By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Kohler Signs Martha Stewart: Kohler Co. has named Martha Stewart as Kohler Cast Iron Ambassador in the first such role for the company. Stewart, a longtime user of and personal advocate for enameled cast iron, will collaborate with Kohler on a series of content pieces and events throughout 2025 and 2026. Kohler’s enameled cast iron collection spans beautifully crafted baths, shower bases, bathroom sinks, and kitchen sinks in an array of colors and styles ranging from classic to contemporary. Learn more here.
Whirlpool’s New Appliances: Whirlpool Corp. has launched four new appliances in its family of brands. Its JennAir line has introduced a 48-inch induction pro-style range and a 36-inch Lustre induction cooktop. The Maytag line has unveiled a 36-inch full-depth side-by-side refrigerator-freezer with an arctic blue interior, and the Whirlpool brand has introduced an industry-first fan-powered washing machine. Learn more about Whirlpool brands here.
Hawk & Co Honored: Hawk & Co. has won a 2025 DNA Paris Award for Innovation in Interior Design and Sustainability. The Laguna Beach, CA-based design firm’s “Headlands House” project, a collaboration among Hawk & Co CEO and principal designer Summer Jensen, Chris Brandon of Brandon Architects, and MDZA Landscape Architecture, is perched above the Pacific Ocean and masterfully weaves clean, architectural lines with the organic shapes of the surrounding cliffs and waves. Rooted in wabi-sabi principles, the design champions natural finishes, sustainability, and biophilic elements. The DNA Paris Design Awards celebrate achievement in architecture and design, honoring projects that elevate everyday living through beauty, functionality, and innovation. The 2025 Awards Ceremony will be held in Paris on Oct. 24. More about Hawk & Co here.
Eames Legacy Lives: Five months of restoration after California’s Palisades wildfires, the iconic Eames House — Case Study House No. 8 — has reopened. Concurrently, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has restored “Metropolitan Overview,” a 1975 film by Charles and Ray Eames proposing a radical rethinking of the museum visitor experience, making museums more accessible, which is available to watch on The Met’s website. Coinciding with all this is the launch of the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation, a nonprofit initiative to carry forward their work and vision. Led by Executive Director Adrienne Luce and a board including five Eames grandchildren, the foundation seeks to deepen global engagement with the Eameses’ legacy through fellowships, publications, and new public programs. Architect magazine has more.
ASKO Opens Experience Center in Spain: Marking the 75th anniversary of the invention of its washing machine, ASKO has opened its first Experience Center in Spain. The center, in central Madrid, showcases ASKO’s cooking appliances, laundry care, and dishwashers, and also features a wine cellar with the brand’s climate-controlled wine cabinets and space for cooking demonstrations and events. KBB has the story.
Industry News
Women Builders Conference: The 2025 edition of Women in Residential Construction Conference will take place Sept. 24 to 26 at the Hyatt Regency Austin in Austin, TX. Hosted by Pro Builder, Pro Remodeler, and Custom Builder, this event brings together more than 300 women in residential construction for inspiration, education, and networking. Three days of keynote speakers, interactive roundtables, and panel discussions will cover topics from business strategy to AI in construction, design trends to housing affordability, and more. Learn more here.
Chapter Update
Roundtables at Puget Sound: Join the Puget Sound Chapter for an evening of roundtable discussions hosted by Niche Master Dialogues, Aug. 21, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, at Tenhulzen Construction, 16900 9th Avenue SE in Mill Creek, WA. Presenters will cover six topics: Working with a color consultant and touring a paint booth; Using virtual reality to see your new space; Integrating health and wellness into your projects; Getting the most out of your membership; Window treatments; and what’s in your countertops. The evening includes a barbecue prepared by grillmaster Scott Tenhulzen, and a paint color reader will be raffled off. NKBA members are $25, non-members are $30. More info here.
