CE Pro February 2023 - 4

From the Editor
by Arlen Schweiger
What Do Designers Want
from the Custom Industry?
" One of the
best ways
[for integrators]
to create a better
relationship on
a local level is
to have an open
house experience
and invite local
designers into
their showrooms
to experience
the product
and meet faceto-face.
The
average designer
is intimidated by
technology. "
-Molly Switzer
LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME, I was headed
to my first Kitchen & Bath Industry Show
(KBIS), held in conjunction with the International
Builders' Show (IBS). This year, I'm
attending again, so I wanted to tap into the
design market before flying out to Las Vegas
for the Jan. 31 - Feb. 2 event.
I reached out to custom industry PR specialist
Katye McGregor Bennett (KMB), who
has been very active working to educate and
connect designers with integrators. She put
me in touch with four high-end designers:
Tristan Gary (tristangarydesigns.com), Molly
Switzer (mollynswitzer.com), Sharon Sherman
(thymeandplacedesign.com) and Janna Robinson
(jannarobinson.com). Here are some
of their insights (find the full Q&A at cepro.
com/KBIS-designer-qa-feb2023).
What are your favorite types of products
to use on a project?
ROBINSON: I love motorized shades and
automated lighting. Both encompass consumer
and professional markets and offer
reliable solutions.
GARY: When we invite a client into their
theater or game room for the first time and
their Stealth Acoustics speakers are 100%
concealed behind drywall, their minds are
blown. And they know that every friend,
family member, and colleague will feel the
same way.
SWITZER: Hands down, I love the WallSmart
products that allow so many pieces to
be installed flush; they've partnered with so
many great brands it really makes it easy.
Arlen Schweiger is
executive editor of
CE Pro. He can be
reached at
arlen.schweiger@
emeraldx.com and
@ArlenSchweiger
Are you finding design-minded options
increasing across tech categories?
SHERMAN: The options have increased tenfold
and not just for the very top end of the
budget. There are a variety of price points
making the sensory experience of design and
tech more approachable.
4 | CE Pro February 2023
How can integrators and designers
foster better relationships?
SHERMAN: Integrators and designers really
need to understand each other and respect
each's area of expertise. " My way or else "
does not work and it's not good for the client.
A cooperative approach is always best.
SWITZER: I think one of the best ways
[for integrators] to create a better relationship
on a local level is to have an open house
experience and invite local designers into
their showrooms to experience the product
and meet face to face. The average designer
is intimidated by technology.
ROBINSON: Oftentimes, both the integrator
and designer will have to make some
sacrifices or find creative solutions, and it's
important that this is communicated in a way
that doesn't catch the other off-guard. By
meeting prior, they can begin [that process].
GARY: To remember what the same goal is
- to make a client very happy so they want
to refer us all to their family and friends. It's a
golden opportunity for us all.
cepro.com
SWITZER: I believe Snap One has done
a great job of listening to designers to help
create some great details for their products,
including their contemporary switch plates
which look SO good! We put them in our
own home first and I can't believe how many
of our neighbors have complimented and inquired
about them. They've also done it with
attractive security options from ClareOne.
GARY: Yes. Again, Stealth speakers ... but
also, Lutron has partnered with a shading
company to deliver automated shades in various
opacities, which means they are thinking
about the end user and the designer.
ROBINSON: Absolutely I am seeing more
design-minded, lifestyle technology solutions.
One example that stands out to me is
rather simple, but I really love the collection
of pull-down TV mounts from MantelMount.
http://www.tristangarydesigns.com http://www.mollynswitzer.com http://www.thymeandplacedesign.com http://www.jannarobinson.com http://www.cepro.com
CE Pro February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro February 2023
