See highlights from the second day of the Luxury Bath Summit. By Loren Kessell

 

Day two of NKBA’s Luxury Bath Summit is over, but the inspiration and learning doesn’t have to end there. The event, brought to you in partnership with Cambria and sponsored by House of Rohl, took a deep dive into what makes a bath luxurious, addressed how to find clients and more. 

 

Here are highlights from today’s panels:

 

  • Trends are shifting in the luxury space.  Tricia Zach, Head of Research for the NKBA, what once was popular in the luxury bath has changed. Imitation materials are out, and natural stone is in. Clients are loving bringing the outdoors in, optimizing outdoor views, layering textures and adding televisions.

 

  • Relaxation spaces, besides the tub in the bathroom, are on the rise. Jaque Bethke, Principal Designer for Jaque Bethke Design, talked about the bathroom she designed for her client Antoinette Bond that emulated a hotel she loved during her stay at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. The space features a full coffee bar lounge and separate water closets with heated toilets.

 

  • Tailoring to the clients’ needs determines the key psychological and physical aspects of a design. Joy Chao, Lead Interior Designer for John Henshaw Architect, Aparna Vijayan, Designer for Ulrich Inc and Michel Smith Boyd, Founder/Creative Director of SMITHBOYD Interiors, shared elements they added to projects to make them evoke the senses. Some details included dimmable lighting with a high-color rendering index, a natural wood ceiling and custom millwork.

 

  • Homes have moved from appeasing basic necessities to becoming retreats. Julie Faupel, Founder & CEO of REALM, shared trend insight about the changing home and luxury landscape. Clients are incorporating spas, meditation areas and using technology for comfort. Millennials are expected to outspend Boomers making them the largest generational segment in the luxury market.

 

  • The bathroom is a retreat separate from the rest of the home. Garrison Hullinger, Founder of Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, spoke with Pamela McNally, SVP Marketing + Digital for the NKBA, about the bathroom he designed for client Shelly Iriwn. He created a space that has several different areas to relax, a large shower area with plenty of natural lighting and layered texture.

 

  • Designers help bridge the clients with the brands. Julia Gillespie, Marketing Director for the NKBA, Kelly McDermott, CKBD, Senior Interior Designer for Ruby + Suede and Reisa Pollard, Founder & Lead Designer for Beyond Beige Interior Design, talked about choosing brands for designs and how it’s important to build relationships with dealers. Many clients are willing to wait out long lead times for the luxury products they want, and designers can help guide them toward the best choices for their spaces.

 

And the winners are…

 

NKBA’s Luxury Bathbook, Planning Guidelines and Prize Pack

 

  • Linda Shirkey, Production & Design, Inc., Denver, Colo.

 

  • Fred Salati, Amba Products, Marietta, Ga.

 

  • Nicole Rhea, APR Supply Oasis Showrooms, Lebanon, Pa.

 

  • Larry Routen, Routen Design Associates, Bloomington, Ind. 

 

  • Tabor Sutton, Arapahoe Community College, Lakewood, Colo.

 

Brittanicca Long Boards

 

  • Jonas Carnemark, Carnemark Design + Build, Bethesda, Md.

 

  • Richard Terry, Accolade Kitchen & Bath, Ballwin, Colo.

 

Blackbrook Short Boards

 

  • Alison Matthew, Los Angeles Trade Tech College, Walnut, Calif.

 

  • Cari Peters, Showplace Cabinetry, Harrisburg, S.D.

 

  • Jim Martin, Quality Custom Cabinetry, Inc., New Holland, Pa.

 

Mersey Medium Boards 

 

  • Jody Blake, Jody Blake Designs, Sterling Heights, Mich.

 

  • Malissa Miller, Hardware Resources, Bossier City, La.

 

The Bentley Luxe Board 

 

  • Maggie Stone, Brothers Services Co., Hampstead, Md.

 

Stay tuned for more information about on-demand programming, and don’t forget to enter CEUs here by June 30.