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Design

Safe Surfaces: Creating Safe and Healthy Living Spaces

When:

October 9, 2024 | 12:00 PM ET

Presenter:

Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, Owner of Timeless Kitchen Design

CEUs: .1

Register your information

Safe Surfaces: Creating Safe and Healthy Living Spaces

Safety and well-being have never been more crucial in the spaces we call home. Designers possess the power to transform clients’ living environments into havens of safety, wellness, sustainability, and anti-microbial resilience.

In this enlightening session, Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, will categorize residential surfaces into four key design domains: Universal Design, Wellness Design, Sustainable Design, and Anti-Microbial Solutions. Our homes are our sanctuaries, and it’s essential to ensure that they meet not just aesthetic, but also functional and health-driven criteria.

Attendees will explore how to create seamless transitions from the outside world into our homes while considering surfaces that support universal accessibility for all household members and visitors. Wellness-centric design principles will guide viewers as they investigate surfaces that promote physical and mental well-being. Sustainable design practices will lead designers toward choices that lessen our environmental impact, and we will delve into innovative antimicrobial solutions that contribute to germ-free living. Join us in this seminar, where we will categorize and examine these four vital aspects of surface design to craft living spaces that prioritize safety, health, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Learning Objectives:

  • Categorize Residential Surfaces: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the different categories of surfaces found within residential living spaces, ranging from floors and walls to countertops and more.
  • Identify Surface Considerations: Obtain an overview of surfaces that fall within these categories, and recognize the unique properties and attributes that make certain surfaces safer and more conducive to overall wellness.
  • Leverage Design for Safety and Wellness: Learn how to effectively utilize existing surfaces within a home to better support the health and safety of clients, considering factors such as germ resistance, glare reduction, and universal design principles.
Safe Surfaces: Creating Safe and Healthy Living Spaces
Paula Kennedy, CMKBD

Paula’s industry experience of 25 years and her boutique firm, Timeless Kitchen Design L.L.C., is focused out of a love of kitchen and bath design. NKBA Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, Certified Architectural Color Consultant, Certified Living in Place Professional. Paula is an award-winning designer and serves as a K+BB Advisory Council member, honored as an NKBA Lifetime Ambassador and is recognized as an NKBA Subject Matter Expert. She contributes to the Industry by speaking, teaching, curriculum creation, mentoring, and writing, most recently embracing topics of creativity, innovation, technology, wellness, and inclusive design. Inspiring others feeds her passion for design, mentorship, and teaching.

Safe Surfaces: Creating Safe and Healthy Living Spaces
Blum

The Blum name stands for quality, innovation and great customer service. We manufacture hardware that makes working in the kitchen easier. Each of our products has been designed carefully, with the customer experience in mind, and research to back them. We specialize in engineering and manufacturing concealed hinges, drawer systems and systems for lift-up doors. From our touch-to-open technology, to the soft-closing door or drawer, our hardware helps modernize the kitchen experience.

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How Designers Can Boost Their Lighting Expertise

Experience-Based Insights from Design Pros surveyed in the Lighting in Kitchen & Bath Design 
Designed by Corri Melling. Photographed by Maddi Brown.

By NKBA Editorial Team

A group of K&B designers who participated in the new NKBA/KBIS Lighting in Kitchen & Bath Design report confirm that many designers they know lack the knowledge and experience to expertly light a kitchen or bath. Others, they say,  are intimidated by — or even fearful of — dealing with lighting. In fact, according to research by NKBA | KBIS, nearly three-quarters of designers admit that their knowledge of lighting techniques and products is limited.  

Designers who are comfortable discussing the essentials of lighting can increase their marketability and grow their business. The surveyed group of kitchen and bath design pros shared some important advice that can help all designers up their game when it comes to lighting.   

Among their key insights:

The Right Light in the Right Place

Lighting design can be sophisticated and intricate, but the core principle is very simple: it’s about getting the right light in the right place. The “right light” provides at least 50 footcandles on the work surface, with older homeowners needing 100 footcandles or more. The “right place” is directly above the work surface, so homeowners are not working in their own shadow.

Factor in Flexibility to Meet Clients’ Needs, Now and into the Future

Homeowners have different needs and preferences, which means it’s important to give them the ability to control their own lighting. For example, designs that include dimmer switches on most circuits offer that important flexibility. Smart lighting plans also anticipate homeowners’ changing needs as they age. Older eyes will require more light and less glare.

