteHmm, wonder what that says about the current Restoration Hardware catalog?
As I looked through it for the first time, I kept waiting for the part where they get to Oz and the movie changes to color...
I actually love those pedestal lavs that look like pop art:)