Spending on all types of construction projects, both residential and nonresidential, rose by 0.3 percent in March to an annual rate of $1.8 trillion. Following the pattern seen over the previous twelve months of nonresidential spending rising and residential spending falling, nonresidential rose by 0.7 percent to $997 billion, while residential fell by 0.2 percent to $838 billion.
Spending on residential projects — which include both new housing and homeowner remodeling — reached a peak of $945 billion in May of last year. Since then, it has fallen by 12.4 percent. This spending accounted for 45.7 percent of the entire construction market, with nearly all residential spending dollars attributed to private projects, making up $828 billion out of the total $838 billion. Within the private sector, residential represented 58 percent of the total.
In March, spending on single family housing, the largest of the three residential components, was down by 0.8 percent to $366 billion. This was the eleventh consecutive monthly decline. Year over year, single family housing was down by 22.9 percent. Single family housing construction represented 44 percent of the residential market.
Multifamily housing spending rose in March by 0.4 percent to $123 billion. This was the smallest increase since July of last year. Multifamily spending accounted for 15 percent of the residential construction market.
Spending on remodeling projects by homeowners rose by 0.3 percent in March to $338 billion. Despite this increase, spending was 2.0 percent lower than in the previous year. Remodeling constituted 41 percent of the residential construction market.
Outside of residential construction spending, the nonresidential construction spending category of lodging projects also impacts our members directly. Lodging facilities — such as hotels, motels, casino-hotels and the like — involve a more intensive use of K&B products and services. In March, construction spending on such facilities was flat at $22 billion. Nonetheless, spending was 38.9 percent higher than in the previous year.
NKBA’s Sustainability Month initiatives seek to provide ideas and solutions for the kitchen and bath industry.
By Seth Ellison
The kitchen and bath industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and with rapid expansion comes the responsibility for providing more sustainable solutions. Recognizing the need for more dialogue and information in this space, NKBA launched Sustainability Month. Throughout April of 2023, the association also offered a variety of educational resources on its website — webinars, events, insightful articles and interviews with some of the top figures in K&B — relating to sustainability, giving members and industry leaders a clear path toward becoming advocates for environmental change and practical guidance on how to integrate sustainable design practices into their own businesses. The initiative culminated in its first-ever Sustainability Summit, which provided considerable insight into environmentally-friendly design, ideas, strategies and solutions.
The NKBA Sustainability Summit: Leading the Charge
The most anticipated event of Sustainability Month was undoubtedly the virtual Sustainability Summit, held on April 27, 2023, which featured insightful discussions composed of panels of prominent industry leaders and experts. Attendees were provided with valuable knowledge on sustainable practices that not only contribute to the betterment of the environment but also to the benefit of their clients and companies. The sessions were interactive, featuring live audience Q&A, interactive polls and prize giveaways, making it an engaging and exciting event for all participants.
Kicking off the summit was the “NKBA Research: Sustainability Market Trends” presentation, led by Pam McNally, SVP, Marketing + Digital, NKBA | KBIS. McNally drew on her vast industry knowledge and authoritative research-based sources to explore the latest trends in sustainable design. The research presented showed that sustainable design is becoming increasingly popular among consumers, with a significant percentage of homeowners expressing interest in eco-friendly kitchens and bathrooms.
“First off, I think it’s important to know that the majority of designers today at least consider sustainability in recommending products to clients,” McNally said. “What’s interesting is that this number was much lower a couple of years ago.” Furthermore, the discussion showed how their clients were also willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, highlighting the growing demand for these options.
Another insightful session was “The Luxury Client: What’s Sustainability Got to Do With It?,” which explored the role of sustainability in the sale of high-end homes. McNally and top luxury realtor Carrie McCormick provided insights into the factors that clients consider when evaluating sustainable design options for their luxury homes. The session also emphasized how integrating sustainable elements into a home can enhance its value and appeal to potential buyers, indicating that clients are willing to invest in environmentally-conscious features.
“Buyers tend to align themselves with products and companies that share their life goals,” McCormick said. “They are also willing to pay a premium for sustainable materials as they consider the longevity of such materials, which require minimal maintenance or repairs due to their durability. These materials are built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements or repairs, making them an attractive investment for buyers.”
Additionally, the summit offered practical strategies for building a sustainable design practice with its keynote presentation, “Getting Creative with Sustainable Design.” The discussion was moderated by Avinash Rajagopal, Editor in Chief of Metropolis Magazine, and featured a panel of industry experts, including Laurence Carr, Principal of Laurence Carr, Inc; Michael Ingui, Partner with Baxt Ingui Architects; and Dan Rockhill, Distinguished Professor of Architecture at University of Kansas and Principal of Rockhill and Associates. Rather than focusing on what ‘not to do,’ Rajagopal and his guests explored how to unlock opportunities that emerge from sustainable design, highlighting the multiple benefits it offers. For example, Michael Ingui discussed the benefits of a passive house (a highly energy-efficient building standard): “By building a passive house, a construction noted for energy conservation, you open up design features. Not only does it conserve energy by up to 70 percent, it is also a healthier and quieter home.”
