December webinars are all about decorative plumbing and hardware. By Dianne M. Pogoda
The majority of plumbing is usually not seen, and hopefully not heard — but elements of this integral part of kitchens and baths can make or break a design.
NKBA’s three free December webinars are focused on the beauty of flow: decorative plumbing. Plus, a bonus fourth webinar will take a look at decorative hardware and what sets storage solutions apart. (Consider it a gift in the spirit of the season!)
The webinars are frontloaded into the first two weeks of the month to avoid the holiday crush at the end of December. First up, on Dec. 4, Kate Bailey of Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery will present “Let Plumbing Lead the Way: Trends in Decorative Plumbing for the Kitchen and Bath”at 12 noon (Eastern Time). This session explores incorporating decorative plumbing to take a kitchen or bath project to the next level. Every day, the family uses two rooms — the kitchen and bath —for essential functions. Bailey will show why important to learn how incorporating trends in decorative plumbing can enhance overall design value. Today’s plumbing fixtures marry tech enhancements and energy efficiency with attractive design elements.
Attendees will learn how to retrofit existing plumbing with distinctive and modern upgrades, interpret current buying patterns and how to make product selections that are relevant to customers, identify trending styles and finishes, and recognize what’s coming next: integrated connectivity and tech advances in decorative plumbing. To register for this class, click here.
Next up, on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. (Eastern Time), is “New Design Trends in Bathrooms,”presented by Kelly Stewart, CMKBD, manager and senior designer at Orizzonti LLC.
New products in the bath market have altered approaches to bathroom design. From customizable cabinetry that partners with sink products to mounting particular fixtures and faucets for tubs, this session will cover the latest trends in showers, mirrors and console concepts. It will also cover design solutions for ADA-compliant, stylish products and options for ergonomic personalization of the bath space. Attendees will learn to solve difficult wall, space, and room-size issues; discover ways to design and meet clients’ ergonomic needs, and identify storage and function solutions for various bathroom challenges. Register for this session by clicking here.
Rounding out the plumbing portion of the series, Alana Coakley, senior manager of channel marketing for Moen Inc., will present “One Hour Shower: The Latest in Shower Design & Technology,” on Dec. 11at 12 noon (Eastern Time).
This session will explore solutions that meet the needs, wants and budgets of clients — from a basic “spritz and shine” shower to the ultimate home-spa experience. Coakley will also go “behind the wall” to learn about installation considerations and requirements, including ways to improve functionality and aesthetics with the selection of trim and accessories. She’ll also offer information about legislation that affects showering and how to incorporate technology into designs, along with customization features. The session will illustrate how designers should specify the correct showering valve for certain project requirements; discuss design of a customized vertical spa, and how to incorporate technology into shower designs. To register for this webinar, click here.
Finally, on Dec. 13 at 12 noon (Eastern Time), Karen Smith, brand communication coordinator for Blum Inc. will explore the “Importance of Functional Hardware: Designing from the Inside Out.” Planning a new kitchen is a fun and exciting time, but cabinet hinges and drawer slides aren’t usually the first things consumers think of when planning their remodel — yet these functional cabinetry and organizational solutions can make a big difference in smooth operations throughout the kitchen. Smith will share tips to help designers provide better equipped kitchens without sacrificing style, and demonstrate ways to use hardware to add value to projects. The session will also cover choosing cabinets based on storage needs; discussions with clients to find storage space in unexpected places, and finding ways to use the showroom to appeal to clients’ emotions. To register for this webinar, click here.
Every month, NKBA offers free 60-minute webinars, each of which features a presentation by an expert in the specific subject matter, delivered via a virtual platform. The sessions offer the attending certified participants 0.1 CEU per event — it’s an easy way to collect the CEUs needed to maintain NKBA certification. Participants must engage in 80 percent of the sessions to receive CEU credit; registration closes two hours prior to start times.
