As described last week in Bathroom Blogfest 2011 Takes Place Next Week, Professor Toilet and I were invited to co-host a Twitter chat today. More specifically, #kbtribechat on the topic of "Rethinking the Bathroom". The discussion was lively with 40 participants!
#kbtribechat takes place every Wednesday from 2:00pm to 3:00pm EST, live on Twitter, with people who are passionate about the Kitchen & Bath industry - individuals or company representatives who share a common interest.
Twitter: Affinity Social
By the way, the ability to connect based on shared interests is why I consider Twitter the "affinity-social" social network - unlike other networks where sharing takes place based on the jobs you've had or the people you know socially.
Twitter chats are friendly and effective. They bring together people from a variety of locations and backgrounds for a set period of time - usually an hour - for discussion in an organized fashion around a topic.
Twitter chats - more than any other interaction on Twitter - epitomize social networking. All of a sudden, Twitter makes sense. Despite a limitation of 140 characters, you get to experience first hand the vibrant nature of online interaction with distinct individuals, around a topic you care about for a finite period of time.
As a result, you identify new people to follow and be followed by and interact with after the chat. I recommend the experience to anyone wanting to better understand Twitter.
#KBTribeChat Highlights
You can access the full #kbtribechat transcript by clicking on Rethinking the Bathroom #kbtribechat transcript. I've extracted some of the conversation to give you a feel for this Twitter chat and the questions we addressed:
- When you design bathroom spaces, which are best sources of inspiration?
New products that arrive at the showroom, magazines and the client's house! #kbtribechat dkazan at 10/26/2011 02:04 PM EST - Elle Decor, Dwell, Kitchen Trends and Rue online #kbtribechat dkazan at 10/26/2011 02:06 PM EST
A1 Inspiration is all over! Seems most of my idea come to me while driving. Trade publications and blogs help. #kbtribechat rjmcontractors at 10/26/2011 02:06 PM EST
Q1: Other people's homes! (Though usually is a better showing of what NOT to do!) #kbtribechat FCNewsmag at 10/26/2011 02:07 PM EST
I have shelves of trade and design journals from Interior Design, AD, LUXE, KB+B, K&BDN insp+ #KBTribeChat BerensonCorp at 10/26/2011 02:08 PM EST
@kbtribechat A1: We like using Tumblr and Pinterest to gather inspiration. Design mags are great too, but can get expensive. #kbtribechat - Bathworks at 10/26/2011 02:08 PM EST Searching through tags on either site. Even just following influential designers can spring up inspiration. #kbtribechat -Bathworks at 10/26/2011 02:13 PM EST
#kbtribechat a1: I like to start w/ the latest in flooring trends & work my way up edithokc at 10/26/2011 02:09 PM EST
@professortoilet I like @cupboards @Paul_Anater @modenus @meredithheron and @studiom_ blogs. Many other too! #kbtribechat rjmcontractors at 10/26/2011 02:09 PM EST
a1: I like to start from nature (beach, forest stream,etc) - mags & web sources help with ideas how to achieve/interpret #kbtribechat ClarityK at 10/26/2011 02:11 PM EST
Yes, pics translate! @clarityk: Pics worth 1K words RT @JMByington: @brendaslynn Most dont know how to describe what they like #kbtribechat MarkJohnsonFAIA at 10/26/2011 02:26 PM EST
- Which are biggest challenges for bathrooms?
A2: Lack of space #kbtribechat Kitchen_Sync at 10/26/2011 02:15 PM EST
And aging-in-place. RT @berensoncorp: A2 for some have to think about worse case and plan for wheelchair mobility #KBTribeChat noradepalma at 10/26/2011 02:16 PM EST
A2 biggest challenge for bathrooms can be an appropriate budget master bathrooms can be cost as much as a kitchen. #kbtribechat rjmcontractors at 10/26/2011 02:21 PM EST
Yes odd shaped spaces and what clients want to put in them RT @edithokc: #kbtribechat A2: biggest challenge ... shaped spaces #kbtribechat ClarityK at 10/26/2011 02:22 PM EST
- How would you rethink the bathroom?
