As someone somewhat new to the kitchen industry – definitely new to the bath – I felt a little overwhelmed in the weeks before my first KBIS show. A lot of planning went into what we at K+BB planned to cover in the magazine post-show, and there were a lot of other fast-moving parts and pieces that needed to slow down. But such is the planning of a major trade show, the beginning of a new career and the launching of a bigger and better magazine. The momentum is ever present.

Surprisingly, the night before I left for KBIS, I was as calm as a cucumber. I was ready to take on my new role and hit the ground running at what I knew was going to be an extremely successful show for both the industry and for me as the new editor of K+BB.

The energy at KBIS was apparent on the very first day I set foot in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. It was hard to believe that less than 24 hours later, booths that were just being put together would be chock full of the latest kitchen and bathroom products – all set against shiny, new backdrops filled with smiling people to answer all of your questions.

The day the show opened, I was able to attend the opening session and was enlightened by Gary Vaynerchuk’s presentation on how social media can foster a successful business. I was also present for Tammy Erickson’s discussion on the “Influence of the Generations on the Kitchen and Bath Market.” She provided extremely useful information on how to attract and retain the best talent from the Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y (or Millennial), Traditionalist and Gen 2020 generations. More info to come on that session on our website and in the pages of K+BB.

When I wasn’t attending a presentation, which was a good part of the time, I spent my time meeting kitchen and bath industry experts, introducing myself and learning more about this dynamic industry. I asked their opinion about the co-location of KBIS and IBS next February in Las Vegas, and the result was resoundingly positive – they have been waiting for this for a long time, and it’s going to be the must-attend event. When asked about the state of the kitchen and bath design industry, everyone I asked had a good attitude about what is to come and feel it is positioned for a definite comeback.

I spent an entire day with a photographer trying to capture as many new products in as many booths as our schedule could handle, and I have to tell you, there are some really awesome innovations out there. Among some of the notable products I noticed included storage for hiding trash bins and cleaning products, mobility for hard-to-reach shelves, self-cleaning toilets, laminates that mimic just about every other material known to man, concealed drainage systems and energy-efficient water heaters. And those were all in the first aisle!

When all was said and done, and it was time to leave KBIS and return home, I was shocked at where all the time had gone. I spent so much quality time getting to know people and learning all there is to know (in four days) about the kitchen and bath industry (and eating really great seafood and even enjoying some New Orleans jazz one evening), I didn’t even realize the show was coming to a close.

I guess you could say with all sincerity, “it was a really great show.”

Even though I’ve been interested in the environment since the early 70s, I started integrating it into my interior design practice only about 15 years ago. Back then, words like ‘sustainable’ and phrases like ‘carbon off-sets’ and ‘off-gassing’ were just being introduced in the building trade. I had a few good years of growth within this early part of the green movement and loved speaking to people about what sustainability in design can offer. In those days, it was pretty much about bamboo floors and fluorescent lighting.

We all now know that green design (or just plain DESIGN, as I like to call it) involves so much more than that, and a well-built, well-designed ‘green’ home is one that maintains a holistic approach, incorporating both the building science and the interior materials.

Manufacturers began to realize that their product would be a more saleable one if it touted a ‘green’ label, and they could even save money in production by various means: reducing waste, closed-loop manufacture, pre- and post-consumer recycling, etc. So now there are
literally thousands of products out there that are claiming to be green. Some are certified by third-party testing, while others simply claim their product to be green by virtue of, well, cuz they say so…

Positioning yourself as a green designer, builder or remodeler can put you ahead of the curve with your competitors, which will translate into more sales for you. But in this economy, it can’t cost more than ‘regular’ design either.

So how do you or I, as a designer, architect, builder or specifier, make decisions about what green products to use? Are they really as green as they claim they are? And can I offer them at the same price?

For example:
1. Even though it’s a ‘natural’ product, how green is a slab of granite? What green countertop material alternatives are out there?
2. Can I find some gorgeous light fixtures that are energy efficient, low cost and don’t cast a bluish-green light?
3. Can I find kitchen cabinets that are made with no added urea formaldehyde plywood and low VOC finishes that don’t cost a premium?
4. What if the homeowner wants something that I don’t consider to be ‘green’?
5. How can I know what the product manufacturer says about their ‘green’ product is true?

The list goes on, and you get stuck in the green maze. It’s too much work to keep it all straight, and it’s so confusing. Let’s examine question # 1 – granite. People like it for it’s hard, durable surface and upscale look. It’s long been the number 1 choice in countertops, and even though it’s at the top of the price range, it’s still very much in demand by consumers.

