Two top designers sit down with NKBA | KBIS to explain why getting certified utilizing the reinvigorated NKBA | KBIS Certification Program will change the trajectory of designers’ careers.

Recognizing its members’ objectives and the needs of today’s design world in an ever-changing kitchen and bath industry, NKBA|KBIS transformed its longstanding Certification Program. This includes revisions to the CKBD program, the CMKBD program, and changes program-wide. NKBA|KBIS is one of the industry’s leaders in delivering the most current educational resources and certification programs for design professionals — and this restructuring is a reflection of the association’s commitment to provide its members with the information and education they need to be successful.

Judith Neary and Corey Klassen are two long time CMKBD members. Corey earned his certification in 2016; Judith completed hers in 2008. In addition to their design duties, they co-lecture around the United States teaching designers about the business of design. We sat down with them to learn why they believe getting certified elevated their careers and their businesses, and why they are working closely with NKBA|KBIS to continuously improve the certification program.

NKBA | KBIS: Why did you choose to get your CMKBD?

Judith: “I was interested in finding something that wasn’t typically mainstream. The value of certification is personally driven. You have to make that personal commitment. If you don’t make that personal commitment…you can’t achieve that personal commitment. I committed and it changed my career.”

Corey: “I felt behind the eight ball, since I started my design career later in life. I really felt like I needed something that was a gold star standard that said to clients ‘He really can do this.’ It was also a way of me having a portfolio without actually having a portfolio. And it was a way for me to advance myself professionally, and a way for me to gain higher earning projects.”

NKBA | KBIS: How has having the certification helped you?

Corey: “Earning design certifications are a huge differentiator when clients are comparing designers. It’s a huge competitive advantage. It’s also just helped make me a better designer, and it’s made me so much faster at what I’m doing.”

NKBA | KBIS: The Certification Reimagined Program launched in October 2022. How has the program changed since you first joined?

Judith: “Our industry has advanced technically. Clients’ standards have changed. If you look at the evolution of appliances, of plumbing, and of all the products we have in our homes, combined with the way that we all live now versus the past, everything is more technical and digital. Our industry is far more specialized than it used to be, and our certifications have to align with that. The new program upped the game for designers.”

NKBA | KBIS: What advice would you give to new designers who are wondering if they should get certified?

Corey: “It’s hard. But nothing that’s worth doing is easy. The reward of getting it is amazing. It helps you remain passionate about what you do, and I believe that lifelong learning is critical to success. The certification allows you to advance your career because you are challenging yourself.”

Judith: “There is a point in your career where you need to stop making it all about you and your pride. It’s about taking your personality out of the design and putting the homeowner’s personality into your design solution. The certification process teaches you how to do that successfully. It also taught me how to manage conflict as part of the project, which is something that all successful designers need to learn.”

Changes to the CKBD Program

• Participants must be an NKBA member to apply.
• It’s FREE to apply.
• Applications are accepted year-round (rolling).
• The entire program is completed online (study material to exams).
• Required exams are offered in the spring and fall period during designated times.
• Exams do not need to be completed in any specific order.
• Newly designed CKBD appellation digital image and certificates.

Changes to the CMKBD Program

• Candidates must have maintained their CKBD status for six consecutive years before applying.
• It’s FREE to apply online.
• Once approved, candidates will have one full year to validate the Eligibility Requirements that fall under Education, Professional, Work Experience, Master Portfolio Review and Master Profile criteria.
• Newly designed CMKBD appellation digital image and certificates. 

Program-Wide Changes

• Qualified candidates are based on education and work experience.
• The NKBA has created a specific curriculum track for each type of qualifying candidate.
• Purchase includes necessary coursework to complete the program and support by means of tutorials, instructional videos, practice exams, additional resources and much more.
• Candidates must complete the program in 12 months or less.
• Access to a Learning Management System (LMS) platform, separate from the NKBA website.
• The educational curriculum is aligned with current industry standards.

To learn more about the NKBA Certification Program, including the CKBD, CMKBD and other resources that can provide you with professional recognition, a competitive edge and expert knowledge, visit the NKBA Learning Department Page today. If you have any questions or need additional information on the program, please email certification@nkba.org.

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 now 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.

Enter today for the chance to win the NKBA | KBIS coveted annual design competition.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

Every year, NKBA | KBIS hosts its Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards at KBIS to recognize the best and brightest in the kitchen and bath industry. These awards celebrate the creativity, innovation and expertise of designers in these spaces, and they represent a significant achievement that brings prestige and visibility to the designers and firms involved. Submissions to enter the NKBA | KBIS 2025 Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards competition opened on May 13. Winners will receive a combined total of $100,000 in cash prizes, with the top prize of $20,000 awarded to Best Overall Bath and Best Overall Kitchen winners.

The awards program is open to NKBA | KBIS members and non-members and includes multiple categories that showcase exceptional kitchen and bath projects and designs. Entries are judged based on criteria including functionality, aesthetic, craftsmanship and overall design excellence.

