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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!”
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 24 – Secretary/Treasurer monthly call – 4 PM EST
July 26 – NKBA | KBIS Design Competition deadline – Enter here
July 26 – KBIS 2025 VFTI speakers notified
July 31 – Chapter Officers Self-Nominations close – 5 PM EST
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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
Member News: New CEOs at BHS, Cabinetworks; SVP named at nobilia; Chapter Events, and More
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.
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.
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.
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Outstanding Educational Achievements
NKBA|KBIS is proud to recognize outstanding achievements in education for the 2023-2024 academic year, highlighting schools and individual student success through the following awards.
NKBA | KBIS Excellence in Education Award 2024
The Excellence in Education Award is based on student submissions to NKBA’s Student Design Competition. The award is given to schools with at least three entries, from three separate students, scoring 80-100 or better. The association receives hundreds of entries annually to the student design competition.
This year’s award recipients include:
- Lakeland College, Vermilion, AB, Canada
- Century College, White Bear Lake, MN
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, MA
Rochelle Horne, IDT, CKBD, Leed Green Associate, is an instructor and the Program Head of Interior Design Technology Trades & Technology at Lakeland College where students participate in numerous NKBA | KBIS programs.
“Our Interior Design Technology program at Lakeland College is grateful for the nurturing programming the NKBA offers, ensuring our students, graduates and professionals are aligned for success” said Rochelle Horne, IDT, CKBD, Leed Green Associate, who is an instructor and the Program Head of Interior Design Technology Trades & Technology at Lakeland College where students participate in numerous NKBA | KBIS programs. “We are honored for our program to be recognized and thank our Prairie Provinces Chapter for their ongoing support of our program.”
At Century College, Kitchen & Bath Design (KBD) Program Director and Faculty member, Margaret Krohn, CKBD, NCIDQ, utilizes NKBA resources such as the Student Design Competition to enhance student learning both in-person, and online. “It is so wonderful to see all of the hard work and successes of our KBD Students at Century College and we are very honored to win the Excellence in Education Award this year and last year” said Krohn. “We have KBD students in the classroom and online and all work so hard to achieve their successes. It is so great to have an organization like the NKBA and all of its support.”
Sharing in this achievement is University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where Part-Time Lecturer of Interior Architecture + Design, Cait Lanza, AKBD, NCIDQ, includes the Student Design Competition as part of the students’ studio class. “My favorite part of the job as a professor is to introduce students to the residential field and give them confidence within this unique area of design and part of their professional experience,” said Lanza. “The NKBA student competition has been a wonderful addition to our studio class because it is such a realistic design project with context in a home and design constraints.”
Recipients of the Excellence in Education Award receive a certificate of achievement, as well as a digital badge to display on their campus website and in faculty email signatures. For 2025, schools can expect to see this award presented earlier as NKBA aims to honor next year’s winners at the student and educator event during KBIS 2025 in February.
Ellen Cheever Award
The Ellen Cheever Award is presented to students pursuing a course of study related to the kitchen and bath industry. The 2024 Ellen Cheever Award recipients are:
- Kayden Smith, Lakeland College
- Madeleine Clune, Virginia Tech
- Fanny Cartujano, Gwinnett Technical College
To apply for the award, students complete an essay outlining their classroom performance, desire to pursue NKBA credentials such as certification and badges, involvement in co-curricular activities, and professional goals.
The award package includes valuable NKBA resources to the winners free of charge, including a copy of the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Planning Guidelines, access to the Knowledge Base platform, and enrollment in an NKBA Badge program of the recipient’s choice.
Kayden Smith sees the pursuit of NKBA Certification and badges as an ideal next step in the achievement of professional goals. “Pursuing NKBA certifications and badges aligns seamlessly with my academic and career goals: said Smith. “These credentials will not only validate my expertise, but also provide me with access to a network of industry professionals and resources that will facilitate my professional growth and advancement.”
Participation in student activities, such as NKBA Student Chapters, is another way that students can enhance their professional growth. Campus involvement has played an important role in Madeleine Clune’s academic career as a Residential Environment & Design (RED) major. “On campus I am currently involved in two organizations related to my major. The first is the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Ambassador Program. I get to talk to prospective RED students and students who have been accepted into the RED department” said Clune. “The second organization I am involved in is Home Design at Virginia Tech (HDVT). I joined last fall and this coming fall I will be the President. Through this club I attended KBIS as well.”
