The Uglier The Better by: ARA Content

American Standard Announces the 2002 America's Ugliest Bathroom Contest

(ARA) - Floor to ceiling harvest-gold ceramic tile … foam-padded toilet seats … that lovely peach and teal wallpaper from the '80s. These are just some of the "fashion don'ts" still masquerading as bathroom décor. American Standard realizes that homeowners with such dated bathrooms will go to great lengths to avoid the public eye (or maybe even seek a 12-step program to deal with the embarrassment of harboring such heinous bathing facilities). Regardless, American Standard announces its call for entries in the 2002 America's Ugliest Bathroom Contest to prove that even an ugly bathroom can be transformed into a comfortable and stylish space.

Think your bathroom is atrocious? American Standard wants to see it. If your bath is judged the ugliest in America's Ugliest Bathroom Contest, you will win the beautiful bathroom you've been longing for.

"This is the chance for one lucky homeowner to have their unattractive bath turned into a beautiful retreat," says Jeannette Long, director of marketing communications for American Standard. "The winner will receive a bathroom makeover with American Standard's elegant new Town Square fixtures, faucets and accessories. "

The America's Ugliest Bathroom Contest winner will choose bathroom fixtures and fittings from American Standard's Town Square collection of bathtubs, whirlpools, showers, toilets, sinks, faucets and accessories. Town Square is the first bathroom suite designed as one complete solution for new and remodeled bathrooms of any size. Inspired by Shaker and Prairie School designs, the Town Square collection features clean lines for a look that is both sophisticated and comfortable, creating a timeless and elegant appeal.

Designer Barb Schmidt will work with the contest winner to transform their ugly bath into a Town Square dream suite. Barb Schmidt is a nationally known home interior set designer and stylist with more than 16 years experience working with clients like Target, Formica and Hurd windows. Her designs have been featured in many national publications and at kitchen and bath tradeshows.

America's 2002 Ugliest Bathroom Contest kicks off on July 1, 2002. To enter the contest, American Standard invites homeowners to send a 100-word essay explaining why they deserve a bathroom makeover, along with photographs of their current bathroom. To receive a complete list of the contest rules and regulations, homeowners can visit www. americanstandard-us. com/press or call (866) 455-6118. Entries must include the homeowner's address and phone number and must be entered online at americanstandard-us. com/press or postmarked by Aug. 31, 2002. The mailing address is America's Ugliest Bathroom Contest, c/o Carmichael Lynch Spong, 800 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

In late August, American Standard will announce a finalist from each of the seven U. S. regions -- West, Northwest, East, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. Finalists' essays and photographs will be posted online at www. americanstandard-us. com/press where visitors can read the essays, see the photos and participate in a poll for the bathroom they deem most in need of a makeover.

A panel of designers and American Standard experts will select the Ugliest Bathroom Contest winner based on the originality of the essay and need for a new, updated bath. The winner will be announced in late October, 2002.

Last year's American Standard contest awarded Mike and Bonnie Smith of Edina, Minn. , with their dream bathroom makeover. The Smiths' previous master bathroom was functional and roomy, but the style of the room was a source of discomfort for the couple. From floor to fixtures, the bathroom was decorated with '70s style turquoise, mustard yellow and brown.

Bonnie Smith explains, "Our bathroom was badly in need of an update, and we were thrilled when we won the American Standard contest. The remodeling is almost done. The new American Standard products look fantastic and have transformed our blah bath into a really beautiful room. " Thanks to American Standard, the Smiths' wish for a dream bathroom will soon be fulfilled. Their elegant new bath is scheduled for completion July 30. For more information on American Standard and Porcher, call (800) 524-9797, Ext. 199 or visit www. americanstandard-us. com/press to locate the nearest showroom.

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ARA Content

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Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info(at)ARAcontent.com EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information contact Sara Mulder for American Standard, (612) 375-8544, smulder(at)clynch.com or Stephanie Hoch for American Standard at (612) 375-8526, shoch(at)clynch.com. American Standard is a global manufacturer with market leading positions in three businesses: Trane, the nation's leading supplier of central air conditioning equipment for commercial and institutional buildings and a premier brand for residential buildings; American Standard and Ideal Standard, the world's largest manufacturer of plumbing products; and WABCO, the leading supplier of electronic braking and control systems to the world's manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks and buses. The company employs approximately 58,000 people in 36 countries. American Standard is included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.