By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Caesarstone, Grohe Collaborate: Caesarstone, a leader in premium quarts and porcelain surfaces, has been selected as a partner of Grohe Spa, a premium sub-brand of Grohe. Caesarstone will craft faucet handles inlaid with inlaid quartz designs. Grohe Spa’s luxury faucets in the Atrio and Allure Brilliant private collections may be paired with Caesarstone countertops in the same designs and finishes to create a seamless look in the bathroom. Learn more here.
Jarrett Launches Luxury Line: Jarrett Design, a Pennsylvania-based custom cabinet manufacturer, has unveiled a custom collection with various options in bespoke cabinetry. The family business is run by Jill Jarrett, CMKBD, and her son Jesse Jarrett, CKBD, who is a member of the Thirty under 30 class of 2022. The collection offers inset cabinetry, numerous finishes, and inch-thick doors and drawers in a range of wood species. KBB has more.
Chapter Updates
Multi-Gen Cooking with Cali Capital: The California Capital Chapter is offering a Lunch & Learn “Multi-Generational Cooking Experience” sponsored by The Galley on Jan. 15 at 11:30 am. Earn .1 CEU as you discover the benefits of multi-generational kitchen design with a hands-on session featuring The Galley Workstation sink. Hosted by Home Improvements Group, 702 Main Street, Ste. 102, Woodland, CA, guests will prepare a taco bar lunch complete with margaritas. NKBA Members are $35, non-members are $45, Students are free. Details here.
Cocktails with Metro NY: The Metro New York Chapter is hosting Cocktails & Conversation at the Cosentino Center showroom, Jan. 16 at 6 pm. Join the chapter for an evening of networking and exploring plans for 2025 and what the new year might bring for the chapter and the industry. The Long Island showroom is located at 35 Engel Street, Hicksville, NY. More info here.
Winter Wonderland in Michigan: The Michigan State Chapter will welcome guests to its Winter Wonderland CEU training and mixer on Jan. 22, 5 to 8 pm, at the Trevarrow Inc. Showroom,1295 Opdyke Road in Auburn Hills, MI. Julie Prysock of Trevarrow will present a CEU session on “The Functional Home,” discussing kitchen appliances that add flexibility and function to designs. Small bites and craft cocktails will be served; registration is $20. More info and registration here.
Industry News
Kips Bay House to Open in Palm Beach: The Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach is set to open next month with 23 designers and architects lending their talents to raise money for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Among the sponsors of this year’s Florida showhouse are NKBA Members Armina Stone, Artistic Tile, Benjamin Moore, Cosentino, Currey & Co., Fabuwood, JennAir, Kohler, and Made Goods. The house, located at 1135North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, will open for a month starting Feb. 21. More info here.
Existing Home Sales and Contracts Jump: Sales of existing homes rose 4.8 percent in November, the fastest pace since March, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Year-over-year, sales jumped 6.1 percent from November 2023, posting the strongest YOY gain since June 2021, with the median sales price up 4.7 percent, marking the 17th consecutive month of YOY price increases. Meanwhile, pending home sales, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, grew 2.2 percent in the month, the fourth straight month of increases and the highest level since February 2023. More from NAR here.
Coverings 2025 Set for Orlando: The 2025 edition of Coverings, one of the largest North American trade shows dedicated to ceramic tile and natural stone, will take place April 29 to May 2 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. More than 1,100 exhibitors from 40 countries will showcase innovative tile and stone products, with 26,000 attendees expected. Sponsors include Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ASCER)/Tile of Spain, Tile Council of North America (TCNA), National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA), Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA) and International Product Assurance (IPA) Laboratories. Registration is open. More info here.