The final presentation, “The Evolution of Renovation Angel: Scaling Sustainability,” featured Renovation Angel’s CEO and NKBA Kitchen + Bath Hall of Fame inductee Steve Feldman and Renovaiton Angel Board Member Tzaras Christon. They shared their mission of repurposing kitchens and appliances with a white-glove approach and discussed the planned expansion of their companies nationwide. The two presenters also emphasized the importance of sustainable design, environmental entrepreneurship and the potential of the kitchen and bath industry to lead the way in building a circular economy.
“The kitchen and bath areas are responsible for a significant proportion of landfill waste, accounting for between 20 and 30 percent of all waste from construction, with a significant portion coming from kitchens,” said Christon. “By reducing waste in these areas, we have the opportunity to tackle this environmental issue effectively.”
Overall, the Sustainability Month campaign demonstrated the NKBA’s commitment to promoting sustainable design practices within the industry and providing valuable resources and insights for professionals to incorporate sustainability into their businesses. As the industry continues to prioritize sustainability, initiatives like the Sustainability Month campaign will be vital in driving progress toward a more environmentally responsible future.
We invite you to visit NKBA’s Sustainability Month Page here and also to view its first-ever Sustainability Summit On-Demand here.
Photo by Amy Bartlam. Design by Four Point Design Build.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
LG earns EPA honor: LG Electronics has been named 2023 Energy Star® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. The honor recognizes the company’s commitment to protecting the environment and tackling climate change through the manufacturing and promotion of Energy Star-certified products. Last year, LG saw double-digit growth in the number of its certified appliances. The EPA said LG’s “most efficient 2022” products are expected to save more than 482 million pounds of CO2 emissions. This is the 10th time since 2012 that LG has been named Partner of the Year. More details here.
Cambria opens near Atlanta: Quartz manufacturer Cambria has opened a sales and distribution center in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth. The 22,750-square-foot facility is open to the public and showcases full slabs and a portfolio of more than 1,000 samples, including Cambria’s newest Alloy collection, featuring brass and steel-metallic-looking veining. The new center is the Le Sueur, MN-based company’s 22nd location across the country. KBB has the story.
Photo courtesy of Ngoc Minh Ngo.
NKBA members sponsor Kips Bay Show House: After a three-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Kips Bay Decorator Show House will make its 48th return to New York’s Upper West Side this May. The event runs from May 11 through June 6, in the historic River Mansion at 337 Riverside Drive, and will showcase the work of 22 leading interior designers. Sponsors include NKBA members Kohler Co., Benjamin Moore, JennAir and Cosentino. Opening night tickets start at $300, with general admission tickets starting at $40. Proceeds will benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Learn more here.
Photo by Amy Bartlam. Design by Four Point Design Build.
Ferguson partners in Pasadena: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery is sponsoring the Pasadena Showcase House of the Arts for the seventh year at the Stewart House — a 1933 grand colonial estate — from April 23 through May 21. Ferguson is providing a range of appliances, lighting and plumbing products in support of six design studios that are decorating the home’s interior and guesthouse. Tickets start at $35. More info here.
Industry News
Boomers outperform millennials in home-buying: For the first time since 2012, baby boomers became the largest share of homebuyers last year, according to the National Association of Realtors. Boomers bought 39 percent of all homes between July 2021 and June 2022, up from 29 percent the year before. Millennials, on the other hand — who are in their peak home-buying, equity-building years — saw their market share shrink to 28 percent from 43 percent during the same period. What does this mean? Remodelers should keep the older crowd in mind when looking for new business. Business Insider has more.
Image courtesy of ICON.
3D design competition: Texas construction technology company ICON is accepting entries for its Initiative 99 global competition. The contest invites architects and designers to compete for a $1 million prize by submitting proposals for homes that can be built using a 3D printer within a $99,000 budget. Learn more at ICON.
Image courtesy of Crate & Barrel.
Leanne Ford expands Crate & Barrel line: HGTV renovation star Leanne Ford and Crate & Barrel have expanded their successful collaboration with a new line of outdoor furniture, which includes dining and coffee tables, lounges and dinnerware for outdoor kitchens and living spaces. This is the fourth collection between Ford and Crate & Barrel. Learn more here.
