By Dianne M. Pogoda
Company News
Beko wins top energy-efficiency award: The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy have honored Beko Home Appliances with the Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award, the highest Energy Star accolade. This makes the fifth year in a row that Beko has been recognized by the agency, following two years of best-in-class designation as Partner of the Year. Beko, a division of Turkish-based Arçelik, has become the only appliance brand to receive top energy honors during each of the seven years it has operated in the U.S. It was recognized for prioritizing efficiency, wellness and sustainability. KBB has more.
From 30U30 to 40U40: Congratulations to two alumni of NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 program for being recognized in ProRemodeler’s 2023 Forty Under 40. Kelly McDermott, CKBD, senior interior designer for Ruby + Suede, and Jennifer Hutton, design manager and principal designer at Grau Building Co. — both members of NKBA’s Thirty Under 30 Class of 2020 — earned the accolade for their expertise in the building and remodeling field. See the whole class of 40s here.
Wilsonart adds to collections: Wilsonart has launched a series of new designs in its Quartz, Solid Surface and Thinscape collections. In the Quartz line, new finishes include natural matte, updated soapstone and marble. The company added to its Solid Surface line with soft iridescent marble and other finishes inspired by basalt and soapstone. Additionally, the new Thinscape Performance Tops are now available in a range of colors made of reasonably priced composite slab material. For more info, go here.
Industry News
Top features that boost home value: The editors at Martha Stewart asked experts what features are most likely to increase property value and, not surprisingly, most are directly tied to the kitchen or bath. Customized kitchen cabinets, smart-home technology, a garbage disposal, a pot filler over the stove and a bidet toilet were among the top eight features that raise home values. For more detail, go here.
Black designers group rebrands and names new execs: Black Interior Designers Inc. (BID Inc.) has rebranded as The Black Interior Designers Network and named two new executives. June Reese, the company’s longtime organization administrator, is the new vice president, and Christopher Charles Evans, an active member since the group was founded, has assumed the role of treasurer. KBB has the story.
Chapter Updates
Overnighter with Sierra Nevada: The Sierra Nevada Chapter and Cambria are collaborating to organize a two-day, one-night trip to the San Francisco Decorator Showcase House on May 23 and 24. The trip includes a cocktail reception at Cambria’s local showroom at 5:30 p.m. (located at 1045 Bryant Street in San Francisco) on May 23, followed by a visit to the Showcase House on May 24th, at 625 El Camino Del Mar. Guests are responsible for their own travel, accommodations and other expenses. More details here.
