Don’t Miss Out on Experiencing 2024 NKBA KBIS!
“Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.”–Aldous Huxley, English Writer and Philosopher
They say we learn from our experiences, and for those of us in the residential interior design industry, truer words have never been said.
Without experience, we don’t know what paint colors to consider when a client requests a specific space be designed around the morning sunrise. Without experience, we don’t know when a centuries-old piece of furniture in a 150-year-old house is the best aesthetic for a space. Without experience, we don’t know when to lean on a builder for input regarding the relocation of a sink, shower or toilet in a bathroom renovation.
Experiences allow us to learn new lessons, and to learn from old lessons and ones we haven’t even thought of yet.
But not all of these experiences and lessons have to be learned in a design space. That’s where events like 2024 NKBA KBIS come into play.
Kelley Barnett, NCIDQ, CMKBD, an Austin, Texas-based interior designer and NKBA board member, says this year’s show is one she wants as many people as possible in our industry to not only attend, but experience.
“I think everyone should go at least once in your life to KBIS and experience all there is to offer,” Barnett says.
Scheduled for Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas (it’s 60th year), 2024 NKBA KBIS will welcome upward of 100,000 qualified kitchen and bath designers, interior designers, dealers, architects, showrooms, custom builders and remodelers. And, it’s co-located with the NAHB International Builders Show (IBS), which together makes up Design and Construction Week.
Checkout our recent
interview with Barnett, and she shared tons about this year’s event, what she’s excited about and what benefits she believes attendees will experience if they go this year. And if you haven’t already, registration is still open. Just click
here to learn more.
Some Thoughts on Patina
By Carl Dellatore.jpg)
First, Happy New Year!
Like many of you, I consider January a time for rebirth, adopting an optimistic view for a new chapter ahead. January feels freshly minted and full of promise (even on the coldest New England day.) And January, like no other month, marks the passage of time.
In the final weeks of 2023, I found myself thinking about how time affects–and is reflected in–interior design. There’s no better source for contemplating those subjects than Belgian designer Axel Vreevordt’s 2011 book,
Wabi Inspirations, which I highly recommend.
In its pages, Vervoordt’s rooms reveal the Japanese aesthetic philosophy of Wabi Sabi, which encourages an appreciation for imperfection, transience, and the beauty found in simplicity. "Wabi Sabi" comprises two distinct ideas: "Wabi" conveys rustic authenticity and a sense of understatement. At the same time, "Sabi" embodies the beauty that comes with the passage of time, acknowledging the inevitable impermanence of all things.
Vervoordt favors organic materials such as wood, stone, and natural fibers, celebrating their inherent irregularities and unique textures. Imperfect finishes, weathered surfaces, and irregular shapes are cherished, fostering environments that feel humble and connected to nature. He discourages excessive ornamentation and promotes a sense of modesty, crafting uncluttered spaces that allow for contemplation.
A critical element of Wabi-Sabi in design is the appreciation for the patina that develops over time, whether on wooden furniture, metal fixtures, or textiles. This acceptance of aging and wear adds character to spaces, telling a story of the object's journey and creating a sense of warmth. Embracing restraint, Wabi-Sabi encourages a mindful approach to design, valuing the beauty of the mundane.
The walls of this Brooklyn dining room, designed by Kathryn Scott, are finished in earthy stucco, a surface that ages to take on a life of its own. The top of the dining table is raw cypress without a protective sealant, which allows it to acquire an authentic patina through everyday use, and the walnut cabinets in the background are oiled to accentuate the grain. Photographed by Ellen McDermott for the book Interior Design Master Class published by Rizzoli New York.
Axel Vervoodt’s rooms, or those designed by his American counterparts like New York-based Kathryn Scott or Los Angelenos Kathleen and Tommy Clements, are often austere. But monastic spaces aren’t to everyone’s taste. Perhaps your aesthetics differ: traditional, modernist, transitional. I celebrate them all; the variety excites my life as a design journalist. But no matter the design genre, I’ve always appreciated furnishings and finishes that give a room a sense of history.
Circling back to a conversation I had with Kathryn Scott, I’m reminded of something she said about patinated surfaces; it left an impression on me. “The desire to keep everything perfect—as if it has never been used—is quite unappealing and makes everything feel dead. Nothing in nature is perfect. The desire to keep everything new reminds me of mass production, whereas I find more beauty in handmade things fashioned from natural materials, especially as they age.”
The same logic applies to the architectural details in older homes.
Case in point: In the ‘90s, I purchased an eleven-acre poultry farm in Columbia County, New York, built in 1822, that had fallen into disrepair and set about bringing the farmhouse and the surrounding out-buildings back to life.
While I wanted modern living spaces with contemporary creature comforts, respecting the house’s age was paramount, so we removed the poorly seamed dryway throughout, replacing it with lath and plaster. We worked with a local salvage company, purchasing old kitchen cabinets and a glorious farmhouse sink. We removed all the cast iron hardware to restore and re-install throughout the house. But there was one detail we didn’t touch: the original pumpkin pine floors and, more specifically, the threshold saddles.
After nearly two centuries, the center of the saddles slopped dramatically, slowly worn down as the home’s former inhabitants traversed from the living room to the dining room, from the kitchen to the back porch. I remember seeing the wood and its hidden history when I first visited the property. Thinking about the laughter, the parties, and the prosaic evenings by the fire that preceded me there struck me as profound and somewhat poetic.