Chapter News
Columbus to Columbus: Join the Central Ohio Chapter on a field trip May 5 from Columbus, OH, to Columbus, IN — a city known for its modern architecture and public art — for a walking tour and brunch at the Columbus Pump House, 148 Lindsey Street, Columbus, IN. There is no cost to attend but registration is required, and carpool reimbursement is available. The chapter is also holding a photo contest with cash prizes for the best images from the walking tour. Earn 0.1 CEU for the day, which is sponsored by DeCenzo Co. and Florida Tile. More info here.
Culinary delights in Central Florida: The Central Florida Chapter is hosting “Celebrate Dad, Celebrate Summer,” a Father’s Day culinary experience with guest chef Olivia Clulow. The chef’s speciality is showcasing ingredients through healthy cuisine, and she will be sharing her summer-themed recipes with attendees. The event follows the monthly chapter meeting on May 18 and is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m., at the Epicurean Theater, 1207 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL. Hosted by Wolf, Sub-Zero and Cove, attendance is limited to 35. NKBA members are $20, non-members are $25 and students are $18. More info and registration here.
Round 1 – Judges will review the projects on creativity, innovation as well as Wow factor.
Round 2 – The judging panel will be comprised of NKBA-certified designers. Those who move onto Round 2 will be notified in mid-August. Round 2 of the competition is tentatively set to run from August 25 through September 7.
NKBA Members: First project entry is $175; Second project is $150 an each subsequent entry is $100 per project.
Non-Members: First project entry is $225, while the second project submission is $200 and each subsequent entry is $175 per project.
The individual entrant must be the Designer of Record on each project. There is a maximum of two co-designers for each project.
If the entrant is not the owner of the business that billed the project, owner approval is required for eligibility.
The project(s) submitted must have been installed between January 1, 2024 and July 25, 2025.
Enter the project into the one category for which it is best suited, based on size and style. You may enter as many projects as you would like that fit into the various categories.
A new entry form is required for each project submitted and is to be completed in full. Each entry requires a separate fee.
Entries must be received in their entirety by August 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET with the entry fee paid in full.
All identifying design/firm information must be removed or blacked out from photographs, floor plans, elevations and design statements.
All required materials must be received digitally and labeled according to NKBA directions.
Please use this as a guide when preparing your design statement.
All design statements must be typed.
Do not include any identifying member information such as:
Client name
Client address
Business name
Business address
Statements should be 200-400 word statements that outline the client needs, objectives, design philosophy, challenges, solutions and special circumstances (think of the design statement you’d pitch to a magazine).
Objectives: Outlines criteria to be met by your design solution
Create casual dining for large family.
Update to contemporary tastes of clients.
Provide healing options for a sick family.
Create multigenerational kitchen.
Design Challenges: Describe fixed elements or special circumstances
Design space around support posts, air ducts, plumbing, etc.
Include client’s sports souvenirs collection.
Design Solutions: Describe how you creatively solved the challenges, for example:
Used negative space between air ducts and created storage space.
Special Features: Highlight design elements that are unique or notable, for example:
Technology and voice activation.
Repurposed wood from the dance studio where client danced as a child.
To present your entry in the best way, please use the above guidelines to assist in creating a concise, effective design statement. This will help to ensure that the judges have a good understanding of your project. It can be written as a narrative, a comprehensive bulleted list or a combination of both.
Any materials are omitted or if the required criteria is not met, the entry will be disqualified. No notification will be given. NKBA reserves the right to disqualify a project, pre, during and after the contest judging. Entry fees will not be refunded.
You state you are an NKBA member and we find this to be false.
Your submission is not received by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 17, 2025. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
You do not adhere to all competition guidelines, requirements and deadlines.
You do not submit all documentation in one digital submission.
To enter your project(s) in the 2026 NKBA | KBIS Design Competition, click here.
To view the 2025 NKBA Professional Design Competition Award Winners, click here.
NKBA | KBIS Design + Industry Awards Finalists Announced in September 2025.
Volunteers pitching in and cleaning up garbage. Courtesy of Intermountain Healthcare.
In honor of National Volunteer Month, NKBA checked in with past Chapter Star Award winners to ask what volunteering means to them.
April is National Volunteer Month, so we would like to take the time to celebrate and recognize the incredible contributions made by our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and selflessness. NKBA is an organization that has a long history of volunteerism, and our members are the backbone of the association. From the Chapter to the National levels, NKBA’s officers volunteer their time to further the success of their fellow members, chapters, NKBA and the greater K&B industry. Members have also participated in projects developed by NKBA’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity, as well as ones in their local communities, such as food drives, school supply donation drives, and healthy food and clean water access initiatives.
NKBA’s Chapter Star Awards recognizes the officers from among NKBA’s 71 chapters in North America who have excelled over the past in inspiring and leading their members and for their dedication to the association. Here is what a few Star Award winners had to say about making a difference for the NBKA and their communities.
