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By Donna Heiderstadt

NKBA | KBIS officially launched its first ever NKBA Design Council at KBIS 2024 with the introduction of the council’s four industry leading designers  during a standing-room-only event at the NKBA | KBIS booth.  The members — Thom Filicia of Thom Filicia Inc., Michel Smith Boyd of Smith Boyd Interiors, Caleb Anderson of Drake/Anderson and Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors — will help elevate the kitchen and bath industry as a whole and boost awareness for NKBA | KBIS and the KBIS show. 

They were welcomed on February 28 by Cindy Allen, Editor-in-Chief of Interior Design, who kicked off the event by introducing each of the designers and asking them to give those gathered a few details about their roles in the design industry.

Anderson spoke about moving to New York from Texas in 2007 to intern with well-established designer Jamie Drake and then working for him for a few years before starting his own design business. Things came full circle in 2015 when Drake approached Anderson about becoming a partner — and Drake/Anderson is still going strong almost 10 years later.

The firm’s design philosophy is focused on “bringing purpose to luxury” and doing it intentionally. “Our passion has been the connection to ‘more,’” Anderson explained. “Yes, design is beautiful and functional, but how can we make it more than that?”

Anderson said that after he took part in a Parsons healthy materials program, he created a healthy materials library at Drake/Anderson of products that are purposeful and have a sense of integrity — and he partners with those brands. He likened the process of partnering to voting. “You want to align with partners who share your values and that you want to see succeed,” he said, adding that he is hopeful the industry as a whole can move toward collaboration rather than competition. 

Atlanta-based Smith Boyd told those gathered about how appearing on the HGTV show “Luxe for Less” in 2022 was his most rewarding career experience because of the way others in the industry — both those who had made space for people of color in the industry early on and those just beginning their design careers — reacted to seeing someone who looked like them on a television design show.

He also talked about having spent the entire day before serving as host of the NEXTStage, where he met a number of CEOs, entrepreneurs and fellow designers and learned a lot. As for the NKBA | KBIS Design Council, Smith Boyd pointed to the group’s collective strength. “We each have individual voices; what a smart team NKBA | KBIS put together,” he said. 

Kemble, whose work Allen described as “fun and eclectic,” admitted feeling overwhelmed after a day on the show floor — her first time at KBIS. “Today has been a whirlwind,” said the designer whose company has offices in New York, London and Palm Beach. Asked by Allen what she appreciated most about the show, Kemble noted how accessible it is in terms of helping designers understand the brands. “I didn’t realize how many resources there are for me here,” she explained. “I am sitting at the bottom of a very dense stew of information right now!”

New York-based Filicia, who was a member of the original Fab Five on the 2003 TV show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” pointed out the scale and breadth of the KBIS product offerings and what that means for designers. “It used to be that there were certain iconic brands that we all went to — that’s just what you did,” he said, adding that he was really happy to be here. “Being here is an important part of what we do and helps us learn more about what we are presenting to our clients.”

Filicia noted that walking the floor as part of the NKBA | KBIS Design Council gave him insights into ways to create a unique environment for  clients that feels really special and personalized. “I saw brands that I hadn’t seen before coming out with exciting and innovative products,” he said, “and that’s pushing established brands to innovate.”

In conclusion, Allen asked each designer what they were most excited about. Anderson said that in the sustainable conversation there is so much to learn about the brands that embody it. Kemble noted how exciting and tactile the newest appliances are. “Materials that don’t show fingerprints and appliances that are sexy and don’t make it look like a car has been parked in your kitchen,” she said. Smith Boyd echoed her appreciation for the evolution of appliances — including “art installations on refrigerator doors” — and advances in induction cooktops.

As time for the session wound down, Filicia said he was excited about the champagne toast that awaited. With glasses in hand, the designers and all those in attendance raised a toast. “Now you have a platform to get your message out there,” Allen told the NKBA | KBIS Design Council. “Let’s use design to move us forward.” 

The group’s first mission was already complete — their VIP tour of KBIS to trend spot new products and innovations from manufacturers — which they documented for their social audience. Beyond KBIS, the NKBA | KBIS Design Council will serve as an expert resource for NKBA | KBIS throughout the year, including through NKBA | KBIS trend reports and top industry events such as High Point Market.