Category Archives: KBIS

Human-Centric Design in an AI World | 649 | Experiences from KBIS and Why True Value is Found in the Removal of Friction

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I have a confession to make. I’m exhausted. In the best possible way after a week in Orlando, Florida for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. I have so much to share with you today!

My journey started on the Monday before the show began for a travel day, sound check and confirming the final details form the show. In addition to hosting the KBIS Podcast Studio again this year, moderating a panel on the NEXT Stage and recording conversations for the show, I wanted to help you prepare for the show next February in Las Vegas.

But Josh, next February is like 11 months away. That’s true, but here’s a secret. Come a little closer, it’s just us. KBIS is the essential American kitchen and bath show, full stop. It’s about learning, seeing, connecting and putting all of the pieces together to understand how the American market is setting up for the next year and the trending ideas that have staying power for the next 5-10 years.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

You can listen to Convo By Design for the conversations with industry insiders. If I were a designer, I would. I believe that this show tells the stories that you should really know to get a feel for directionality of the industry. Specifiers are the plus of the industry and the ideas emanating from the show this year covered the technology revolution taking place from an AI perspective, but there’s more. The kitchen is in the midst of a wholesale change. And it’s exciting to see it happen in real time.

Learning was a key theme this year. If you were not at the show this year, you are behind the curve. I don’t say this to scare you, I tell you this so you make the time to get to the show next year. All three days and plan to see as much as you can. But, I wanted to share some of the key ideas from the show this year. For additional details, check the show notes.

Luxury is the measurable outcome of thoughtful design—where performance, longevity, and relevance align to support the way people actually live.

  • Luxury is the removal of friction from daily life.
  • Luxury is durability aligned with intent.
  • Luxury is design that continues to perform long after the purchase is forgotten.
  • Luxury is confidence—in function, longevity, and fit.
  • Luxury is not what you spend. It’s what you never have to rethink.

The Kitchen as the Primary Investment

  • The kitchen remains the #1 homeowner investment nationwide.
  • Homeowners are willing to exceed budget in the kitchen more than any other space.
  • The kitchen is the most public and social room in the home.
  • It represents identity: “I’m a cook,” “I entertain,” “I host.”
  • Food equals memory; appliances enable those memories.

The Expanding Kitchen Ecosystem

  • Kitchens are no longer singular spaces—they expand throughout the home.
  • Secondary kitchens (sculleries, prep kitchens, butler’s pantries) are rising.
  • Beverage centers, bars, and wine storage are increasingly common.
  • Coffee stations and en-suite kitchenettes are viewed as lifestyle enhancements.
  • Outdoor kitchens are now expected in many markets.
  • Refrigeration appears in bathrooms (skincare), offices, and guest suites.
  • Multigenerational living drives multi-kitchen design.
  • Post-COVID entertaining shifted bar culture into the home.

Value Has Replaced Price as the Primary Decision Driver

  • Consumers rarely regret investing more in appliances.
  • Longevity, performance, and service support define value.
  • Sustainability increasingly aligns with durability.

Human-Centric Design Is the New Standard

  • Appliances must be intuitive without relying on manuals.
  • UX consistency across appliances improves adoption.
  • Technology must solve real problems—not create new friction.

Appliances Are Expanding Beyond the Kitchen

  • Refrigeration, coffee systems, and specialty appliances now appear throughout the home.
  • Multi-kitchen and multi-generational design is driving specification complexity.
  • Flexibility and modular integration are essential.

Practical Innovation vs Feature Saturation

  • Most consumers use only a small percentage of available features.
  • Simplification improves usability, adoption, and satisfaction.
  • Innovation must solve real problems—not marketing problems.

Appliances as Infrastructure for Daily Life

  • Refrigerators open dozens of times daily, making ergonomic design critical.
  • Dishwashers, washers, and refrigeration now integrate into behavioral routines.
  • Appliances increasingly support lifestyle efficiency, not just task completion.

Quiet Luxury: The New Definition of Premium

Quiet luxury shifts focus from visual dominance to experiential excellence.

  • Appliances integrate seamlessly into architecture.
  • Minimal visual disruption supports design continuity.
  • Performance becomes more important than appearance.

Identity & Evolution in Design

    • Designers must periodically redefine themselves and their work to remain relevant.
    • Personal growth and evolving priorities shape professional identity and approach.

Burnout vs Ambition

    • Burnout is not a badge of honor; it results from overextension and emotional labor.
    • Ambition aligns energy with superpowers and opportunities, creating sustainable growth.
    • Setting boundaries is essential to differentiate productive ambition from harmful overwork.

Emotional Labor & Client Management

    • Design work involves managing client emotions, expectations, and second-guessing.
    • Designers act as liaisons between clients, contractors, and teams, absorbing invisible pressures.
    • Managing scope creep and change orders is a practical strategy to protect both energy and profitability.

Social Media & Comparison Culture

    • Social media can amplify unrealistic expectations and unhealthy competition.
    • Designers often feel compelled to accommodate clients’ desires, sometimes overextending themselves to maintain a positive perception.

These core themes coming out of the show this year tell a story that cannot be ignored. The thought process is changing. More human-centric at a time when technology seems to be taking over. Interesting times.

Shifting away from that, I want to share two conversations from the show.

Brandon Kirschner | Azzuro Living – Control the Process, Control the Outcome: Inside Azzurro Living’s Design Advantage

Brandon Kirshner of Azzurro Living explains how factory ownership, material innovation, and hands-on experimentation are redefining luxury outdoor furniture—and why relationships and resilience matter more than ever.

Recorded live at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Orlando, this conversation with Brandon Kirshner, Partner and VP of Design at Azzurro Living, explores what it means to design, manufacture, and deliver luxury outdoor furniture with complete control over the process.

Kirshner shares how owning and operating their own production facility provides a rare advantage in a crowded marketplace. This vertical integration allows Azzurro Living to oversee every step—from raw material sourcing to fabrication—ensuring performance, durability, and design integrity in extreme climates.

The conversation also explores the realities of modern product manufacturing: navigating global instability, breaking through to specifiers in an oversaturated marketplace, and the renewed importance of in-person relationships. At its core, this is a story about design leadership, material obsession, and maintaining optimism in a rapidly shifting industry.