“Volunteering is a calling to serve a group or a cause with the belief that every one of us in our small way can help make a positive impact for the better of the whole. I volunteer with that belief and have been an active volunteer in my home communities, in my children’s schools and in my professional community for years. I volunteer because I believe in our NKBA community and I want to see it grow. The NKBA is a dedicated organization with so much success over the years and yet I see a willingness to continue to grow, evolve, strive and push for even more success for our Kitchen & Bath community. I feel excited and honored to be a small part of that success as the President of the Northern California Chapter. Each one of us is a tiny ripple in the water, but with enough of us working together we can make waves.”
Nureed Saeed Owner/Creative Director, Nu Interiors President, NKBA Northern California Chapter
“Besides the well-known fact that volunteering has such a positive effect on your community, there are also some benefits to you as a volunteer. You can learn valuable life and social skills, boost your view of self-worth and have a greater sense of community and purpose. As a Virginia Tech graduate, I always circle back to our school motto: Ut Prosim — That I May Serve. Being honored as the NKBA Texas North Plains Chapter Programs Chair is one of the ways that I do this, and I’ve seen the benefits of how our council has rallied our members back together over the past few hectic years, and how we each constantly learn from one another. I find it so important to give back, and specifically within the NKBA: an organization that has given me so much, from my education, career advancement opportunities, recognition, certification and — honestly — a home in this crazy yet lovable Kitchen and Bath Industry.”
Rebecca Sutton, CMKBD, CKBE Residential Designer/Social Media Coordinator, Kitchen Design Concepts Programs Chair, NKBA Texas North Plains Chapter
“I have volunteered on various committees and on the council since I graduated from design school fifteen years ago. As a small independent designer, volunteering with my local chapter has expanded my professional network of designers, trade reps and businesses that I normally would not have an opportunity to meet. I have made lifelong friends and work relationships through my involvement on committees and the council over the years.
Having been a second-career design student myself and then volunteering with my local chapter, I cherish the opportunity to encourage and support the next generation of kitchen and bath designers. It’s wonderful to give back as the council did for me.
Volunteering with The Northern California Chapter allows me to have a larger impact by guiding our philanthropic actions and donations each year.”
“Volunteerism, to me personally, means the giving of your time and energy to make your community a better place. The community of the NKBA helps to provide fellow industry members with an opportunity to get together and learn and share knowledge about the trade that we all are passionate about. It allows us to work together as a family to make our industry of design and the many related trades more honest and admirable. Volunteerism is a way to create great professional connections and friendships which I have had the pleasure of experiencing being involved with our Olympic West Sound Chapter! I am very blessed to work with such committed fellow board members that give so much of themselves, which makes my time volunteering so meaningful.”
Sylvia Stanchina Interior Designer, Total Design Spaces Communications Chair, NKBA Olympic – West Sound Chapter
Angi is offering a limited-time only promotion to the association’s members.
By Seth Ellison
Through NKBA’s partnership with Angi, members now have a chance to receive a 25 percent discount on a one-time bundle and waived membership ($288 value), along with a 10 percent quarterly rebate. The offer is valid through April 30.
Used by millions of homeowners, Angi enables businesses to seamlessly connect with their target audience and grow their customer base. Professional service providers can use the platform to build and market their businesses by receiving leads targeted to their job type and location. This ensures they have a higher chance of winning jobs and beating the competition.
Additionally, businesses can optimize their leads by targeting larger areas or single ZIP codes based on their preferences, while collecting and responding to reviews to build their reputation. Businesses can also get personalized advice from their account manager to align their marketing and business goals as well as manage their business on the go with the Angi Pro Leads app.
Go here to take advantage of Angi’s NKBA member-only special offer before April 30.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, sales at retail stores fell by 1.2 percent in March to $598.6 billion, a reduction from the all-time sales high of $605.6 billion reached in February. This is an economic metric that tracks consumer demand for finished goods. Sales were either flat or down in four of the last five months. Compared to a year earlier, sales in March were 1.6 percent higher.
Sales were down across most categories, except for four of them. Internet & Mail Order sales saw the highest month over month increase, rising by 1.9 percent — and they were also up by 12.4 percent from the previous year. Sales were $115.6 billion, representing almost one in five retail dollars (19 percent).
Health & Personal Care stores sales went up by 0.3 percent in March, rising to $35 billion. Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instruments & Bookstores had sales of $9.4 billion, which were up 0.2 percent. Restaurants & Bars, totalling $93.1 billion sales, increased by 0.1 percent.
The sales data identified only two categories that are of primary interest to our membership: Building Materialsand Electronics and Appliances. Sales at building materials stores, which also include garden equipment and supply dealers, fell by 2.1 percent in March to $41.5 billion. Sales of building materials have declined since October, when they reached their highest volume ever at $43.5 billion.