Here are the green pros and cons of granite tops:
PROS
- Rich look with varied patterns and colors
- Hard surface that is very durable; resistant to heat
- Sinks can be undermounted
- Surface can handle hot pans
- Can resist most stains when properly sealed
—————————————————————————————————
CONS
- Porous
- Must be chemically sealed periodically
- Granite can be scratched and leaves watermarks if not cleaned up immediately
- Marble can stain and chip easily
- Seams are very evident, especially if the surface has a clear pattern
—————————————————————————————————-
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
- Marble and granite are mined deep in the earth
- Stones are quarried from around the planet, including China, Brazil, India and Africa. Depending on the location, they may have significant detrimental local impacts, including water and air pollution, waste, and risk worker health
- Significant embodied energy costs, especially when coming from far distances
———————————————————————————————————
Maybe granite isn’t the greenest choice for your project, but the homeowner insists on it. Here’s where a compromise might come into play. A more sustainable choice might be manufactured quartz, which is just as hard as granite, requires no chemical sealing and resists staining. It can be slightly more sustainable than granite in that there’s one or more manufacturers located inside the USA. Some of the bigger quartz composite companies are located overseas, so trying to select one located in the US would save on long-distance fuel costs and carbon emissions. If that still doesn’t cut it, and he or she is hell-bent on granite, go for it. But offer a more sustainable item for the cabinetry or flooring, or specify LED lighting or high-tier EnergyStar-rated appliances. The point is to give the client what they want, stay within the budget, offer alternatives that are green and affordable, which will involve some compromises and heavy research on your part. Keeping your design as local and low-impact as possible is the solution, and the best way to get as close as possible to a truly green project that you can be proud of. Green design will never be perfect, it’s continually evolving, and that’s what makes it one of the most exciting fields to be working in today, and I’m grateful to be part of it.

- Patricia Gaylor

The limited-edition glass knobs inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year come in a 15-in. round or square design with a polished chrome

 
or matte black finish.




These green-spotted cuties retail for $22.68 each.

I learned that closet spending is up and they aren’t called closets any more. They are “dressing rooms.” I think the article is encouraging news. While I suspect the average designer is not going to land $50,000 remodeling projects for a single dressing room, knowing that there is interest in this new trophy room can increase sales.

So if a potential client walks into your showroom or calls you on the phone asking for a new Master Closet do you have product to show them?

—Do you have jewelry accessories or know anything about watch winders?

—Do you have examples of LED lighting or lighted clothes rods that illuminate the garments hanging below?

—Can you discuss UV protection on widows to keep clothes from fading or how to integrate the A/V components and Security system?

Winona Solutions + Light

October Company

—Ann Porter

First of all, the company was introducing its new line of ANNIVERSARY collection patterns, all of which have a great “retro” vibe…here’s what they look like. It’s a new twist on the old “boomerang” and speckled patterns of the 1950s with a gorgeous color palette.

But it didn’t stop there. Formica has just introduced a new process for fabricating edge details on countertops called IdealEdge. It’s a detached, pre-formed edge made in two shapes: ogee and bullnose which is applied separately, creating a fluid transition between top and front. What this does is eliminate any “black line,” which I like on retro-type installs, but not when a stone or a more natural look is called for.

Formica has also reduced the size of the front edge to 1 1/4 in. from the conventional 1 1/2 in., which makes it the size of a natural slab of stone. Also, let’s not forget that it’s now possible to undermount a sink into the laminate !

Now, you may not think this is such a big deal, but for a designer who’s constantly honing her craft, it’s given me a lot to think about. How many clients do you have who insist that granite countertops are the holy grail? Can’t there be something else besides that boring old slab of stone? Between the retro patterns and the new edges, I can think of hundreds of fresh new possibilities in kitchen design that I’m itching to do. Also bathrooms, kid’s rooms, laundry rooms, bars, offices, and so much more. Thanks, Formica, for giving me a much needed design boost.

Is the way to an editor’s heart through her stomach? Maybe. DuPont recently held a luncheon at its Corian Design Studio in New York City to introduce color trends for 2013 and the newest additions to its Corian and Zodiaq quartz lines.

The food was, of course, delicious and highly theatrical in its presentation. All six courses were prepared and served by A Razor, A Shiny Knife on dinnerware with decorative accessories to evoke the trends being discussed by Mark Goodman, president of Color Marketing Group; also on hand was Elizabeth Lawson, strategic project manager for DuPont Building Innovations.

Tablecloths were whipped away, server outfits were swapped and vapors, vegetation, vases and other visual flourishes were paraded in and out with each Corian color grouping, of which there were three: Solidify, Interference and Raw.

Solidify, a cool, almost chilly palette, draws from changing weather patterns, ice patterns, porous materials and the power of water and wind. It reflects the continuing strength of gray.

