Slate Auto and Smarties Launch Colorful EV Starter Packs

Slate Auto has partnered with Smarties Candy Company on six pastel customization packages for its upcoming electric truck. Announced October 27, the Smarties x Slate collection gives buyers another way to personalize the minimalist EV before deliveries begin.

The six Starter Packs are inspired by Smarties flavors: Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Grape, Pineapple, Orange and Strawberry. Each package includes a coordinating vehicle wrap, color-matched mirror decals, a Smarties-branded rocker decal, a logo decal, a customized key-fob end cap and a matching interior Slatelet.

Customers will be able to purchase the packages through the Slate Marketplace as their delivery dates approach. Pricing for the Smarties packages was not included in the announcement.

The collaboration fits Slate’s strategy of selling one simplified vehicle platform that owners can customize over time. Every truck leaves the Warsaw, Indiana, factory with gray exterior panels designed to be wrapped instead of conventionally painted. Buyers can keep the two-seat pickup configuration or select one of Slate’s five-seat SUV conversions.

The partnership does not change the truck’s core price or specifications. Slate continues to list the Blank Slate pickup at $24,950 before its $1,450 destination charge, with an estimated 205 miles of range. The range figure is still a company projection rather than a final EPA rating, and Slate continues to say its first deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

For Slate, the Smarties collection is more than a seasonal promotion. It demonstrates how branded wraps and accessories could become an important part of the company’s business model while allowing buyers to change the appearance of their vehicles without purchasing a different truck.

Source: Slate Auto’s official Smarties collaboration announcement

4 Ways to Make Room for Better Living

A bathroom door that bumps into the vanity. A closet interior that’s awkward to reach. A home office that needs a little separation from family activity. Oftentimes, making your home better suited for your needs starts with rethinking how the doors open.

Sliding, folding and pocket doors offer practical ways to improve everyday spaces without adding square footage. Whether you’re remodeling or building a new home, understanding the options can help you choose doors – and the installation hardware behind them – that make rooms more comfortable and convenient.

Consider these four ways to put your doors to work from the experts at Johnson Hardware, who make easy-to-install hardware systems in the U.S.:

Free Up Floor Space with Pocket Doors

In bathrooms, kitchen pantries and laundry rooms, a swinging door can compete with storage, taking up to 14 square feet of floor space and interrupting traffic flow. Pocket doors slide into the wall, freeing the area a hinged door needs to swing open.

Made for single pocket doors in compact rooms or two converging doors for larger openings between adjoining spaces, pocket door hardware with its soft-close feature helps doors glide gently into the open and closed positions, reducing slamming. Discuss pocket doors early in your project so your building professional can plan for the space needed inside the wall.

Keep Essentials Handy with Bypass and Multi-Pass Doors

A frequently used mudroom, hallway or bedroom closet can look more organized with sliding bypass or multi-pass doors. The panels travel on separate tracks and slide past one another, letting you reach different sections without doors swinging into the room.

Options like Johnson’s bypass and multi-pass hardware systems help keep walkways clear while concealing storage or everyday clutter. Ask your designer or remodeler about panel arrangements and soft-close options that suit the opening based on how you’ll use the space.

Add Flexibility with Wall-Mount Sliding Doors

If you want the space-saving benefits of a sliding door but a pocket door isn’t practical, wall-mount doors travel along a track outside the wall. With easy-to-install hardware systems, making the switch from a swinging door can be a quick, practical room upgrade.

Often called barn doors, they can complement many decorating styles, from traditional painted wood to contemporary glass designs. Wall-mount sliding doors work well in home offices, bedrooms, laundry rooms and pantries, where soft-close and soft-open hardware can help reduce noise. Plan for clear wall space beside the opening so the door has room to slide.

Open Up Storage with Full-Access Bifold Doors

A closet can hold more than clothes. It might become a craft station, compact workspace or convenient place for laundry supplies.

Bifold doors use hinged panels that fold together as they open. Unique 1601 Full-Access Bifold Door Hardware goes a step further, allowing panels to fold flat against adjacent walls for full access across the opening. That makes it easier to reach shelves, organize supplies and use the space inside.

Thoughtful door hardware choices can make everyday routines easier, from reaching pantry shelves to creating a quiet place to work. As you plan your project, ask your designer, architect, remodeler or building contractor how pocket, sliding and folding door hardware systems can help make better use of your space.

Advertisement

For more ideas, visit johnsonhardware.com.

SOURCE:

Johnson Hardware

5 Affordable Bathroom Upgrades That Feel Luxurious

(Feature Impact) If you dream of having a bathroom that feels like a spa-inspired retreat, the good news is you don’t need a full renovation or huge budget to make it happen. Small, thoughtful upgrades can add style, comfort and ambience to your space without breaking the bank.

Consider these five affordable bathroom upgrade ideas to add touches of luxury to your home.

Warm, Soft Lighting

Lighting can completely change the atmosphere of a room; you can instantly create a welcoming, calming vibe by replacing harsh, bright lighting with soft, warm tones. To make your bathroom feel even more like a fancy hotel, think about adding wall sconces next to the mirror, accent lighting around the vanity or candles on the counter.

New Hardware and Finishes

Replacing outdated hardware and fixtures can immediately refresh the space – you don’t even have to buy a new vanity or cabinets if sleek new knobs and drawer handles are enough to make the old ones look like new. Another easy upgrade: A new faucet can give your whole sink area a more modern and sophisticated look. Opt for sleek, durable materials that feel cohesive with the rest of your design, like brushed nickel, matte black or warm bronze.

Upgraded Showerheads

Make your daily routine more indulgent by turning your shower into something that feels like an experience instead of a chore. If you enjoy gentle showers, consider a rain-style showerhead. For water pressure you can customize depending on your preference, look for a combination model. Also decide whether you’d rather have a detachable showerhead for extra convenience or one that’s fixed in place.

Heated Towel Racks

After a shower or bath, enjoy a little extra cozy luxury by wrapping up in a freshly warmed towel from an electric rack. You can install a permanent wall-mounted unit or choose a freestanding option for extra portability. As a hygienic bonus, towel warmers can also help linens dry faster, minimizing dampness and musty odors.

Refreshed Decor

Don’t underestimate how even small details can make a big difference. A few carefully chosen pieces of decor can elevate the look and feel of the whole room. That might be wall art, new curtains, a stylish mirror or even practical things like a new toothbrush holder and soap tray. Also think about choosing one or two plants suited to your bathroom’s natural lighting and humidity levels – a little greenery can make everything feel fresh and classy.

Get inspired with more home design and renovation tips at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:

eLivingtoday.com