By Dianne M. Pogoda

COMPANY NEWS

CEDIA, KOHLER IN PARTNERSHIP: CEDIA, the association for the home tech industry, has partnered with plumbing giant Kohler Co. to give CEDIA members access to exclusive discounts, dedicated virtual training, and Kohler’s Authorized Service Rep program to help them to establish new leads. In turn, Kohler can drive its customers to CEDIA integrators, who can install Kohler’s plumbing products. The program was introduced last year and is now rolling out to markets across the country. For more info, go here.

BEKO, MARCONE ENTER PARTS VENTURE: Beko Home Appliances, one of the world’s largest appliance makers, and Marcone Supply, a leading parts distributor, have entered a far-reaching agreement that will put Beko-certified parts within one-day delivery of 93 percent the brand’s dealers, designers, and contractors in the U.S. The American subsidiary of Turkish-based Arcelik, Beko USA, has been expanding in the U.S. since its 2016 introduction. Marcone has 100 locations and 14 distribution centers throughout North America. KBB has the details here.

INDUSTRY NEWS

COLOR MY WORLD: Pantone touts a vivid magenta, Krylon names a mossy green, while Sherwin Williams walks a fine line between a beige and a blush. The 2023 “colors of the year” from major paint and color companies cover a wide spectrum — a message that anything your client likes is fair game. Martha Stewart has compiled the top shades here.

NEW SURFACES: Some unusual counter surfaces are making their way into the mainstream. From recycled plastic to reclaimed wood, zinc to pigmented concrete, Living Etc. offers 10 offbeat materials to keep in mind. Discover them here.

GO BIG AND GO BOLD: Expect to see bold patterns and daring colors in tile choices for 2023, from sleek wainscoting to vibrant mosaics. House Beautiful predicts that geometrics, black-and-white schemes, and earth tones will also play big for the year ahead. See more here.

MATERIAL MAKEOVERS: Significant advances in technology are hitting the construction industry, including renewable energy, sustainability, robotics, Artificial IntelligenceI, biobased materials and more. Architect magazine details five trends likely to have a major impact on building and remodeling in the next few years here.

TRADE EVENTS

LONDON DESIGN WEEK SET: London Design Week 2023 will take place at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, March 13 to 17, with over 600 international brands and more than 100 events. Additionally, 30 pop-up “House Guest” brands will be in The Design Avenue, a special zone featuring learning sessions that include the Conversations in design talk series. Specially commissioned installations and dining experiences are available to all visitors. Entry is free and to register, go here.

HIGH POINT REGISTRATION OPENS: Registration is open for the 2023 High Point Market, which takes place April 22-26 in High Point, NC. Registration is open to home furnishings retailers, designers, remodelers, students, and other trade pros. Register here.

CHAPTER NEWS

KBIS REVIEW — PALOUSE: The Palouse Chapter hosts “The Buzz” on Feb. 23 to discuss the latest finds at last week’s KBIS. Chapter officers will report on new products, trends, and technologies during the 5 to 7 pm event, held at Cosentino Center, 3808 N. Sullivan Rd., Bldg. 27C,  Spokane Valley in Washington State. Registration is free for members and students; $30 for non-members. Info and registration here.

KBIS REVIEW — WEST MICHIGAN: Join the West Michigan Chapter on March 1, 5:30 to 9 p.m., for a KBIS review at Standale Home Studio, 4046 Lake Michigan Drive NW in Grand Rapids. Over 15 local reps from national companies will be on hand to demonstrate new products introduced at KBIS. Vendors include Wellborn, Cambria, Ferguson, Bekins Appliances, Belwith Keeler, Wilsonart, Richelieu, Hardware Resources, and more. Food, beverages, and giveaways are included in your $20 registration, and earn 0.1 CEU. Register here.