Vertical Integration Changes Everything

  • Full ownership of production facility ensures quality control
  • Ability to experiment directly with materials and fabrication
  • Eliminates reliance on third-party manufacturing limitations

Material Innovation Drives Luxury Performance

  • Products engineered for extreme heat and harsh winters
  • Hands-on experimentation with rope, wicker, and aluminum
  • Performance and longevity are core to brand value

Design as the Core Differentiator

  • Industrial design roots shape product philosophy
  • Focus on original forms rather than “me-too” furniture
  • Design enhances lifestyle, not just aesthetics

Relationships Still Drive Specification

  • Trade shows like High Point Market remain essential
  • Face-to-face interaction builds trust and long-term partnerships
  • Education through sales teams and specifier outreach is critical

Resilience and Optimism in a Volatile Industry

  • Navigating tariffs, supply chains, and global uncertainty
  • Maintaining a solution-oriented mindset
  • Viewing disruption as part of long-term growth

In luxury outdoor furniture, control isn’t just an operational advantage—it’s a creative one.

For Brandon Kirshner, Partner and VP of Design at Azzurro Living, ownership of the manufacturing process is the foundation of everything the company does. Unlike many competitors who rely on outsourced production, Azzurro Living operates its own factory, giving Kirshner and his team direct oversight of every detail, from raw materials to finished form.

This control allows for something rare in today’s manufacturing environment: true experimentation. Working directly with fabricators, Kirshner explores new weaving techniques, tests material durability, and refines structural details. The result is furniture engineered not just to look refined, but to perform in punishing environments—from desert heat exceeding 115 degrees to unpredictable seasonal extremes.

Kirshner’s path into furniture design began with industrial design studies, where exposure to iconic modernist designers revealed furniture as both functional object and artistic expression. That perspective continues to shape his work today, where innovation isn’t driven by trend cycles, but by material curiosity and structural integrity.

Launching Azzurro Living in 2020 presented immediate challenges, from supply chain disruption to economic uncertainty. Yet Kirshner views volatility as inevitable rather than exceptional. Experience has taught him that adaptability—not stability—is the constant in product manufacturing.

Equally important is maintaining strong relationships within the design community. Trade shows, in-person meetings, and direct engagement remain essential tools for connecting with specifiers and building trust.

In an increasingly crowded marketplace, Azzurro Living’s approach is clear: control the process, push material boundaries, and let design lead. The result is furniture that reflects not just luxury, but intention.

“Owning our factory gives us complete control—from raw material to finished product—and that changes everything.”

“Design is the reason people invest in luxury furniture. Performance just makes it last.”

“You can’t innovate from a distance. Being hands-on with materials is where real progress happens.”

“Trade shows and face-to-face interaction still matter because this industry runs on relationships.”

“No matter what challenges come—tariffs, supply chain, geopolitics—we’ll figure it out. That mindset is essential.”

This is Cathy Purple Cherry – Founding Principal | Purple Cherry, freshly installed in the Convo By Design Icon Registry, we caught up at KBIS for a fresh take.

Human-Centered Architecture, Resilience, and the Responsibility of Design

Cathy Purple Cherry reflects on architecture as a lifelong act of care—supporting people through turbulence, embracing multigenerational living, rejecting trend culture, and using design as a tool for healing, connection, and growth.

Recorded live at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, this conversation with Cathy Purple Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects explores architecture not as a moment of visual impact, but as a lifelong framework for human support.

Purple Cherry shares her philosophy that architecture must evolve alongside the people it serves, especially during times of societal turbulence and personal change. Her work is grounded in human-centered thinking, emotional durability, and the belief that design can create stability amid chaos.

The discussion moves beyond aesthetics into deeper territory—resilience shaped by hardship, the responsibility of creatives to provide clarity and options, and the importance of giving back. Purple Cherry also addresses the rise of multigenerational living, generational shifts in work culture, and the dangers of trend-driven design thinking.

At its core, this conversation reveals architecture as both a professional discipline and a personal calling—one rooted in empathy, long-term thinking, and service.

Architecture as Long-Term Support, Not Momentary Expression

  • Design must serve people across decades, not just visual moments
  • Architecture provides emotional stability during uncertain times
  • Human-centered design is becoming essential, not optional

Growth Through Challenge and Adversity

  • Personal and professional hardship builds resilience
  • Lessons learned shape better architects and stronger leaders
  • Teaching and mentoring are essential responsibilities

Multigenerational Living as a Cultural Shift

  • Economic and social changes are reshaping American housing
  • Families are staying connected longer
  • Architecture must adapt to evolving family dynamics

The Responsibility of Creatives in Times of Tension

  • Architects provide clarity and solutions amid chaos
  • Design can serve as a “relief valve” for societal stress
  • Creatives help people reimagine how they live

Rejecting Trend Culture in Favor of Lasting Design

  • Trend cycles are often superficial and misleading
  • True architecture transcends short-term aesthetic movements
  • Enduring design comes from purpose, not prediction

Giving Back as a Core Professional and Personal Value

  • Sharing knowledge strengthens the profession
  • Service to others creates deeper meaning in creative work
  • Design is both a gift and a responsibility

For Cathy Purple Cherry, architecture has never been about creating a moment. It’s about supporting a lifetime.

As founder of Purple Cherry Architects, with offices in Annapolis, Charlottesville, and New York City, Purple Cherry has built a practice grounded in the belief that design must evolve alongside the people it serves. Architecture, she explains, is not about solving for a single moment, but about creating environments that support human life over time.

That perspective feels especially relevant today. As social, economic, and cultural turbulence reshapes how people live and work, architecture has taken on a new role—not just as shelter, but as emotional infrastructure. Spaces must provide calm, clarity, and flexibility, particularly as multigenerational living becomes more common and families remain connected longer under one roof.

Purple Cherry rejects the idea that architecture should chase trends. While the industry often focuses on forecasting aesthetic movements, she believes true design transcends these cycles. Lasting architecture emerges from purpose, empathy, and a deep understanding of human behavior.

Her perspective is shaped not only by decades of professional experience, but by personal adversity. Hardship, she explains, builds resilience and strengthens one’s ability to serve others. That philosophy extends into her commitment to mentorship, service, and giving back—values she sees as inseparable from meaningful creative work.

For Purple Cherry, architecture is both discipline and calling. It is a lifelong process of learning, teaching, and refining. And in a world defined by rapid change, her message is clear: the most important role of design is not to impress, but to support the people who live within it.

“Architecture isn’t about solving for a moment. It’s about supporting people over time.”

“Through suffering, we become stronger—and that’s what allows us to better serve others.”

“Anything in the built environment that can calm us and organize our lives becomes essential.”

“Design should never be driven by trends. It should be driven by purpose and people.”

“The meaning of life is discovering your gifts. The purpose of life is sharing them.”