In addition to being celebrated at KBIS, winners of the Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards receive various benefits, including industry recognition, media coverage, networking opportunities and exposure through NKBA | KBIS’ platforms and events. These awards not only commemorate exceptional talent but also contribute to the overall growth and advancement of the kitchen and bath industry by highlighting impressive design achievements and encouraging artistry and ingenuity in the field.

Make your mark in the kitchen and bath industry, earn your chance to win cash prizes and become a leader amongst your peers. Enter the NKBA | KBIS 2025 Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards design competition today! Click here for more information and to enter.

NKBA | KBIS asked the principals of Vancouver-based Knight Varga Interiors about the top trends in primary bath and powder room design — including their preferred materials and what clients request most often.

By Donna Heiderstadt

Trish Knight and Nicole Varga have their fingers on the pulse of luxury residential design. The principals of Vancouver-based Knight Varga Interiors believe that “leading a happy and healthy life begins at home,” and their design philosophy blends sophistication and livability in a collaborative process that is personalized to their clients’ needs and lifestyle. Business partners since 2019, they both work with each client from concept to completion, ensuring a hands-on approach that intentionally keeps their firm small and highly focused.

After winning first place in two bath categories — Primary Bath and Powder Room — at the 2024 NKBA | KBIS Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards in Las Vegas in February, the principals answered NKBA | KBIS’ five questions about smart technology, storage and timelessness in luxury bath and kitchen design — and what constitutes overall good design.

NKBA | KBIS: What are the most significant trends you’re seeing in primary bath design, and how will these trends influence the space’s design in the years ahead?

Trish Knight & Nicole Varga: The primary bath is no longer thought of as just a functional room. It has become a sanctuary that is as important as any other living space in the home.  Technology is being integrated in the form of smart toilets and digital shower systems that can be controlled from a phone — so placing power next to the toilet for a future smart toilet has become a standard on all our projects.

Integrating a spa experience into our client’s primary baths is equally important. This includes soaker tubs and large showers with multiple options like rain showers, handhelds, body sprays, steam and aromatherapy. Lastly, large format tiles have become a go-to on all our projects for ease of cleaning and luxury style. When a client’s budget allows, we like to clad all the walls in the bath with materials such as Dekton, quartz or porcelain. These three trends work together to create a timeless, luxurious experience for our clients in their homes.

NKBA | KBIS: How is main-floor powder room design evolving in the 2020s? What are the top things homeowners are looking for in a powder room?

Trish Knight & Nicole Varga: Designing a powder room is the perfect opportunity to express personality and have fun.  We love to add multiple wall details — such as stone, wood and wallpaper — as well as design unique sinks and get creative with the lighting. This is a space every guest will see when clients entertain, so making it memorable and luxurious is the number-one request.

The powder room is also often used daily by all family members, so durability and function are equally important. Other top powder room requests that we’re seeing are wall mounted toilets, integrated counters and sinks and wall-mounted faucets. The space’s location also needs to be discreet and allow for privacy. If possible, concealing the toilet from view when the door is open is preferable.

NKBA | KBIS: What are the three most significant requests from your clients when you discuss kitchen and bath design during a new build or renovation?

Trish Knight & Nicole Varga: Regardless of design aesthetic or budget, each of our projects begins with three basic assumptions that must be met: maximizing natural light for year-round enjoyment of the space; selecting durable, well-made materials from manufacturers with strong sustainability stories without compromising design; and planning for longevity since we look at each project as a long-term plan and choose materials, finishes and appliances accordingly. 

Our top kitchen requests are for chef kitchens and/or butler pantries. If space allows, clients love to have a separate area within the kitchen for meal prep, open storage and the ability to clean up. Clients also ask us to integrate the kitchen design into the rest of the home with finishes as elevated as the adjacent living and dining spaces, which is especially important in open-concept homes. Lastly, lots of appliances! With people entertaining more at home and placing a larger focus on healthy living, we find ourselves adding flexible appliances — like steam ovens, ice makers, beverage fridges and cooling drawers that can be set to multiple temperatures — in addition to large ranges, full fridges and freezers and multiple dishwashers.

In the bath, clients are requesting a separate room for the toilet, a shower large enough for two with individual showers set to each person’s preferences and separate storage when the bath is shared.

NKBA | KBIS: What is more challenging? Refurbishing a smaller space to fit all or most of a client’s needs or making a large, open plan space feel warm and inviting? Why?

Trish Knight & Nicole Varga: We enjoy working on both small and large spaces, and each has its challenges. In a small space, fitting in the “wish list” is a fun puzzle that forces us to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions. With large open concept spaces, warmth is created by layering textures and materials and ensuring there are cozy intimate spaces for every member of the family. This is definitely our specialty!

NKBA | KBIS: What constitutes good design? How do you most effectively blend your personal design aesthetic with the overall architecture or existing interior design in a client’s home?

Trish Knight & Nicole Varga: Good design is about creating spaces that are not just visually stunning but also functional and comfortable for everyday living. Achieving this balance requires a thoughtful approach that seamlessly integrates luxurious elements with practicality and common sense. In the open concept homes we’re known for, we balance materials, tones and textures while emphasizing timeless over trendy and always considering the environmental impact of the products selected.

