Manhattan Chapter

Elle takes a break in one of her lovely kitchen installations. She has won design awards from NKBA NY Metro, NARI, and PRO NY and has recently moved up to round 2 in the 2026 NKBA Design Competition.

By Maureen Klein

Was it her Dad’s inventive genius rubbing off on her? 

On the forefront of developing a solar energy system and then cogeneration energy systems, Ellen said, even experts from NASA and MIT were contacting him. “People drove by and thought our roof looked like a movie theater. Come inside and they’d find 8 tons of rocks in our basement.” A lot of “energy” going on in that house! Or, perhaps, it was her Aunt, a self-described "housewife decorator" who took her to the D&D building for her 12th birthday. Was that it? Read on, and follow her journey.

Read the full story here. 

Charle-John Cafiero

Where Art Meets Innovation

A Career Built on Curiosity, Craft, and Community

By Maureen Klein

Now serving as President of the NKBA Manhattan-NYC Chapter, Charlé-John Cafiero, known to most as CJ, has played a pivotal role in expanding the chapter’s reach and developing award-winning programs, such as EduDay. Before his role as president, he served as chair of communications and programs. He’s especially passionate about mentoring the next generation of kitchen and bath professionals and believes in the power of volunteering to create lasting industry impact. Below is the journey that brought him here

Read entire story here

Rex Aguirre

By Maureen Klein -- Rex Aguirre was always passionate about technology and computers. It was hard to pull him away from his first PC, a Texas Instruments TI 99, but riding dirt bikes got him outside. At 14, he landed his first part-time job at McDonald’s, making $3.35 an hour. He spent those earnings figuring out how to add and remove parts to build a lighter and better BMX (Bicycle Moto Cross). Today, he runs Premiere Systems Design, a home automation company that provides high-end technology services for residential, commercial, and retail space from Montauk to Manhattan and beyond.  READ MORE HERE 

Danielle Chery

By Maureen Klein -- Perhaps you spotted her colorful tiles at the Brooklyn Makers Fair while touring AJ Madison’s showroom during our last NYCxDesign tour. That’s where Charle-John Chifero met the talented Danielle M Chery and introduced her to NKBA. Several celebrities have discovered her work too, including R&B singer Brandy, Kandi Burruss and actress Tabitha Brown, all who have her art gracing their homes. So how did this college journalism major change course and find a whole new world of opportunities? READ MORE HERE

Sharon L. Sherman

Tony Monteleone

By Diana Mosher -- During his 30-plus years as a sales and marketing professional, Tony Monteleone has built great relationships with the technology, custom installation, and interior design communities. His career includes positions as Group Publisher of Dealerscope and Connected Design, Associate Publisher of Metrosource, and Advertising Director of Time Out New York. Now, as Founder and CEO of Monteleone Consulting, he’s striving to push the boundaries of design and technology, creating spaces that meet and exceed client expectations. Tony is also extremely active in the NKBA Manhattan Chapter as a member of the Auxiliary Council.  READ MORE HERE. 

Diana Mosher

By Jamie Keel — Diana Mosher, principal of Diana Mosher Associates LLC, joined the NKBA Manhattan Chapter for its many networking and education opportunities. “I wanted to spend time around experienced kitchen and bath designers to learn more about how it’s all done, see new products, and build relationships with manufacturers so I can up-level the services I offer my clients.”  READ MORE HERE

Julie Schuster

June’s member spotlight: our very own Chapter President, Julie Schuster. Julie has had her own company for about 12 years, and also worked for a boutique design firm for a couple years before taking the leap to start her own company. She is a self-proclaimed career changer, and actually started off as a retail store fashion buyer, and then a fashion designer.  READ MORE HERE. 

Felicitas Oefelein

Jamie Keel

I have been interested in interior design for many years. Although I work with design through a manufacturer, Cambria, I am always intrigued by the use of fabrics, stone, a multitude of materials, and seeing the final results. I have been in the design industry for 5-plus years, currently with Cambria and previously premium audio and video with Magnolia.  READ MORE HERE. 

TONI SABATINO

By Melisa Jahic -- Toni is truly a woman of many talents. She has been in the industry for her entire adult life. Previous to starting her own business, she worked as a designer and salesperson for a wholesale cabinet supplier, doing hundreds of kitchen, bath, and millwork designs per year. She also ran a plumbing supply and demonstrated solid surface materials.  READ MORE HERE. 

Jeannine Price

By Diana Mosher -- Meet Jeannine Price, a highly regarded professional based in Eastern Long Island, New York. With over a decade of experience in luxury marketplace sales, Jeannine has emerged as a prominent figure in the industry.

Her artistic journey began early, nurtured by her grandfather, who served as her mentor, teaching her to paint. She channeled her artistic talents into various endeavors, including designing artwork for middle school theater, creating large-scale murals, and producing graphic art for local Hamptons publications. Her passion for drawing and architecture grew during her time at FIT, ultimately leading to a lifelong commitment to interior design, where she excelled in kitchen and bath design. This journey culminated in the formation of Redbarn Designworks two decades ago.  READ FULL STORY HERE.

Rose Ott

By Melisa Jahic -- This month’s member spotlight focuses on our Secretary/Treasurer, Rose Ott of Rose Ott Design. Rose has been involved in the industry since 2003. Previously, she worked in graphic design and fashion and painted murals and faux finishes for clients.  READ MORE HERE. 

Rosenhaus Design Group, Inc.

Member Mark Rosenhaus delivered the talk "20 Practical Ideas to Improve Small and Large Kitchens" during KBIS Virtual 2021 for the Voices for the Industry. If you did not register for VFTI or you missed the talk, you can still watch the entire presentation on YouTube here.

Julie Schuster, CLIPP, IFSG

Programs Chair Julie Schuster, Julie Schuster Design Studio, will be interviewed on the Remodel Revolution Show with Alex Guthrie this coming Monday, March 3rd. Tune in live on the Remodel Revolution Show Facebook and YouTube pages at 12:00 PM EST—also available later on the Remodel Revolution podcast and LinkedIn page as well.

Barbara Roth

Certified Living in Place Professional Barbara S. Roth, of PS Rossy Design, had a project featured in Kitchen & Bath Business (February/March 2020).  The article offers a look into designing for accessibility and aging, peering into the processes and thinking behind some of the decision making. Titled "One for the Ages," the story can be found on page 64. Brava, Barbara!

Julie Schuster Design Studio

Julie Schuster was featured in Forbes on "Feng Shui's Potential Health Benefits." In the article, Schuster says feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing your home with nature, is gaining popularity as people become more interested in the connections between their homes and their health. This is certainly a timely topic, as millions of Americans spend more hours indoors, helping to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic. “Wellness design includes technology integration, better food preservation, improved lighting design, living in place design and better, more nurturing energy in our homes,” says Schuster.  Read more: https://bit.ly/2Gq4MpV

Rose Ott