KBIS Series Part Two | The Smart Home Standoff: Tech vs. Tradition in Appliances

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The New Appliance Ecosystem: Translating Value, Technology, and Human-Centric Design

The modern appliance conversation has shifted beyond features and price into something far more consequential: value, usability, and human-centered design. 

Designers, manufacturers, showrooms, and independent testing labs now operate as an interconnected ecosystem guiding consumers through increasingly complex decisions. The future of appliance specification belongs to those who can translate technology into meaningful, intuitive, lifestyle-driven solutions.

Featuring insights from Nicole Papantoniou of the Good Housekeeping Institute, Jeff Sweet of Sub-Zero Group Inc., and Christa Mallinger of AJ Madison, this conversation explores how appliances have evolved from commodities into lifestyle infrastructure—and why education, not persuasion, defines the next era.

KBIS Podcast Studio Resources:

KBIS

AJ Madison

NKBA

LUXE Interiors + Design

SubZero, Wolf & Cove

SKS | Signature Kitchen Suite

Hearth & Home Technologies

Kitchen365

Green Forrest Cabinetry

Midea

The appliance industry has entered a human-centric phase, where performance, intuitive use, and real lifestyle benefit outweigh raw features or price alone. Designers act as translators of lifestyle, manufacturers as problem-solvers, and showrooms as educators—collectively helping consumers navigate increasingly sophisticated choices.

Panelists discussed the shift from feature-driven sales toward performance-driven value, emphasizing longevity, ease of use, and frictionless integration into daily life. They also explored the growing role of education, testing standards, showroom partnerships, and post-installation support in helping consumers fully realize the value of their investment.

Technology remains central, but its success depends entirely on reducing friction—not adding novelty. The conversation revealed that the future of appliances lies not in more technology, but in better technology—technology that disappears into the experience.

The Appliance Ecosystem Is Interdependent

  • Designers interpret lifestyle and aesthetic needs.
  • Manufacturers engineer performance-driven solutions.
  • Showrooms educate and guide decision-making.
  • Independent testing organizations validate performance and usability.

Value Has Replaced Price as the Primary Decision Driver

  • Consumers rarely regret investing more in appliances.
  • Longevity, performance, and service support define value.
  • Sustainability increasingly aligns with durability.

Human-Centric Design Is the New Standard

  • Appliances must be intuitive without relying on manuals.
  • UX consistency across appliances improves adoption.
  • Technology must solve real problems—not create new friction.

Education Is More Important Than Selling

  • Many consumers buy appliances only once every 10–15 years.
  • Showrooms and testing labs bridge the knowledge gap.
  • Post-installation education helps unlock full product potential.

Appliances Are Expanding Beyond the Kitchen

  • Refrigeration, coffee systems, and specialty appliances now appear throughout the home.
  • Multi-kitchen and multi-generational design is driving specification complexity.
  • Flexibility and modular integration are essential.

Technology Adoption Depends on Familiarity and Trust

  • Induction adoption accelerates when paired with familiar controls.
  • Consumers embrace technology that feels intuitive and beneficial.
  • Novelty alone does not guarantee long-term value.

The modern appliance is no longer just a tool. It’s infrastructure.

At KBIS, where the industry gathers annually to define its future, a clear shift has emerged. Appliances are no longer judged solely by features or price, but by how effectively they integrate into human behavior. The question is no longer, “What does it do?” but rather, “What does it enable?”

This shift has elevated the importance of collaboration across the appliance ecosystem. Designers serve as translators, interpreting the client’s lifestyle into functional requirements. Manufacturers act as problem-solvers, engineering solutions grounded in real user needs. Showrooms and retailers bridge the gap between technology and understanding, while independent testing organizations validate claims and ensure products deliver on their promises.

This ecosystem exists because appliance decisions have become more consequential—and more complex.

Unlike consumer electronics, appliances are purchased infrequently. A homeowner may go fifteen years between purchases. During that time, the category evolves dramatically. Induction replaces gas. Steam ovens expand culinary capability. Refrigeration becomes modular, flexible, and architectural. Appliances no longer exist solely in kitchens, but in offices, bedrooms, outdoor spaces, and wellness areas.

With that expansion comes responsibility. Technology must reduce friction, not create it.

Christa, Nicole and Jeff all emphasized that human-centric design now drives product development. Appliances must be intuitive enough to operate without instruction, consistent enough to feel familiar, and purposeful enough to justify their presence. Technology for its own sake has limited value. Technology that removes mental load, improves performance, or enhances daily living defines the future.

This is where education becomes critical.

Showrooms no longer simply display products; they contextualize them. Independent testing organizations evaluate not only performance, but usability, cleanability, and intuitive function. Manufacturers increasingly provide post-installation support, recognizing that the real product experience begins after installation, not at purchase.

Value, therefore, is no longer measured in features alone.

It is measured in longevity. In reliability. In the confidence that a product will perform consistently over time. In the reduction of friction between intention and outcome.

Perhaps most importantly, appliances have become emotional infrastructure. They support gathering, creativity, ritual, and identity. They enable the modern kitchen to function not just as a place of preparation, but as a center of living.

The future of appliances will not be defined by how advanced they are.

It will be defined by how invisible they become—seamlessly enabling life without demanding attention.

And those who understand that distinction—designers, manufacturers, and educators alike—will define the next generation of the built environment.

KBIS Series Part One | Beyond the Price Tag: Defining Luxury in Appliances & Design

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Luxury can be expensive, but it can also be subtle, practical, or deeply personal. Sometimes it’s about choice, sometimes restraint, sometimes the way a space or product simply works better for you. Through thoughtful discussion, the episode examines how luxury shows up in appliances and design—through performance, comfort, longevity, and everyday ease—and why it resonates differently for everyone over time

This nuanced conversation explores the evolving meaning of luxury through multiple industry perspectives, featuring Devoree Axelrod, General Manager at AJ Madison, alongside industry expert Jill Cohen, Editor-in-Chief, Luxe Interiors + Design.

KBIS Podcast Studio Resources:

KBIS

AJ Madison

NKBA

LUXE Interiors + Design

SubZero, Wolf & Cove

SKS | Signature Kitchen Suite

Hearth & Home Technologies

Kitchen365

Green Forrest Cabinetry

Midea

Luxury Isn’t a Price Point. It’s a Performance Standard.

At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show 2026, leaders from AJ Madison and Luxe Interiors + Design reframing luxury as durability, intentionality, and the ability of design to support how people actually live.