Interference is influenced by rare earth materials, incorporating bits of shimmer and warm metallics.

Raw is the palette of eternal spring, rediscovery and calm. Woodman also talked about the need for authenticity and a respect for natural materials. Actually, these two would make attractive countertops.

Following are some photos from the event:

Want more? Check out additional images on DuPont Corian’s Facebook page.

But of course, once a standard, ennui can settle in.

So what will take the place of stainless? Personally, I don’t think any one finish can, but some of the latest options from appliance manufacturers can send one’s imagination racing.

If you’re looking for a “new” neutral, you can always check out the Fire & Ice collection Whirlpool unveiled last year. The line comprises white (shown) or black metallic appliances, which might look at home if your kitchen is transitional or modern in style:

GE’s Slate, according to the company, is enjoying great reception—and why wouldn’t it? It’s a warm, metallic gray that’s also fingerprint-resistant:

And then there’s always color—bright, cheerful and attention-grabbing—for those who want, say, their range (Capital Cooking’s Connoiseurian shown) to be the center of attention:

Got your attention? But what more can you do, you ask? Well, BlueStar, which recently stopped by K+BB’s offices for a show-and-tell, might just have what you’re looking for. Its new Textures collection comprises three textures—River, Silver Vein, Mini Texture—each of which is available with the company’s existing 190 colors,

River

Silver Vein

Mini Texture

as well as seven additional tactile offerings that range from gray to copper to gold.

Premium Silver Vein

Premium Copper Vein

Exterior Silver Vein

Exterior Copper Vein

Gold Rush Vein

Silver Gray Hammer Tone

Following is the text for the announcement made today by NAHB 2013 Chairman of the Board Barry Rutenberg and NKBA 2013 President John Morgan during the opening session of the International Builders Show 2013 in the Las Vegas Convention Center:

Rutenberg: Along with NAHB, the National Kitchen and Bath Association works hard to bring Americans beautiful spaces to call home.

Our missions to help members succeed, promote industry professionalism and provide industry leadership are similar. Both organizations are owners of important industry events that help our members learn about new products, attend world class education and network with peers.

The International Builders’ Show and the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show are the two most important industry events for design and construction professionals and the suppliers who bring us new ideas and technology to build and remodel the American home.

It is my great pleasure to announce that beginning in 2014, right here in Las Vegas, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the International Builders’ Show will take place together at the same time here in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

To market these co-located shows, we will jointly promote the week as “Design and Construction Week.”

It’s now my pleasure to introduce to you my counterpart, the 2013 President of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, John Morgan. John, would you like to say a few words …

Morgan: Barry, thank you. I can’t tell you how excited we are at NKBA about this great collaboration and the co-location of our two shows.

It’s quite a birthday present for us, because NKBA is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! 50 years ago Leon Rader, a manufacturer’s rep, sent a letter to the magazine that would eventually become K+BB.

In that letter, he called for an association that -and I quote- “could be established only through the cooperative efforts of many.”

Thus, NKBA was born and through the “cooperative efforts of many,” has grown to an organization of 60,000 members championing excellence in the heart and soul of the home: the kitchen and the bathroom.

K+BB has been our long-time sponsor of KBIS.

Now the “cooperative efforts of many” bring us together with all of you.

Our common ground is that we create the most important spaces in North America: the places that families call home.

Our co-located shows will advance our collective knowledge to serve these consumers, while helping us all succeed and prosper in our businesses.

Two shows.

Two associations.

And ONE place to see and connect with every angle of residential design construction and remodeling.

On behalf of the NKBA, I couldn’t be more excited for our industry.

I look forward to spending time with you at this show and being together with you in 2014.

Our common ground is that we create the most important spaces in North America: the places that families call home.

Our co-located shows will advance our collective knowledge to serve these consumers, while helping us all succeed and prosper in our businesses.

Two shows. Two associations. And one place to see and connect with every angle of residential construction and remodeling.

On behalf of the NKBA, I couldn’t be more excited for our industry.

Want to learn more? Read the news piece

And here’s more about the mega-event

I just spent a solid hour browsing through Pinterest looking at pictures of gorgeous rooms using salvaged materials. I “pinned” some of them and will share some of my favorite images with you. But first, here’s a couple of photos from a house I designed in Orlando for GreenBuilder Magazine a couple of years ago.

As a “green” designer, I love using anything I can to create the look I want while also being low-impact. Using salvaged materials isn’t just for us “greenies”; it also creates a one-of-a-kind custom look that will always please your customers. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to use stuff that’s already in my client’s home, which I then try to find new and different ways to display. For example, I had these shelves made from shipping pallets that were used to ship ceramic tile to the house I was working on. The mantle on the left was made from a scrap of leftover micro-lam lying around the job site.

