KBB - September 2012 - (Page 6)

EDITOR’S NOTE DESIGN + INNOV TION + LIFESTYLE / September 2012 A Far Gone Sometimes it takes an outsider—or a former web editor—to point out the obvious, which, as it relates to kitchen and bath design, is this: Things have changed. Our former web editor Jennifer Brite made this comment as she helped me proofread the copy for this issue, which showcases the winning projects of the annual K+BB Design Awards. Jennifer, who left the magazine in 2008, was surprised all the projects singled out were nearly all contemporary in style with nary a hand-carved wood acanthus leaf among them. She wondered aloud if past winners would even have had a chance this year. I think they would. But the truth is, here at the magazine, we see fewer and fewer well-ornamented, woodcarving-abundant Old-World kitchens pitched to us for publication. It’s a trend that has been ongoing for a while and probably picked up speed after the housing bust. In the year following the economic slowdown, “back to basics” and “less is more” were the mantras applied to everything from kitchen cabinetry to countertops to faucet designs and cabinet hardware. Nowadays, the descriptors wearing out their welcome (and applied to many of the projects in this issue) are “clean” and its close relative, “clean-lined.” Oh yes, “open” is another one. So yes, the trend has been happening for a while, but I guess when you’re reporting on it day in and day out, sometimes you don’t realize how far it has gone. This is not to say, however, that no one is wanting a traditionalstyle kitchen—or even bath, for that matter. In fact, interestingly, furniture and kitchen cabinetry maker Habersham paid me a visit just yesterday and brought along photos of gorgeously appointed kitchens with a decidedly classic bent. And Tom Skipper, president of Habersham, mentioned that business is coming back, especially in the kitchen sector. Always good to hear. I did ask, however, about the clients fueling this growth and, according to Skipper, they tend to be older and, of course, wellheeled. We then talked about trends, especially the move toward— here’s that word again—cleaner designs and the impact the up-andcoming Pottery-Barn-bred generations will have on kitchen and bath design. If this edition of the design awards is any indication, we’re already seeing it. Speaking of awards, this final bit of housekeeping is directed at all the manufacturers who introduced cool, innovative kitchen and bath products this year (and you know who you are). The entry form for this year’s K+BB Product Innovator Awards is ready for download on our website at www.kbbonline.com. Winners will be announced in our next issue. Good luck! n Alice Liao, Executive Editor aliao@kbbonline.com EDITORIAL executive editor Alice Liao (646) 654-4408 aliao@kbbonline.com creative director Jonathan Marsland (646) 654-4472 jmarsland@kbbonline.com Graphic production artist Jessica Farley (646) 654-7245 jessica.farley@nielsen.com INDUSTRY WATCH eNewsletter Nichole Schulze naschulze@yahoo.com editorial advisory board Jeff Burton; John Buscarello, asid; Jeff Cannata, cmkbd; Mick De Giulio; Jamie Gibbs; James Lev, aia; Candace Morris; Florence Perchuk, ckd; Lloyd Princeton; Roderick Shade; David Stimmel; Dick Titus; Gary White, cmkbd vice president/content Doug Hope (770) 291-5453 doug.hope@nielsen.com TERRITORY MANAGERS MidWest and illinois John Wilson 602 Society Place A2 Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 497-0221 john.wilson@nielsen.com east coast Paul Bienkowski 2422 Ellington Rd., South Windsor, CT 06074 (860) 644-3861; FAX: (860) 644-0700 pbienkowski@cox.net Phil Viscidi One Hollis St., Suite 305 Wellesley, MA 02482 (781) 431-1320; FAX: (781) 431-1968 phil@viscidi.com West coast and southWest Larry Shore 805 Avalon Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 (562) 598-5560 larry.shore@nielsen.com classiFieds and special sections Diane Kennedy 1145 Sanctuary Parkway Suite #355, Alpharetta, GA 30004 (770) 291-5519 diane.kennedy@nielsen.com vp kitchen and bath Group Brian Pagel 1145 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite #355, Alpharetta, GA 30004 (770) 291-5438 brian.pagel@nielsen.com SUPPORT production ManaGer Nan McDowell (770) 291-5480 nan.mcdowell@nielsen.com reprints Rosie Hassell The YGS Group (800) 501-9571 Ext. 136 kbb@theYGSgroup.com circulation custoMer service (800) 697-8859 Fax: (847) 291-8416 nkb@omeda.com list rental product ManaGer Bart Piccirillo (845) 731-2768 bart.piccirillo@eraepd.com senior vice president Joe Randall joe.randall@nielsen.com david loechner President, Nielsen Expositions Michael alicea Senior Vice President, Human Resources denise bashem Vice President, Finance lori Jenks Vice President, Operations darrell denny Senior Vice President, Business Development teresa reilly Vice President, Digital Joanne Wheatley Vice President, Manufacturing & Marketing Services Circle No. 7 the official sponsor of Copyright © 2012 by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.kbbonline.com http://www.kbbonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - September 2012

KBB - September 2012
Contents
Online Contents
Editorial
Show Director’s Note
Web Savvy
Trends
Products
2011 K+BB Design Awards
Meet the Judges
Top Projects
Merit Projects
Honorable Mention
Special Citation
Ad Index
Last Word

KBB - September 2012