**CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**

Between raising two kiddos under the age of two, running my own business, maintaining a semi-active social life, and of course, keeping up with the Kardashians; I am constantly being pulled in a million different directions, often yearning for more hours in the day. My life as a human tug-of-war rope has earned me a deep appreciation for the development of today’s time-saving technologies, specifically, apps. Whether it’s finding a quick and yummy dinner recipe as I hurry into the grocery store, taking full advantage of Uber Eats, or pre-ordering my extra large signature Starbs drink I like to call the “mom with two-under-two,” I feel no shame in admitting I love my apps. They help to optimize my time, simplify my day, and combat my cravings. Because, after all, who has fifteen minutes to burn these days anyway?! Not me.

Last summer, I attended a social media conference where I recall listening to a developer give a talk on what he believes is the future of marketing: video and augmented reality (AR). As the owner of an editorial blog (key letter “B”, not “V”), and novice in most things tech related, I felt intimidated and unsure upon hearing the developer’s argument that afternoon.

Not long after attending the conference, I was introduced to a new augmented reality app launched by one of Wit & Delight’s most trusted partners, Cambria. Again, hesitant at first, I questioned how a countertop business could effectively utilize AR software to better serve their customers. Contrary to my initial judgments, the concept that once seemed far-fetched has proven to both simplify and enhance the entire countertop buying experience. The Cambria AR™ app allows users to quickly and easily visualize a countertop or any tabletop with a variety of Cambria surfaces. While some design selections like paint, furniture, or fabric swatches are easy to visualize, an entire island or countertop laid against a wall certainly is not. I’ve spent hours upon hours rendering designs on my computer, trying to establish an accurate visual of the final look I envision. (Spoiler alert: Cambria will be hosting a contest awarding one winner $5,000 in products and services! Find more details later in the article.)

If you’re a close follower of the blog, you may have caught our recent design story where we transformed the Elliot House, our in-house photographer’s 100-year-old duplex, into a newly renovated Airbnb and set location for all things Wit & Delight. At the point of publishing this story, Colleen was still adding a few finishing touches to the kitchen. And prior to this initiative, Colleen and her partner James were exploring various tabletop options, experimenting with half a dozen sample slabs of quartz to see which material would work best in covering their kitchen counters. She was ultimately looking for a countertop that is hardworking and functional yet still stylish, timeless and sophisticated. Curious to see first-hand how Cambria AR™ app works, I insisted Colleen give it a try. With just the tap of a finger, Colleen was able to visualize her kitchen countertops in a variety of different Cambria finishes.

To see how the app works in real time, watch the video below.

Once the final touches had been made to the Elliot House and the kitchen countertops had been installed, I chatted closely with Colleen about her experiences working with the AR app. From an outsider’s perspective, it was clear she was pleased with the final outcome, but I wanted to gain further insight into how the technology successfully applies to interior design.

After trying the app first-hand, Colleen couldn’t say enough good things about how easy and convenient it was. I’m not exaggerating. She literally won’t stop talking about it. Colleen described the ease of comparing and contrasting several countertop options, without the hassle of ordering samples of heavy slabs of stone. She reflected, “This app mirrors the ease of a mobile deposit into your bank. You simply scan and outline the outside of your countertop and page through the different countertop options and voilá, that is it!”

Colleen shared how surprised she was to discover some of the finishes she originally liked looked far different from what she imagined, leading her to explore alternative avenues. This is a true testament to why selecting a surface without seeing it alongside the colors and textures of a particular room is a total designer no-no. Last but not least, Colleen obsessed over being able to quickly share the different looks with family and friends right from her smartphone. “It’s so nice to be able to take a quick screenshot of the possible outcome and send it to your spouse, family, friends or interior designer to get their input,” she said. Whenever I am working on a design project of my own, I refuse to make any big purchases without the approval of Joe or a trusted girlfriend. I love the thought of being able to get an outsiders opinion without having them there.

If you’re ready to give the app a whirl, but finances are holding you back, you may be in luck! Cambria is offering a contest of $5,000 in products and services. To enter, complete the following steps:

1. Download the Cambria AR™ mobile app here.
2. Capture one or more image(s) of your kitchen, bathroom, bar, or other room where surfaces can be installed.
3. Share your photos on social media and tag #MyCambria
4. Complete the designated giveaway form below, including all applicable images and Cambria design of your choosing. Insider tip: demonstrate the remodel potential of your space by providing additional imagery of the entire room. AKA, if your countertops need some major lovin’, prove it.

*All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM on May 7, 2018, to be eligible to enter. The winner will be selected and notified by Cambria on May 14th, 2018. View the Cambria AR™App Official Contest Rules here.

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Ed. note: This post was sponsored by Cambria. The compensation received in exchange for placement on Wit & Delight is used to purchase props, hire a photographer, write/edit the blog post and support the larger team behind Wit & Delight.

While compensation was received in exchange for coverage, all thoughts and opinions are always my own. Sponsored posts like these allow for the development of additional dynamic content to be produced, unsponsored. Thank you for supporting our partners!

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.