Electronics & Appliances stores sales fell by 2.1 percent to $6.9 billion. Sales in this group fell every month since May of last year — with the exception of January, when they were up 5.9 percent. In general, sales at specialized outlets such as Electronics & Appliances stores have lost market share to internet websites and home improvement stores.
On an annual basis, Restaurants & Barssaw the largest gain in sales, rising by 13.9 percent and totalling $93.1 billion. Another category with a large gain was Food & Beverage, which generated $81.3 billion in sales, up by 5.6 percent year-over-year. The largest store type within the Food & Beverage group is Grocery Stores, which accounted for $72.9 billion and was up 5.8 percent.
There was a sharp drop in the number of jobs open in the first two months of this year. In February, there were a total of 9.93 million open jobs, and in January, there were 10.56 million — while in December 2022, there were 11.23 million. Additionally, there were 2.1 million fewer open jobs available in February than the peak number of jobs available in March 2022.
The highest number of openings were in health fields, with 1.68 million jobs available. This number represented one in six of all open jobs, or 17 percent of the total. Even though employment in health has recovered all the jobs that were lost during the pandemic, this industry is still facing a large need for workers.
The hospitality sector saw the second-highest number of openings: 1.3 million available jobs. But unlike the health sector, employment in hospitality was still lagging behind pre-pandemic levels by 2.4 percent. There were 14.1 million jobs in the hospitality industry — and the vast majority of them (almost nine in 10) were in “food service” establishments, such as bars, cafeterias, etc., with the remainder being hotel jobs.
Among categories closer to some of our members’ businesses, there were 412 thousand openings in construction, accounting for 4.1 percent of all job openings in February. Compared to the previous month, job openings rose by 129 thousand. The construction sector saw 349 thousand job separations (156 thousand of which were persons quitting their job) and 369 thousand hirings. Compared to a year earlier — when the construction industry had 421 thousand openings — the number of open jobs in February was slightly lower.
Government, including all levels, had nearly one million available jobs, accounting for about 10 percent of job openings. The vast majority of these jobs were at the state and local levels, 86 percent of the total. Out of these, one-third were at state and local educational institutions.
Other areas with a large number of available jobs were retail businesses, with 829 thousand openings, and Manufacturing, which had 694 thousand open jobs.
Spring is here and we cannot wait for warmer weather and outdoor entertaining. In anticipation of our upcoming Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Summit on May 18, 2023, we are publishing a special NKBA ‘members only’ cookbook featuring outdoor cooking recipes.
Submit Your Recipe
Do you love cooking and entertaining outside? We want to publish your favorite outdoor-inspired recipes and share them with the association.
To participate, you must be an NKBA member and your recipe must also be your own — meaning an original or a family favorite. From refreshing salads to guilty-pleasure desserts to mouth-watering mains, submissions are open to all diets and tastes — whether you are a carnivore, omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan – we want to hear from you!
If selected, we will send you a free copy, and of course, you get the bragging rights. So if you have something you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you, as we celebrate all things al fresco!
The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.4 percent in February, close to the average monthly increase seen over the last six months. Year over year, the CPI registered a 6.0 percent increase. The pace of annual inflation slowed down, with the annual CPI growth almost half a percentage point lower than January’s annual increase of 6.4 percent.
Core inflation — which excludes the more volatile energy and food prices — pointed to faster inflation in February. Core prices increased by 0.5 percent, higher than the previous two months when they grew by 0.4 percent each month. Core inflation has risen over the last four months.
Consumer prices for housing products and services also rose by 0.5 percent in February. This was slightly higher than the overall CPI increase, but lower than the 0.7 percent average of the previous 12 months. On an annual basis, the housing CPI grew by 8.2 percent, a shade below the 8.3 percent recorded in January — yet these two months have seen the highest annual increase since 1982.
Among product categories closer to some of our members’ businesses, the Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers price data for three products: Appliances, Windows and Flooring. Annual inflation for Appliances rose to just 1.6 percent in February, up from 1.4 percent the previous month. For major appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers, which are more dependent on new housing construction, annual inflation was down 5.9 percent. In contrast, prices for other appliances such as microwaves were up 6.2 percent from a year earlier.
Window prices were down 3.3 percent in February, following an increase of 5.8 percent in January. Yet, annual inflation increased over the last four months — rising to 2.4 percent in November 2022, 3.2 percent in December 2022, 7.2 percent in January of this year, and, finally, to 9.7 percent in February.
Prices for Flooring products went up by 0.3 percent in February, bringing annual inflation to 8.4 percent. As high as it may seem, however, annual inflation was nearly 15 percent lower than it was just six months ago.
Photos of Kingsborough Community College’s “Food for Thought Food Pantry” and their new refrigeration from LG!
