Category Archives: KBIS

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

KBIS Confidential | 586 | Inside the Kitchen with Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) featuring John Russo

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This year, KBIS brought a whole new energy. This new energy and vibe was brought on by a number of issues on the minds of both design creatives, their clients and the brands that hope to be included in future projects. I think it was also fueled by a discomfort. One that many if not most of us are feeling by the political chaos created by this new administration. Now listen, before you get tribal on me, hear me out. Regardless for whom you voted, when a new administration comes in, they get to make the changes they see fit. And it doesn’t really matter if you agree or disagree, it is a fact of life and elections have consequences. That was the topic of discussion that elevated above all others and I believe that this discomfort being felt has motivated many creatives to reengage in their business and recommit to to their craft despite the head winds headed our way. And you are going to hear some of those conversations! KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, in partnership with the National Kitchen and Bath Association is one of the few “must attend” shows. The event itself is 3 days of brands, talks, programming, events and happenings while combined with the International Builders Show in the same footprint of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Every first-time attendee to the show is gobsmacked by the sheer volume of people and product. Even those who are veterans of the event seem annually surprised by the amount of walking, talking and lack of physical preparedness required to fully navigate this show.

KBIS is on my list of annual must-attend events for specifiers, designers, architects and design-build firms. Why? There are a few reasons for this and following is a comprehensive, possibly incomplete, but significant nonetheless.

  • Networking – If there is someone in the industry that you are hoping to meet, there is a very good chance that they are at KBIS. Even if they aren’t, you will certainly meet others with whom you can find strategic opportunities. The event itself is optimally conducive to unplanned “run ins”, scheduled meetings and introductions.
  • Surprise and Delight – Finding new products, materials and services are what makes the idea of a trade show so enticing. You don’t know what you don’t know and an event of this size makes the process of discovery fun and effective. The amount of product interaction over 3 days in over 1 million square feet of convention space is certainly an opportunity to find new products to incorporate into your designs.
  • Learning and Education – The amount of programming that takes place over these three days is significant. There are opportunities to learn a great deal about a vast number of topics in a short period of time making this one of those rare opportunities that matches your preparedness and willingness to learn equal to the number of opportunities available. In other words, there are more available to you than you could possibly attend.

We  explore what’s cooking at this year’s KBIS. John shares what SKS is most excited about, the can’t-miss products from the brand, and even reveals which SKS products he has in his own home. Plus, we dive into the future of SKS, discuss creative design installations, and get John’s take on the latest trends in kitchen innovation. Topics discussed include;

  • The SKS advantage
  • What is a Technicurean
  • Advantages to cooking with modern appliances
  • Product design
  • How SKS supports the design community through opportunity and education
  • Benefits of a national service team
  • Technological approach to cooking

KBIS Confidential | 583 | Everything You Need to Know About Extraordinary Outdoor Entertaining

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Outdoor living, the new frontier for everything from maximizing enjoyment of external spaces, outdoor entertainment and outdoor kitchens. New modalities generating a renewed interest in cultivated design of said spaces by some of the most talented creatives working today. From entertainment spaces to full blown ultra-luxe outdoor kitchens and everything in between with opportunities available for just about any (realistic) budget. Outdoor design is changing rapidly due to a number of factors. Those factors include modified use due to changing circumstances, client desire, increased cost of goods all in an outdoor spaces that are not as predictable as they used to be. So, we are going to chop it up a little bit and provide some practical solutions for designers, architects, landscape architects and design-build firms looking to up their outdoor entertainment game.

This conversation features; Jessica Petrino Ball, Director of Trade and Education | AJ Madison, Robert Bell, Landscape Architect | Bell Design

  • Outdoor living
  • UL Rated appliances for outdoor use
  • 4-season living
  • Appliance finish combinations
  • Multi-functional outdoor covered spaces
  • Project approach and design application
  • Partnerships and industry partnerships
  • Managing expectations
  • Understanding winterizing and appliance upkeep
  • Zones for outdoor living applications

KBIS Confidential: Kitchen ReVOLUTION or Evolution, You Decide | 581 | Christine Vroom, Arianne Bellizaire, Jonah Kilday