More color, using more tile choices and patterns, tile on the walls, a chandelier, lighting on the toe kick (motion-act.) #kbtribechat dkazan at 10/26/2011 02:30 PM EST
RT @filmoreclark: A3: baths are so personal even more so than kitchens. Should truly serve the homeowner. #kbtribechat TileEditor at 10/26/2011 02:30 PM EST
Find more are using color & patterned #tile in the bath. Love it. #kbtribechat filmoreclark at 10/26/2011 02:33 PM EST
A3: Rethinking: why can't everything be waterproof w/ central room drain like some countries? #kbtribechat Kitchen_Sync at 10/26/2011 02:36 PM EST
Tub elsewhere, generous curbless shower RT @BurginCo: Q3 - No tub, more closet space #kbtribechat ClarityK at 10/26/2011 02:36 PM EST
love 2 mix it up in bathrooms. In my master bath, mix patterned bold tile w/ a chandelier 2 create a glam, invigorating space. #kbtribechat MyMarrakesh at 10/26/2011 02:38 PM EST
If removing tub in master, remember to keep at least one tub in house for resale value #kbtribechat Remodel_w_Feia at 10/26/2011 02:39 PM EST
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How does collaboration help you rethink the bathroom experience?
- What do you dislike/like most about bathroom experience in public spaces?
A4: Lack of cleanliness... Too much white & bad glaring lights. #kbtribechat filmoreclark at 10/26/2011 02:52 PM EST
too small, too ugly, too stinky, not enough stalls, no hot water, not clean (which I think is a reflection a rest. kitchen) #kbtribechat dkazan at 10/26/2011 02:52 PM EST
More potty parity! RT @noradepalma: Lines in ladies rooms. Q4: What do U dislike most re bathroom experience in public spaces? #kbtribechat CBWhittemore at 10/26/2011 02:53 PM EST
Yes! RT @filmoreclark: A4: Lack of cleanliness... Too much white & bad glaring lights. #kbtribechat cabinetmakers at 10/26/2011 02:54 PM EST
Q4 Public baths with the latest innovations in bath design are the most memorable for GOOD reasons. Plus they conserve water. #kbtribechat DesignerBath at 10/26/2011 02:54 PM EST
@kbtribechat Hand dryers, lack of air freshners #kbtribechat Bathworks at 10/26/2011 02:56 PM EST
Glaring lights bad. Public spaces could be MUCH better. #kbtribechat ProfessorToilet at 10/26/2011 02:56 PM EST
@kbtribechat What we like MOST about public BRs? Air hand dryers. So environmentally friendly, wish we had one in our home! #kbtribechat AJMadison at 10/26/2011 02:56 PM EST
A4. Cheap door hardware that breaks. RT @kbtribechat Q4: What do you dislike most about bathroom experience in public spaces? #kbtribechat kitchens_com at 10/26/2011 02:57 PM EST
RT @Bathworks Don't forget lack of toilet paper... :-( @kbtribechat Hand dryers, lack of air freshners #kbtribechat AmercanStandard at 10/26/2011 02:57 PM EST
They say if a restaurant has a gross bathroom expect similar in the kitchen. #kbtribechat filmoreclark at 10/26/2011 02:57 PM EST#kbtribechat
A4: I seem to update public toilets a lot. Try to get creative w/ unique sinks & lighting. Always have fun w/ tile edithokc at 10/26/2011 02:59 PM EST
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I walked away from this Twitter Chat impressed with the level of conversation and the wealth of insightful ideas - not to mention enthusiasm for 'rethinking the bathroom'.
What's your reaction to these exchanges? Would you consider participating in a Twitter Chat? How might you apply this to your business? Let me know.