As members of NKBA, students are encouraged to get involved with their local, professional chapter. Fanny Cartujano took this involvement one step further by innovating a new chapter program as a Student Representative for the NKBA|KBIS Georgia Chapter. “As a Student Representative, I took the initiative to create and manage the NKBA Student Shadowing program for our Georgia Chapter” said Cartuano. “This program, which allowed students to shadow a Kitchen and Bath Design professional for a day to a week, was a testament to my commitment to fostering a stronger, more knowledgeable kitchen and bath industry community.”
To learn more about NKBA|KBIS Affiliated Schools and student resources, visit https://nkba.org/learning/ or contact Kelly Ann Ryan, Learning Programs Manager, at kryan@nkba.org.
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Apply for NKBA | KBIS’ Women to Women (W2W) Leadership Conference
The conference, created by NKBA | KBIS, is an opportunity for women in K&B to network, get inspired and celebrate their accomplishments.
NKBA | KBIS’ Women to Women (W2W) Conference, to be held in San Antonio, TX on Oct. 1-3, is currently accepting applications through June 28. At the third annual event, attendees will further develop their leadership skills, discuss professional challenges and opportunities and celebrate their accomplishments. The conference includes a presentation from keynote speaker Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Officer, Kohler Co.
Open to all female NKBA | KBIS members, we encourage you to apply today for an opportunity to attend this intimate and inspiring two-day conference at the stunning Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is the perfect venue to be inspired and reinvigorated — and to have some fun!
Space is limited, so apply today by visiting the Women to Women Conference page on the NKBA | KBIS website.
Attendees will be notified of acceptance in early August. A $349 fee is required to secure your spot. Accommodations, entertainment and meals are covered by the conference. Attendees are responsible for travel. Applications to attend are now being accepted through June 28, 2024.
W2W is proudly sponsored by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Fortune Brands Innovations and GE Appliances.
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Member News: Kohler Opens in Arizona, MasterBrand to Buy Supreme, SieMatic Introduces Mondial, Events and More
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Kohler Opens Arizona Plant: Plumbing giant Kohler Co. opened its new manufacturing facility in Casa Grande, AZ, providing more than 400 local administrative and production jobs. The plant produces Kohler’s Sterling brand of bath and shower fixtures. The one million square foot facility includes manufacturing, warehousing, a distribution center, office space, an innovative showroom and cafeterias. It incorporates smart factory elements and innovative production technology, and by tracking sustainability, aims to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, water use and solid waste while maximizing energy efficiency. More info here.
MasterBrand Buying Supreme: MasterBrand Inc., through its MasterBrand Cabinets subsidiary, has agreed to acquire Supreme Cabinetry Brands, including Dura Supreme and Bertch cabinetry, from GHK Capital Partners LP for $520 million in cash. The acquisition will allow MasterBrand to expand its position in the premium cabinetry segment and reach more consumers across an enhanced dealer network with improved efficiency, effectiveness and customer service. KBB has more.
SieMatic Unveils Mondial in Dallas: Premium kitchen brand SieMatic introduced its Mondial design line in its remodeled Dallas Design District showroom. This North American debut will be followed by a full rollout across the continent later this year. Mondial is geometric, minimalist and modern without traditional ornamentation, and comes in an array of bold colors and rich materials. It complements the company’s Pure, Urban and Classic design collections. Visit SieMatic to learn more.
Pike Wins Remodeler of the Year: NKBA member Elliott Pike, founder of ELM Construction LLC, has been named 2024 Remodeler of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders. Pike started his design/build firm in Vestavia Hills, AL, near Birmingham, in 2008, in the depths of the Great Recession. In the 16 years since he has built the company on a key premise: “Keeping your word.” ELM employs 10 and completes about 25 projects a year. ProRemodeler has the details.
Chapter and Trade Events
Peaking With Rocky Mountain: The Rocky Mountain Chapter will host its 24 Carat Gold Peak Design Awards Gala on June 20, 6:30 to 10:30 PM at Mile High Station, 2027 W Colfax Avenue in Denver. The annual gala celebrates the best in kitchen and bath design at an elegant dinner and awards ceremony. Registration is $150 for NKBA members, $165 for non-members and $$95 for students. More info here.