Blending our personal design aesthetic with the overall architecture and design of a client’s home always begins with getting to know the client and their goals and familiarizing ourselves with the site or existing space, including landscape and views, as well as natural light opportunities. From there, we look for common ground between the client’s preferences, their home’s architecture and our design aesthetic. The goal is to create a cohesive, personalized vision exclusively for each client.

Dacor and NKBA | KBIS celebrated the association’s 60th anniversary in style at the Dacor Kitchen Theater at the Boardwalk in Irvine, CA.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

Dacor and NKBA | KBIS celebrated the association’s 60th anniversary last month at Dacor Kitchen Theater in Irvine, CA, with an exclusive private event that included tastings, trends and giveaways. Veronica Navarro, Manager, Dacor Showrooms & Brand Activations, welcomed guests to the NKBA award-winning Dacor showroom at the Boardwalk in Irvine. 

The event also featured an engaging panel discussion on emerging kitchen trends with leading designers Rona Graf of Grace Blu Interior Design and Joseph DeCasperis of Joseph DeCasperis Design and The High End Kitchen & Home. DeCasperis also serves as President of NKBA’s Southern California Chapter.

The onsite NKBA | KBIS team shared an exclusive first look at the association’s first ever Sustainability Trends in Kitchen and Bath Design Report, presented by NKBA | KBIS’ Kelly Buchsbaum, Sr. Manager, Chapter Relations. Angela Rath, Senior Manager, Business Development at NKBA | KBIS, hosted a Q&A session with LaRon Doucet, Jr., Senior Manager, Dacor Education & Training. Capping off the event, lauded designers Rona Graf and Joseph DeCasperis shared their personal sustainability ideas and those inspired by KBIS. 

During the event, Dacor’s team highlighted their latest introductions that blend design, innovation and technology, partnering them with special culinary and cocktail creations by Dacor’s chef and a guest mixologist. Attendees included designers, specifiers and architects from NKBA | KBIS’ Southern California and San Diego Chapters. 

The photos below showcase the highlights of the event.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Company News

Teaming with Tide: Electrolux, Samsung and GE Appliances partnered with Tide laundry detergent to designate these brands’ washing machines as Tide Cold Certified. This means they have features like cold or custom cycles tested by Tide scientists and are proven to deliver cleaner loads in cold water with Tide’s cold-formula detergent. Cold-water washing reduces energy use, saves money and extends clothing life, all of which contribute to more environmentally friendly laundry activity. KBB has more.

Niagara Donates Water-Saving Toilets: Niagara Conservation, a leading producer of water-saving toilets, revealed it will donate 100 toilets to an affordable housing developer. It’s part of a larger mission to reduce water consumption and help nonprofits and affordable housing projects redirect the savings toward improving their communities. The program marks 50 years of sustainable practices for the company, which has won more than 20 industry and EPA WaterSense® awards for its ingenuity in the last decade. Learn more here.

Water-Conservation Innovation: A Wrap-Up: In an article detailing the latest water-saving efforts of several NKBA|KBIS member manufacturers, Designers Today offered a roundup featuring LG Electronics USA’s washers and dishwashers, Moen’s smart home water security system, Kohler’s variable-flow showerhead and Duravit’s toilets. See the story here.

Natalia Pierce, CMKBD, Wins First KCMA Competition: Natalia Pierce, CMKBD, principal of Detail by Design in Ontario, Canada, earned the top prize for Kitchen Design in the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s first KCMA Design Awards competition. Pierce, who was NKBA|KBIS Ottawa Chapter’s president in 2022-2023, used cabinetry from NKBA member Cuisine Ideale. A panel of six judges included NKBA members Lance Stratton, Sharon L. Sherman, CKD, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, and Shea Pumarejo, CMKBD. Learn more about KCMA here.

Wellborn Cabinet Taps CEO: Dennis Easter was named CEO of Wellborn Cabinet, assuming the role held by Paul Wellborn, who remains president and chairman of the family-owned business. Most recently, Easter was vice president of global commercial operations at Koch Engineered Solutions, and prior to that held leadership roles at Georgia-Pacific, Coca-Cola CO. and Procter & Gamble. Designers Today has more.

Industry News 

Green Home Coach Advocates Certification: To help homeowners and design and building pros create healthier, more comfortable living environments, Marla Esser Cloos, founder of Green Home Coach, outlined the benefits of sustainable certifications through reputable third-party organizations like ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, Pearl Certification or GreenStar Homes. These programs offer assurance that a home meets rigorous standards for sustainability and performance, including eco-friendly materials, energy efficiency, water conservation and more. Learn more here.

Wright Foundation Commissions Sustainable Makeover: The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation enlisted design firm Sasaki to create a comprehensive master plan merging heritage with sustainability for the iconic architect’s Taliesin West compound in Scottsdale, AZ. A blueprint for future work on the property, the plan respects local ecology, minimizes impact on the ecosystem, examines the impact of climate change on native plant communities and prioritizes sustainable design practices —in sync with Wright’s ethos of innovation and environmental sensitivity. Architect has more.