At KBIS 2016 in Las Vegas, NKBA announced its first-ever NKBA K+B Insiders, a leading group of established influencers who trendspotted the their favorite new products trends from the tradeshow floor, and presented the 2016 NKBA Design Trends Report before a packed house of top-tier editors attending the show.
It wasn’t too long after KBIS that the K+B Insiders took their trendspotting global: Cosentino, a global leader in the surfacing industry, invited the group to scout the latest in European kitchen & bath design in Barcelona and to visit their global headquarters in Almeria, Spain.
K+B Insiders Trendspotting in Barcelona
From Gaudi’s iconic architecture to the spirit and energy of Las Ramblas, the K+B Insiders took to the streets of Barcelona to see the architecture and sites of Spain’s second largest city.
For K+B Insider Brian Patrick Flynn, Antonini Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia topped his list of must-sees for the trip. Construction on the Roman Catholic Church began in 1882, and when it’s complete in 2026, it will be the tallest church on earth. Known for its juxtaposition of classic Gothic design with curvilinear Art Nouveau forms, the church captures Gaudi’s engineering and architectural genius; it has taken three generations of architects, engineers and sculptors to bring his vision to life.
NKBA K+B Insiders Report on Top European K+B Design Trends in Barcelona, Spain
From fashion to architecture and interiors, Europe sets a precedent for the rest of the design world by using natural materials in artisanal ways and maintaining a standard of high-quality craftsmanship and manufacturing.
“European design is also synonymous with clean lines and forms that stand the test of time,” says K+B Insider Brian Patrick Flynn. “When the bones of the space are timeless and classic, you can add personality and flair with things like textiles, hardware and lighting that can be easily changed out as your taste evolves. European design is great testament to that practice.”
K+B Insider Alberto Villalobos of New York City-based design firm Villalobos Desio, whose aesthetic is synonymous with global influence, says he appreciates the emphasis on “function over form” in European design. “The P7350 Kitchen that we saw in the Poggenpohl showroom seamlessly integrated state-of-the-art appliances and mixed finishes. It was incredibly sleek, organized and clean—it embodied everything I associate with European design.”
Behind the Scenes at Cosentino’s Global Headquarters in Almeria, Spain
The NKBA K+B Insiders’ trip to Spain culminated with a tour of the global headquarters and manufacturing facilities for Cosentino in Almeria, where the company manufactures its quartz surface Silestone and Dekton, an ultra-compact and ultra-durable surface material, as well as natural stone. The K+B Insiders got a glimpse of the research and design process for Cosentino’s products, including new prototypes and innovative material use.
After seeing the latest in Cosentino’s R&D and getting an up-close view of how Silestone and Dekton are manufactured, the K+B Insiders share their favorite product picks, and ones they’d envision using in future projects.
Alberto Villalobos: Dekton XGloss Spectra
“I would use Spectra as a counter and backsplash in the kitchen of a contemporary loft. The depth of color and the gloss of the material would give any kitchen a new dimension.”
Brian Patrick Flynn: Albedo, from the Silestone Influencer Series
“Albedo, a Silestone Influencer Series color by Kerrie Kelly, has a mix of deep blues that while bold, offer enough of a neutral mix to blend with many different color schemes. It also has the terrazzo look of midcentury modern homes and I love how this color can honor that style in a practical manner.”
Patricia Davis Brown: Dekton Edora
“I love the calmness of the material, allowing other materials to rise and pop, giving a good balance to any kitchen or bath design.”
Karl Champley: Silestone in White Zeus Extreme
“White Zeus by Silestone, one of Silestone’s best sellers, is my favorite because it can be used in so many applications—
I actually have it in my kitchen at home and I love it.”
Throughout 2016, the NKBA K+B Insiders will report on the latest industry trends from across the globe, must-attend events and top industry trade shows. Next stop: ICFF in New York City. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends with #KBInsider on Twitter and Facebook, and through the K+B Insider’s guest blog posts on the NKBA blog.