Sometimes Less is More

From their experience, the K&B design pros recommend reducing the number and size of recessed light cans, whenever possible. Larger, outdated cans should be replaced with smaller, 2”-3” integrated LEDS with strong lumens and better color temperature. “Recessed can grids” are best for commercial, not residential, settings. Relying less on recessed overhead lights for ambient light and focusing on task lighting is both more functional and attractive.

Always Think Ahead

To help convince clients about the importance of investing in lighting, the design pros recommend future-proofing a lighting plan. Homeowners worry about obsolescence and will see the value in anticipating potential future needs, such as adding interior cabinet or toe-kick lighting at a later time, and minimizing the related costs down the line.

For more valuable insights about lighting in residential design, download and read the full NKBA/KBIS Lighting in Kitchen & Bath Design report here. As always, these research reports are free to NKBA members. 

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Five Questions With… Danielle Schroeder

The training professional in the sales and marketing department with Chief Architect Software has earned all eight NKBA Specialty Badges.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Danielle Schroeder, one of just a few NKBA|KBIS members to earn all eight Specialty Badges, took an unconventional route to her place in the design industry. Now a sales and marketing pro for design software developer Chief Architect, she always wanted to pursue a career in which she could help others. While she initially thought that would lead her to the health-care field, after taking prerequisite nursing courses, she decided to pivot to business — but she remained steadfast in her goal of helping others.

NKBA Design Competition Now Open — Enter Today!

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, Schroeder landed her “dream job” in 2019 at design software developer Chief Architect, educating customers and managing the company’s YouTube channel.

“Helping customers find the best product that fits their needs and helps their business thrive has been very fulfilling,” she said. “Being a part of the kitchen and bath industry allows me to see tangible work results, which is so rewarding. It’s fun to see the evolving trends and technology that can be used to make a space perfect for each individual.”

Now that she has all eight Specialty Badges, she has her sights set on earning her Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) designation. “I look forward to this new challenge and to having a competitive edge, after going through the various tests and evaluations.”

“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.”

Schroeder chatted with NKBA|KBIS about her career path.

What do the badges mean to you?

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.

Why did you choose to get them? 

I chose to further my education through the NKBA Badge program to deepen my understanding of specialty areas. In a trade constantly evolving with new trends, materials and technologies, this education allowed me to stay current. 

How else has it helped you in your career?

It has allowed me to take my NKBA membership to the next level. Additionally, it has enhanced my credibility, and I can demonstrate my expertise to customers and colleagues. It has been personally fulfilling, allowing me to explore my interests, and has provided additional knowledge and credentials needed to excel and advance my career with Chief Architect Software.

Overall, the NKBA has allowed me to invest in myself, my career and my future. I’ve enjoyed embracing growth opportunities, pushing boundaries and striving for excellence.

What were the most challenging and the easiest badges for you and why?

The most challenging badge for me was the Color Specialist badge. Since my education is in business, I didn’t have much knowledge on this topic going into it. Although it was the biggest challenge for me, it was also the most interesting, as I had the most to learn with that particular badge. I loved learning about the color palettes, perception of color and physiology of color! 

The easiest badge was Sales and Marketing Specialist. I have a minor in marketing, so it was like second nature to me. I enjoyed reviewing brand building, social media marketing tactics and advertising methods. 

What advice do you have for someone who wants to pursue all eight badges?

I would say go for it! It has been great to learn a wide range of industry disciplines. It is a nice way of personalized learning because you can choose a topic that interests you. The badges have allowed me to stay current with information and grow a diverse skill set.Just 34 NKBA | KBIS members have earned six or more Specialty Badges, with an elite six members earning all eight. Current badges include Floor Plans & Specifications, Lighting, Cabinetry, Sales & Marketing, Sustainability, Remodeling, Universal Design and Color. Badges cost $199 apiece for the study materials and testing, and NKBA periodically offers special promotions that give members discounts. For more information about the badges, visit NKBA.org.

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Empowering Design Through Connection

NKBA | KBIS is defining the future of elevated residential design through informed thought leadership, industry-leading education, exclusive networking, and global presence.

Ignite your career, expand your professional network, and build your business — click below to join NKBA today.

