KBB - May/June 2014 - 24

SPECIAL REPORT

K+BB's New Editorial Advisory Board Lends Insight into Today's Trends
through Experience with Clients and a Visit to KBIS 2014
As you may have noticed on our masthead, K+BB is developing an impressive and extensive Editorial Advisory Board, and we decided to ask
some of the experts their opinions of the trends of today and changes
in the industry as we move into the future. The responses are based on
their own experiences with clients, as well as what they saw happening
at this year's Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).

Bill Feinberg
Allied Kitchen & Bath, Allied Decorative Hardware &
Plumbing, Allied Windows & Doors, Wilton Manors, Fla.

K+BB: What design trends are you seeing in
the kitchen and bath industry today in terms
of your own experiences with clients/consumers?
Bill Feinberg: I am seeing many more contemporary styles compared to
the past few years. A lot of white, high-gloss and furniture sheen finishes,
mixing colors and textures and more exotic woods - veneers on slab
doors. Countertop materials are changing, and we are using more quartz
and recycled materials than ever before. We are also installing more glass
countertops than ever before. We are also lighting up counters more using
LED lights and technology.

even one complaint, and with all the online rating companies out
there, protecting and defending our reputation in the community and
our industry is invaluable and something we must all be aware of and
constantly monitor. Just a few complaints can ruin a company and
cause us to lose clients.

K+BB: What design and product trends interested you at
KBIS 2014?
Feinberg: There were a lot of unique glass and other materials for tile applications. I love all the cool mosaic tiles with unique finishes and textures.

Ebony Stephenson
Criner Remodeling, Newport News, Va.

K+BB: What design trends are you seeing in
the kitchen and bath industry today in terms of
your own experiences with clients/consumers?
Ebony Stephenson: I am seeing a lot of aging-in-place and universal
design. I am also seeing more subtle, calm designs without a lot of fussy
details. Clients have been requesting grays and light blues in their remodels. Chrome has also been a big hit this year. Dark cabinets in such colors
as espresso and black are being requested more often.

K+BB: What are some changes you see coming?
Stephenson: Clients have been going with their gut more often these days.
Instead of worrying too much about resale value, clients are spending their
money on features they want now and worrying less about future buyers.

K+BB: What design and
product trends interested
you at KBIS 2014?

A bathroom featuring
quartz and mixed materials

K+BB: What are some changes you see coming?
Feinberg: It's all about customer service, and to be successful - especially
for smaller, independent dealers - we must stand out.The consumer is willing to pay for concierge service, especially in the higher-end market. Our
world today is moving faster than ever, and keeping up with technology
is also key. Better design programs and more sophisticated programs that
will allow us to track and follow jobs better is a must as well. We are using
iPads more and more and trying to get away from the typical catalogs
and price books.
With the Internet today, our businesses must be fair and honest and
be willing and able to produce high-quality projects. We can't afford

+
K BB

Stephenson: I saw a lot of modern
design; lots of dark cabinets with
simple door styles; clean, quartz
countertops with little to no movement or design; calm backsplashes without a lot of detail or accents;
and glass subway tiles were also
popular.

K+BB: What are some changes
you see coming based on
what you saw at KBIS 2014?

A countertop in Luna Sail solid
surfacing in white from Formica

Stephenson: After KBIS I realized that clients will be harder to deal with,
misinformed and will have false expectations more often now than in
the past. Drivers for this trend are the Internet, DIY websites, TV shows and
commercials.

May/June 2014 / www.kbbonline.com / The Official Sponsor of KBIS www.kbis.com

http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbis.com

KBB - May/June 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - May/June 2014