Twin Golf Tourneys With Prairie Provinces: The Prairie Provinces Chapter will host two June golf outings. Tee off at 8:30 AM on June 12 in Calgary (Rocky View) at the Heatherton Golf Course, or on June 20 at the Ranch Golf & Country Club in Edmonton (Acheson), starting at 8 AM. Learn more here.
Learn Savvy Marketing with Olympic West Sound: Amanda McGlynn, founder of The Kitsap Life at Skywren Marketing, will present a CEU session on how to use social media to “Expand Your Presence Locally,” at the Olympic West Sound Chapter’s meeting on June 20. It will be hosted by Floor & Décor at its new location, 4324 Wheaton Way in Bremerton, WA, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Registration is $25 for NKBA members, $35 for non-members and free for students. More info here.
Picking Decorative Hardware with Northern NJ: The Northern NJ Chapter will present a CEU session on “Choosing Decorative Hardware for your Kitchen & Bath” at Ferguson Bath, Appliance and Lighting Gallery, 65 Passaic Avenue in Fairfield, NJ, on June 11, 5 to 8 PM. Join the chapter for networking, dinner, a sponsor presentation from Amerock and the educational session. Registration is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. More details here.
Market Days at A&D Building: The Architects & Designers Building in New York will host Market Days on June 26 and 27. Numerous showrooms will offer presentations on trends, new products and rising talent across the world of residential design and interiors. The A&D Building is at 150 East 58th Street in Manhattan. For more info and to register for this trade-only event, go here.
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2026 NKBA | KBIS Webinar Submission Form
Share your expertise with industry professionals by submitting to present an NKBA | KBIS Webinar!
Selection Criteria and Submissions
June 2024
Chapter Officer Update
Sponsored by:
“Many industries slow down in summer months – not so our Chapters! We’ve been excited and inspired to see what’s ahead in the coming weeks.”
Important Dates
June 11 – Presidents monthly call – 4 PM EST
June 12 – Programs Chair monthly call – 3 PM EST
June 12 – Communications Chair monthly call – 4 PM EST
June 13 – Membership Chair monthly call – 3 PM EST
June 13 – Secretary/Treasurer monthly call – 4 PM EST
June 15 – Certified Designer Grant (sponsored by SKS) See the deadline here
June 16 – VFTI speaker proposals deadline – Submit here
June 19 – NKBA | KBIS Lighting Trends Summit – Lutron Global Experience Center, NYC – RSVP here
June 30 – CEU cycle ends – Upload here
June 30 – NKBA Primary Bath Trends survey deadline
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June 2024
Message from the Chapters Team
Dear Chapter Officers,
Happy Summer and CEU Season!
For all of our NKBA certified designers, this is the month to submit your CEU credits. The current two-year CEU cycle ends June 30, 2024.
As a reminder, all certified members must have 20 CEU hours submitted and approved for the current cycle by the end of the month. Upload here: CEU Reporting Form.
Chapter Officers earned the following CEUs this year: 0.3 serving as a Chapter Officer; 0.3 attending virtual Chapter Officer Training online; 0.4 attending Leader2Leader at KBIS 2024; plus, you likely attended many other events and programs over the past two years. Check out our June Webinars and earn 0.1 each.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to ceu@nkba.org.
Many industries slow down in summer months – not so our Chapters! We’ve been excited and inspired to see what’s ahead in the coming weeks. Rocky Mountain Chapter’s 2024 Star Award-winning Peak Awards gala is just around the corner on June 20. Both Prairie Provinces and Chicago MidWest Chapters have great golf events this month. Following up their fabulous, floral Derby event last month, California Capital is hosting an induction steam cooking Lunch & Learn on June 27. And in perfect CEU seasonality, two of our Chapters – Central New York and British Columbia – will hold double CEU events in the coming days.
Don’t forget to submit your Self-Nomination Form for 2025-2026 Membership Chair and Secretary/Treasurer positions. Looks like we’re in for an exciting election season as well, with many self-noms received in the first week. Keep them coming – July 31 is the deadline.
Here’s to a wonderful, successful June. We’ll see you on our monthly Chapter Officer calls very soon!
Best,
Kelly
Kelly Buchsbaum
Sr. Manager, Chapter Relations
