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    The Chaise Lounge Podcast

    Talking the Business of Interior Design Podcast

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    Latest Episodes:
    183 – Kevin O’Shea: A Dream Come True Jan 12, 2018
    Show notes

    Kevin O’Shea: A Dream Come True Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Kevin O’Shea from Salt Hotels in his New York Porcelanosa office before heading off to BDNY. Kevin talks about how food was his first interest in hospitality, his start with Starwood Hotels, how and where Salt Hotels was born and his experience running the company with his husband and team. Getting to Know Kevin Kevin enjoys watching indie films and prefers a glass of wine over a beer or cocktail. His house was formerly a fine dining restaurant and appropriately, his favorite room is the kitchen. He finds cooking to be a relaxing pastime. While there are no specific dishes he prefers to make over others, he does enjoy cooking family recipes passed down from his Italian grandmother. From Colorado to the East Coast Kevin grew up in the Westminster area of Denver, Colorado. After graduating high school, he attended Johnson and Wales University to earn a degree in food and beverage hospitality before deciding it was not for him. He then transferred to Rhode Island School of Design to complete an interior architecture degree. From there, he landed an internship in New York with Sheraton-Starwood where he was then able to join the initial Le Meredien team after graduation. He stayed with Starwood for about a year before moving to Morgans Hotel Group and being part of their team for three and a half years. Just before 2008, Kevin broke off on his own in New York. Pillars of Salt The vision for Salt Hotels began with the idyllic dream Kevin and his husband had of one day owning a Bed & Breakfast. That dream came true when they renovated an old building into what is known today as the Salt House in Provincetown, New York. Within a week of opening, it appeared on The Today Show and made the hotlist of places to stay in Provincetown. This made Kevin and his husband realize that they had something special that later turned into three other hotels in the United States. Kevin took his experience designing for large hotels and combined it with the comfort of a B&B to set his spaces apart from the rest. To maintain the Salt brand in all the other hotels, he includes gourmet breakfast in his visitors’ stay. There is no central Salt Hotels office but rather local offices built near the hotels. Team Unity and Community Everyone hired by Salt Hotels sets their own hours and work diligently. By hiring professionals who are passionate about their work, team unity is assured. Salt Hotels is proud to be able to provide steady, stable jobs in a typically seasonal market. They also have Salt School open to the public where admitted applicants may earn a design degree and apply it wherever they wish. Visit www.salthotels.com to learn more. Upcoming Events Atlanta Market – Jan 9 – 16 Dallas Market – Jan 17 – 23 Las Vegas Market – Jan 28 – Feb 1 Modernism Week – Feb 15 – 25 Design Bloggers Conference – March 4 – 6 BD West – April 4 – 5 High Point Market – April 14 – 18 HD Expo – May 2 – 4 ICFF – May 20 – 23 NeoCon – June 11 – 13 Wrap Up If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or post a review on iTunes, you may even hear your review read live on our next podcast. With that said keep dreaming big, and keep designing a great design business. See ya!


