By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
LIXIL Launches Water Experience Center: Plumbing and housing products giant LIXIL has opened a Water Experience Center in New York’s Flatiron District. The 10,000-square-foot space showcases kitchen and bath solutions from LIXIL’s brands—American Standard, GROHE, DXV, INAX, and Basco—and offers an immersive experience for architects, designers and consumers. The interactive space demonstrates products in engaging vignettes, including an operational shower room synced to a custom music playlist and a live kitchen area with fully functioning faucets, allowing guests to experience how various spray settings impact everyday tasks. It also includes spaces for events, training sessions and other gatherings. Learn more here.
Miele Expands Induction Ranges: Premium German appliance maker Miele introduced a new range size to its induction range collection at an exclusive event during KBIS 2025. The new 36-inch ranges include a larger capacity for baking and roasting, more efficient cooking technology, two PowerFlex Zones and one large round induction zone for flexible cooking options. The Miele HR 1432-3I with EasyControl Induction Range also includes self-cleaning, soft-open and soft-close noise and vibration absorption and TwinPower boosters for faster, even heating. The Miele HR 1632-3I with M Touch delivers additional features including Moisture Plis humidity control, a wireless precision probe, proofing and crisping functions and more. The new ranges will be available in June. Learn more here.
Evan Cohen Honored by NSI: Evan Cohen, owner of Quality Marble & Granite in Ontario, CA, and an NKBA Global Connect Advisor, has been honored with the 2024 David Fell Spirit of Service Award by the Natural Stone Institute. Cohen was recognized for his work with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program, which builds mortgage-free specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded defenders, veterans, first responders, and others in need. NSI Members like Cohen provide natural stone materials, fabrication and installation for R.I.S.E. homes. Learn more here.
A New Name for Ferguson: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery introduced its new name at KBIS 2025, and will now operate as Ferguson Home. The entity also includes Build.com, which will remain active for six months until the transition to FergusonHome.com is complete. Ferguson Home includes more than 250 showrooms and over 1,200 product experts. All store signage, marketing materials, social media, and visuals will reflect the new logo and name. KBB has more.
Sauder Expands Cabinetry Collections: Sauder, a furniture maker based in Archbold, OH, has expanded its Sauder Cabinetry division with new kitchen and bath cabinetry collections. The cabinetry division included the original Forerunner line and the new Evolve collection. Both lines are all frameless with full access and full overlay styling. They are produced at Sauder’s Ohio facility and are KCMA Certified for durability and environmental stewardship, reflecting a continued commitment to preservation and conservation. Other features include half-inch drawer bottoms, undermount slides and dovetail construction, and come fully assembled and ready to install. More info here.
Chapter News
Nebraska/Kansas Hosts Virtual KBIS Recap: The Nebraska/Kansas Chapter will host a CEU-eligible virtual meeting to recap the biggest trends of KBIS 2025 om March 27 at 12 noon (Central Time). Panelists include Alena Capra, CMKBD, owner and principal designer of Alena Capra Designs; Kerrie Kelly, CEO/Creative Director of Kerrie Kelly Studio and Vice Chair of the NKBA Board of Directors, and Rose Dostal, owner and principal designer of RMD Designs. Register and get the link here.
Going Glam in Ontario: The Ontario Chapter will host its 21st annual Red Carpet Glam: 2025 Design Awards Gala on March 29 at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex, The Centennial Room, 25 British Columbia Road, Exhibition Place in Toronto. Cocktails start at 5:30 PM followed by a three-course dinner and awards, with entertainment and dancing. Individual tickets are $275 for NKBA members, $325 for non-members, with table discounts available. More info here.
Top Tips from Olympic-West Sound: Want to gain an edge in your design competition entry? Join the Olympic-West Sound Chapter for “Insider Tips to a Winning Design Entry” on April 10, 5:30 to 8 PM. These strategies will give you a boost for any design competition, including the NKBA professional design competition, opening soon. More detail here.
Map Your Future in Central Florida: Join the Central Florida Chapter’s April meeting on April 10, 6 to 8 PM, at Pinellas Technical College, 6100 154th Avenue North in Clearwater, for “Ignite Your Future.” This is a free event and features a one-on-one with Kristin Tabor, owner, founder, and principal designer of Tabor Design in Tampa Bay and NKBA Thirty Under 30 Class of 2024. More info here.
Industry News
New and Existing Home Sales Fall in January: Sales of new single-family homes dropped 10.5 percent in January from December, and were off 1.1 percent from January 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. More detail here.
Meanwhile, existing-home sales slid 4.9 percent in January from December, according to the National Association of Realtors. Despite the drop, year-over-year sales rose 2 percent, marking the fourth straight monthly YOY increase. Houses took longer to sell, staying on the market for 41 days on average in January compared to 35 days in December and 36 days in January 2024, said NAR. More info here.
