As kitchen designers, we understand how our client’s functional needs and their aesthetic desires influences the design of their kitchens.
But there are underlying factors that are influencing us and our clients.
Many factors come into play that shape current trends and influence what people want in their kitchens.
These factors can include politics, economics, and world affairs.
Understanding these influences will allow kitchen designers to develop designs that meet all their clients conscious and subconscious needs.
Continue reading “The influence of Politics, Economics and World Affairs on Kitchen Design”
For kitchen designers, attracting new clients and building a loyal customer base is essential for success.
In the competitive world of kitchen design, simply having a beautiful showroom or an impressive portfolio may not be enough to set you and your business apart from the rest.
This is where attraction marketing comes in.
Attraction marketing is a strategy that focuses on creating value for your potential clients and building a relationship with them, rather than just promoting your products or services.
Let’s take a closer look.
Continue reading “A Kitchen Designers Guide to Attraction Marketing”
It has always amazed me how many kitchen designers do not use a formal needs assessment survey with their clients.
When I have asked them why they don’t use one, most will say they ask some questions but don’t need to write answers down.
They say they will remember the conversation.
This can be a bad habit to get into.
Read on to see why an in-depth needs assessment is something that should always be a part of your kitchen & bath design process so that you always meet your client’s needs.
Continue reading “Designing to Meet your Client’s Needs”
I have seen several trends come and go in kitchen design during my career.
A big part of my personal design practice has been to evaluate trends and give my clients my professional opinion on them.
Some trends make sense for clients, others don’t.
In this VESTA post I’m going to look at some popular kitchen design trends and give you the Pros and Cons so you can advise your clients on incorporating them or not.
Continue reading “Pros and Cons of Popular Kitchen Design Trends”
While strong color was everywhere within the KBIS 2023 displays, there was one that caught my eye that had softer side.
It was the first display you saw when entering the Monogram Appliance booth.
It had both a softer color scheme and soft curves throughout.
It was dubbed “The Bakery & Bar” and was inspired by elements from the European countryside.
The designer of the space wanted it to have a Parisian Patisserie vibe and kept it light and whimsical.
The theme was a bakery and bar but it is a look that could easily work in a contemporary kitchen.
Let’s look at the details.
Continue reading “A Softer KBIS 2023 Kitchen Display”
When walking the show floor at KBIS 2023, I was struck by all the color I was seeing.
For so many years, neutral color schemes were the popular choice with most exhibitors.
Sometimes though, details can be missed when viewed through all that color.
In this VESTA post I want to look at some of the great kitchen design details found at KBIS 2023 behind all that color.
Continue reading “Colorful Details from KBIS 2023”
Knowing what to charge for your design services is an important aspect of becoming a professional kitchen designer.
As with most things, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
The most important thing to remember is that the kitchen is a complicated room to design, and however you are compensated for designing it, it needs to be adequate to cover your time.
In this VESTA post I’ll look at the different ways kitchen designers can charge for their services.
Continue reading “Design Fee Options for the Professional Kitchen Designer”
The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, or KBIS, is where designers go to see what is new and trending in kitchen and bath design.
My goal for this show is to search out design details that are unique and can add the WOW factor to a kitchen design.
Last year at KBIS 2022, the appliance manufacturer GE Monogram was a highlight for unique design details and they were on my list to check out at KBIS 2023.
And they didn’t disappoint!
I highlighted their Luxe Kitchen display in a previous post and today will look at their Lucid Kitchen display.
Continue reading “A Look at the KBIS 2023 Lucid Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry”
I have a file on my computer where I will put random things related to kitchen design.
I will use these for insta posts, as part of a course, or in a coaching session.
In this VESTA Blog I thought I would share some of them since you never know when a tip like this will come in handy.
As I said, they are rather random but they are little things I have used in my personal kitchen design practice and thought I would share.
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The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is a trade show I attend regularly.
It is a great place to witness emerging trends and to look for unique details that can take your design projects to the next level.
Last year at KBIS 2022, the appliance manufacturer Monogram wowed us all with their booth and I definitely saw emerging trends and unique details in their displays.
I highlighted their displays in two blog posts: The Influence of Appliance Manufacturers on Kitchen Design Part 1 and Part 2.
Monogram Appliances was on my “must see” list again this year at KBIS 2023 and they did not disappoint.
I’ll give you my take on their kitchen displays over a few blog posts starting with the Luxe Kitchen display.
Continue reading “A Look at the KBIS 2023 Luxe Kitchen Display”
When I attend the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, I love seeking out new and innovative products.
These products can be seen at large and small exhibitors and I try to get by as many of the booths as possible.
The size of the show though, doesn’t always allow me to get to every booth and see everything.
So, my strategy is to walk the outer edges of the show floor looking for those smaller exhibitors that cannot afford a prime spot.
This is where a lot of innovative, cool stuff can be found.
In this VESTA Blog I will present some those unique products I found at KBIS 2023.
Continue reading “Around the Edges of KBIS 2023”
This year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2023) celebrated its 60th anniversary and broke attendance records.
Held in Las Vegas, Design & Construction Week attracted over 200,000 industry professionals to the city that never sleeps.
Once I made my way through the crowds to get to the design show venue, there were over 1600 exhibitors at the Las Vegas convention center between the KBIS and IBS halls.
While I was unable to visit every booth, I did get to most of the KBIS exhibitor’s displays.
This week’s VESTA Blog post is what I saw as trends in kitchen design at KBIS 2023.
Continue reading “Kitchen Trends from the KBIS 2023 Show Floor”
Jan Rutgers