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The kitchen rEvolution is here…But is it more evolution or revolution.  Are designers developing contemporary kitchens based solely on new ideas or looking to the past for inspiration? Is it a wholesale revolution or a patchwork of ideas creating a whole new set of ideas and opportunities?. How is the evolving nature of kitchen design changing the way we think about the heart of the home? How are changing technologies and desired functionality reshaping the modality of kitchen use and design. We explore how new opportunities in appliances and technology have evolved the programming of a kitchen suite. How sous vide, various mode appliances, Wi-Fi enabled appliances, water saving faucets and features combined with revised floor planning have forever altered these spaces making the kitchen, once again the place where everything happens and from which life takes shape.

This conversation features; Christine Vroom | Christine Vroom Interiors, Arianne Belazaire | Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, Jonah Kilday | MK Workshop. Topics of conversation include;

  • Multi-Kitchen homes
  • Resurgence of butler’s pantry, scullery, wine bar, coffee bar
  • Increased appliance packages and programming
  • Programming changes in kitchen spaces
  • What defines luxury and how does that manifest itself
  • For show or hidden?
  • Definition of “luxury”
  • Triangle Vs. Zones
  • Inside out and the rise of luxury outdoor kitchens
  • Modern definition of function
  • En suite kitchenette

What a remarkable experience. I believe that KBIS is one of the annual must-attend events. Not just for all the reasons listed above, but so many others as well. KBIS is the pulse of the industry in America. It represents a true cross section of disciplines. You will see architects, landscape architects, designers, contractors, design-build firms, hospital, education, prison design specialists all looking for new products to specify and unique ways to use them. 

Thank you to the NKBA, KBIS, Emerald, Flying Camel, AJMadison and all of the amazing creatives who came on the show. The KBIS Podcast Studio was  just extraordinary. 

Thank you for listening to Convo By Design Presents KBIS Confidential. As always, please join in the conversation on Instagram @convoXdesign with an “X” and, if you would like to reach me with a note, show or guest suggestion, please do. Email me, convo by design @ outlook.com.

Until next time, stay focused and rise above the chaos. – CXD

KBIS Confidential: Luxe for Less | 579 | Achieving Perfect Results on Budget in a More Expensive Environment with a Cost Conscious Clientele

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Many if not most clients will confess that the reason they employ the services of a designer, architect and landscape architect is because the way they live is not congruent with the way they wish to live. What many clients don’t realize is that a superpower great designers bring to every project is the ability to reduce costs through product knowledge and application of skill. Explore the rapidly changing design space and learn how to craft that perfect environment on a budget through strategic choices, waste reduction, strategic customization and an understanding for how the industry is changing. Stay ahead of the curve and thrive. We will explore how tariffs, supply chain snags and inflation continue to drive costs as well as specification strategies to value engineer every project and achieve that desired look for less.

This conversation features Alena Capra, Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer | Alena Capra Design, Jessica Petrino Ball, Director of Trade and Education | AJ Madison and Tony Disilvestro Topics of conversation include;

  • Providing a Bespoke Experience
  • Value Engineering & Building Value Through Strategic Specification
  • Does Luxury REALLY mean Expensive? Breakdown strategic approach
  • Activating the Designer/ Showroom/ Manufacturer Partnerships
  • Brand Loyalty Vs. Mixing to Achieve Expectations
  • Psychological Approach to Design
  • Appliances Beyond the Kitchen
  • How Appliances Spark Joy
  • Using these and other strategies to raise design to meet expectations for less

What a remarkable experience. I believe that KBIS is one of the annual must-attend events. Not just for all the reasons listed above, but so many others as well. KBIS is the pulse of the industry in America. It represents a true cross section of disciplines. You will see architects, landscape architects, designers, contractors, design-build firms, hospital, education, prison design specialists all looking for new products to specify and unique ways to use them. 

Thank you to the NKBA, KBIS, Emerald, Flying Camel, AJMadison and all of the amazing creatives who came on the show. The KBIS Podcast Studio was  just extraordinary. 

