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However, Whitman asserted that by explaining the long-term economic benefits of making the higher upfront financial investment, pointing out the wide array of stylish and functional green products available and sharing how the inclusion of even just one energy-efficient or water-saving product in a kitchen or bath can lessen the public’s cumulative environmental impact, dealers and designers can help open their clients’ eyes to green design and make them realize they aren’t sacrificing anything by going green and may save more money in the long run. (To hear more of Whitman’s remarks, click here.)

Whitman’s heartfelt commitment to bettering the environment was also echoed by the current National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) president, Sara Ann Busby, CKD. She told KBDN/KitchenBathDesign.com during K/BIS that she’s all about sustainability, which was truly the overriding theme of this year’s show, from the green conference seminars to the plethora of products on the show floor that were sustainable, and promoted health and well-being.

At the NKBA Special Focus Event, Implementing Sustainability, speaker Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, provided an in-depth look at what kitchen and bath firms across the country are doing to incorporate eco-friendly design and construction. And at the NKBA Center Stage speaker Patti Weaver, CKD, offered some useful ideas for greening kitchen and bath firms, such as TerraPass, a green company that sells carbon offsets for travel and other fossil-fuel-consuming activities.

Whitman’s sentiments about the individual economic benefits of green design were also echoed at this year’s International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, where show sponsor National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) not only emphasized green building as the right thing to do, but also as a way to survive and thrive in an economy that’s been affected by the subprime mortgage market across the boards, and has resulted in what some industry experts are now calling a mild recession. The NAHB also unveiled a host of eco-sensitive initiatives, such as its Green Building Program and Green Building Standard. And the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) also launched a microsite, www.greencabinetsource.org, for its Environmental Stewardship Program.

Given all of the media and industry and political attention, now more than ever, it’s clear that environmentalism is a hot topic and that green design is taking a firm hold, and that even installing a single energy-efficient appliance or water-saving plumbing fixture, as Whitman indicated in her K/BIS keynote speech, can help offset the world’s carbon footprint.

What do you think?

For more breaking news also visit the Top Headlines and Live Events sections.

Take a listen and a look, be sure to read a more in-depth look at The New American Home in the 5/08 issue of Kitchen & Bath Design News, and let us know what you think of the homes, and whether or not you think they can be green and luxurious.

To hear Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD and director of design for Timberlake Cabinetry, talk about The New American Home, click here. To hear Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD and director of design for Timberlake Cabinetry, talk about The New Southern Home, click here.For more breaking news also visit the Top Headlines and Live Events sections.

For more breaking news also visit the Top Headlines and Live Events sections.

To bring the design to life for this year’s K/BIS, Leess worked with Mervyn Kaufman, WDSIPs’ project director/writer, Paul Radoy, project manager for Merillat, and Nellie Ondrovick, an interior designer for the cabinetmaker.

To read about the project more in-depth, look for the Design Update article in the 5/08 issue of Kitchen & Bath Design News.

For more breaking news also visit the Top Headlines and Live Events sections.