July 2024

Chapter Officer Update

Thank you to our Partners:

“We hope you’ll enjoy celebrating July 4th with friends and family – and celebrating your own show-stopper projects by entering NKBA’s annual Design Competition!”

View Full Message from National →

Important Dates

July 9  – Presidents monthly call – 3 PM EST (Note Adjusted Meeting Time)

July 23 – Programs Chair monthly call – 3 PM EST

July 23 – Communications Chair monthly call – 4 PM EST

July 24 – Membership Chair monthly call – 3 PM EST

July 24Secretary/Treasurer monthly call – 4 PM EST

July 26 – NKBA | KBIS Design Competition deadline – Enter here

July 26 – KBIS 2025 VFTI speakers notified

July 31Chapter Officers Self-Nominations close – 5 PM EST

Chapters

NKBA’s Chapters Team is here for you – reach out to us via email or call 610-988-6035.

Kelly Buchsbaum, Sr. Manager, Chapter Relations

kbuchsbaum@nkba.org 

Kristin Shechter, Chapter Engagement Manager

kshechter@nkba.org 

General info, meeting notices: 

chapters@nkba.org

Research

The NKBA is excited to continue its annual Design Trends research. In May we conducted our Kitchen Trends study, and in early July, we will wrap up data for our Bath Trends study. Check your inbox for our invitation to participate in NKBA’s flagship study focusing on emerging trends, products, materials and finishes in bath design. Once you’ve submitted your survey, you will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of five (5) $500 Visa Gift Cards!

While NKBA has monitored lighting trends for many years as part of our annual Design Trends research, NKBA’s new Lighting in Kitchen and Bath Design Report is the first qualitative study on the topic of lighting in kitchen and bath design. You are invited to explore this unique look at the role of lighting in residential settings and how it increasingly benefits homeowners’ evolving lifestyles, aesthetics, and even their well-being.

Download and read the full NKBA | KBIS Lighting in Kitchen & Bath Design report here.

Marketing

NKBA presents five Design + Business Webinars in July focusing on Universal Design and The Design + Build Process. Here is the month at-a-glance, with registration links below. Webinars begin at 12 PM ET with 0.1 CEU per webinar.

July 9 – NKBA | KBIS Webinar 
Safety Meets Style: Optimizing Bathroom Design for Accessibility and Fall Prevention

July 15 – NKBA | KBIS Webinar 
Designing and Building the Functional Home

July 16 – NKBA | KBIS Webinar 
Best Smart Home Technology for Aging in Place

July 23 – NKBA | KBIS Webinar 
Elevating Kitchen Functionality with Functional Hardware

July 30 – NKBA | KBIS Webinar
Linear Drain Systems: Design, Installation and Application

Students & Educators

During Chapter Officer phone calls in August, NKBA Learning Programs Manager Kelly Ann Ryan will outline strategies for successful engagement with students and schools. Please feel free to bring questions and ideas. During these meetings, Kelly Ann will also share information about upcoming national events for students. 

August 13 – NKBA Chapter Presidents Zoom call (4 PM)

August 15 – NKBA Chapter Membership Chairs Zoom call (3 PM)

The Ellen Cheever Award is presented to students pursuing a course of study related to the kitchen and bath industry. Congratulations to the 2024 Ellen Cheever Award recipients:

Kayden Smith, Lakeland College

Madeleine Clune, Virginia Tech

Fanny Cartujano, Gwinnett Technical College

If they are in your region, feel free to reach out to these students to help congratulate them on their accomplishments.

Professional Development

Submissions are open for the NKBA  Design & Industry Awards competition. Click here for more details.

Gain CEU credits in July via NKBA’s Design + Business Webinars. Go here for the yearly lineup.

NKBA’s Voices from the Industry (VFTI) on-demand sessions are now available. Each hour of video content is worth 0.1 CEUs. Go here to view.

Congratulations to our newest NKBA Specialty Badge earners! 

