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READY OR NOT, THE HOLIDAYS ARE SNEAKING UP ON US!

🎄 It’s official—stores are already decking the halls, and holiday movies have been rolling out since October. With Thanksgiving and Christmas closer than ever, it feels like holiday cheer has arrived early (even if our summer wardrobes are still front and center!). As we gear up for this festive season, we’re thrilled to invite you to celebrate a milestone for the Manhattan NYC Chapter. On December 11th, join us for our 25th Anniversary Gala at the stunning Porcelanosa Flagship Showroom! This members-only holiday gala promises to be one of the year’s most memorable events, and it’s the perfect time to join NKBA and be part of the celebration. 

🎁 Plus, don’t miss the SMEG 25th-Anniversary Membership Raffle! We’ve extended it to December 11th. Become a member before December 11th to attend this exclusive gathering and have a chance to win an exquisite espresso maker—an early gift to enjoy all season long. Get ready to toast to 25 years of design excellence with us, surrounded by the warmth of the season and a community that feels like family. Let the holiday magic begin!

✨ Celebrating Knowledge and Community! ✨

This October, we honored our 25th Anniversary and Kitchen & Bath Month with an incredible 3rd Annual Education & Membership Day on October 8th. It was a standing-room-only event as CEU sessions filled the A&D Building, bringing together our community to learn, connect, and celebrate. We couldn’t have done it without the fantastic support of our sponsors, including aspire design and home Magazine, Cosentino, Dacor, FreePower, Hastings Bath Collection, Miele, SMEG, Poggenpohl, and Sub-Zero Wolf & Cove. Each sponsor brought an unforgettable energy to the day, so here’s a round of applause and a heartfelt thank you to all who made it possible! 

SANDRA SINGH: GLOBETROTTING, GOLFING AND DESIGN- SANDRA’S COLORFUL FAIRWAY  

By Maureen Klein -- With a handicap of 21, this 5’2” soft-spoken dynamo not only knows her way around the golf course but has explored foreign lands and done some on-the-job site excavating too!

Sandra, it seems you get around a lot… where was your starting point?

With my Dad’s family from Hong Kong, and my mom’s from Ecuador, I enjoyed growing up in my diverse neighborhood in Queens, NY. Later I also lived in Ecuador (8 years), England (5 years) and have visited many countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America. Australia, is still on my bucket list. 

And what about school?

I attended John Bowne HS in Flushing then graduated from Queens College, majoring in Computer Science and landed a position with Santandler Bank in their IT Department. I got married and had two beautiful daughters. After 5 years, while living in the UK, I began exploring the field of architecture at the Inchbald School of Design, but later switched to their Interior Design program which I found was a better fit with the responsibilities of an active family life. 

Was there someone who helped you reach your design goals?

I had several mentors and professors who inspired my passion for learning and critical thinking. However, my mom who was an FIT graduate and an expert pattern maker has always emphasized the value of education and hard work. Her support and encouragement motivated me to chase my dreams, no matter the challenges.

And tell us about your work history.

Certainly! Over the years, I've gained diverse experience across various fields, including design, project management, and customer service. One of my first jobs as a teen was in the drapery department of Stern’s where I got a good sense of dressing up windows. In the K&B industry I've worked on several key projects that have involved design consultation, space planning, project management and keeping up with trends and innovations. 

And your latest position?

Yes, I was recently hired as a Sales and Marketing Specialist at at the Miele Experience Center Manhattan at the A&D Building. Come visit and I’ll be happy to help you “look, marvel, and explore” our beautiful showroom with its extensive kitchen line of appliances and accessories. It’s terrific being a part of a company that is celebrating 125 years of innovation! 

I loved hearing about your integration of foreign travels with charitable work. How did you do that?

I had the opportunity to explore breathtaking landscapes from the Amazon to the amazing Galapagos. During my visits, I participated in charitable works with local organizations focused on education, elderly care and environmental conservation. Additionally, I contributed to an environmental project aimed at reforestation, working with local communities to plant trees and promote sustainable practices. These experiences deepened my appreciation for Ecuador's rich culture and biodiversity. 

You mentioned playing golf, when did that start?

I started when I was 24. The peaceful surroundings and the challenge of the game immediately captivated me and I’ve even won a few small tournaments. Golf, has not only been about competition for me, but also like my NKBA membership, about the friendships I've built and the experiences I've gained.

Anything new at home? 

I’m in the midst of last-minute wedding preparations for our daughter’s special day. We picked a rose theme, which Ecuador is renowned for, and where the wedding will be held this November.

