On Location: Sets for the Artist Marina Abramovic’s Dramatic Life

For this performance artist, whose retrospective opens this month at MoMA, two minimalist homes shelter an outsize spirit.

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Trex, the soft-edged light designed by Karim Rashid, is hexagonal and made of a glossy white heat-formed acrylic.

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Total U.S. consumer credit rose $4.96 billion in January, its first rise in a year and the largest for any month since mid-2008, Federal Reserve data showed on Friday. read more here….

Oscar’s wearing gold, and so your table should, too. Colin Cowie, a New York event planner, shopped for accessories for an Academy Awards viewing party.

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Japan’s major consumer loan companies plan to stop lending to housewives and male homemakers without their own income in line with the scheduled full implementation… read more here….

KUSA – Americans spend almost $2 billion a year on garbage bags! To make sure you’re spending that money wisely, Consumer Reports tested the claims of two big names, including one bag that’s being heavily advertised. read more here….

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CONSUMER REPORTS: Rating the automakers (9 News Denver)

KUSA – With the upheaval in the car industry, which carmakers are the best? Consumer Reports is just out with its Annual Auto Issue, which names Honda and Subaru as the top carmakers. read more here….

Re “The Four-Bedroom Kibbutz,” by Fred A. Bernstein (Feb. 11).

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Re “A Roomy 178 Square Feet,” by Penelope Green (Feb. 11).

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Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) — Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd suggested a consumer protection authority will get rule-writing and enforcement powers and signaled the Federal Reserve may keep some of its bank oversight role. read more here….

NEW YORK — Consumer sentiment was weaker in February, as Americans grew more impatient with the government’s gridlock over efforts to stimulate jobs, a survey released on Friday showed. While no… read more here….

Walt Frazier, the former New York Knicks star, has settled in on St. Croix and discovered his green thumb.

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Letters: Nanny Stories

Letters: Nanny Stories
Re “How to Speak Nanny” by Hilary Stout (Home, Feb. 4)


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Seen: Mattia Bonetti’s Loud Furniture
The soft-spoken, Swiss-born, Paris-dwelling designer’s fete at a Chelsea gallery.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Consumer prices rise 2.6% (CNN Money)
Consumer prices rose from a year ago amid climbing gasoline prices but the pace of price increases slowed, the government said Friday.
Source: money.cnn.com

The Spotless Garden
Aquaponic gardens use fish, water and no soil — and may be the future of food growing.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Don’t Kill the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (Time Magazine)
The Consumer Financial Protection Agency already does exist — on the state level. And it seems to work
Source: curiouscapitalist.blogs.time.com

Tags: books, fishing, beds

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GBP/USD: Trading the U.K. Consumer Price Report (Daily FX via Yahoo! Finance)

Consumer prices in the U.K. are forecasted to rise to an annualized rate of 3.5% in January, which would be the highest rate of inflation since November 2008, and the marked rise in price growth could stoke increased volatility in the exchange rate as the Bank of England maintains it dual mandate to ensure price stability while fostering full-employment. read more here….

In Poland, Lodz’s property values rose at a slower pace than those in other major cities like Warsaw and Krakow.

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Sales at Aero, Mxyplyzyk and Urban Archaeology.

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Republican Senator Bob Corker’s decision to work with Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd may speed passage of a financial overhaul bill at the expense of President Barack Obama’s biggest goal: a standalone Consumer Financial Protection Agency. read more here….

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Reactionaries? Make That ‘Collectors’

Reactionaries? Make That ‘Collectors’
Decades after the Cultural Revolution, China has reversed its attitude toward antiques, and the market has become hot.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Despite Crisis Efforts, Toyota’s Consumer Perception Plummets (BrandWeek)
With every recall Toyota has announced, consumer perception of the heralded brand has taken a worse hit. Despite the PR campaign by Toyota’s president & CEO Jim Lentz (pictured) addressing consumers, the automaker is still facing pretty stiff headwinds.
Source: brandweek.com

Letters: Saluting Solutions
Re “When Moths Make a Home in Yours” by Arianne Cohen (The Fix, Jan. 28)


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Canadian consumer confidence surveys offer mixed messages (MalaysiaNews.net)
OTTAWA — Two surveys released Monday provided two very different views of Canadian consumer confidence in January, with one saying confidence took a hit, while the other one said sentiment was at nea…
Source: feeds.malaysianews.net