The word “luxury” has become one of the most overused—and least defined—terms in the design industry. At KBIS 2026, a live conversation featuring Devoree Axelrod, General Manager of AJ Madison, and Jill Cohen, Editor in Chief of Luxe Interiors + Design, set out to recalibrate its meaning. What emerged was less about price and more about performance, longevity, and intent.

For decades, luxury was shorthand for premium brands, higher costs, and visual distinction. Today, that definition is insufficient. The modern homeowner isn’t simply buying a product; they’re investing in how their home supports their routines, relationships, and future. Luxury, in this context, becomes the elimination of friction. It’s the appliance that performs reliably every day. It’s the kitchen designed around how a family actually cooks and gathers. It’s the confidence that decisions made today will still make sense twenty years from now.

Cohen shared findings from Luxe’s upcoming national survey of 1,000 leading architects, designers, and builders, confirming that the kitchen remains the single most important area of homeowner investment. More significantly, appliances are often the first and most consequential decisions made in the design process. They establish the spatial, technical, and functional framework around which everything else follows.

Axelrod reinforced this from her vantage point inside one of the country’s largest appliance retailers. Appliance selection determines infrastructure—electrical loads, ventilation, plumbing, and spatial relationships—making it foundational rather than decorative. When clients prioritize performance and usability first, the rest of the design aligns more effectively, both functionally and financially.

The conversation also addressed the persistent myth of the fixed budget. In reality, budgets are fluid, shaped as much by emotion as by arithmetic. Homeowners may begin with a number in mind, but that number evolves as priorities clarify. The role of the designer and appliance advisor becomes essential: helping clients distinguish between what serves their lives and what merely satisfies aspiration.

This shift is evident in how kitchens are expanding beyond their traditional boundaries. Secondary prep kitchens, beverage stations, outdoor kitchens, coffee bars, and integrated refrigeration throughout the home reflect a broader redefinition of convenience. These are not excesses for their own sake; they are extensions of daily life, driven by multigenerational living, remote work, and a deeper integration between hospitality and residential design.

Perhaps most telling was the reframing of luxury itself. Neither Axelrod nor Cohen defined it by brand name. Instead, luxury was described as ease, time, and permanence. It is waking up and having what you need within reach. It is durability that eliminates the need for replacement. It is thoughtful planning that prevents regret.

In this light, luxury is not what something costs. It is what something enables.

And increasingly, what it enables is a home that works—quietly, reliably, and seamlessly—in service of the people who live there.

Luxury is the measurable outcome of thoughtful design—where performance, longevity, and relevance align to support the way people actually live.

  • Luxury is the removal of friction from daily life.
  • Luxury is durability aligned with intent.
  • Luxury is design that continues to perform long after the purchase is forgotten.
  • Luxury is confidence—in function, longevity, and fit.
  • Luxury is not what you spend. It’s what you never have to rethink.

The Kitchen as the Primary Investment

  • The kitchen remains the #1 homeowner investment nationwide.
  • Homeowners are willing to exceed budget in the kitchen more than any other space.
  • The kitchen is the most public and social room in the home.
  • It represents identity: “I’m a cook,” “I entertain,” “I host.”
  • Food equals memory; appliances enable those memories.

Appliance-First Design Strategy

  • Appliances determine electrical, ventilation, plumbing, and layout requirements.
  • Major appliance decisions must precede cabinetry and finish selections.
  • Early appliance specification prevents costly redesigns.
  • Designers increasingly plan around cooking infrastructure first.
  • Professional appliance advisors play a key role in product education and innovation updates.

Budget Realities & Psychology

  • Budgets are rarely fixed; they are often unstated or misunderstood.
  • Clients frequently establish budgets before fully understanding what they want.
  • Designers must define the intersection of “want” and “need.”
  • Stretching budget in the kitchen feels justified because it is essential.
  • Strategic trade-offs are common (invest in cooking, scale back secondary items).
  • Transparency and cost clarity are critical in today’s climate.
  • Surprises—especially tariff or pricing shocks—undermine trust.
  • Professional designers protect clients from unrealistic expectations and long-term regret.

The Expanding Kitchen Ecosystem

  • Kitchens are no longer singular spaces—they expand throughout the home.
  • Secondary kitchens (sculleries, prep kitchens, butler’s pantries) are rising.
  • Beverage centers, bars, and wine storage are increasingly common.
  • Coffee stations and en-suite kitchenettes are viewed as lifestyle enhancements.
  • Outdoor kitchens are now expected in many markets.
  • Refrigeration appears in bathrooms (skincare), offices, and guest suites.
  • Multigenerational living drives multi-kitchen design.
  • Post-COVID entertaining shifted bar culture into the home.

Lifestyle-Driven Design Trends

  • Hospitality influences residential expectations.
  • Convenience and personalization outweigh pure status signaling.
  • Aging in place is shaping appliance planning (drawer refrigeration, wall ovens).
  • Durability is increasingly valued over trend-based aesthetics.
  • Remote work drives integrated kitchenettes and beverage access in home offices.
  • Multiple laundry setups reflect modern household logistics.

Status vs. Practicality

  • Status still influences resale-driven decisions in some cases.
  • However, emotional connection tends to be with category (cooking, entertaining) rather than brand alone.
  • Longevity and service reliability often justify premium selections.
  • Magazine-driven or editorial glamour exists—but practical function ultimately wins.

Role of the Professional Designer

  • Designers provide budget discipline and scope management.
  • They help clients make decisions faster, reducing cost creep.
  • They balance aspiration with feasibility.
  • Professional oversight protects long-term value.
  • Design is positioned not as a privilege, but as a necessity.

Market & Cultural Influences

  • COVID permanently shifted how homes are used.
  • Entertaining moved inward; bar and pizza oven sales spiked.
  • Multigenerational living increased spatial complexity.
  • Social media informs but can distort expectations.
  • Consumers increasingly research via reviews and digital channels.
  • Clients are more cautious amid economic and tariff uncertainty.

Guiding Principle

  • “Proper planning prevents poor performance.”
  • Early, honest, and intentional planning reduces regret.
  • Design is both a desire business and a service industry.
  • The goal is not excess—it is alignment between space and life.

WestEdge Wednesday Part Seven | 645 | Kitchen rEvolution: Crafted, Curated Spaces Created for an Evolving Clientele

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Kitchen Revolution: Elevating Kitchens and Baths for Lifestyle, Wellness, and Technology. Designers and innovators discuss how kitchens and bathrooms have transformed into lifestyle-focused, wellness-oriented, and tech-savvy spaces, shaping the homes of today’s discerning clients. From pandemic-driven shifts to smart appliances, spa-like bathrooms, and open-concept living, this panel explores the evolving demands of homeowners and the strategies designers use to balance aesthetics, function, and innovation.