Melissa King, Lowe’s, Carolina, Cabinetry

Jessica Kittel, Lowe’s, Oklahoma, Cabinetry

Lillian Nuno, Douglah Designs Inc, Northern California, Cabinetry

Bibianna Vargas, Casa Bella Remodeling Services Inc, Cabinetry, Carolina

Amy Bozzie, Home Depot, Cabinetry, Northern California

Amy Bozzie, Home Depot, Floor Plans, Northern California

Meg Maris, Airoom, Remodeling, Chicago Mid-West

David Shalkow, Airoom, Remodeling, Chicago Mid-West

Meg Maris, Airoom, Cabinetry, Chicago Mid-West

Meg Maris, Airoom, Universal, Chicago Mid-West

Meg Maris, Airoom, Color, Chicago Mid-West

Joann Sevald, Riegis Design LLC, Remodeling, Big Sky 

Brian Holder, Lowe’s, Sales & Marketing, Carolina

Lauren Singh, Lowe’s, Sustainability, Carolina

Nealia Ludwig, Lowe’s, Color, Carolina

Carol Lee, Lowe’s, Carolina, Sustainability

Carmen Lopez, Home Depot, Southwest Florida, Sales and Marketing

Samantha Allen, J.S. Brown & Co, Central Ohio, Cabinetry

Jeannine Laitres, Wellborn Cabinets, California Capital, Remodeling

Amy Bozzie, Home Depot, Color, Northern California

Alexander Eidemiller, Citadel Construction Co, Remodeling, California Capital

Anne Goyette, Elevate Interior Design, Remodeling, Northern New England

Mady Condie, Ceramic Tile Sales, Color, Pittsburgh Tri State

Erin Polonet, Interiors by Erin, Cabinetry, Texas North Plains

Emily Duffner, Ceramic Tile Sales, Color, Pittsburgh Tri State

Mady Condie, Ceramic Tile Sales, Sustainability, Pittsburgh Tri State

Mady Condie, Ceramic Tile Sales, Lighting, Pittsburgh Tri State

Brooklyn Stein, Decor Cabinets LLC, Floor Plans & Specifications, Prairie Provinces

Mady Condie, Ceramic Tile Sales, Remodeling, Pittsburgh Tri State

Emily Duffner, Ceramic Tile Sales, Remodeling, Pittsburgh Tri State

Emily Duffner, Ceramic Tile Sales, Lighting, Pittsburgh Tri State

Brooke Peterson, Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen of Springfield, Remodeling, Missouri/Southern Illinois

Kendrick Williams, American Woodmark, Lighting, Baltimore/Washington

Jenna Thomas, JLS Remodeling Services, Color, Southwest Florida

Viktoria Gilanyi, ORIA Interiors, Remodeling, Ontario

Holly Saulie-Rohman, Maughan, Design + Remodel ,Lighting, Columbia River

Mitch Detig, Airoom, LLC, Remodeling, Chicago Mid-West

Cathy Carr, Airoom, LLC, Remodeling, Chicago Mid-West

Patricia Hall, Airoom, LLC, Remodeling, Chicago Mid-West

Member
Relations

New Members are vital to the success of NKBA and our Chapters. Please send prospective members to noelle@nkba.org and we will send detailed information on member benefits, membership cost, certification, badges and more. 

NKBA Membership Signup. Please share this link. If anyone needs a hard copy of the application, please email info@nkba.org.

Member Companies are invited to post job openings on our NKBA.org job portal! This benefit is available to all active members and is included with your membership. Reach out to us for details at info@nkba.org.

NKBA’s Member Relations team is always available to assist our Members and Chapters. Contact Gerri Klein, Sr Manager, Member Relations at 610-871-8181 x104 or email info@nkba.org. Also part of the Member Relations team are: Kevin, Elizabeth, Andreia, and Aislinn who look forward to working with our Chapters!

July 2024

Message from the Chapters Team

Dear Chapter Officers,

Happy Fourth of July! Sending warmest wishes to our awesome Chapter Officers for a wonderful holiday this week. 

We hope you’ll enjoy celebrating July 4th with friends and family – and celebrating your own show-stopper projects by entering NKBA’s annual Design Competition!

Deadline to enter is just three weeks away – submit your projects by July 26

Please click below to see all the details, including cash prizes totaling $100,000 and K&B industry promotions of your winning designs.

NKBA | KBIS Design Competition 2025

Other upcoming deadlines this month include Chapter Officer self-nominations for Membership Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. Current officers who are eligible to serve a second term (i.e. have not exceeded four years consecutively on council) should also submit the Self-Nomination Form. Deadline to self-nominate is July 31.

Also, be sure to read our just-released, first-ever Lighting Research Report  – lots of great insights on this important K&B category. 