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
LG teams up with Swipe Out Hunger: LG Electronics USA has partnered with Swipe Out Hunger, a non-profit that addresses student food insecurity, to provide healthy meals to more than 500,000 college students in need. The program seeks to raise awareness and ensure that food pantries on campuses around the country have appropriate refrigeration. LG is providing 120 refrigerators to 60 campuses in Swipe Out Hunger’s network and will stock them with healthy foods and provide grants to an additional 40 schools to upgrade their current refrigeration. Learn more here.
Delta Faucet talks KBIS trends: As part of its Pipeline webinar series and community network, Delta Faucet Co. hosted a discussion last week on several themes selected from KBIS. Faye Adams, corporate learning lead for Delta, examined trends offered by Elle H-Millard, CKD, CLIPP, corporate learning lead for DFC, and Allison Fannin, designer and construction project manager of Two Thirty-Five Designs and a member of the Design Hounds trendspotting team. Among the key topics were lifestyle shifts toward health and wellness, clutter-free ease and convenience, creating luxurious spaces and more. To view the webinar, visit PipelinebyDFC.com.
Image courtesy of Thor Kitchen
Thor’s latest tilt: Thor Kitchen has introduced a new style of electric ranges as part of its portfolio of energy-efficient cooking appliances. Tilt Panel Professional Electric Ranges feature a touch-control motorized panel that adjusts the viewing angle for better accessibility and functionality. The range comes in a 30- or 36-inch width, features a cooktop with five heating elements and an oven with multiple cooking options. More info here.
Image courtesy of Egger Woods
Egger expands: Egger Wood Products has invested $21 million to expand capacity on its thermally-fused laminate production capacity by 50 percent in its Lexington, NC, factory — bumping production to more than 155 million square feet per year and alleviating supply chain and logistical challenges. Egger said it will also invest an additional $22 million to install a decorative paper impregnation line. The new lamination and impregnation lines will add 40 new jobs and cut lead times significantly. KBB has more.
Trade Events
Lumens to Host Women in Design Summit: Lighting specialist Lumens is hosting a virtual Women in Design Summit, March 28, starting at 9 a.m. (PT). The live virtual summit will feature conversations with design industry thought leaders moderated by Lumens SVP of Growth & Innovation Patricia Kittredge and also featuring designers Patricia Urquiola, Thabisa Mjo, Rosie Li, Lucie Koldova, Constance Guisset, Jette Scheib and Emiliana Martinelli. The second panel, The Business of Design, will be moderated by Lumens CEO Laura Walsh and includes executives and curators Roberta Silva, Carlotta de Bevilacqua, Joana Bover, Amelie Du Passage and Benedicte Collod. The webinars are part of the Lumens Trade Education Program and are CEU-qualified. More info and registration here.
Image via Salone del Mobile.
Salone del Mobile set for April: The Salone del Mobile trade fair in Milan is set for April 18-23 at the Rho Fairgrounds. The mega-show showcases all major aspects of interior design, furniture, home accessories and includes kitchen cabinetry, storage, appliances, spa and bath products and more. To register and for more info, go here.
Image courtesy of Coverings
Coverings heads to Orlando: Coverings, North America’s largest trade show dedicated to the international tile and stone materials, takes place April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Its three main sponsors include Ceramics of Italy (COI), Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and Tile of Spain (TOS), and it will include a presentation of a robust expo of the newest tile, stone and installation products by more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries — plus educational workshops, show tours, on-demand content and more. Additional info here.
People News
Gower to lead Smeg U.S.: Rod Gower has been named general manager for U.S. operations of Italian appliance maker Smeg. Gower joins Smeg from LG, where he held leadership roles and was instrumental in building its luxury Signature Kitchen Suite brand and the LG Builder Channel. Smeg is known for its sleek Italian design and engineering, retro styling and collaborations with Fiat and Dolce & Gabbana and licensing Disney and Peanuts characters. More Info here.
James Simon Galerie in Berlin. Photo by Simon Menges
Chipperfield wins Pritzker: British architect David Chipperfield has won the 2023 Pritzker Architecture Prize for his work spanning four decades. The selection jury praised him for his “commitment to an architecture of understated but transformative civic presence.” He is the founder of David Chipperfield Architects in London and has offices in Berlin, Milan, Shanghai and Santiago de Compostela. Dezeen has more.
Lauren Santo Domingo. Courtesy of Tiffany & Co
Tiffany & Co. taps home director: Iconic jeweler Tiffany & Co. has appointed Lauren Santo Domingo as its first artistic director for the home category. Santo Domingo, cofounder and chief brand officer for Moda Operandi, is working in partnership with Tiffany’s housewares design and production team in an advisory capacity, according to Women’s Wear Daily. The appointment signals a push in home furnishings, which include tabletop, glassware, Limoges porcelain, Murano hand-blown glass and more. WWD has the story.