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Profit From These Consumer Trends in 2010 (The Motley Fool)

Profit From These Consumer Trends in 2010 (The Motley Fool)
Consumer spending could lag the economy, even in a recovery.
Source: www.fool.com

U.K. Consumer Confidence Sees Small Improvement In January (INO News)
(RTTNews) – British consumer confidence improved moderately in January, a survey conducted by market research firm GfK NOP showed on Friday. The consumer confidence index stood at minus 17 in January compared to minus 19 in the previous month.
Source: news.ino.com

Japan Consumer Prices Continue To Fall In December (INO News)
(RTTNews) – Japan’s core consumer prices dropped 1.3% year-on-year in December compared to the 1.7% fall in the preceding month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported on Friday. Economists had expected a 1.7% decline.
Source: news.ino.com

U.K. Consumer Confidence Grown In January (INO News)
(RTTNews) – Consumer confidence in Great Britain improved in January, but remained in negative territory. The GfK NOP survey firm reported Friday that its U.K. Consumer Confidence index improved two points to minus-17 in November.
Source: news.ino.com

Japan Consumer Prices Fall 1.3%, 10th Monthly Decline (Update1) (Bloomberg)
Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) — Japan’s consumer prices fell for a 10th month in December, underscoring concern that deflation remains a threat to the economic recovery.
Source: www.bloomberg.com

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Obama to insist on consumer financial body: White House (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

Obama to insist on consumer financial body: White House (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
President Barack Obama will insist a new consumer protection agency stays at the heart of the overhaul of financial regulation he seeks, the White House said on Wednesday, despite suffering a serious political setback in the Senate.
Source: news.yahoo.com

Currents | Décor: Designers of an Ottoman
Mary Little and Peter Wheeler, who work under the name Bius Studio, are approaching the consumer market for the first time with a limited-edition collection of ottomans.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

International Real Estate: House Hunting in … Austria
While prices in many parts of the world faltered or even plummeted in 2009, prices in many parts of Austria stayed strong.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Obama to insist on consumer financial body: White House (AsiaOne)
WASHINGTON, USA – U.S. President Barack Obama will insist a new consumer protection agency stays at the heart of the overhaul of financial regulation he seeks, the White House said on Wednesday, despite suffering a serious political setback in the Senate.
Source: www.asiaone.com

Letters: Pictures Tell the Story
To the Editor:.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

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The Puppy Diaries: It Takes More Than Paper to Raise a Puppy

New dog owners sometimes don’t realize how much love, care, time and patience it takes to raise a puppy.

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Consumer confidence in the Buffalo Niagara region remains pretty glum, although it is higher than the same time last year. read more here….

Consumers especially women felt slightly more stress concerning their debt during December, but the increase was relatively small considering their holiday shopping spree.The Consumer Debt Stress Index was up less than 2 percent during December, to 119.8 from its November value of 118. … read more here….

To the Editor:.

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Based on plastics diverted from solid waste streams through recycling programs, PCC Compounds are available in nylon, polycarbonate, and polyethylene terephthalate resins, as well as alloys based on these post-consumer feedstocks. Percentage of reclaimed material in polymer component can range from 1-100%, depending on application. Contributing to EPEAT or LEED scoring, environmentally conscious … read more here….

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Currents | Online: Beyond Light, a Sister Site

Currents | Online: Beyond Light, a Sister Site
Yliving.com, a new Web site from the company that runs Ylighting.com, carries some 2,000 pieces of furniture and home accessories.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Currents | Décor: Bring in the Reinforcements
Like many Japanese products, Shigeki Fujishiro’s Eiffel Stool is good for small spaces.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence: Thai Optimism Rebounds (Thaipr.net)
Thai consumers are approaching the next six months with more optimism than the previous three years surveyed, according to the latest MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence survey. Thailand
Source: www.thaipr.net

LETTERS: Recovery’s Home
To the Editor:.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

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Currents | Online: Recycled Jugs Seen in a New Light

Currents | Online: Recycled Jugs Seen in a New Light
Richard Donnelly was one of many readers who submitted pictures of holiday lighting to NYTimes.com.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Consumer confidence in 2nd straight boost (CNN Money)
A key measure of consumer confidence rose for a second straight month in December, a research group said Tuesday, with outlook for the next few months reaching a 2-year high.
Source: money.cnn.com