    182 – Kevin Htain: Home Staging Extraordinaire Jan 10, 2018
    Show notes

    Today in The Lounge, Nick talks shop with Kevin Htain of Identity Home Staging, Real Estate Stager and HGTV contributor. Very well known in California, Kevin had an interesting pathway through the design world to end up as one of staging's most high profile players. Find out more, in this episode of the Chaise Lounge. The Business Kevins start t in the interior design business was designing model homes and leasing offices with KB Homes as his first gig out of college. He began as a studio art major in school, but then realized he needed his creative education to have a solid business fundamental. That's when he discovered interior design. He has since worked for powerhouses like Ikea and progressive businesses like Pacific Dimensions, a merchandising company that seeks to blend traditional staging techniques with cutting-edge design trends. It was the most unlikely of avenues that finally got him into the staging industry though…a call from Mom. She had heard about it from a friend and recommend Kevin look into it. The rest, as they say, is history. Kevin was enrolled in staging training just weeks later. Staging and Interior Design…What’s the difference anyway? Kevin believes that home staging is all about putting a home’s best foot forward; if it had legs of course. It is really real estate market driven, so one needs to understand that segment in addition to having a background in design and aesthetics. Interior design on the other hand, is all about customization and personalization. It is design for a particular person or persons in mind. Staging is much less personal but still geared towards that target client. California’s staging market is robust, so staging is seen as a valuable tool at a seller’s disposal. Staging works across the board; in all budgets. Its all about helping the property perform at it’s highest potential. What it Takes Kevin has a team of 7. They include his stylists and moving crew. It can be tough to maintain a team in this industry, due to the fast pace and the eventual burn out that team members can face. That is one of the biggest challenges to be overcome. Keeping inventory fresh is another critical factor in keeping installations fresh and having properties show at their best. Some brands are also beginning to position themselves to meet the unique needs of the staging community. Brands like Uttermost, Coaster, and Ashley offer pieces that are striking, yet lightweight and easy to maneuver. Always keep the price point of the property in mind and stage accordingly. The scale and colorway in a million dollar home is going to be different than your average home's inventory. A really good stager understands this and can market properties effectively. Getting into the TV Game Kevin is proud to share that Identity Home Staging has worked on 46 projects with HGTV over the last 3-4 years. There were originally contacted by the casting agency for the show ‘Flip or Flop’. Its been a great fit over the years and now Kevin will be contributing to the upcoming HGTV show ‘House to Home’. The next steps for Identity Home is to start their own furniture line. Nick is excited to pass some connections along in that area and to questions why there isn’t a current HGTV show focused solely on staging (hint, hint, casting!). IAHSP and Kevin’s Commitment to Training Staging Professionals Kevin Co-chairs training for the International Association of Home Staging Professionals. He is passionate about attending as many of the events as possible and keeping stagers trained in the latest merchandising techniques. His biggest piece of advice to students looking to join the field of staging is to challenge themselves not only to focus on the design side but also to be really well versed in the real estate market. That combination of design knowledge and business savviness is a winning one. Just ask Kevin…he knows for sure! Learn more about Identity Home Staging online at: www.identityhome.com


    181 – Steven Favreau: From Broadway to The Favreaulous Factory Jan 01, 2018
    Show notes

    Steven Favreau: From Broadway to The Favreaulous Factory Steven Favreau attributes his success as a designer to his first career as a singer, dancer, and actor on Broadway. As an actor you are the business, constantly training every day and always looking for the next job. It is a good way to realize that you can only be your very best and the rest is out of your control. The skills he learned from his first career are still utilized to this day. Growing up in Milford, Massachusetts, Steven became involved in theater in high school, believing that his future career will be in fine arts or theater. His journey as a professional actor led him to Broadway, Dutch television, Paris, as a dancer at Moulin Rouge, and as a cruise ship performer, eventually making his way to Cruise Director for American Hawaii Cruises. Eventually, he lost the theater bug and went back to school to study interior design at Fashion Institute of Technology. While in school he worked part-time at a public relations firm, then as a fundraising director and marketer for Papermill Playhouse in NJ before getting recruited to San Francisco. After moving to San Francisco Steven opened Stage Struck, a local home staging company. The concept of staging has its origins in San Francisco, and there few sellers who don't stage their homes. Working with a network of realtors enabled Steven to grow his clientele. The concept of staging is best practiced when thought of as marketing for a house. Instead of what the homeowner wants, think about what everyone else would want to see in that house. The challenge is to create a neutral home that will appeal to as many people as possible but still have that wow factor. After Steven found his groove, he began getting multiple offers and continued referrals. Eight years later, Steven decided to return to the east coast to be closer to family but continues to manage his San Francisco staging company. Nostalgic for Europe, Steven was looking to purchase a vacation home in an area that reminded him of Europe but wasn't a European city. He was drawn to the unspoiled nature of Vermont and ultimately purchased and renovated his vacation home. East Coast Return and Career Growth Steven’s newly renovated vacation home became the cover story and feature of Design New England Magazine’s December Issue. In anticipation of the article’s release, Steven hired a publicist to market himself. He attributes the immediate growth of his business to having a publicist as they were able to do in 6 months what it took him 6 years to achieve in San Francisco. The publicist introduced him to top builders, architects, and editors. However, Steven recommends knowing what you want to get out of the partnership before bringing a publicist on as they need to be guided to ensure their ideals fit with your master plan. Today, Steven runs a multifaceted design company, Favreau Design. A strong believer in the power of intention, Steven recommends others to start learning how to dream and putting that dream out to the universe, speaking it out loud and often. His intentions are coming true once again with the opening of the Faverlous Factory, a11,0000 sq ft urban loft. The Faverlous Factory will be part showroom, part open workspace, co-shared with like-minded builders, architects, and inventors. The showroom component will dedicate 3000 sq ft to selling furniture, curated vintage pieces and antiques, wallpaper, and lighting. Additionally, Steven and his fiance are co-founding an online design site for millennials called Printz. A joint partnership with an MIT alum, Printz is an online platform that blends social media with 3-D design software, allowing friends and family to provide their opinion on potential products prior to making a purchase. It is currently in beta testing. Steven is also stepping into the product development arena, working on producing licensed products for a NYC based rug company. Keys to Success


