ACE HARDWARE PAINTS THE HOLIDAYS RED WITH “MERRY PAINT MAKEOVER” FACEBOOK DESIGN CONTEST

One Homeowner to Receive A $10,000 Room Makeover by Ace’s Design Experts

Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry, announced today the launch of its “Merry Paint Makeover” design contest. Beginning today through November 26, homeowners are encouraged to visit Ace’s Facebook page to submit a photo and 100-word description of a room in their home that needs a little more “merry” this holiday season for a chance to win a complete room makeover by one of Ace’s Design Experts.

Designed to further emphasize Ace’s commitment to providing homeowners with the unmatched service and helpful knowledge they have come to expect from their local Ace Hardware store, the holiday design contest is the official introduction of Ace’s first-ever panel of Design Experts to consumers. The panel, comprised of three interior designers from different regions across the United States, was established to provide color and design inspiration for Ace shoppers.

“We all have at least one room in our house that could use a little more love,” said Mary Rice, president and general manager of Ace Paint. “Our panel of seasoned Design Experts will help the winning Ace Facebook fan turn their ho hum space into a festive place for the holidays, while also providing tips and advice for all homeowners who want to create an inviting space for family and friends this holiday season.”

To participate in the contest, Ace Facebook fans will need to submit a photo and 100-word description of a room in their home that could use a little extra “merry” during the holidays. Based on these submissions, Ace, with the help of its Design Experts, will select a grand-prize winner and three runners-up. Winners will be announced in early December.

The grand-prize winner of Ace’s “Merry Paint Makeover” contest will receive a complete room makeover valued at over $10,000, which will include a consultation and on-site management by one of Ace’s Design Experts and volunteers from the winner’s local Ace Hardware store. The makeover will feature Clark+Kensington®, a new paint+primer in one available exclusively at Ace. Three runners-up will also be selected to receive a custom “e-design” package, which will include a custom makeover plan by one of Ace’s Design Experts, as well as a $500 Ace gift card to purchase all the paint and sundries they’ll need to complete the makeover design. Additionally, everyone that enters the contest will receive a bounce back offer to use at their local Ace Hardware.

Ace’s Design Experts were officially introduced in August of this year and bring more than 30 years of combined experience to the panel, specializing in color and the transformative power it has in design.

• Katie Reynolds (Dallas, Texas) – Reynolds is the owner and principal designer for Lilli Design LLC, an interior design firm, which specializes in residential design and unique nursery and children’s rooms. Reynolds’ strongest area of expertise is color and using it to create unique spaces around the home.
• Julie Richard (Boston, Mass.) – Richard is the owner and principal designer for Shelter Interior Design, a full service design firm specializing in residential and small hospitality interiors. She works closely with her clients to create fresh environments and often recommends adding color to a room for a quick, affordable update.
• Nathan Fischer (Orange County, Cali.) – Fischer is the owner and principal designer for Stiles Fischer Interior Design, a full service interior design, decorating and architectural firm. He views color as the key element within each room and believes that adding a pop of color to a wall, ceiling or banister can make the most dramatic and cost effective change within the home.

For more information on Ace Hardware’s “Merry Paint Makeover” contest, please visit Ace’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/acehardware.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES. OPEN ONLY TO HOMEOWNERS AS OF 11/14/12 LEGALLY RESIDING IN THE 48 CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES (D.C.) (EXCLUDING AK, HI, PR, GU & VI) 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Entrants may not be and may not intend to be, during six (6) months from date of entry, a candidate for any public office; entrant may not be a professional actor or a member of SAG, AFTRA, AGVA, Equity or any other guild or union associated with the performing arts. Contest ends 11/26/12 at noon ET. For Full Rules and prize descriptions, visit http://www.facebook.com/acehardware. Sponsor: Ace Hardware Corporation, 2200 Kensington Court, Oak Brook, IL 60523.

About Ace Hardware

For more than 85 years, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store in thousands of communities across America. Customers depend on Ace to help them take care of their homes quickly and easily so they can get on with their lives. In 2012, Ace ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores for the Sixth Consecutive Year,” according to J.D. Power and Associates. With over 4,600 hardware stores locally owned and operated across the globe, Ace is the largest hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries currently operate 14 distribution centers in the U.S and also have distribution capabilities in Shanghai, China; Panama City, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Its retailers’ stores are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and approximately 60 countries. For more information on Ace, visit www.acehardware.com.