• Hostess Extraordinaire (Kitchen and Bath Ideas): This kitchen was designed a space to accommodate all of the activity associated with the hub of the home. Recognizing that a mother of teenagers is part chauffeur, part chef, part counselor, and yet, someone who also loves to entertain friends in her “spare” time, the teen-friendly kitchen has the ability to morph into an ideal entertainment space where adults enjoy gathering. The overall design also included a functional mudroom/laundry room, butler’s pantry for serving and banquette for ample seating near the prominent flat screen TV.
• Organizer-in-Chief (Better Homes and Gardens): Dubbed “Everyday Easy,” this super-organized and eco-friendly kitchen was designed to help make life easier for busy families. Innovations include a recycling center, recycled-content countertops and flooring and a mudroom with customizable, pull-out cabinets for everyone’s “stuff.”
• Savvy Young Professional (Traditional Home): This vignette was designed to be “the ultimate bath suite” made especially for young professionals: a new generation of educated, affluent and brand-savvy consumers who embrace a modern interpretation of traditional design and are confident investing in the creation of a home environment uniquely suited to their personal lifestyles. The floorplan consisted of a central spa-like shared space flanked by two private baths. Sumptuous appointments, such as a free-standing whirlpool/soaking tub and Murano glass chandelier, express this couple’s distinctive idea of luxury, while equal emphasis is also given to cutting-edge technology. A “fully loaded” steam shower in “his” bath and a “to the nines” dressing table in “her” bath further underscore the theme of customization and personalization.
• Mother Starting Out (Country Home): This stylish kitchen, mudroom and laundry/multi-task room work hard for the young family. The overall design featured DuPont Corian countertops, laminate floors that mimic reclaimed wood and glass-front cabinets. A technology station, flexible built-in seating and an island with a second tier of countertops that doubles the work area rounded out the space’s function.
• Future Thinker (Midwest Living): This kitchen and bath was designed with this fact in mind: 78 million Baby Boomers are heading toward new phases in their life journey, and many are looking to stay in their homes for years of cooking, entertaining and active living. Integrated, wider traffic patterns, accommodating cabinet design, sit-down workspaces and lever controls, along with other amenities were featured in this design concept.

Did you walk through the DIC? What did you think of the displays? Of the design concepts and products you saw?

For more breaking news also visit the Top Headlines and Live Events sections.

The winning designs (seven total) revealed several trends, including:

• The advent of smaller, high-quality kitchens.
• The mixing of materials and textures such as soapstone, concrete, wood, limestone and glass, plus an increased use of carbon stainless steel finishes.
• The contrast of light and dark in one design.
• Simple, clean lines.
• Repurposing historical furniture pieces for better sustainability.
• Increased usage of eco-friendly materials.

To hear DesCombes’ remarks at the Gala, click here. To read more about the competition, click here. To hear Luethe’s and Edwards’ remarks at the Gala, click here.

For more breaking news also visit the Top Headlines and Live Events sections.