    180 – Andreas Eickholt: German Designer Dec 27, 2017
    Show notes

    Andreas Eickholt: German Designer Today in the Lounge Nick speaks with Andreas Eickholt all the way from Cologne, Germany. Andreas works with the Voglauer Hotel Concept. He is the department lead for Architecture and Calculations. He and his team find design solutions and work on corporate appearance for the hotels and companies. They specialize in the interior of hotels but they have also worked exteriors as well. Andreas and Nick discuss what it is like working with Porcelanosa products and how Andreas' German-based company keeps America and Americans in mind. Getting to Know Andreas Andreas is trained as an interior designer. In Germany, University interior designers and architects receive almost the same education with differences in exterior design and their specializations. Andreas also received a carpentry education in the 70s. He decided to go to school in the evenings to further his education in architecture and interior design. Andreas loves every place he has visited because each place has unique sights and different things to enjoy. He fancies watching movies and read books and enjoys working on his home in his spare time. His favorite movie is Das Boat. "Beer, wine or cocktail?" He prefers a red wine in the evening but a cool beer at parties. How Andreas Got His Start Andreas' first job as an interior designer was to design and plan butteries, bakeries, butcheries, and restaurants. He did this job for about seven years. After that, he went to a spa design company that is no longer in Germany but still thriving in 148 different countries including, South Africa, France, and Austria. He was part of the international design group in Amsterdam. This job has taken him to Miland, Oslo, and Ireland to learn what the different functional needs of other countries are. The company worked a lot on branding so that they could be as well known as McDonald's He stayed with them for six and half years as an independent contractor. Andreas later went into wellness. He says despite the job area, he was not relaxed while working in sauna and wellness centers. He learned a lot though about water, lighting, and sound techniques for relaxation. He was the general contractor for these jobs and worked four years as a partner. Andreas left because he had different ideas of leading a company and how to treat clients. Next, he went Joi Design. They worked on a brand new building and wanted it to capture the different stories of the Lindner Park Hagenbeck Hotel, the world’s first zoo theme hotel, in Hamburg. The ground floor's theme is colonization. The first and the second floor are Africa, the third and fourth are Asia, and the top floors are the Arctic World. He was with Joi Design for about four years. Andreas' Company Today Andreas now works on rebuilding old hotels and giving them new life. They like to know the stories and backgrounds of their clients before they start on a project. Andreas wants to be able to build successful business interactions with his clients as well as stand out from competitors. They deal with branded hotels that have guidelines and are recognizable all over the world to help the customer feel like they are at home no matter where they stay in the world. He finds that working with unbranded hotels more pleasant and he loves coming up with new ideas and building from the ground up. Working with Porcelanosa and Americans Andreas has used Porcelanosa products such as tiles and tubs. He says that their products fit in with their designs very well. He thinks that Porcelanosa really has the spirit to design well for hotels fits in well with the story they are trying to tell. Andreas hopes to have a very big and well known hotel design project. He says the American way of life influences what’s going on in Europe just as Americans are always looking to Europe for inspiration. He says that America has very modern feel and they keep an eye on America to see what is happening next.


