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"This post is part of Mashable\u2019s Spark of Genius series, which highlights a unique feature of startups. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.  The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark.\nName: Mydeco\nQuick Pitch: Mydeco combines 2.0 with leading functionality and content, making it your first stop to design and shop for your home.\nGenius Idea: Mydeco is a comprehensive portal for home decorations and design.  In terms of its shopping features, it has the essentials for every room of the house: everything from bedding to cutlery is available for purchase.  \nPurchases are not made on Mydeco; they are completed through third-party vendors such as the UK's B&amp;Q (home improvement supplies).  What makes the website stand out, however, is its vast array of tools for designing the perfect home, as well as its dedicated community.  Here are just a few of our favorite features:\nRoom Planner Tool: The 3D Room Planner allows the users to create room templates, put in furniture, assess space, and see the room in both 2D and 3D.  \n\n\n\n\n\nStyles and Trends:  Mydeco provides an overview of styles and trends for picking out a perfect home layout.  Some of the layouts are simply gorgeous, and Mydeco offers you the tools to turn it into a reality.\nCommunity: Mydeco's community features include the ability to subscribe to the activities of members of the site, joining groups based on interests, creating, commenting, and subscribing to user blogs, and participating in contests to design the best and most creative rooms.\n\nMydeco is easy-to-navigate, simple-to-understand, and yet offers everything anyone could possibly need to brainstorm, design, purchase, and build a beautiful home design.  Mydeco is based out of the UK, and thus is centered around UK companies and products.  However, the company has recently signed a deal with furniture.com to provide products and services in the states, so expect a lot more options for U.S. users very soon. \nOverall, the website is a useful new resource for anyone who has purchased a new home, intends to redesign their current home, or wants to plan out a new room.  \nSponsored by Microsoft BizSpark\nBizSpark is a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2009/03/30/mydeco-2/>