LETTERS: Case of the Lost Books
To the Editor:.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Dollar gains on consumer confidence (CNN Money)
The dollar edged up against major currencies after a report Tuesday showed consumer confidence rose in December.
Source: money.cnn.com

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Sanofi to Buy Chattem, Expand in U.S. Consumer Health (Update3) (Bloomberg)

Sanofi to Buy Chattem, Expand in U.S. Consumer Health (Update3) (Bloomberg)
Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) — Sanofi-Aventis SA agreed to buy Chattem Inc. , the maker of Gold Bond medicated body powder, for $1.9 billion to enter the U.S. consumer health care market.
Source: www.bloomberg.com

German GfK Consumer Confidence Drops More Than Expected In January (INO News)
(RTTNews) – German consumer confidence deteriorated more than expected in January, a monthly survey from GfK Group showed Tuesday. The forward looking consumer confidence index fell to 3.3 points for January from a revised reading of 3.6 points in the prior month.
Source: news.ino.com

Away: A Connecticut Farm, Czechoslovakia View
The director Milos Forman works nearly as much as he relaxes at his country retreat, a 64-acre estate surrounded by leafy forests.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Property Values: What You Get for … $1.3 Million
A three-bedroom Victorian in Valley Center, Calif., a condo in Seattle and a stone carriage house in Nyack, N.Y.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

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Flycell CEO Named Most Visionary Consumer Services Executive in 2009 Mobile Star Awards(TM) (Marketwire)

Alberto Montesi Wins Award for Leadership and Financial Success as Flycell Wins Best Consumer Entertainment Service read more here….

Julie Simonson always yearned to live near trees, so it’s fitting she ended up with her family in Sunnyside Gardens, Queens.

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“Responsible luxury” is how Pamela Katch, left, and Steph Katch, sisters who design furniture together in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, describe their new collection.

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A four-bedroom brick historic federal in Little Falls, N.Y., a house in Portland, Ore., and a condo in Minneapolis.

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A small mortgage market and a lack of cheap credit in Argentina has kept the property market relatively stable.

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Consumer Group Says Popular Zhu Zhu Pets Are Unsafe (FOX 61 Chattanooga)

A consumer group contends one of the holiday season’s must-have toys is unsafe. But the maker of the robotic Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters defended its product Saturday against a study by San Francisco-based GoodGuide that said higher-than-allowed levels of the chemical antimony were found in the toy. read more here….

You still have 20 days until Christmas, and WHAS11’s Melanie Kahn checked on consumer spending as the gift-giving draws near. read more here….

Scout’s arrival seems part of a trend: empty nesters welcoming new life.

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Consumer watchdog group says Zhu Zhu Pets has unsafe levels of antimony GoodGuide says chemical can cause cancer, lung problems Toy’s manufacturer says products are safe read more here….

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(AFX UK Focus) 2009-11-28 16:37 Callebaut hopes to sell consumer business in 2010 (Interactive Investor)

GENEVA, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Barry Callebaut, the world’s biggest chocolate maker, is still determined to sell its consumer business and hopes to clinch a deal in 2010, its chief executive was quoted on Saturday as saying. Selling chocolate to consumers had no place in Callebaut’s business-to-business strategy and was in any case less profitable, Juergen Steinemann said in an interview with Swiss … read more here….

A three-bedroom home in Stuyvesant, N.Y., a condo in Miami Beach, and a brick town house in Cincinnati.

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Sales at Ikea, More North and others.

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KUALA LUMPUR: A consumer organisation said yesterday the people must be eased into accepting the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST). read more here….

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UPS Tops ‘Climate Counts’ Scorecard For Consumer Shipping (Journal of Commerce Online)

ATLANTA, Nov. 19, 2009 – UPS (NYSE:UPS) has earned the top score in the consumer shipping sector of the annual “Climate Counts” scorecard and also was rated No. 11 among all 143 ranked companies. read more here….

A conversation with the Dutch design star, whose multimedia exhibition opens at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Sunday.

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(RTTNews) – Friday, he National Bank of Belgium said in a report that the consumer confidence indicator stood at minus 10 in November, up from minus 12 in October. A year ago, the index was minus 22. read more here….