    179 – Todd Ellenberger: Lux Drapes to Lux Space Dec 22, 2017
    Show notes

    Todd Ellenberger: Lux Drapes to Lux Space Today in The Lounge, Nick interviews Todd Ellenberger of Hirsch Bedner Associates while at the Porcelanosa office in New York. They talk about Todd’s love of cooking, what engendered his interest in interior design, how and where he got his start and the sort of work he does today. Getting to Know Todd Todd is a native to Atlanta, Georgia and currently lives just outside of the city center. He enjoys cooking and grilling, though does not partake in creating desserts. His favorite fashion accessory is the lapel pin while his favorite vacation spot is the Key West. Rocket Man in Architectural Digest: Todd’s Inspiration Todd’s grandparents always had home and garden magazines on hand when he visited, which he delighted in. He maintained his affinity for the design of spaces growing up, although it wasn’t until his senior year of high school in 1993 that he decided he wanted to pursue interior design. At that time, Architectural Digest had published an issue featuring Elton John’s house in Atlanta, Georgia and, being a big fan, Todd decided he too wanted to be able to design something for him one day. Todd then attended Southern Georgia University and earned his degree in design but worked a year of substitute teaching at elementary schools after graduation. After that, he got a job designing draperies in a workroom for a high-end residential company where he stayed for two-and-a-half years. While initially he was disappointed with his employment, he later became grateful because it put him into contact with other designers which then allowed him to be considered and hired by Stan Topol. Stan Topol made him a design assistant. He was able to meet Elton John through that position, but after six years, he spoke with an “interior design headhunter” who led him to his next job as a senior designer with Hirsch Bedner. Working in Hospitality One of the differences Todd noted between working in hospitality and residential was that he was allowed more creativity on hospitality projects. The challenge is in the budget and communicating well with all parties involved in the project. In order to get a project green-lit in hospitality, the designers have to go through a number of processes. They must build and pitch concepts to the client that suit their needs and outmatch the competition. Those working on the financial side of the project must also come to an agreement with the designers on costs and prototype rooms usually need to be constructed off-site before on-site work can be started. The work typically takes around eighteen months to complete. Todd and his team work with their clients to decide on brands to use and are present from the first day to post-opening. Tips and Trends A trend Todd has noticed in the hospitality industry is that the entire building is seeing fuller use. The hotel lobby is no longer simply a waiting area but a workspace and a hangout spot. Hotels are also trying to mimic the feel of a home while homes are attempting to mimic the feel of a hotel. Todd’s advice to any student looking to get into hospitality designs is to start small in other hospitality spaces such as restaurants. He also recommends learning graphic design because it is an integral part of the business. To learn more about Todd Ellenberger and Hirsch Bedner Associates, visit www.hba.com. Chaise Lounge Updates Find out about our Holiday Giveaway HERE! Win a trip to Spain HERE! Download our E-Book HERE! Upcoming Events KBIS – Jan 9 – 11 Atlanta Market – Jan 9 – 16 Dallas Market – Jan 17 – 23 Las Vegas Market – Jan 28 – Feb 1 Modernism Week – Feb 15 – 25 Design Bloggers Conference – March 4 – 6 BD West – April 4 – 5 High Point Market – April 14 – 18 HD Expo – May 2 – 4 ICFF – May 20 – 23 NeoCon – June 11 – 13 Wrap Up If you would like to hear more episodes, please visit us on iTunes or on our website at TheChaiseLoungePodcast.com. Lastly, find The Chaise Lounge on Instagram,


    178 – Sharyn McBride: Where Travel and Design Collide Dec 19, 2017
    Show notes