Have a wonderful holiday, and we look forward to seeing you this month on our Chapter Officer calls! 

Best,

Kelly

Kelly Buchsbaum

Sr. Manager, Chapter Relations

kbuchsbaum@nkba.org 

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Member News: New CEOs at BHS, Cabinetworks; SVP named at nobilia; Chapter Events, and More

Gossamer Sands V815. Image courtesy of Vadara.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Company News

BHS Taps Clarkson: Darcy Clarkson has been named CEO of North America for BHS Home Appliances Corp., parent of Gaggenau, Thermador and Bosch premium kitchen appliances. Clarkson was most recently Chief Commercial Officer at technology and IoT company Nanoleaf, and previously held senior leadership roles at Keurig Dr. Pepper, Poly, Jabra Corp. Seagate Technology and Lexmark International. BSH Home Appliances is a wholly owned subsidiary of Germany-based BHS. The North American subsidiary has manufacturing, technology and development facilities in North Carolina and Tennessee. Learn more here.

Jackson Named CEO at Cabinetworks: Jeff Jackson has been named CEO of Cabinetworks group, the largest privately held cabinet manufacturer in the U.S. He was most recently president and CEO of PGT Innovations, a leading maker of windows and doors, where he helped lead the company’s IPO. Jackson, a Certified Public Accountant, previously served at The Hershey Co., Schwan’s Bakery and Mrs. Smith’s Bakeries. Jackson succeeds John Barkhouse, who transitioned to an advisory role. More details here.

nobilia Appoints Dixon: nobilia North America has named Cheryl Fenelle Dixon Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications, a new role. She oversees North American strategic direction and all marketing, brand and communications initiatives, reporting to Mikael Åkerberg, Chairman and CEO of nobilia North America. Dixon has spent more than three decades in brand marketing for such global companies as Coty, Grohe NA, Chanel, Pepsi and Ernst & Young. She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University. Learn more about nobilia here.

Vadara Launches Winter Collection: Leading quartz supplier Vadara has introduced its winter 2024 collection with seven new colors and patterns. All are inspired by dramatic natural formations, like the geology and color of Scandinavian fjords, serene desert sands or warm tones washing the red rocks of the Mojave. Veining ranges from tan, rust and maroon to gray, green and blue, and all designs are offered in 2cm and 3cm thicknesses. Learn more about the collections here.

Chapter Events

Wine and Stone in Central Florida: What do wine and stone have in common? Learn about the same type of environments that produce specific stones and grapes for wine at a CEU event with the Central Florida Chapter on June 20 at UMI Stone, 7153 S. John Young Parkway in Orlando. Enjoy food and drinks with speaker Jeannette Santos, who will provide an entertaining discourse on the subject. NKBA members and students are free, non-members are $25. Learn more here.

Closet Design in West Michigan: Join Denise Butchko, Certified Master Closet Designer, for a master class on designing dream closets and dressing rooms with the West Michigan Chapter on June 20. Earn 0.1 CEU and enjoy catered food and drinks, courtesy of Richelieu and Dickies BBQ, at the Business Center of the Women’s Resource Center, 816 Madison Avenue SE in Grand Rapids. Registration is $25. Go here for more.

Industry News 

New NBC Index Measures Home-Buying Market: NBC News has launched a Home Buyer Index measuring the difficulty in buying a home across the U.S. The index accounts for home prices, mortgage interest rates, inventory, buyer competition and more, to show how market challenges and other economic conditions affect prospective home purchases. Developed with real estate, banking and economics experts, the index rates the difficulty in buying a home on a scale of 0 to 100, with a higher index value equating to greater difficulty. April’s national index (the most recent released) was 82.4. The index is new, but the data reverts to 2012. The lowest value in the last 12 years was 27.3 in January 2013, while the index peaked at 89.7 in October 2022. Learn more at the NBC Home Buyer Index.

Pending Home Sales Drop: The National Association of Realtors said its Pending Home Sales Index, an indicator of home sales based on contract signings, fell 7.7 percent in April from March, and 7.4 percent from April 2023. NAR said all regions showed decreases in month-over-month and YOY ratings. The association attributed the declines to high mortgage interest rates coupled with record home prices. BuilderOnline has more.

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Frigidaire Celebrates Eras 

The appliance brand held an event to celebrate decades of its designs.
Image courtesy of Frank Zayas Photography.