Chapter News
Queen’s Cup in Carolina: The Carolina Chapter will be hosting its annual VIP tent at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase at Brooklandwood racetrack in Mineral Springs, NC. The event takes place on April 29, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., in the exclusive Member’s Hill area with badge-only admittance. NKBA guests have all-inclusive access to food and an open bar. Members are $300, non-members are $450 for tent access. Limited VIP parking passes are $50. Sponsored by Ferguson, proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. More info and tickets here.
High Point x Design hosts the first-ever short-term rental summit at the High Point Market.
By Seth Ellison
Call them what you want: Airbnb, Vrbo or short-term/vacation rentals. What’s not debatable is their importance in today’s rental market, which translates into big business for interior designers. Next month, High Point x Design (HPxD) and High Point Market Authority will host a two-day summit, Vacation Rental Design (VRD) Summit, taking a deep dive into the role design and interior designers play in short-term rental success.
Last month at KBIS 2023, the NEXT Stage hosted a panel, Emerging Market: Designing for Short-term Rental Market, moderated by Jane Dagmi, Managing Director of High Point x Design (HPxD), which provided insight into the subject. During the panel, they discussed how designers could make vacation rentals attain their full potential in a $20 billion market that will reach 1.45 million properties this year.
In addition to great photographs of the rental, exceptional amenities and integrated smart technology, the panel agreed that kitchen and bath design is key to selling the space, ensuring re-bookings and making more income from the property. This is because that’s where people see the value and gain inspiration in a property. Renters ultimately want a fantasy different from what they have at home.
Register for the Vacation Rental Design Summit
The panel discussion at KBIS 2023 was just the warm-up for the Vacation Rental Design (VRD) Summit in High Point, NC, which will unpack this fast-paced hybrid segment of design and celebrate the possibilities, including logistics, sourcing, profitability, technology, branding, photography and more. During the event, NKBA’s SVP of Marketing + Digital, Pam McNally, will speak on vacation rental trends and moderate a panel recapping KBIS.
To register for the Vacation Rental Design Summit at Highpoint, click here. Make sure to enter the special NKBA discount code: NKBA2023VRDS. Valid through March 31st for NKBA members only.
Spring is here and we cannot wait for warmer weather and outdoor entertaining. In anticipation of our upcoming Luxury Outdoor Kitchen Summit on May 18, 2023, we are publishing a special NKBA ‘members only’ cookbook featuring outdoor cooking recipes.
Submit Your Recipe
Do you love cooking and entertaining outside? We want to publish your favorite outdoor-inspired recipes and share them with the association.
To participate, you must be an NKBA member and your recipe must also be your own — meaning an original or a family favorite. From refreshing salads to guilty-pleasure desserts to mouth-watering mains, submissions are open to all diets and tastes — whether you are a carnivore, omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan – we want to hear from you!
If selected, we will send you a free copy, and of course, you get the bragging rights. The submissions close on April 13, 2023, so if you have something you’d like t share, we’d love to hear from you, as we celebrate all things al fresco!
According to the Monthly Construction Report released on March 1, 2023 by the U.S. Census Bureau, the residential construction spending annual rate fell by 0.6 percent to $847 billion this January, continuing the eight month decline that started last May. During this period of decline, spending went down by nearly one hundred billion dollars. However, January also saw a rise in homeowners’ spending on remodeling and improvement of their properties.
The contraction in residential spending was due to the fall in construction of new single family houses. This component fell by 1.7 percent in January to $374 billion. In contrast, the other two components — construction of new multifamily housing units and homeowner remodeling — actually rose, partly offsetting the single family drop.
Multifamily housing rose, but by only 0.4 percent, the smallest monthly increase in five months. Still, it did bring the value of spending to a $121 billion annual rate — 20 percent higher than it was in January 2022.
Homeowners’ spending on remodeling and improvement of their properties also rose in January, but by just 0.3 percent to $352 billion. This rate of spending was 7 percent lower than in the middle of last year, when homeowners were spending at a $379 billion annual rate. Despite the slower pace, however, homeowners were spending more than twice as much as pre-pandemic levels.
Unlike residential construction, nonresidential sector spending increased in January by nearly one percent. Total spending on private non-residential buildings rose 0.9 percent to $595 billion. This is the highest level of spending ever, up 19 percent from a year earlier.
The construction of manufacturing buildings component accounted for nearly a quarter of total nonresidential spending in January, with a spending rate of $139 billion. Spending in January was 6 percent higher than in the previous month, and a whopping 53 percent higher than in the previous year.
As for construction of commercial buildings, this component rose by 4.7 percent in January to $121 billion. Commercial construction includes all types of retail establishments, such as shopping malls, restaurants, grocery stores and auto dealerships. Spending on all commercial buildings was up 22 percent from the previous year.