1. Introduction

  • Host Virzine Hovasapyan, Experience Director of Marketplace of Innovation for Pacific Sales, introduces the panel and sets the stage: kitchens and baths are no longer purely functional—they are deeply personal lifestyle environments.
  • Emphasis on the convergence of beauty, comfort, and smart technology to meet wellness-focused and tech-savvy client needs.

2. Panel Introductions

  • Karen Rideau, Kitchen Design Group: three decades of experience, expanding from kitchen and bath to full interior architecture.
  • Holly Hollenbeck, HSH Interiors: bi-coastal firm specializing in remodels and new builds, high focus on kitchen and bath.
  • Lori Hafele, Hafele Design: luxury cabinetry-focused design, hard surfaces specialist.
  • Pam Barthold, Poziom Designs: national remodels, holiday decor focus, wellness integration.

3. Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Shifts

  • Kitchens evolving into living spaces for family interaction and entertaining.
  • Movement from segmented to open-plan living; the kitchen is now the “heart of the home.”
  • Rise of furniture-like cabinetry and hidden storage to maintain aesthetic beauty.

4. Collaboration Between Designers and Showrooms

  • Importance of collaboration between designers, manufacturers, and showrooms.
  • Need for continuous education on appliance and technology innovations (steam ovens, microwaves/air fryers, modular units).
  • Designers as knowledge bridges for clients.

5. Wellness in Kitchen and Bath

  • Bathrooms now spa-like: steam showers, infrared saunas, cold plunges.
  • Kitchens adapting for wellness-conscious lifestyles: beverage centers, accessible hot water, herb gardens, indoor/outdoor cooking integration.
  • Efficiency for tech-savvy clients: proximity solutions, outdoor entertaining, smart layout adjustments.

6. Technology Integration

  • Challenges of over-technology vs. simplicity: balancing clients’ desire for tech with usability.
  • AI and digital inspiration may introduce non-buildable concepts; designers interpret and adapt.
  • Circuit breaker capacity and smart appliance integration considerations.
  • Strategies to educate clients and ensure the right technology fits their lifestyle.

7. Translating Client Dreams into Practical Design

  • Process includes space planning, 3D renderings, vendor collaboration, and creative problem-solving.
  • Importance of editing ideas to fit space and budget.
  • Budget discussions start early; expectations around pricing, lead times, and custom millwork.

8. Setting Expectations & Discovery

  • Use of robust client questionnaires to uncover lifestyle, wellness, and usage patterns.
  • Managing timelines, trades, and supply chain realities.
  • Addressing dual-client decision-making and educating clients on care and maintenance of appliances and materials.

9. Audience Q&A Highlights

  • Managing open-plan kitchens and sound/visual separation through back kitchens, secondary prep spaces, and innovative layouts.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Kitchens and bathrooms are now multifunctional lifestyle spaces, blending aesthetics, wellness, and technology.
  • Collaboration, client discovery, and education are critical for successful design.
  • Designers balance aspirational visions with practical realities to deliver functional, beautiful, and personalized homes.

Links / Resources:

  • Pacific Sales – West Coast leader in Kitchen, Bath, Outdoor, and Total Home solutions.
  • Kitchen Design Group – Caren Rideau
  • HSH Interiors – Holly Hollenbeck
  • Hafele Design – Laurie Hafele
  • Pazzam Designs – Pam Barthold

KBIS 2026: The Road to Orlando | 640 | Innovation, AI, and Industry Evolution

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Just in time for KBIS this year, I sat down with Jason McGraw from EmeraldX and Leanne Wood with Flying Camel to talk about the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to preview the upcoming 2026 event in Orlando. This conversation dives deep into the strategic shifts for this year’s show, including the expansion of the floor plan to nearly 1.2 million net square feet and the introduction of a new editorial format for product debuts. A major theme for KBIS 2026 is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the industry. From the dedicated “Technology” track in the Voices from the Industry (VFTI) conference to live panel debates on AI’s role in luxury design, the show is positioning itself as the epicenter for modern design workflows. The team also discusses practical “pro-tips” for navigating the massive Orange County Convention Center, ensuring attendees maximize their time between the West, South, and North halls.

You still have time to register and prepare for a groundbreaking event that will shape the way you think about your design business and sharpen your specification skills. And if you are going to the show this year in Orlando, please make sure you stop by the KBIS Podcast Studio and say hello.

  • The KBIS 2026 Footprint: With over 700 exhibitors and 100,000+ expected professionals, Jason McGraw explains the logistical expansion into the Discovery District (located in the Rosen Centre) and how to navigate the skybridges and shuttles.
  • Innovation Hour: Replacing the traditional “Design Bytes,” this new fast-paced “show + tell” session at noon on February 17th allows brands to present tactile stories. The audience will vote live for “Most Innovative” and “Most Unexpected.”
  • AI and Technology: Leanne emphasizes how AI is no longer a “future” concept but a daily tool. This year features a “Technology Activation” and sessions focused on AI-powered customer journeys and smarter design workflows.
  • The Best of KBIS Awards: The awards have expanded to seven categories, including “Sustainable Standout” and “Wellness Trailblazer.” Winners will be announced live on the NEXTStage on February 18th.
  • The KBIS Podcast Studio: Now relocated to the West Hall Lobby, the studio—hosted by Josh—will feature 12 live sessions covering leadership, luxury, and the “business of design.”
  • Wellness & Sustainability: For the first time, these two tracks have been merged into a unified focus, reflecting the interconnected nature of healthy, resilient living environments.

Applicable Links & Resources

Rising Above the Chaos: Lessons from 2025 for a Smarter 2026 | 629 | Happy, Prosperous and Health New Year

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Let me start with a disclaimer—this isn’t a political editorial. It’s a conversation about ideas. Lessons from business, design, culture, and philosophy that might help us grow—individually and collectively. And if you disagree, email me at ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com. I welcome the debate.

As this year closes, I’m feeling a mix of frustration and optimism. This moment feels chaotic—as does most of life lately—which is why I often end the show with, “rise above the chaos.” We can’t eliminate it, but we can manage what’s within our control. The Stoics told us that long ago: focus on what you can control, release what you can’t, act with virtue, and let obstacles sharpen resilience. This essay is about taking back even a small amount of control through the work we do and the spaces we shape.