And you mentioned a Catskills project; what’s that about?

The Lost Hamptons, a personal family project, is coming in autumn 2025. It will blend a luxury resort with the tranquility of a secluded woodland in upstate Windsor, NY. We’re building 14 cabins with outdoor showers, firepits, hot tubs, and a unique set of common areas for guests to congregate with friends and co-workers throughout the year. I will design the interiors, and the team is working to make it a beautiful get-away and a destination spot, mindful of sustainability and low carbon footprint building principles.

Thanks, Sandra for your service to NKBA and communities abroad, and… your Lost Hamptons sounds like a perfect spot for an NKBA retreat! Hmmmm?

 Sandra explains how to drive and maneuver a Loader Tractor at groundbreaking of Lost Hamptons. Click image to watch her in action!

CELEBRATING OUR 25th YEAR

By Kent Brasloff, Manhattan Chapter Emeritus -- Since its inception, the Manhattan Chapter has worked tirelessly to engage and support the kitchen and bath community, holding it to the highest standard. Architects, designers, press, retailers and wholesalers all look to us for the latest trends, cutting-edge products, who or what’s new, education, accreditation, professional opportunities, excursions to exotic locations like Missouri and Wisconsin, and perhaps, most importantly, exposure to the experience and wisdom of our fellow wizards, who continue to guide us, mentor us and call us “friend.” 

While times, trends, and perspectives change, who could have envisioned what would come while we were Livin’ La Vida Loca in 1999? Only a reading from Theresa Caputo, The Long Island Medium, might have prepared us: 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, COVID-19, economic collapses, the demise of the fax machine and the “mom & pop,” innovations like the “Smart Home" and Zoom meetings, the influence of Gen X, Gen Z and Tik Tok, not to mention our national organization taking its place on a global stage. With foresight, we might have opined, I Want It That Way.

Through all of it, the support of our extraordinary sponsors made the impossible possible. We kept calm and carried on with programs, excursions, special events… and at one point… even keeping our doors open! Manhattan chapter remains singular in its proximity to state-of-the-art showrooms, sensorial experience centers, and creative, professional chefs, all of whom recognize our value and work in tandem to support our status as NKBA’s Jewel in the Crown. 

Enjoy a quick look back through 2018

Grohe, 2012

B/S/H/ Culinary Center, 2015

Monogram, 2015

Grohe Summer Social, 2015

Welcome to the Future, 2015

Miele, 2015

Cosentino, 2016

MTI, 2016

WoodMode, 2016

Franz Viegener has expanded its Classic bathroom collection with two new single-hole, single-lever faucets in 6" and 10.5" spout heights. These designs maintain the elegance of widespread models, making them perfect for bathrooms with limited space or for those preferring the convenience of a single-lever faucet.

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Introducing the Etoile vanity collection, crafted using solid ash wood sourced from controlled reforested zones. Etoile offers a splash of color with 19 options, two sizes, a push-to-open drawer, and optional fluted décor. See it on display at Hastings Bath Collection in the A&D building.

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The modern English cottage style is overtaking the all-white farmhouse trend with warmer and more welcoming spaces that blend modern elements with touches of European influence. The result is a casual elegance with a lot more character and visual interest.

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FreePower, integrated into Cosentino's Dekton and Silestone surfaces, won the KBIS Best-in-Show Award for 2024. It allows users to charge devices anywhere within the active area. Its patented Charging Halo™ provides edge-to-edge power with interactive lighting, visible through translucent stone to indicate the charging zone..

Learn More.

Thermador launched a Designer Resources page to streamline kitchen design projects. It offers CAD drawings, product specs, a Lookbook, Planning Guide, and Kitchen Package Planner, providing tools, tips, and inspiration to help designers bring clients’ visions to life.

Learn More.

Luxury bathrooms now combine opulence with sustainability, relaxation, and sensory experiences. They serve as personal refuges, with design, materials, and aesthetics reflecting this shift. Trends include small, functional spaces or open layouts integrated with bedrooms.

Learn More

STAY CONNECTED! Get Social with the Manhattan Chapter

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

The Communications Committee seeks a co-newsletter chair or editor for outbound marketing to supply or report on relevant industry news. We'd love you to join our team if you have social media or writing skills. Please contact Communications@nkbamanhattan.com.

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THANK YOU to the sponsors of NKBA Manhattan Chapter

25th ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR

GOLD LEVEL

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NKBA Manhattan Chapter | nkbamanhattan.org

The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creation of certifications, marketplaces, and networks.

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