    Sharyn McBride: Where Travel and Design Collide Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Sharyn McBride of Belson Design and Design Tours. Sharyn is located in beautiful Melbourne, Australia and is driven to expose her fellow Aussies to a design education that reaches far beyond her native shores. Find out more, in this episode of The Chaise Lounge. Breaking the Ice First and foremost...Nick wants to visit Australia and he isn’t shy about sharing it! After making that point clear, he learns some interesting fashion tidbits from Sharyn. She is a big fan of shoes as a go-to statement accessory. Her faves are colorful ankle boots. Though not necessarily a fan of the Ugg boot, she is happy to share that these are originally from her native land and that it was interesting to watch them evolve from house slippers to full-on streetwear. Her favorite room in her well-designed house is her master bedroom. It is truly her sanctuary. The only spot that is off limits is her garage full of finds from her travels abroad, which can get a bit messy! The best advice that she received from her parents growing up was to never give up and her mum’s especially sage advice: don’t leave the house without lipstick! Getting into the business Sharyn McBride started her career as a buyer in the fashion industry. She noticed a gap in the market after welcoming her own baby boy and created a line of embroidered bespoke baby blankets. Sharon fell gravely ill in the early 2000’s and faced a two-year climb back to health. It was at that point that she decided that she would exclusively pursue creative work. She knew that all of the efforts and hard work would give her that sense of joy and satisfaction; as long as she pursued her passion. Her interior design career began in her home and friends’ homes. It was also at this time that she realized that exposure and education equaled really great design. She traveled to around her native Australia and to the US; New York specifically. There she was able to learn more about show homes, such as Kips Bay and the design markets available to designers in the US. Belson Design was launched soon after in 2016. The Development of Design Tours After having the opportunity to travel to the US, Japan and other parts of the world, Sharyn realized just how little exposure the Australian design community was getting. There were so many more resources to discover beyond her borders. There was an opportunity to give Australian designers access to show houses and masters of design such as Frank Lloyd Wright. Sharyn developed tours to the US and Japan that she now runs three times a year! Nick gave a great suggestion to set up US tour groups to come down to Australia…let’s see if this takes off! Sharyn is all for being a part of orchestrating culture absorbing trips. Making time for Design Despite running three 7-9 day tours a year, Sharyn still finds time to serve her clients through Belson Design. Her upcoming projects include a mid-scale home renovation and her very first commercial gig at tile showroom in Melbourne. She is mainly a one-woman show but has the helping hands of a part-time tour assistant and design assistant. She also has built great relationships with contractors, so her clients have that additional option if they do not have contacts of their own. Sharyn is adamant about being confident as a designer and not being afraid to value your services as they should be. She charges per service for her initial contact with clients. She has differing fees for consultations, mood boards, and full design plans. Never let a client rush you into decision making. As creatives, we need time to absorb and create our plans. The Keys to Successful Marketing and Presentation Sharyn really believes in great presentation. That starts with a great website and business cards. These are just the initial tools, however. The magic is in pounding the pavement…network, network, network. Get as much exposure as you can.