With Thanksgiving dinner fast approaching, the woodworker Palo Samko shopped for folding chairs that are functional and stylish.

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At Home With Maryalice Huggins: Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

For Maryalice Huggins, old things — particularly fine antiques — are living, breathing beings. Some radiate irresistible allure.

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NEW YORK — Consumer sentiment fell in early November amid a grim outlook for future job prospects, although separate data showing rising imports in September raised some hopes of renewed U.S. economic growth. read more here….

Toronto’s main stock index lost ground on Friday as weak consumer sentiment data from the United States battled with strength in Suncor Energy and other oil producers. read more here….

Dan Pearson’s new book, “Spirit: Garden Inspiration” (Fuel; $45), provides a gentle ramble not through Mr. Pearson’s projects, but through his life and mind as a garden maker.

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Lucy Slivinski, a sculptor in Chicago, makes lighting fixtures out of salvaged metal scraps.

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Seen: Beauty at the Ball

The theme of the New York Design Center Masquerade Ball was 1930s musicals, and members of a few design firms came identically costumed.

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MEXICO CITY (Dow Jones)–Mexico’s consumer confidence fell to a new low in October as consumers remained pessimistic despite indications of an incipient economic recovery. read more here….

You Call That Art?.

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Charles Scharf, head of retail banking at JPMorgan Chase, sees the company’s consumer lending portfolio declining by as much as 15% over the next year. read more here….

A bit of light glimmers through the October same-store sales that retailers are reporting this week, according to analysis by consultants Retail Forward of sales at 30 retailers. And that little glimmer also shows up in Retail Forward’s monthly consumer survey. read more here….

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Currents | Deals: Floor Samples, Lightly Used

Currents | Deals: Floor Samples, Lightly Used
Sales at B&B Italia, the web site Atocha Design and more.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

Best Cars Are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Says Consumer Reports (Time Magazine)
Consumer Reports magazine ranks Ford as equal to Toyota and Honda in its reliability survey of new cars
Source: www.time.com

In Sicily, Renovating a Cave
Amid the fabled 100 churches in Modica, Italy, architects William Brockschmidt and Richard Dragisic found a second home.


Source: feeds.nytimes.com

‘Consumer Reports’: Ford improves in reliability ratings (USA Today)
Models from Japanese brands took the top spots in nine of the 10 product categories in Consumer Reports’ closely watched annual reliability survey out Tuesday. Mercedes-Benz GLK was tops among luxury SUVs, edging out two Lexus RX models.
Source: www.usatoday.com

Reps. Frank, Waxman square off over new consumer agency (The Hill)
Democratic Reps. Henry Waxman and Barney Frank, powerful committee chairmen, are clashing over a bill that creates a consumer financial protection agency. Read more…
Source: thehill.com

U.S. Consumer Data Drags on Asian Stock Markets (New York Times)
Asian stock markets slipped on Wednesday, with technology shares in Japan dropping after weaker-than-expected U.S. consumer confidence data.
Source: www.nytimes.com

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A look at the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (AP via Yahoo! News)

A look at legislation by the House Financial Services Committee to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency, or CFPA: read more here….

Consumer prices were 0.9% lower compared with September 2008, after an annual decline of 0.8% in August, according to a Statistics Canada report Thursday. Market consensus was for a 0.8% drop for … read more here….

( University of Michigan ) A University of Michigan survey released today shows widespread consumer interest in buying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. But the cost of the cars is much more influential than environmental and other non-economic factors as a predictor of purchase probabilities. read more here….

A University of Michigan survey released today shows widespread consumer interest in buying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). read more here….

Brisbane – A rise in consumer confidence, supported by the Australian government’s stimulus packages, should continue to boost wine sales for global beverage firm Foster’s Group Ltd in the months ahead. read more here….

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A House as a Symbol of Openness

Brian W. Casey, the president of DePauw University, has reinvented the traditional college president’s house by opening it up to students.

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Geithner Endorses Consumer, Derivatives Bill read more here….

Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) — Asian stocks rose, driving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to a 13-month high, after China’s export decline slowed, Australian consumer sentiment jumped and Intel Corp. forecast sales that beat analyst estimates. read more here….

Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) — Asian stocks rose, driving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index to a 13-month high, after a decline in China’s exports slowed, Australian consumer sentiment jumped and Intel Corp. forecast sales that beat analyst estimates. read more here….

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