The dining room table top was made from salvaged bleacher seats!

Here are some awesome images from Pinterest from various sources showcasing salvaged design
at its best:

When this homeowner discovered 100 years worth of linoleum and sailcloth under the kitchen floor, he salvaged enough to cover one stair with each layer.

Italian marble tops the kitchen’s custom cabinetry, while salvaged Victorian corbels serve as distinctive brackets for the stove’s hood.

Adding character to a kitchen with a salvaged sink

Island corbels from salvaged Victorian porch

Shelving ideas…

Here’s a salvaged headboard turned chalkboard:

So pretty !

—Patricia Gaylor

All of these details and responsibilities, big and small, take up space in our heads. The best way I know of to de-stress from all that information is to do what many productivity experts call a “brain dump”—deposit to-do items into a trusted system, preferably one that has multiple ways to access it in the office as well as on the road. I’m always on the lookout for new apps that will tweak my productivity in a small but meaningful way. Here are some of my favorite apps as we look forward to a super-productive (and busy) 2013.

Project Management
There are so many project management apps, but primarily they are grouped into apps for one or apps for teams. Some team apps can be used effectively by one person. In the past two years, I’ve moved toward a GTD philosophy (Getting Things Done, a book by David Allen) but have made some adjustments to best meet my work needs. Here are some excellent apps:

Todoist (http://todoist.com/): Looks simple, but this is one powerful app. Email and web urls are captured quickly to turn into tasks and achieve “inbox zero.”
Nirvanahq (https://www.nirvanahq.com/): A simple, elegant project management system for GTD.
Producteev (http://www.producteev.com/): Great for one or a team and integrates with gmail.
Wrike (http://www.wrike.com/): A convenient hierarchical folder system good for one or a team.
Basecamp (http://basecamp.com/): A good app to work with clients remotely.
If you want to get obsessive, visit Priacta (http://www.priacta.com/Articles/Comparison_of_GTD_Software.php).

Phone to Text (http://www.phonetag.com/): PhoneTag is a great service which transcribes voicemail messages into text and then emails the transcription to you immediately. This service is invaluable to me personally, first, if my cell phone is not nearby and a call comes in and second, to bypass listening to long phone messages.

Evernote (http://evernote.com/): Most of you are surely aware of Evernote. It’s the perfect reference app and its web clipper feature instantly captures and files websites for client projects or for any purpose, which can be tagged at the time it is captured. Evernote also just came out with a collaboration with Moleskine—a physical notebook where you take manual notes, take a picture of it with the Evernote app, and the notes are then searchable! Evernote’s mobile app has all your information accessible.

Post-It Notes (http://www.post-it.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Post_It/Global/Products/Product-Catalog/?N=6406323&rt=rud):
I’m currently comparing Post-It Notes and Notezilla, two apps that create sticky notes which can serve as reminders on your monitor. I like reminders in different forms and I need them!

Gmail Mobile App (http://www.google.com/mobile/mail) /Google Maps:
If you have not downloaded these apps on your smart phone, do it! They are smart, visually beautiful, have many options the built in phone email client does not have and a delight to use.

Sanebox (https://www.sanebox.com/home): I think it was 15 minutes after I downloaded Sanebox, I felt that I’d use it forever. It does an inexplicably near-perfect job of separating emails into appropriate categories. It places the most important emails in the inbox and all others in categories you specify. Any email can be deferred to the next day, to 2 hours, 15 minutes, to any time span desired and the email will pop back up in the inbox at the designated time.

Email This Page (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/email-this-page-by-google/dbeoemfhkdniadbojeencpkgmobndpai?hl=en): I use this app quite frequently, as it sits in my Chrome toolbar, ready to email a link to myself, a client, a friend or family member. So useful and it saves several steps.

Find My iphone (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8): A must-have app which tracks your phone’s location and allows information to be deleted or otherwise protect your data.

Snagit (http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.html): Snagit is awesome—It captures any part of a web page, your own pages or images from your hard drive. It files away your captures for future reference but most importantly, it allows notes, arrows and other notations to be placed on the captured page in a professional style. I keep it active as a one click bar at the top of my monitor and use it frequently.

Hootsuite (http://hootsuite.com/):
The best app to manage your multiple social accounts. It makes engaging in social media easy and efficient.

Productivity is where it’s at, especially with all the responsibilities we have. A diverse selection of tools can make the work day better and more efficient. What are your favorite apps? For endless tips on apps, sign up for updates from web appstorm (http://web.appstorm.net/).

—Susan Serra