    177 – Industry: Trade Shows! Dec 15, 2017
    Show notes

    Industry: Trade Shows! Today in The Lounge, Nick chats with Phyllis Harbinger of Design Concepts Interiors and Harbinger Design Consulting, live from the media lounge at BDNY. Phyllis discusses the current need for designers to collaborate across different sectors and the positive benefits of attending as many trade shows as possible. Then stay tuned for Nick’s interview with Bill Darcy, CEO of NKBA on what to expect at the KBIS trade show in January. Phyllis Harbinger at BDNY Collaborative Design Phyllis Harbinger is mostly a residential designer but looks to hospitality design for inspiration. The lines between residential and commercial design are blurring and now more than ever designers need to be aware of the current design trends. One of the ways this is evident is in mixed-use developments. Mixed-use developments combine retail, apartments, hotels, restaurants and possibly a school, movie theater or hospital with dwelling spaces to make a full-scale community within a bigger universe. Designers need to function more collaboratively to react to this shifting trend. Hudson Yards is the newest design community encompassing this change. Located across the street from BDNY, Hudson Yard includes parks, retail spaces, restaurants, and condos within the confines of one community. A project such as this would employ landscape architects designing the terrain, graphic designers producing signage graphics, artists/sculptors, and city planners to design the transportation hub. Larger design firms such as Gensler or The Rockwell Group would typically be hired to work on these project types as they employ a diverse group of architects and designers who work collaboratively. BDNY and Hospitality BDNY is a great place for inspiration, networking opportunities, and to meet new people. The vendors at BDNY are different than those normally found at High Point Market or Vegas Market. At BDNY vendors are primarily hospitality focused and typically work with larger minimal orders. Phyllis recommends all designers should attend BDNY even if they don't work in the hospitality market, as you never know when you might get a call to work on your first hospitality project. It's good to educate yourself on the nuances of different project types. Often times, companies want to hire an up and coming designer to provide their unique point of view to projects. Working on smaller boutique hotels is a great way to enter the hospitality sector as you have the opportunity to receive more design directive because of the smaller scale. If you are targeting this market it's a good idea to bring samples of your portfolio to provide to people you wish to connect with. Also, make a list of who you want to meet and think about who you know that knows these people. This is a great first step to achieving your end goal and grow your contact list. It is very helpful to partner with a fellow designer that may have more experience in areas other than your normal expertise. Phyllis partnered with another designer when working on the proposal for the Ritz Carlton Residences. Although she had a wealth of experience in residential she needed the additional professional knowledge from the hospitality sector. Not only did they both learn from each other, but the partnership helped mitigate liability forsomething you don't know much about. Don't think of a partnership as a loss of money but as exchanging money for experience. Once you have experience you can charge more on subsequent projects. To connect with Phyllis send her an email at info@harbingerdesignconsultanting.com.You can also purchase her book -The Interior Design Productivity Toolbox on Wiley, Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Phyllis is also available for coaching, consulting and speaking engagements. Bill Darcy- NKBA at KBIS NKBA - Overview Bill Darcy is the CEO of NKBA, the only trade organization dedicated exclusively to the kitchen and bath industry. Founded on the principle of people gathering and learn...


    176 – Garrison Hullinger: We Meet Again! Dec 12, 2017
    Show notes

    Garrison Hullinger: We Meet Again Today in The Lounge, Nick catches up with Garrison Hullinger, whom he hasn’t spoken with since Episode 24, about two years ago. The two update each other on what’s been happening since then and Garrison talks about what has changed within his business. Getting to Know the Garrison Garrison is a fan of messenger bags, colloquially known as a “murse” or “man-purse.” He cannot travel without is iPad and loves it for its small size and easy mobility. When asked the infamous “Beer, wine, or cocktail” question, he claims to still prefer cocktails, though he has graduated from the dirty martini to the classic manhattan. Garrison also recently visited Spain with Porcelanosa to visit their new factory. Highlights of the trip included incredible food and incredible connections made with incredible people who are also in the business of interior design. Where Are You Now?: The Business Today Two years ago, Garrison worked with a team of about sixteen people. Today, he works with twenty-four employees, of which the core team and ten seniors and leads remain. The focus of their designs have shifted from residential to multifamily-residential. It took many years for them to get their first project as they previously had no portfolio of multifamily designs, but Garrison and his business have experienced success ever since. They work primarily on the interior of high-rise apartment buildings of two classes: Class A, which pertains to luxurious, new apartment buildings; and Class B, which are buildings that are aging and in need of remodeling. Challenges of Change The shift of focus from residential to multifamily-residential has presented a handful of challenges to Garrison. First among them was learning how to present a project to and receive answers from a committee rather than an individual. Another was learning how to be firm with his vision of the designs throughout the entire process. He has learned that the best way to do this is to create a narrative of what the vision is, state it from the beginning, and stick to it until the end. Garrison has also had to forgo pet projects but has learned to maintain a presence in all of the projects he and his employees undertake. He does this by making sure his teams meet his requirements ahead of time, essentially posing as their client. He meets with every team member and goes over projects with them individually, thereby keeping him deeply entrenched in the work that is going on. The Boss’ Burden… or is it? Just as people complain about there not being enough jobs, employers often complain about there not being enough employees. Garrison claims to not experience this problem, however. He believes that if the employer is honest about their needs and what will be expected of the employee, the right people will apply. He acknowledges that this has led to slower hires with his business, but not a shortage of applicants. Another concern of many employers is the possibility of their newly-trained employees leaving and taking their clients with them. Garrison scoffs at such a thought and says he never even considers the possibility. By offering fair and competitive pay to employees along with great benefits, he believes his employees are content, if not happy to work for him. His philosophy is that if the employees are treated well, they will treat the employer well in return. As such, he never assigns schedules that he wouldn’t work himself. The Value of Retail Experience Having formerly worked in retail operations, Garrison has carried his economic knowledge from that job into his interior design business. He calculates the most efficient way to spend time and money, whether it be adding more phone lines to his office or deciding on a paint color. This creates financial safety for his business which extends to his employees as well. When managing vendors, he adheres to the rule of “you have to inspect what you expect.


