By Dianne M. Pogoda

Company News

Cosentino Opens in Three Cities: Global surfacing giant Cosentino Group has opened three signature Cosentino City showrooms in Dallas, Honolulu, and Richmond, VA. Each represents an investment of more than $1.5 million, and they bring the total number of City showrooms to 12 in the U.S. and 41 worldwide. At 6,200 square feet, the Dallas showroom — the company’s first in Texas — is in the city’s Design District and features an immersive kitchen space, created in collaboration with BauTeam and Miele, for hosting demos and events. The 2,900 square-foot Honolulu showroom in Waterfront Plaza highlights the Hawaiian island lifestyle with monthly “pau hana” gatherings, while the 4,490 square-foot Richmond showroom in the historic Scott’s Addition District is also the first in that region. KBB has the story.

KBCanada Registration Opens: Exclusive early registration for NKBA members is now open for Kitchen + Bath Canada Expo, Canada’s only trade show dedicated to kitchen and bath. The show is now owned and managed by Emerald, the team behind KBIS, in cooperation with NKBA. The expo has been reimagined to deliver a world-class platform for Canadian professionals and global bands. KBC Expo will take place Nov. 5 and 6 at the Toronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road in Toronto. General registration opens Sept. 16. Its sister show, KBIS, is owned by the NKBA, produced by Emerald, and is North America’s largest trade event for K&B design and remodeling. NKBA members may register here.

Vadara Expands Collections: Vadara, a leading provider of fine quartz surfaces, has launched five new colors and designs in partnership with its manufacturing entity, LE Surfaces. All five colors in the new collection are produced exclusively in the “Super Jumbo” format, the largest slabs on the market, affording seamless installation. The new designs are inspired by Taj Mahal quartzite and feature soft leathered finishes, warm beiges with brown or taupe veining, and an off-white and gray background with muted gold veining inspired by Calacatta marble, all available in 2cm and 3 cm thicknesses. Learn more here.

Chapter News

Biophilic CEU in California: The California Capital Chapter is hosting “Designing for Well-Being: An Introduction to Biophilic Design,” 5:30 pm on Sept. 10, at Cosentino, 10015 Foothills Blvd, #150, in Roseville, CA. Presented by Nicole Craanen, founder of The Biophilic Design Institute, the immersive course will introduce biophilic design fundamentals, discuss how environments shape well-being, the psychological impact of nature-based design, and how it can transform the way we work and live, and more. The evening includes light bites and refreshments, and attendees may earn 0.1 CEU. NKBA members are $35, non-members are $45. Info and registration here.

Annual Lobster Toss in Maine: The Maine Chapter is hosting its 2025 Lobster Toss on Sept. 16, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at the Dome, 412 Warren Avenue in Portland. The educational theme this year is “The Future of Affordable Housing in Maine and America,” and earns 0.2 CEUs. This all-day event includes the presentations, networking, breakfast, cornhole, lunch, dessert, and awards. Learn more here.

A Day on the Links in NJ: The Northern New Jersey Chapter is hosting its annual golf outing on Sept. 30 at Spring Brook Country Club, 9 Spring Brook Road, Morristown, NJ. Festivities start at 10:30 am with registration, a putting qualifier and contest, and raffle tickets. Lunch goes until 12:15, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 sharp. Social hour starts at 5:30, followed by dinner. Early-bird rates until Sept. 21 are $375 for an individual, $1,500 for a foursome, and $1,700 for a foursome with a hole sponsorship. After Sept. 21, rates go up to $400, $1,600, and $1,800, respectively. Dinner only is $125 for early birds, $150 after Sept. 21. More details here.

Industry News

Don’t Count Boomers Out Yet: Millennial home buyers have made quite a splash in recent years, and in 2025, are making up 29 percent of home buyers. This group, ages 26 to 44, previously led all home purchasing. But this year, Baby Boomers, ages 60 to 78, reclaimed the top spot, accounting for about 42 percent of buyers, according to the 2025 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report issued by the National Association of Realtors. Boomers, who are in or entering their retirement years, tend to downsize or move closer to friends and family. They also make up the largest share of sellers at 53 percent. Older home buyers present a significant opportunity for aging-in-place and universal design. See the full report here.

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 75^th 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 9^th 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.

Six NKBA members have earned all nine Specialty Badges, enhancing their industry knowledge and business reputations.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Show what you know!