Frigidaire last week hosted NKBA | KBIS Carolinas Chapter members at its headquarters in Charlotte, NC, to celebrate its decades of innovative design. The “Eras Designer Tour” event showcased Frigidaire designs from 1910 to present day, giving attendees a glimpse into the brand’s legendary past. 

The event also included an interactive panel about sustainability featuring Susan Easley, Brand Communications & Consumer Insights at Electrolux; Anna Stowe, Owner of Great Design 4 U; and Julie Peach, Owner and lead designer of J.Peach Interiors. Moderated by NKBA | KBIS National Business Development Manager Stacey Piano, the panel was followed by hands-on cooking classes and product education with Chef Adam, cocktails and  giveaways for all attendees.

See the photos below for fun insights into the event. 

All photos courtesy of Frank Zayas Photography.

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Five Questions With… Elayne Wood-Lauersen

The professor at Fanshawe College has earned all eight NKBA | KBIS Specialty Badges.
Image courtesy of GettyImages.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Elayne Wood-Lauersen, one of just six NKBA | KBIS members who have earned all eight Specialty Badges, believes in advancing her own knowledge as she shares her experience and wisdom with students each year. Wood-Lauersen is a professor of Art & Design in the Interior Design department at Fanshawe College, an NKBA Affiliated School in Ontario.

She started her career in computer programming, but after a few years, changed directions, went back to school to earn a degree in interior design and is now a registered interior designer in Canada. She was working in the industry when one of her former design professors asked if she wanted to come back to teach. She took the opportunity to return to the classroom — this time on the other side of the desk.

In nearly two decades as an educator, Wood-Lauersen has nurtured hundreds of graduates in remodeling, design and construction. “We encourage our first-year students to join NKBA’s Student Member program, they are taught Chief Architect design software and the NKBA Guidelines are required reading,” she said. “Our students participate in the NKBA Ontario Chapter’s Student Design Competition, and they’ve done very well.”

She chatted with NKBA about what the badges have meant to her own career and how they’ve helped with the Fanshawe program as well.

How did you come to earn all 8 badges?

After COVID, I took a sabbatical from the classroom to learn and enhance my professional development, to experience new things outside the classroom. All eight Specialty Badges are directly related to the Interior Design program in which I teach. During my sabbatical, I also worked with a construction firm, helping to build passive solar and net-zero energy houses. I continue to consult on residential projects, too.

What’s important about the badges?

As an educator, it’s so important to stay on top of industry developments and gain as much experience as possible, so I can pass it on to my students. The badges have helped me stay current and create additional resources for students. Many of our graduates go on to careers in interior design, kitchen and bath design, remodeling and construction.

Did you find any particular badges especially valuable?

The Remodeling badge was probably the most valuable because the information is not just about Canada, it’s about all of North America. We have a lot of international students, and many graduates go to other countries to work. So, this has helped me to provide a more global perspective and to challenge our students. For instance, I might assign a research project that requires them to source materials outside of Canada. This is important for them, to help them think more openly and globally.

Sustainability and Universal Design were also very useful, especially with all the aging-in-place renovation that’s going on, and the Sales & Marketing badge was also very relevant for our program. It has helped us learn more about how to teach the students about how to market themselves and how to get clients.

What advice do you have for anyone considering earning all eight badges? 

No matter what area of design or construction that you’re most involved in, learning all the terminology and nomenclature of these distinct areas is very valuable. It makes you more knowledgeable and allows you to work more seamlessly with other professionals.

What’s next for you?

Fanshawe’s program recently received a [government review]. We will be adding new content and revising some of our programs, partly based on the information in the Badge materials. For me personally, I still love residential design and construction, and I’ll keep teaching. It’s wonderful to see the students’ progress. When you see the light go on, it’s great — it’s “Yeah! You did it!” It’s very gratifying!

Just 34 NKBA | KBIS members have earned six or more Specialty Badges, with an elite six members earning all eight. Current badges include Floor Plans & Specifications, Lighting, Cabinetry, Sales & Marketing, Sustainability, Remodeling, Universal Design and Color. 

For a limited time, NKBA is making earning a badge even more accessible. Through June 30, 2024, NKBA members can take advantage of an exclusive promotion on all Specialty Badges for a discounted price of $99 — a savings of $100. For more information about the badges and to get this special offer, visit NKBA.org.