    175 – Kajsa Krause and Tracey Sawyer: International Hospitality Design Dec 06, 2017
    Show notes

    Kajsa Krause and Tracey Sawyer: International Hospitality Design Today in The Lounge, Nick chats Veronika Miller, the founder and CEO of Modenus and Official Media Partner with KBIS. Veronika will discuss her collaboration with KBIS and the line-up of events at KBIS 2018. Then stayed tuned for Nick’s conversation with Kajsa Krause and Tracey Sawyer of Krause Sawyer at the Porcelanosa showroom in NYC. The duo will discuss their partnership, their love of travel, and how they created their niche in the hospitality sector. About Modenus Veronika Miller is the founder and editor inchief of Modenus, a comprehensive digital resource for design professionals and design enthusiasts. Modenus began in 2009 and added a social media component known as the Blog Tour in 2011. The goal of the Blog Tour is to bring both people and brands together. The following year KBIS approached Modenus to help them connect with the design community, to build a bond and to reach design professionals who were not necessarily engaged in the kitchen and bath industry. After this initial contact Modenus became an official media partner with KBIS. This January will mark their 6th Blog Tour together. The Blog Tour has been hugely successful for Modenus. They have a community of about 250 bloggers who they reach out to for recommendations on what/who is new and interesting. These nominees are then narrowed down and the final blog tour participants are selected. In addition to the Blog Tour, each year Modernus compiles a Top 100 Influencers list, which again, is entirely community driven. Reaching out to the design community provides an endless resource for continued networking and education. KBIS and Modenus KBIS 2018 will kick off with a networking event entitled Champagne and Cupcakes on Tuesday, January 9th from 9:30-10:30 am. Hosted by Modenus, this invitation-only event will feature media influencers, designers, and media to celebrate the beginning of KBIS. Healthy cupcakes and a little bit of bubbly will be on the menu to honor their sponsor, Signature Kitchen, a new luxury division of LG, whose mission is focused on living well and living in a healthy way. There will also be giveaways, speakers and an introduction by Brian Pagel, VP of Kitchen and Bath division at Emerald Expositions. There will be many design events, speakers, and educational opportunities at KBIS. Jaime Derringer from Design Milk will be teaming up with Modenus at the lounge cafe, Design milk x Modenus Talk lounge. Mirroring the format at Wanted Design in NY, the lounge cafe will provide a relaxed atmosphere with refreshments, phone charging stations and an opportunity for everyone in the room to talk and share their thoughts. The event will also be streamed on Facebook live. Claire Jefford will also be hosting an event with several design influences that will cover the topics of Technology and How It Relates To Design and Social Media Do’s and Don'ts. This Old House will cover topics on skilled labor global design and working remotely and The Good Home Redux will cover the impact of design on wellness and sustainability. Navigating KBIS For those new to KBIS, the large scale of the show can be overwhelming. Bring comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk. The dress code is business casual, most attendees wear jeans and polo shirts, with a few designers choosing to dress up. It is about one mile between halls. Veronika recommends starting at West Hall, which is the main area that houses the bigger brands and follows a more traditional format. Plan on spending an entire day there. On a separate day, focus on the North and South Halls, where the stage, discovery district, which houses the smaller up and coming brands, the Modenus lounge and an outdoor area with catering can be found. Plan about 15-20min to get to where you are going. On Wednesday, be on the lookout for Design Bites. Similar to speed dating, Design Bites give exhibitors an opportunity to d...