Thank you for listening to Convo By Design Presents KBIS Confidential. As always, please join in the conversation on Instagram @convoXdesign with an “X” and, if you would like to reach me with a note, show or guest suggestion, please do. Email me, convo by design @ outlook.com.

Until next time, stay focused and rise above the chaos. – Convo By Design

Getting Real with Designing Women | 578 | Kim Gordon & Breegan Jane Live from KBIS 2025

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Patience. It’s hard to navigate around because everything is seemingly delivered almost overnight. Actually, it’s more like two days thanks to Amazon. So, after I return from a show like KBIS, I have hours and hours of content to cull through and produce. I want to share some of my process with you. While there is an overwhelming urge to publish everything right when I get back, I have found that a more deliberate approach to content deployment. I have actually found it similar to how many design professionals stage their work on projects. Interesting and something we will be exploring further in the future.

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

Today, you are going to hear from two incredible designers and long time friends of the show.While at KBIS, I had the opportunity to speak with Breegan Jane and Kim Gordon. We discussed a number of topics that every working designer today should hear. It’s also not just about the work, the business or trade shows. Life lessons from two of the most honest and authentic people I know. And you are going to hear all about it, first from Kim and then Breegan right after this.

Loved this. Thank you Kim and Breegan. Thank you to my incredible partner sponsors; TimberTech, Pacific Sales, and Design Hardware. Amazing companies and great friends to the trade so please give them an opportunity for your next project. And, thank you for listening, subscribing the show and sharing with your colleagues. If not already subscribing, please consider that so you receive every new episode automatically to your podcast feed. Until next week, thank you for sharing this time together, until the next episode, be well, stay focused and now that it has arrived in earnest, try to rise above the chaos. – CXD

KBIS Confidential: Beyond the Blueprint | 577 | A Personal Approach to Design with Moen

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The series is called KBIS Confidential – Creative Conversations LIVE from KBIS 2025. This 7-week series will be published every Wednesday.

Many of the worlds most innovative brands began with an “aha” moment. Moen’s “aha” moment came in 1937, Seattle when Al Moen’s old fashioned handle broke off in his hand. That moment led to the inspiration for the single-handed faucet, a revolutionary moment in plumbing and the beginning of a story that continues to evolve. It’s been said that industrial designers are a combination of engineer, therapist, artisan and sales professional.

Where does the next big idea come from, how is it ideated, modeled, rendered and selected for production? How are aesthetic, functionality and materiality selected. And how do these ideas relate to trends and market data?

This is the story of brand evolution through product development. Where science and engineering collide with the playful mindset. The anatomy of brand attraction and the importance of design while respecting the products that deliver our most valuable resource, water. featuring; Sam Cahill, Lead Industrial Designer, Moen and House of Rohl Alisha Snyder, Sr. Industrial Designer, Moen. Concepts discussed include:

  • Anatomy of the Moen brand
  • The value of Trends and market data
  • Selling an idea
  • How designs are ideated, modeled, rendered and selected
  • Market data sets
  • Geographic influence
  • From draft to showroom. The process.
  • Working with the design community
  • Generating a reaction
  • Brand evolution. What’s next?

Thank you KBIS for allowing me the opportunity to host the KBIS Podcast Studio presented by AJ Madison! Loved this experience. -CXD

KBIS Confidential: LIVE from KBIS 2025 | 574 | Pitch to Published – Get Your Projects the Love They Deserve

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Part One – Pitch to Published: Best Practices and Strategies to Get Your Projects Published

Learn what the pros know about getting projects published and how professional photography, narrative creation and knowing your audience can set you apart. Learn how can brand partnerships help get your designs promotion and exposure to potential new clients as well as new branding and revenue generating opportunities.

Featuring: Vanessa DeLeon – CEO & Principal Designer | Vanessa DeLeon Associates, Kathryn Given – Style Director | LUXE Interiors + Design and Amy Chernoff – VP of Marketing | AJ Madison

This is a comprehensive conversation for design and publicity professions that details and outlines ways to get designers projects into the public media. Topics include;

  • Process (prep)
  • Strategy – Photography, story, client approvals, art clearances, etc.
  • The Pitch
  • Creative deliverables, photography, re-shoots, etc.
  • Promotion
  • Expectations