Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2020 - 12

BETTER BUSINESS
"I think we'll see more sinks for handwashing as you enter the home - sinks in mudrooms,
entryways and foyers - or powder rooms right
next to the door," said designer Nicole Conte of
Manchester, Vt.-based Northshire Living.
According to Conte, bidets are also having an
unprecedented moment in the American bath
space; it is unlikely homeowners will forget the
panic buying of toilet paper anytime soon.
"I don't think bidets are practical for most
households, but I do think washlets will become
much more commonplace," said Conte. A bidet
is a stand-alone fixture, while a washlet fits into
an existing toilet.
LEARNING TO DO THINGS VIRTUALLY

Coming Out on Top

Designers weigh in on how their business
practices are evolving because of COVID-19

ABOVE Photo by

nyul/Adobe Stock

IN LIGHT OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC, the design community at large is
grappling with a sense of the unknown. What everyone can agree on is that
everything - from the way we work to the way we communicate - will change
when the world is on the other side of this situation. Like in recessions before,
the industry will find a way to flourish again and will do it in a better way.

A CHANGED KITCHEN & BATH

Homeowners have definitely had the opportunity to get a good long look at
their spaces and assess how well they actually work for their family. When
it comes to the kitchen in particular, it's likely that cleanability and more efficient storage will be priorities going forward.
"Everyone seems to be scrambling for pantry storage space right now,"
said designer Kelley Irwin of Denton, Texas-based Irwin Construction.
"I think we might see a trend toward more enclosed storage for food and
household goods, as opposed to the open-shelving trend we've been watching for a while."
Many have used this time to hone their cooking skills and may want to
continue that habit with high-functioning spaces and materials the inhibit
bacteria growth. Anti-microbial elements - such as copper and its alloys like
brass and bronze - can be used in hardware and other surfaces and fixtures
for ease of mind. Clients will also be drawn toward countertops with antimicrobial agents baked in. Hands-free faucets will also be on the wish list, as
well as more sinks in general.

12
12-14_KBB_0520_BetterBusiness.indd 12

Things changed extremely fast with COVID-19,
and businesses had to change with it. Firms like
Irwin's had to switch from conducting all of their
consultations in person to figuring out how to do
them online.
"In an increasingly digital world, I don't think
that skill will go to waste even once it's safe to
meet in person again," said Irwin, explaining that
virtual consultations are helpful for expanding
her client base and maximizing time. "However,
when we're looking at new renovation projects
and relying on the client to take measurements
on the other end of a Zoom meeting, it becomes
obvious that it's a lot more effective to just be
there in person."
Several designers also agreed that while virtual
meetings have been beneficial, it is difficult to conduct every consultation online. Homeowners will
still need to view products in person, and designers
usually prefer to physically see a space.The online
skills designers have learned will still carry into
the future, perhaps for some e-design jobs and for
better communication overall.
"I think we are very lucky with today's technology and being able to still stay connected easily,"
said design associate Simone Bumpus of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Kitchens by Good Guys. "A lot
of times we struggle with having a meeting with
some of our frequently traveling or out-of-state
clients, so video chatting may be a great option to
keep the process going rather than long pauses in
between due to scheduling."
DOING BUSINESS BETTER

By ERINN LOUCKS

Design firms are also adapting to the changing
economic landscape with more strategic planning and practices. Because of showroom and
factory closures, many designers are checking
that the products and materials they need are in
stock before specifying them for a project. Businesses are also looking to keep more funds in
reserve in the future.

/ MAY-JUNE 2020 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

5/5/20 12:58 PM

http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.NKBA.org http://www.KBIS.com

Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2020