Closer to our industry, spending on construction of Building Supply Stores rose by 1.5 percent in January to a $1.32 billion annual rate. January’s spending pace was the highest since 2009, but it was still less than half the annual average maintained in the first decade of this century ($2.66 billion).
Lodging and Office buildings, two nonresidential building types that generate business for many of our members, saw construction spending rise compared to a year ago. Spending on construction of lodging buildings (hotels, for example) was up 41 percent, amounting to $21.6 billion. Despite these gains, lodging buildings construction was still one third below its pre-pandemic levels.
Office buildings construction was up by a smaller yet robust 14.5 percent in the same period, reaching $83 billion in January. Unlike hotels and motels, construction of office buildings nearly recovered to its pre-pandemic level of $85 billion. However, the uncertainty surrounding businesses’ decision for workers to ‘return to the office’ may limit gains in office construction.
Samsung’s fridge art: Samsung introduced its Bespoke line a couple of years ago, allowing homeowners to customize the refrigerators by using interchangeable panels with different colors and finishes. Its latest version, MyBespoke, allows consumers to upload their own images, photography or artwork to create custom panels, and also offers prints by artist Matt Jacobson to use. More info at Samsung here.
DXV partners with Siriano: Fashion designer Christian Siriano revealed his collaboration with luxury kitchen and bath brand DXV, part of the LIXIL portfolio, for a limited-edition collection of luxe bathrobes and hand towels. Siriano unveiled the collection, his first foray into home goods, during New York Fashion Week in February. He was inspired by his own home renovation in Easton, CT, in which he installed DXV’s Belshire Collection. The towels and robes reflect the fixtures with golden trim and unique fabric detailing, evoking the opulence of the 1920s Golden Era. Learn more here.
People News
Henkes returns to SieMatic: Hans Henkes, a longtime leader in the kitchen and bath manufacturing space, has rejoined SieMatic North America as president and CEO. Henkes previously helmed the premium kitchen cabinetry manufacturer from 2008 to 2017, driving the company to record sales growth. SieMatic, based in Germany, markets four style collections — PURE, URBAN, CLASSIC and MONDIAL — in more than 60 countries. More info here.
NARI CEO Departs: After just seven months, Christine Melendes has stepped down as CEO of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. NARI has experienced some turbulence in the past few years, with management changes and several of its local chapters breaking off from the national organization. Melendes, who joined last July, is the association’s third CEO in less than five years. Chief Operating Officer Elsie Iturralde will serve as interim CEO while NARI conducts a search for a successor. More about NARI here.
Industry News
KCMA continues green efforts: After announcing a partnership with Climate Positive NOWTM last month, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has implemented a plan to assure kitchen and bath showrooms that their lines are environmentally responsible. Through a rigorous testing process, the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) certifies that KCMA members are compliant with air quality and pollution prevention through documented energy conservation programs. At least 80 percent of materials used in KCMA’s cabinets are sustainably sourced and certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program, and that waste is minimized via comprehensive recycling and processing programs. For more information, go here.
Architectural Digest on KBIS: From graphite nickel finishes to color in the kitchen to expansive appliance walls, Architectural Digest weighs in on six key kitchen trends gleaned from KBIS. Read more at AD Pro.
Trade Events
Coverings set for Orlando: The Coverings 2023 tile and stone surfaces trade show will take place April 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center, North and South Halls, in Orlando, FL. Nearly 1,000 tile and stone exhibitors from more than 35 countries exhibit, and the show offers CEU-qualified educational sessions. Registration for the show and educational sessions is free. Click here for more info.
ICFF Slated for May: The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), is ramping up for its May 21-23 show at the Javits Center in New York, presenting modern furnishings and products for residential, office and hospitality design. The show is taking place concurrently with WantedDesign Manhattan, which features a focus on emerging design. Both expos are organized by Emerald. More info and registration here.
New Tech Show: Clarity AV International, organizer of the Integrator Network and Technology & Business Summits that CEDIA acquired in 2018, will host a consumer event in Southern California this fall. The Home Tech Expo will take place Oct. 20-21 and will showcase real-world home technology in an in-person format. Consumers will be able to see, touch and experience technology like traditional, custom integration “AV,” as well as lighting, smart appliances, electric vehicles, and more firsthand. KBB has the story.
Chapter News
Hello, Columbus: The Central Ohio Chapter is hosting a Participatory Dinner Party on March 23, from 5-8 p.m., at The Kitchen, 231 E. Livingston Ave. in Columbus. It’s not a cooking class, but guests will collaborate and prepare a meal guided by staff. NKBA members are $40, non-members are $50, and a portion of all ticket sales is donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Info and registration here.