    174 – Matthew Ferrarini: The Next Wave of Kitchen Design Dec 01, 2017
    Show notes

    Matthew Ferrarini: The Next Wave of Kitchen Design Today in The Lounge, Nick talks shop with Matthew Ferrarini of Ferrarini & Co, Kitchen and Bath Designer. Matthew works out of Philadelphia, but today Nick is catching up with him on location for a client in Miami. Turns out Matthew has interior design in his blood as the son of an interior designer mom and a contractor for a dad. Find out more, in this episode of the Chaise Lounge. Breaking the Ice Nick opens up about a favorite topic for a lot of guys…automobiles. Matthew is a fan of Tesla as an everyday vehicle and Ferrari for a higher end wow-factor. When asked about recent movies, Matthew shared that he recently got the chance to watch the movie Ma Ma with Penelope Cruz. Perfect segue to Nick’s recent trip to Spain with Porcelanosa. Turns out Matthew been to Barcelona a few times and is also a big fan of Spain’s rich heritage, culture, friendliness and just overall coolness. Getting Into the Business Matthew attended Temple University (go Owls!) for a pre-law degree. Temple is well known for their law school, but somehow Matt just couldn’t shake the calling of design. While at school, he also pursued a certificate in interior design and construction management. He joined forces with his Mom and worked in the family business while still attending school. Upon graduation, he started his own company focusing on kitchen and bath with mom, Donna, as a partner. From Humble Beginnings to Starting an Empire Starting out was rough; very humble beginnings. Having lost substantial assets upon the split of his parents, Matthew made a grassroots effort to grow his business. Local marketing with flyers and an open mind is how Ferrarini & Co got off the ground. In the beginning, no project was too small and the business took pride in the work they did and the ensuing referrals. Good work and excellent customer service got them from a home-based business to a design office and showroom staffed with 5 people that accept clients nationwide. What it Takes Matthew credits his success with clients to the broader view that he takes when designing his kitchen and baths. He doesn’t just focus solely on the space that he is tasked to redesign, but incorporates all adjacent areas to ensure a seamless flow. His knack for design really comes to light in space planning and problem-solving. Here is where his passions shine. He has made it a point to stay within his strengths and delegate the things he isn’t so passionate about to team members that are. Accolades and the Way of the Millennial Matthew Ferrarini’s point of view has earned him the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) ’30 under 30’ award. He believes in being progressive in his business and for a Millennial, that spells ‘tech’ heavy. Ivy is his software of choice to keep his business running smoothly. He transitioned from using a program that was more builder/construction directed and hasn’t looked back. He also uses Dropbox for file storage and Houzz as an avenue to work with clients using their lookbook feature. What seals the deal for a lot of his clients, is the use of photo-realistic renderings of what the space will look like prior to even lifting a hammer. As a value-added feature today, Nick is predicting that this will become standard in the coming years and you won’t be able to call yourself a designer without it. Matthew believes in spending the time to find out as much about a client and their lifestyle as possible and creating one show-stopping design to present to them. Now that the business has grown, the marketing approach has certainly changed from the local flyer days. Ferrarini credits his storefront, referrals, and digital marketing through the website and online presence as the avenues that have gotten his name out there. His website is user-friendly, visually captivating and has something for every client. Even those that may not be ready to pull the trigger on a remodel just yet,


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