• At its board meeting on April 9, the NKBA named Don Sciolaro as its permanent CEO. Sara Ann Busby, CKD and current president, made the announcement at the start of the annual NKBA Board of Directors’ Cocktail Reception and Gala on April 10. She later told KBDN that Sciolaro was elected unanimously with the full support of the NKBA’s members, and that the association and its members are very excited to have Sciolaro on board to lead them in a new direction (see related story). Busby said that his experience was vetted in the month prior to K/BIS, and because of his calm demeanor and cool head through the rigors of setting up for the industry’s biggest show, among other things, he was the best choice for where the NKBA is headed, following a close to 20% growth in membership in two years, a huge increase in education opportunities and a commitment to legislative issues.
• Eliot Sefrin, editorial director and publisher of Kitchen & Bath Design News and KitchenBathDesign.com, was officially inducted into the NKBA Hall of Fame (see related story). The 2008 “class” also included industry veteran Ken Rohl of Rohl LLC and long-time industry educator David Newton, CMKBD.
• The winners of the 2007/2008 Student Design Competition were also recognized during the Gala by Connie Edwards, CKD, CBD, and Paul Leuthe. Edwards is with contest sponsor American Woodmark (Timberlake Cabinetry), and Leuthe’s with sponsor Sub-Zero/Wolf.
• At a booth breakfast on April 12, Sub-Zero/Wolf also honored the winners of its biennial Kitchen Design Contest, including the top three: Warner McConaughey, Elaine Cecconi and Phyllis Taylor. Taylor also received the new Designers’ Choice award.
• The winning designs (seven total) revealed several trends, including the advent of smaller, high-quality kitchens; the mixing of materials and textures such as soapstone, concrete, wood, limestone and glass, plus an increased use of carbon stainless steel finishes; the contrast of light and dark in one design; simple, clean lines; repurposing historical furniture pieces for better sustainability; and increased usage of eco-friendly materials.
• Former EPA Administrator and Republican New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman delivered the show’s keynote address on April 11 about sustainability. She said that kitchen/bath pros have a key role in helping to educate the public about lessening environmental impact. She told the audience that selling green kitchen/bath design and products is very similar to selling eco-sensitive public policy: it’s about getting people to do something for the common good.
• Whitman’s talk was about something that is very close to the NKBA president’s heart. Busby told KBDN that she is all about sustainability, and that topic was prominent at this year’s show, from the green conference seminars to the plethora of green products on the show floor.
• For example, Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, led the NKBA Special Focus Event called Implementing Sustainability, during which he provided an in-depth look at what companies across the country are doing to incorporate eco-friendly design and construction. He also offered a list of websites where designers and dealers could go to learn more about the green movement, eco-sensitive products, green building guidelines, green industry certifications and industry shows devoted to green design.
• Patti Weaver also spoke at the NKBA’s Center Stage about the wide array of green products and resources available to dealers and designers today, as well as about how to be green in the office.
• On the show floor products and displays that were sustainable and promoted health and well-being were prominent.
• At the DPHA breakfast on April 12, the association talked about the Industry Data Warehouse, which is software being developed as a way for manufacturers to convey pricing and specs to DPHA-member dealers the minute there are product updates, changes or additions. It also announced that its seventh annual conference will be in Phoenix, AZ later this year.
• Michael Rockstroh of the RB Stategy Group also spoke at the DPHA breakfast about his “competitive strategy roadmap for a changing home market.” He asserted that the kitchen and bath market is currently in a recession, even though DPHA members mostly reported holding steady through the first quarter of ’08. He told attendees that their aim in a changing market is to be sustainable against competition. To do that, he advised members to implement smart business strategy and examine ways to streamline business practices instead of cutting costs across the boards.
• In addition to the economy, charity and fundraising were also big on the minds of kitchen/bath companies. For example, on April 12 Home Depot was honored by the Storehouse World of Vision for its support of revitalizing low-income communities. It received Storehouse’s annual Crystal Vision award, which recognizes industry leaders who together help more than 1.6 million people each year via the Storehouse. Your Other Warehouse, a div. of Home Depot, received Storehouse’s Distributor of the Year award for its donation of excess inventory to Storehouse since 2000.
• Electrolux announced that it will be joining Kelly Ripa in supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). In addition to an interactive website promotion that will raise money for the OCRF that involves an online game – available at www.kellysbags.com from April 14 to May 18 – where they collect Kelly Ripa’s collection of designer handbags for a chance to win one of 10 suites of Electrolux appliances, Electrolux is also donating a portion of the retail sales of select appliances to the OCRF. The goal is to raise more than $500,000 over the next two years to help fight ovarian cancer.
• Elkay held it annual well-attended event that brings media and designers together to talk trends at La Pomme Rouge. There, conversation, and drinks, flowed easily. Jamie Drake, who created the Vase and Raindrops sinks for Elkay, and Fu-Tung Cheng, who created the Ripple and Cascade sinks for the firm, were on hand to talk design, as well.
• The annual Moen Spa event was held at Altitudes at the W Hotel, where faucets, design, good food, spa treatments and the firm’s Mirrorscapes line came together.
• And at A New Leaf, several manufacturers, including Bear Creek Glass and Elite Bronze, got together to talk trends and products the night before the show floor opened.
• Lastly, KBDN’s editor, Janice Anne Costa, hosted the 2008 Satellite Media Tour (SMT), which was sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News and produced in conjunction with DWJ Television. The SMT was filmed live from the show floor, beaming product messages via satellite, radio and podcast directly to consumers watching morning and midday shows, listening to the radio and going online in the top 200 U.S. markets.

Next year’s K/BIS will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, from May 1 to 3, with the conference beginning on April 30. K/BIS 2010 will head back to Chicagoland. See you there!

