KBB - November/December 2009 - (Page 14)

Editor’s Note Creative Endeavors Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about that New York Times article from January of this year, “Design Loves a Depression.” And feeling a little hopeful. Sure, this has been a challenging year for the country and the kitchen and bath industry, as well as the magazine, yet there have also been plenty of bright moments throughout—new acquaintances, new partnerships, new design projects and, of course, new products. Which brings me to the winners of the 2009 K+BB Product Innovator Awards and perhaps one of the reasons why that article resonates. As to be expected, entries were fewer than last year, but those that received the judges’ nod in this edition were no less innovative or compelling. That many of them incorporate a sensitivity to the environment and/or implications for Universal Design was additionally gratifying. The judging itself was also immensely satisfying. Not only did all of the jurors once again bring their professional insight to bear, but a sense of camaraderie was palpable throughout the entire process. During the breaks and via email even after the judging, I felt privileged and heartened listening to them exchange stories and advice relating to their individual practices. It’s the same feeling that I get when I log onto our LinkedIn group, the K+BB Designers Network, and follow the discussions being shared. Yes, there’s always been strength in numbers, or more specifically, in community. And maybe that’s why I feel, well, hopeful. (Polyanna much?) As I gleaned from our judges’ conversation and experienced ﬁrsthand here at K+BB, we are all changing the way we work. Many of us are working harder for less and most of us are having to exercise some creative thinking not only in what we produce—be it a kitchen or bath design, or, for us editors, an article—but also in how we produce it. For our part, with print publishing still struggling, we continue to beef up our online offerings on a daily basis with the hope of establishing a ﬁrm sense of community that extends beyond that of our LinkedIn group. Naturally, all of us—Sallie, Matt and I—welcome any suggestions you may have. And as some of you may already know, we’re a friendly bunch. This is the last issue of the year and as I look forward to 2010, I know I’m not alone in feeling a mix of anticipation, unease and hope. The last line in the appendix to William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury (one of my favorites) comes to mind: “They endured.” However, given that our industry is built on creativity and innovation, I know we will do better than that. Finally, a bit of housekeeping, but still on the topic of creativity. The deadline for the K+BB Design Awards is just around the corner: January 25, 2010. For information and an entry form, visit www.kbbonline.com. s StyleDrain ™ Style, down to the ﬁnest detail. Designers who create elegant showers shouldn’t settle for a cheap, ﬂimsy drain. StyleDrain™ is the solution. Made of solid, forged brass, this exclusive patent-pending design is offered in contemporary or traditional styles with more than 30 custom ﬁnishes. Plus, it has no visible screws, so it’s easy on the eyes and feet. For more information, visit www.calfaucets.com. Custom Faucetry® C i rcle No. 194 © 2009 California Faucets Alice Liao, Executive Editor aliao@kbbonline.com http://www.calfaucets.com http://www.calfaucets.com http://www.kbbonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - November/December 2009

KBB - November/December 2009
Table of Contents
Online News
Online Content
Editor's Note
Trends
Product Innovator Awards
Products
Profile
The Italian Job
Rock Steady
Education
Ad Index
Editorial Index
Favorites

KBB - November/December 2009