The Problem with Trend-Driven Design

This year, phrases and hashtags flew faster than ever—Quiet Luxury, Brat Green, Fridgescaping, Millennial Grey. Much like the “big, beautiful bill” language we’ve all heard tossed around in political discourse, design’s buzzwords can distract from what actually matters. They generate attention, not meaning. They look good on social media, not necessarily in the lived experience of a home, workplace, or public square.

So instead of centering our design conversations around fleeting edits, let’s pivot toward the global innovations that are transforming the built world in ways that truly matter.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Real Innovation Worth Talking About

Across the globe, designers, architects, and researchers are developing ideas that transcend buzz. These are the concepts with longevity—the ones shaping smart, resilient, human-centered spaces:

  • Biophilic Design, rooted in the work of Edward O. Wilson, Erich Fromm, and Japanese shinrin-yoku, continues to reframe our relationship with nature.
  • Net-Zero Architecture, pioneered in Canada, Germany, and Australia, redefines building performance through projects like Seattle’s Bullitt Center and Colorado’s RMI Innovation Center.
  • Smart Homes and Invisible Tech, building on early Asian innovation, hiding circuitry and functionality behind seamless design powered by Apple, Google, and Amazon ecosystems.
  • Prefab and Modular Construction, originally exemplified by structures like the Crystal Palace and the Sydney Opera House, now reimagined by firms such as Plant Prefab.
  • Passive House Design, born in Germany but rapidly shaping U.S. projects in California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest.

And the list goes on:

  • Self-Healing Concrete by Hendrik Marius Jonkers
  • Guggenheim Abu Dhabi by Frank Gehry
  • Bët-bi Museum in Senegal by Mariam Issoufou
  • Powerhouse Parramatta in Australia
  • Pujiang Viewing Platform in China by MVRDV

Landscape and biophilic approaches—Wabi-Sabi gardening, edimental gardens, climate-adaptive landscapes, and indoor biophilia—are redefining how we engage with natural systems in daily life.

Even infrastructure has become a site of innovation:

  • CopenHill/Amager Bakke, Denmark’s waste-to-energy plant with a ski slope
  • Urban Sequoias by SOM—skyscrapers designed as carbon sinks
  • 3D-printed timber in Germany, Finland, and France

This is the work that deserves our attention—not the color of the week on TikTok.

Rethinking the Shelter Space

For years I described architecture as a language, design as a dialect, and landscape as the narrative. Mies van der Rohe famously introduced the concept of architecture as language. It caught on, and then the bandwagon effect took over. But today, the metaphor feels insufficient—especially for the shelter space, where people spend their lives, raise families, work, heal, and age.

The shelter space isn’t like a retail store or restaurant, where design is often intended for those who pass through briefly while the people who labor there navigate the leftover space. The shelter space must serve those who inhabit it deeply and continuously. And that shifts the conversation.

Design begins with the usual questions—purpose, function, users, goals, budget. But these questions don’t define design. They only outline it. There is no universal purpose of architecture or design, no single philosophy, no singular “right” answer. The shelter space varies as widely as the people living within it.

So instead of treating architecture and design as technical processes, we should approach them philosophically.

A Philosophical Framework for Design

Stoicism offers clarity:
Accept that budget overruns and changes will occur. Respect the expertise of the designer you hired. Invest in authenticity rather than dupes. Create environments that support health—clean air, clean water, noise reduction, resilience.

Utilitarianism reminds us that choices have consequences. If the design decisions you make are based on influencer content instead of expertise, the result is no surprise.

And now, a new framework is emerging that could transform our shared spaces entirely.

Sensorial Urbanism: Designing the City We Actually Feel

One of the most compelling movements emerging globally is Sensorial Urbanism—a shift from focusing on how the city looks to how it feels. It’s neuroscience, phenomenology, and inclusive design rolled into a multi-sensory toolkit.

Five Key Sensory Principles

  1. Soundscaping
    Water features masking traffic. Acoustic pavilions. Designed sound gardens.
    Paris’ Le Cylindre Sonore. Soundscape parks in Barcelona and Berlin.
  2. Smellscaping
    Native flowers, herbs, and aromatic trees restoring identity—especially critical after disasters like wildfires.
    Kate McLean’s smellwalks map a city’s olfactory signature.
  3. Tactile Design
    Materials that invite touch and respond to temperature—stone, wood, water—connecting inhabitants to place.
  4. Visual Quietness
    Reducing signage and visual clutter, as seen in Drachten, Netherlands, creates calmer, more intuitive environments.
  5. Multisensory Inclusivity
    Design that accommodates neurodiversity, PTSD, aging, and accessibility through tactile paving, sound buffers, and scent markers.

Why It Matters

Because cities didn’t always feel this overwhelming.
Because design wasn’t always rushed.
Because quality of life shouldn’t be compromised for aesthetics.

Sensorial Urbanism reconnects us with spaces that are restorative, intuitive, and emotionally resonant. A city is not just a picture—it is an experience.

The Takeaway for 2026

Rising Above the Chaos: Lessons from 2025 for a Smarter 2026

HED (3-sentence summary):

As 2025 closes, the design and architecture world has experienced unprecedented chaos and rapid trend cycles. In this episode, Soundman reflects on lessons from business, culture, and global innovation, emphasizing resilience, purposeful design, and human-centered spaces. From Stoic philosophy to sensorial urbanism, this conversation offers guidance for navigating the next year with clarity and intentionality.

DEK (Expanded description):

Twenty twenty-five tested the design industry’s patience, creativity, and adaptability. In this reflective episode, we explore the pitfalls of trend-driven design, the enduring value of service, and the innovations shaping architecture globally — from net-zero buildings to multisensory urbanism. With examples ranging from TimberTech decking to Pacific Sales’ trade programs, we examine how designers can reclaim control, prioritize meaningful work, and create spaces that heal, inspire, and endure. A philosophical lens, practical insights, and actionable guidance make this a must-listen for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Outline of Show Topics:

  1. Introduction & Context
    • Reflection on the chaotic year of 2025 in design and architecture.
    • Disclaimer: this is a philosophical conversation, not a political editorial.
    • Invitation for audience engagement via email.
  1. Trends vs. Meaningful Design
    • Critique of buzzwords like “quiet luxury” and “millennial gray bookshelf wealth.”
    • Emphasis on global innovation over social media-driven trends.
    • The gap between American design influence and international innovation.
  1. Global Innovations in Architecture & Design
    • Biophilic design and its philosophical roots.
    • Net-zero buildings: Bullitt Center (Seattle), RMI Innovation Center (Colorado).
    • Smart homes, modular construction, and passive house adoption in the U.S. vs. abroad.
  1. Focus on Service & Professional Support
    • Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home: Pro Rewards program and exceptional service.
    • TimberTech: innovation in sustainable synthetic decking.
    • Importance of performance, durability, and client-focused solutions.
  1. Philosophical Approach to Design
    • Architecture as experience, not just a visual language.
    • Stoicism, utilitarianism, and mindfulness applied to design.
    • Sensorial urbanism: engaging all five senses in public and private spaces.
  1. Emerging Global Examples of Innovation
    • Self-healing concrete (Henrik Marius Junkers), Copenhill (Denmark).
    • 3D printed timber in Germany, Finland, France.
    • Climate-adaptive landscapes, Wabi-sabi gardening, inclusive urban design.
  1. Moving Beyond Social Media Trends
    • Rejecting influencer-driven design priorities.
    • Returning to performance, resilience, and quality of life.
    • Practical guidance for designers in all regions, including overlooked U.S. markets.
  1. Closing Reflections & New Year Outlook
    • Encouragement to rise above chaos and focus on what can be controlled.
    • Goals for 2026: intentional, human-centered, and innovative design.
    • Call to action: share, subscribe, and engage with Convo by Design.
  1. Sponsor Mentions & Callouts
    • Pacific Sales Kitchen & Home
    • TimberTech
    • Design Hardware

If you enjoyed this long-form essay, share it with a friend. Subscribe to Convo By Design, follow @convoxdesign on Instagram, and send your thoughts to ConvoByDesign@Outlook.com.

Thank you to TimberTech, The AZEK Company, Pacific Sales, Best Buy, and Design Hardware for supporting over 650 episodes and making Convo By Design the longest running podcast of it’s kind!

The Heart of Design: Building Trust, Telling Stories, and Staying True | 606 | Rosa Santiago Zimmerman

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In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly insightful Rosa Santiago Zimmerman for a rich and wide-ranging conversation about the state of the interior design industry, the evolving nature of creative work, and the deeper values that guide us as professionals. Our dialogue spans everything from our recent experiences at major trade shows like KBIS and IBS to the strategic and emotional challenges that come with building and sustaining a design business today.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

Rosa shares how she has navigated an often unpredictable industry landscape—from the 2008 financial crisis to the more recent impact of COVID-19—emerging stronger by focusing on clarity in communication, refining her client base, and anchoring her business in authenticity and trust. We explore her decision to operate by referral only, a bold move that allows her to take on projects that align deeply with her values while maintaining creative control and long-term vision.

One of the most resonant parts of our conversation is Rosa’s approach to client relationships and project storytelling. She believes that every project begins with truly understanding the people behind it—their story, lifestyle, and what brings them joy. Her philosophy goes far beyond aesthetics; it’s about designing spaces that are meaningful, personal, and connected.

We also dive into the practical but often overlooked aspects of the business: the need for strong contracts, the complexity of product sourcing in a globalized market, and the legal risks surrounding intellectual property. Rosa doesn’t shy away from hard truths. She emphasizes that every line of a contract must be intentional, and every expectation clearly defined to avoid the kinds of misunderstandings that can derail even the most promising projects. I couldn’t agree more. As we both acknowledged, there’s a growing need in our industry to better educate clients—especially those new to working with designers—so they can become thoughtful, empowered partners in the creative process.

Our talk also turns toward education, mentorship, and the next generation of talent. Rosa speaks passionately about the importance of showing children—and especially young Latinas—that the design industry can be a space for them. Her journey from a background in medicine to a thriving creative career is a powerful reminder that following one’s passion is not only possible, but necessary. We discuss the lack of business training in design schools, and how that gap often leaves talented creatives unprepared for the realities of entrepreneurship. Rosa’s upcoming book, which touches on the idea of discovering one’s “superpower,” promises to be an inspiring resource for aspiring designers and leaders alike.

Throughout our conversation, I was struck by Rosa’s clarity, generosity, and refusal to compromise on what matters. We also talk about future collaborations and visits—from potentially recording a future episode in Atlanta to attending next year’s KBIS event in Orlando. I’m hopeful for the opportunities ahead and grateful for the chance to share this honest, inspiring exchange.

This episode is for anyone who’s passionate about design, business, and the human stories that fuel creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a student, or just curious about what it takes to build something meaningful in a fast-changing world, I think you’ll find a lot to take away from this one. And we’ll get to it, right after this.

Thank you, Rosa, loved our chat and grateful to have run into you at KBIS! And, of course, thank you to our amazing partners: TimberTech, Pacific Sales, and Design Hardware. These are incredible companies and true friends of the trade. Please keep them in mind for your next project.

Thanks to you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the show with your friends and colleagues. If you haven’t subscribed yet, go ahead and hit that button so you get each new episode delivered straight to your feed.

I always love hearing from you, so keep those messages coming—email me at convo by design at outlook dot com and follow along on Instagram, @ConvoXDesign (with an “X”).

Until next week—thank you for spending this time with me. Be well, stay focused, and now that it has really settled in… do your best to rise above the chaos.

Corey Damen Jenkins | 603 | Bold Vision, Grounded Leadership, and the Art of Designing with Purpose

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I’m really excited about today’s episode because I had the chance to sit down with the incredible Corey Damen Jenkins. We covered a ton of ground—from how Corey manages multiple design projects and prioritizes what matters most, to his inspiring journey from starting his business in the mid-90s to becoming one of the most respected voices in interior design today.

Corey Damen Jenkins is one of the most vibrant and visionary voices in American interior design today. Known for his unapologetically bold aesthetic—full of lush textures, vivid color, and sophisticated pattern play—Jenkins brings more than just beauty to the spaces he creates. His work is joyful and aspirational, infused with a sense of personal integrity and a deep understanding of how interiors can enhance the way people live and feel. From best-selling books to international product collaborations, Jenkins continues to redefine what luxury and accessibility can look like when rooted in authenticity, resilience, and creativity.

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

1. Trade Events & Time Management: The Toy Box Philosophy

The conversation began with Jenkins discussing how he navigates the demands of a high-profile career—balancing trade shows, media appearances, and client work. He shared a metaphor of a toy box to explain time management: putting the large “toys” (key priorities) in first ensures space for the smaller items to fit. It’s a disciplined approach to focus, and it reflects how he manages both his calendar and creative energy.

2. Editing as a Design and Business Principle

This prioritization isn’t just logistical—it’s philosophical. Jenkins draws a parallel between business decisions and the creative act of editing in design. Both require focus, clarity, and the willingness to strip away excess in pursuit of excellence.