For more details, trends, news and product coverage from K/BIS 2008, go to the Live Events, Top Headlines and Project Spotlight sections and the Kitchen & Bath Confidential blog. Visit the Product Gallery to view plenty of K/BIS products. Be sure to check out the 3/08, 4/08 and upcoming 6/08 issues of Kitchen & Bath Design News for additional show coverage

• For the first time the CKD/CBD Design Exam will be given on April 9 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. A CKD/CBD Review Prep Course will be given prior to that on April 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The invitation-only NKBA Board of Director’s Gala & Cocktail Reception on April 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Union Station will feature the announcement of the 2008 NKBA Design Competition Pinnacle Award winner and the 2008 Hall of Fame inductees, including Eliot Sefrin, editorial director and publisher of Kitchen & Bath Design News and KitchenBathDesign.com (see related story).
• Sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News and produced in conjunction with DWJ Television, the 2008 Satellite Media Tour is scheduled to film live from the show floor on April 11 (see related story). It’s designed to provide exhibitors with product exposure to thousands of potential kitchen and bath consumers via key media outlets throughout the U.S. Product messages will be delivered via satellite – and via radio and online podcasts – to morning and midday shows in the top 200 U.S. markets by KBDN’s editor, Janice Anne Costa.
• Christine Todd Whitman will be this year’s K/BIS Opening Keynote speaker. Whitman – current administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and former New Jersey governor – will take the stage in the Arie Crown Theater in McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center at 8:00 a.m. on April 11. She’ll address attendees regarding sustainability and the effects it has on the kitchen and bath industry in a global community.
• On April 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, will lead the NKBA Special Focus Event called Implementing Sustainability. He’ll provide an in-depth look at what companies across the country are doing to incorporate eco-friendly design and construction.
• At the Dealers’ Breakfast on April 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Thompson C. Price, CKD, CBD, CR, KBDN Business Strategies columnist and NKBA Hall of Fame inductee, will lead a detailed discussion geared toward helping dealers make changes in their business practices and maintain profit.
• The NKBA Annual Business Luncheon, on April 12 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., will provide an opportunity for NKBA leaders to present the “State of the Association” to NKBA members. This is especially important in light of Mike Kelly’s recent departure. The meeting will also include a special presentation by Doug Lipp who will discuss how to “think globally to sell locally.”
• Christine Corelli will discuss customer service and how designers can make tomorrow’s customer theirs at the Designers’ Breakfast on April 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
• For the 2008 KBIS, Merillat (Booth S4690) will be hosting the 2008 Design Showcase in partnership with Woman’s Day Special Interest Publications and Home. The displays, designed by Ingrid Leess, feature Merillat Masterpiece and Merilat Classic cabinetry in a concept kitchen with a combination drop zone/mud room and a luxe bath retreat.
• And the NKBA/Meredith Corp.’s Design Idea Center (DIC) will return for its third year. Dubbed “Your Kitchen and Bath, Your Way: Designs for Every Lifestyle and Life Stage,” the DIC (Booth S2048) will showcase eco-friendly design ideas, aging-in-place options, integrated technology applications and organization and storage solutions. It’ll be open during show hours.

On Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 the show floor will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, April 13 the floor will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each day of the show the Lakeside Center will be open at 9 a.m. Don’t forget to stop by the Kitchen & Bath Design News booth (S2449). See you there!

For more details, trends, news and product coverage from K/BIS 2008, go to the Live Events, Top Headlines and Project Spotlight sections and the Kitchen & Bath Confidential blog, which will feature analysis, podcasts and a daily review of events by KitchenBathDesign.com’s editor, Barbara Capella Loehr. Visit the Product Gallery to view plenty of K/BIS products. Be sure to check out the 3/08 and 4/08 issues of Kitchen & Bath Design News for additional show coverage, and don’t forget to stop by the KBDN booth (S2449) during the event.

For more details, trends, news and product coverage from K/BIS 2008, go to the Live Events, Top Headlines and Project Spotlight sections and the Kitchen & Bath Confidential blog, which will feature analysis, podcasts and a daily review of events by KitchenBathDesign.com’s editor, Barbara Capella Loehr. Visit the Product Gallery to view plenty of K/BIS products. Be sure to check out the 3/08 and 4/08 issues of Kitchen & Bath Design News for additional show coverage, and don’t forget to stop by the KBDN booth (S2449) during the event.