Fall is my favorite time of the year because there are so many wonderful things I am thankful for: The leaves are turning spectacular colors, my beloved pumpkin pie is in abundance, warm days are followed by cool nights, and my family and close friends are together at festive gatherings.
This also is my favorite time because building product manufacturers are unveiling a host of new products in anticipation of the annual International Builders' Show (IBS), which will be held in Orlando, Fla., in February. Although I've been working for this magazine for 15 years, I am always energized seeing hundreds of new and improved wares across all product categories.
 |
| Jean DimeoEditorial Director |
But before we show off the new stuff on display at IBS, we'd like to spotlight some of the best luxury products introduced during the past year. From chic lighting fixtures to super-efficient triple-glazed windows to glistening glass tile to lustrous faucet finishes, manufacturers continue to churn out upscale products that are sure to please your most discriminating clients.
Meanwhile, many of these fashions are being replicated at moderate price points so all homeowners and buyers who crave these looks can enjoy them, too. Best of all, offering affordable standouts as standards or as modest upgrades will help wow potential customers, particularly in this down market.
I would like to thank the staff of Custom Home, a sister publication of Building Products, for supplying many of the luxury products in this issue's New Arrivals section, and to my associate editor, Jeff Lee, for coordinating the selections.
A Minor RemodelIn May, Building Products teamed up with ebuild.com, our parent company's Web site that provides pros with information about the latest building products, materials, and technologies. Later this fall, you'll notice a number of visual improvements on the ebuild site that we think will make navigation easier and help you quickly find the information you seek.
One of the best new features of the site is called Great Finds. Each week, ebuild will load five cool new products that the editors of Building Products and some of its sister publications discovered that week. Each product will be presented with a photo and a brief description. See this feature and much more at www.ebuild.com.
We are diligently working to build an even more robust Web site for you, and a complete redesign of ebuild will launch in April. Some of the new features will include reviews of product categories by builders and remodelers, your favorite products, hot product trends, a problem-solvers' forum, and a regularly updated blog written by the editors of Building Products. This site will showcase the collective efforts of my editors and Web staff. I know you are going to like what you see. -- BUILDING PRODUCTS