Communication is a powerful tool kitchen and bath professionals can use to build their businesses, increase clientele, and enhance their careers. NKBA Specialty Badges are an ideal way for industry pros to showcase their knowledge, expertise, and professional execution in various K&B-related disciplines. The program, which launched with five specialties at KBIS 2019, has grown to become a leading industry medallion and testament to expertise in nine specific areas.

While NKBA certification has long been recognized across the K&B world as a standard of design excellence, it is available exclusively to the designer community. Designers earn their Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) credential and may level up to Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD).

Purchase Your NKBA Specialty Badges Here >

The badges were developed by NKBA and subject matter experts as a micro-credentialing program for all categories of membership — designers as well as remodelers, retailers, distributors, manufacturers, sales and marketing professionals, consultants and any other industry-related pro. The badges provide personalized learning and allow NKBA members to gain specific knowledge of a particular trade or skill.

Currently, the nine NKBA Specialty Badges include Floor Plans & Specifications, Lighting, Cabinetry, Sales & Marketing, Sustainability, Remodeling, Universal Design, Color, and Appliances. The first Specialty Badge costs $199 with subsequent Badges available for $149 each. Badge packages include all study materials and testing, and NKBA periodically offers special promotions for additional member discounts. For more information about the badges, visit NKBA.org/badges.

Just six NKBA members have earned all nine Specialty Badges. They concur that preparing for the badges deepened their understanding and broadened their areas of expertise. Here, they discuss what inspired them on their journey and what the credentials have meant to their careers.

Derick Vaden
Vice President / Lead Designer
Company: CTS&I Inc., Roanoke, Virginia
NKBA Chapter: Virginia State Chapter

“While I hold a BS in design and a master’s in marketing, neither of those degrees were a path to gaining certification through the NKBA in the kitchen and bath field.  With over 20 years of experience in the residential luxury custom home sector, my greatest strength is knowledge. By obtaining all nine badges, I hope to broaden the depth of knowledge I have in the field and be able to offer the best solutions for my clients. Earning all the badges was a way to gain valuable knowledge in the industry and to gain some insight into areas that I may have not been very familiar with.”

Megan Kyper
Kitchen & Bath Designer
Company: The Home Depot, Johnstown, PA 
NKBA Chapter: Pittsburgh Tri State

“Our industry changes constantly. I had heard of the NKBA back in college, but didn’t fully explore what they were about. Once I started at The Home Depot, one of my training courses mentioned the NKBA and the badge program, so I looked into it. It seemed like a great step in refreshing my mind on some industry topics. It’s great that you can do them on your own time and expand your knowledge for a fraction of the cost of college courses. And if you’re looking to take the CKBD exam but have been out of studying and coursework for a while, what better way to use the badge program than as a steppingstone?”

Danielle Schroeder
Sales & Marketing
Company: Chief Architect, Coeur d’Alene, ID
NKBA Chapter: Palouse Chapter

“The badges have allowed me to take my NKBA membership to the next level, enhanced my credibility and I can demonstrate my expertise to customers and colleagues. Knowledge and skills are not static but evolve over time. The Specialty Badge program has allowed me to stay curious, seek out new information and adapt to changes within the kitchen and bath industry. Additional education is essential for staying relevant. It ensures that I am up to date with the latest trends, technologies and best practices, enabling me to effectively meet the demands of my profession.”

Kendrick Williams, CKBD
Designer, Design Services
Company: American Woodmark Corp., Winchester, VA (corporate headquarters; remote from Tulsa, OK).
NKBA Chapter: Baltimore/Washington Chapter

“The badges represent recognition of effort and study to continue to grow and learn about what K&B designers do. I often refer to the study material to help explain a choice or design strategy, or to just refresh my own knowledge. I want to be considered a resource where others could come and learn about all the different options and facets of kitchen and bath design, and I really love how the NKBA sets its members up for success. I was surprised about how much fun I had learning and studying for the badges. Seeing the business of kitchen and bath design embedded in the study material was interesting and inspiring.”

Tyler Williams
Kitchen Designer
Company: The Home Depot, Provo, UT
NKBA Chapter: Mountain States

“I wanted to earn all the badges to expand my knowledge, to be more versatile, and to create more developed and thorough projects. The most important benefit is being able to sell a more complete project by having a clearer understanding of the individual components of a kitchen and how they coincide. This not only benefits me but also each of my clients. A kitchen is an intricate puzzle with several components, and even the smallest one can make a huge difference. It’s amazing what you can see when your eyes are opened to more considerations and the potential transformation.”