Don’t misunderstand me: I am not advocating for rooms full of broken-down, dilapidated pieces. No one wants to live in a ruin. That said, the distressed finish on an antique blanket chest or a tarnished brass lamp lovingly paired with a pleated silk shade places a room in the continuum of time in a way that a room fully populated with contemporary furnishings cannot. Call me nostalgic, but I would advocate that designers consider that as we enter the new year.
Stay updated on this series author,
Carl Dellatore, by following his
Instagram. About
Carl Dellatore & Associates - provides designers, architects, and creatives with writing, editing, and copyediting services by an established team to effectively reveal your story.
Spring High Point Market
Registration for the Spring High Point Market will open in late January. Held April 13-17 in High Point, North Carolina, the spring event is sure to offer an abundance of events, tours, educational opportunities, dining and entertainment, networking and visits to more than 11.5 million square feet of showroom space.
DSAinsure Special Offer
As we bid farewell to 2023, we are excited to announce the extension of our DSAinsure offer into the new year, reinforcing our commitment to safeguarding and enhancing the professionalism of your interior design business. Our ongoing collaboration with DSAinsure, Pen-Ex Insurance Brokers & Villanova Insurance Partners, ensures that you have access to specialized insurance tailored for interior designers.
The significance of insurance cannot be overstated. Beyond securing your business, it plays a pivotal role in elevating your professional reputation. Conveying to clients that your business is protected fosters trust and underscores your dedication to delivering top-notch service.
We are pleased to unveil an exclusive offer: Enroll in DSAinsure and enjoy a complimentary one-year membership to the Designer Society of America (DSA). This membership opens the door to a vibrant community of industry professionals, boosting your visibility and credibility as a committed design professional.
Jump on this chance to support the long-lasting success of your business and enjoy the perks of a solid and well-respected professional profile. Take advantage of this special new year offer to fortify your business and elevate your standing within the design community!
Simply email us with your proof of insurance at support@dsasociety.org, ensuring to include the keyword “DSAinsure” in the subject line of your email. We will extend your membership by an additional year or provide your first year for free, offering a level of professionalism and positioning that sets you apart from the competition.
For further details, visit here.
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Design Harmony: The DSA and Mydoma Studio Partnership Unveiled
Cultivating Success Through Partnership: DSA and Mydoma Studio Join Forces for Design Excellence!
Designer Society of America (DSA) and Mydoma Studio are thrilled to announce our partnership aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of interior design business management. With a shared commitment to empowering designers at all stages of their careers, this collaboration promises to bring innovative solutions, exclusive benefits, and unparalleled support for DSA students and professional members alike.
Meet Mydoma: The Game-Changer in Design Management
Mydoma is the premier platform offering comprehensive business management solutions for interior designers. Beyond being a software, Mydoma is a community that helps designers at all stages of their professional journey, providing educational content, events, and a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations. Mydoma empowers designers to spend less time managing and more time creating - it's a design dream come true!
Sarah Daniele, the Founder and CEO of Mydoma Studio, wanted to enhance interior design practices after recognizing the need for a cohesive and repeatable process within the industry. What began as a personal solution evolved into the creation of Mydoma Studio in 2015, a comprehensive platform designed to streamline every aspect of the design process. In a previous Q&A, Daniele shared insights into Mydoma's evolution and how it addresses the unique challenges faced by interior designers. Sarah Daniele, stated, "At Mydoma, we believe in fostering a community that thrives on collaboration and continual learning. Partnering with DSA enables us to reach a wider audience of designers who are passionate about honing their craft and making a mark in the industry. Together, we aspire to build a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking community."
Empowering Designers: Mydoma's Support & Resources
Mydoma stands out in the market for several reasons, with a dedicated in-house development team ensuring rapid feature additions and technological advancements. The platform boasts features such as built-in rendering and a full mobile app, providing designers with tools that go beyond the capabilities of other software. The recent introduction of enhanced order tracking and the upcoming public product catalogs further exemplify Mydoma's commitment to staying ahead of industry needs.
Mydoma provides a comprehensive business management toolkit and goes the extra mile to support designers. Regular webinars, templates, free resources, and chat support from real people ensure that designers, whether seasoned professionals or those just starting, have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.
The Exciting Partnership
The collaboration between Mydoma and DSA is set to create significant opportunities for both students and professional members. Student membership level exclusively available through DSA, the partnership aims to establish a solid foundation for systems and processes, enabling them to seamlessly integrate Mydoma's tools into their educational journey. DSA professional members will enjoy exclusive benefits, including personalized onboarding and a $100 discount on their Professional Annual Plan subscription.
Natasha Younts, CEO of the Designer Society of America, stated, "As the President of the Designer Society of America, I am thrilled to unveil our exciting partnership with Mydoma. Its remarkable suite of tools and mobile apps has reshaped our design capabilities. Mydoma's all-in-one platform empowers interior designers with tools to craft presentations, source and manage our invoicing effortlessly and foster stronger connections with our cherished clients. Mydoma has truly elevated the art of design, allowing us to spend valuable time with clients and focus on our passion."
Exclusive Offer for DSA Members
As a special offer for members of the Designer Society of America, Mydoma is extending a full suite of business management tools at an exclusive rate. DSA members can avail themselves of one-on-one onboarding and enjoy a $100 discount on their Mydoma subscription, making this partnership an even more valuable asset for their professional growth. The collaboration between Mydoma and DSA opens doors for students and professionals alike. Student membership through DSA sets the stage for seamless integration of Mydoma's tools into educational journeys.
In conclusion, the partnership between DSA and Mydoma signifies a significant step forward for the interior design community, ushering in a new era of streamlined processes, support, and growth opportunities. Together, they are poised to shape the future of interior design by fostering a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and success.