3. Early Career & Industry Entry: Facing Doubts and Defying Odds

Jenkins reflected on his long journey in design, which began in 1996 and gained traction during the 2008 recession when he officially launched his firm. Entering an industry where Black designers were—and remain—underrepresented, Jenkins faced skepticism about his viability and visibility. But he persevered, fueled by vision and grit.

4. Corporate to Creative: A Risk That Paid Off

Before design, Jenkins worked as a buyer in the automotive industry. A layoff became the turning point. He left behind a secure but unfulfilling career and embraced the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. The decision marked a shift not just in vocation but in health, happiness, and purpose.

5. Rejection & Resilience: Knocking on 779 Doors

One of the most powerful stories he shared was about knocking on 779 doors before securing his first big client. That perseverance wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. Jenkins emphasizes that success has a price, and it’s often paid in rejection, humility, and endurance.

6. Creative Theft & the Reality of Dupes

As his profile grew, Jenkins became acutely aware of the challenges around intellectual property in design. He spoke candidly about how creatives are often vulnerable to idea theft and copycat culture—an issue particularly painful for designers who, like him, put years into building an original voice.

7. Licensing Strategy & Brand Diversification

To combat market volatility and scale his impact, Jenkins has smartly expanded into licensing and product partnerships. Strategic collaborations with brands that align with his values—such as Eichholtz—enable him to protect his vision while reaching broader audiences and creating new revenue streams.

8. Staying Hungry: The Myth of “Making It”

Despite his success, Jenkins operates with what he calls “ambition, not abundance.” The hustle doesn’t stop when you become visible—it shifts. Staying grounded and hungry is part of his ethos and keeps both him and his team striving for more.

9. Leadership & Team Building: Values Over Vanity

Jenkins’ approach to hiring is deeply intentional. He prioritizes humility, character, and shared values over pure talent. Potential hires go through multiple interviews to ensure cultural fit. As he puts it: “We design with the intent to make people jealous—but in the best way possible.” That aspirational quality extends to his leadership style—firm, fair, and focused on mutual respect.

On Design Reimagined: A Book—and Ethos—That Reflects Evolution

Jenkins’ latest book, Design Reimagined, represents a major evolution from his debut, Design Remix. While Remix was thematic and Midwestern in focus, Reimagined is bolder, more global, and even more daring in its expression. The projects span a wider aesthetic spectrum—from restrained and modern to exuberantly maximalist. That diversity reflects not only the range of his clients, but the creative depth of his team.

“We want our interiors to incite envy—not out of malice, but desire,” he said. “That feeling of, ‘I want to live like that too.’”

The book—and the ethos behind it—embody Jenkins’ belief that beauty belongs to everyone, no matter the scale or budget.

That’s a wrap on my conversation with Corey Damen Jenkins. I hope you found it as inspiring and insightful as I did. Corey’s journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance, humility, and a clear creative vision can carry you through even the toughest challenges.

Be sure to check out his upcoming book, Design Reimagined, launching on September 9th, and keep an eye out for the new season of his series as well as his lighting collection. Corey is definitely someone to watch, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with him soon for a deeper dive into his portfolio and upcoming projects.

As always, thanks for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might find it valuable. Until next time, stay focused,  keep pushing forward and rise above the chaos. -Convo By Design

3 Stories, One Major Event: Live From KBIS | 600 | Sharon Sherman, Jamie Gasparovic and Hannah Goldberg

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Today, we are getting in the way way-way back machine, back to February of this year for a journey to Las Vegas for KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. It’s funny to me that even though this was only a few months back, it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has happened this year. But if you recall, in February, before protests, riots, big bills, big balls, tariffs, and all the rest of the chaotic shenanigans, there was KBIS. It was an extraordinary show this year. Part of that were the conversations that took place. I am going to share three of them with you today:

Designer Resources

Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise.

Design Hardware – A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home!

 – Where service meets excellence

TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep

One event over 3 days, 3 conversations in one episode of the show today and very different perspectives on the industry and design in general.

Sharon Sherman | Thyme & Place

Jamie Gasparovic | Studio Gaspo

Hannah Goldberg | Hannah Charlotte Interiors

Amazing, right? Thank you Sharon, Jamie and Hannah. Thank you to all of the incredible people from KBIS, NKBA, Emerald, Flying Camel, Leeann, Rachael and everyone else who made this experience possible, and made it possible for me to bring it to you. I want to thank my partner sponsors who help make this show possible: Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy Company, TimberTech, and Design Hardware. Thank you for listening, subscribing, and sharing the show with your colleagues. Your support means everything, and it helps grow this conversation across the design community.

Make sure you subscribe to Convo By Design so you never miss an episode. We have more incredible guests, ideas, and conversations coming your way.

Please keep those emails coming. You can reach me directly at convoByDesign@outlook.com, and be part of the conversation on Instagram, @ConvoXDesign—that’s Convo X Design with an “X”..

These are complex issues that requires both deeper thought and immediate action.  I want to thank every one of our expert guests for their insights, time, and passion. We are surrounded by complex issues, are we not? That’s why I have been encouraging you to manage these complicated times. Because it’s real. It’s exhausting. But, from transition, comes opportunity. It is just a matter of thinking about it differently and finding the shiny, glimmering opportunities amongst dark and ominous clouds. So, stay focused and rise above the chaos. – CXD

KBIS Confidential | 588 | Manage Client Expectations and Thrive

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This is the final installment of KBIS Confidential Creative Conversations LIVE from KBIS 2025 and for this one, we enter the Business & Trends track from the programming from the NextStge. In this session, we explore strategies for balancing client expectations with tight budgets and turn challenges into opportunities for growth in today’s ever-changing and challenging economy.

I moderated this program which was an honor and a joy for a number of reasons and the best part was the incredible group of creatives empaneled for this really important talk; Arianne Bellizaire, Owner & Creative Director, Arianne Bellizaire Interiors LLC, Kim Gordon, Lead Designer, Kim Gordon Designs and Lisa McDennon, Principal, Lisa McDennon Design. Because you are the amazing listeners and friends of the show, you have heard from Lisa and Kim on the show previously and while Arianne is new to the show, it will not be the last time you hear from her.

This conversation was extraordinary for so many reasons that you will hear for yourself. If you are a design professional trying to:

  • Navigate the daily changes in levels of consumer confidence
  • Upgrading your clientele
  • Matching the energy of your clients
  • Creating strategic partnerships
  • Putting your face, firm and story into the public to gain notoriety and promotion of your work
  • Prepare for wild price and changes in product availability 
  • Future proof your business

Well, the following conversation was created just for you. Enjoy