Stephen Horan
Manager
Company: Jonathan Arnold Inc., Oceanside, NY
NKBA Chapter: NY Metro

“It was a very satisfying experience and I’m glad I did it — it’s a personal quest. The easiest badge for me to earn was Floorplans & Specifications, because my background is in drafting.  The most difficult was Sales & Marketing, as I have no experience in this area and it was all very new to me but also very interesting. The Appliance Specialist badge has helped me to understand all the latest advances in appliances and their applications, in particular, induction cooktops and speed ovens. If you follow the process, study the NKBA Knowledge Base materials, and you are confident in your abilities, you will successfully complete the badge.”

Within the surfacing industry, silicosis, an occupational disease that stems from consistent and continuous exposure to silica dust over a prolonged period of time (years), is a critical topic driving an industry-wide response. Silica-based products, such as quartz, granite, slate, sandstone, and other building materials, release silica dust when cut, ground, or polished. The uptick in conversation stems from the rise of silicosis court cases across California. However, in May, a jury in Torrance, CA ruled that silica-based countertops are safe and attributed silicosis to improper handling of the material within the workplace. This ruling is notable, as it reinforces that it is possible to safely work with silica-containing products when proper safety measures are implemented within the workplace. 

Clear Standards for Fabricators

To ensure fabricators are enforcing safety measures in the workplace, the Natural Stone Institute (NSI) is leading an industry-wide effort to require fabrication shops to adhere to strict safety and health measures outlined by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These clear standards for fabricators protect employees from silica dust exposure. They include: proper employee training, wet working methods (not dry-cutting), local exhaust ventilation and extraction systems, air quality measurement and filtration systems, proper housekeeping, the use of personal protection equipment (including, as necessary, respirators), and medical surveillance programs. 

NSI’s CEO Jim Hieb added, “When the new OSHA standard became enforceable with much lower exposure levels for silica, the NSI created a Silica & Slab Safety Certificate training program to help industry workers and business owners better understand the ‘how’ to determine their risks and best practices to keep workers safe. I urge all NKBA members to utilize fabricators who have completed the safety certificate and/or achieved the coveted NSI-accredited fabricator credential. You (the kitchen & bath community) play a vital role in advocating for employee safety.”

Manufacturer-Led Awareness, Education & Product Innovation

Additionally, stone manufacturers have robust programs in place to support education about the safe handling of surfacing products. For example, brands use proven practices such as labeling and warnings on the product, in promotional materials, and product safety data sheets with information on silica content, risks, and safety and health measures. They also offer good practice guides and dedicated programs for online learning, seminars, and websites for fabricators, focusing on health and safety, machinery maintenance, and creating a safe work environment. 

Several surfacing manufacturers have also developed low and zero-silica collections. These introductions stem from years of research and development to create products that help fabricators control silica dust exposure at their workplaces. However, the proper PPE is still required with these products.

Legislation Paving the Way for Change

Specifically in California, stone manufacturers have also taken steps to support legislation aimed at implementing a certification program to ensure fabricators of stone products comply with health and safety regulations that protect workers from exposure to silica dust. In 2023, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved the “Silicosis Prevention Education” motion, which invested $500,000 in intervention outreach and education through the nonprofits Pacoima Beautiful and the Institute of Popular Education of Southern California (IDEPSCA). In 2024, stone manufacturers collaborated with California public health and occupational safety officials on a permanent standard through Cal/OSHA that improves worker safety education, training, and awareness and facilitates the enforcement of OSHA regulations. 

Another significant milestone in December 2024 was the introduction of legislative bill SB-20 by Senator Caroline Menjivar, which takes a proactive, solutions-oriented approach by requiring mandatory wet fabrication, required certification, and training, and a structured regulatory and enforcement framework. SB-20 could help ensure that slabs are only supplied to certified fabrication shops, closing a loophole that has allowed unregulated and unsafe operations to persist. This is a vital step in holding all players—from designers and suppliers to shop owners—to the same high standards. As of June 2025, SB-20 has passed the Senate and has now been received in the CA Assembly, where it currently awaits committee assignment and review. 

For more information, visit the Natural Stone Institute website at https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/silica.