KBB - April 2012 - (Page 6)

EDITOR’S NOTE DESIGN + INNOV TION + LIFESTYLE / April 2012 A Women’s Work I’ll keep my politics to myself. But I find interesting that while proposed bills relating to women’s health care and hot-button issues such as abortion and contraception have generated much debate on cable news shows in the past month or so, on at least two instances recently, I’ve heard kitchen and bath industry members refer to the growing influence of women in home-improvement-related purchases. Just this week, for example, I attended a press event for Caesarstone’s new Supremo line, for which the company has launched a new ad campaign (you may have seen it on our website). It features three “Supremo Girls,” who are depicted using different colors from the new collection. They were created, I learned, to acknowledge women who are increasingly the primary decision-makers in the home. This subject also came up when I interviewed Gray Uhl, design director for American Standard Brands, for this month’s Trends column on bath faucets (see page 20). In discussing aesthetic preferences, he talked about the elevated taste of the American consumer and its fondness for sculptural forms in “pretty much everything in their lives: appliances, automobiles, furniture and faucets.” “I’m impressed with how far the American consumer has evolved,” Uhl said. “And I have to admit, I’m really talking about women. Women have become the decision-maker.” This wasn’t always the case, Uhl added. When he first started in the industry, all of the plumbing that went into a home was selected by men. Nowadays, “Women go online, they do their research and are well-informed,” Uhl said. “They’ve become so sophisticated. It’s a great trend.” It’s a great trend indeed—and a somewhat ironic one for me to be writing about, especially as I think ahead to two imminent opportunities for me to become more informed. Of course, I am speaking of Eurocucina, which I have the great fortune of being invited to attend, and KBIS. Both, no doubt, will abound with new product and design trends that in and of themselves will be interesting to see. But perhaps just a tad more compelling for me is their connection, if any, to the current economic troubles—and, in the U.S., presidential elections—in Europe and this country. Of faucet trends on these shores, Uhl said, “No one in the industry is really looking for edgy at the moment.” Hence, the popularity of transitional styles. “I think this is reflective of the economy,” he added. “These are not risk-taking times we’re living in.” Which may explain the feeling of nostalgia that seems ever more palpable in our TV programs, food fads and perhaps even our kitchens and baths. Or is it just me? Europe also has its share of financial woe. Will that also impact design across the pond? I'll let you know. n EDITORIAL executive editor Alice Liao (646) 654-4408 aliao@kbbonline.com creative director Jonathan Marsland (646) 654-4472 jmarsland@kbbonline.com Graphic production artist Jessica Farley (646) 654-7245 jessica.farley@nielsen.com INDUSTRY WATCH eNewsletter Nichole Schulze naschulze@yahoo.com editorial advisory board Jeff Burton; John Buscarello, asid; Jeff Cannata, cmkbd; Mick De Giulio; Jamie Gibbs; James Lev, aia; Candace Morris; Florence Perchuk, ckd; Lloyd Princeton; Roderick Shade; David Stimmel; Dick Titus; Gary White, cmkbd vice president/retail desiGn Group Doug Hope (770) 291-5453 doug.hope@nielsen.com TERRITORY MANAGERS MidWest and illinois John Wilson 602 Society Place A2 Newtown, PA 18940 (215) 497-0221 john.wilson@nielsen.com east coast Paul Bienkowski 2422 Ellington Rd., South Windsor, CT 06074 (860) 644-3861; FAX: (860) 644-0700 pbienkowski@cox.net Phil Viscidi One Hollis St., Suite 305 Wellesley, MA 02482 (781) 431-1320; FAX: (781) 431-1968 phil@viscidi.com West coast and southWest Larry Shore 805 Avalon Dr., Seal Beach, CA 90740 (562) 598-5560 larry.shore@nielsen.com classiFieds and special sections Diane Kennedy 1145 Sanctuary Parkway Suite #355, Alpharetta, GA 30004 (770) 291-5519 diane.kennedy@nielsen.com vp kitchen and bath Group Brian Pagel 1145 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite #355, Alpharetta, GA 30004 (770) 291-5438 brian.pagel@nielsen.com SUPPORT production ManaGer Nan McDowell (770) 291-5480 nan.mcdowell@nielsen.com reprints Rosie Hassell The YGS Group (800) 501-9571 Ext. 136 kbb@theYGSgroup.com circulation custoMer service (800) 697-8859 Fax: (847) 291-8416 nkb@omeda.com list rental product ManaGer Bart Piccirillo (845) 731-2768 bart.piccirillo@eraepd.com senior vice president Joe Randall joe.randall@nielsen.com david loechner President, Nielsen Expositions Michael alicea Senior Vice President, Human Resources denise bashem Vice President, Finance darrell denny Senior Vice President, Business Development teresa reilly Vice President, Digital Joanne Wheatley Vice President, Manufacturing & Marketing Services Alice Liao, Executive Editor aliao@kbbonline.com lori Jenks Vice President, Operations Circle No. 7 the official sponsor of Copyright © 2012 by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - April 2012

KBB - April 2012
Contents
Online Contents
Editorial
Show Director's Note
Road to KBIS
Web Savvy
Consumer
Trends
Products
City Smart
Design
Cinderella Story
Education
Ad Index
Last Word

KBB - April 2012