by JULIE SCHUSTER

Today is Independence Day, and I sit here so happily looking out over the water from Martha’s Vineyard. For me, independence has been having the faith in myself to jump into self-employment as a designer and sticking with it to truly build my own business. It’s been sometimes joyous, sometimes stressful, and always way more work than any other job I ever had. But I also understand that it is a bit different for every one of us.

One of the pleasures of groups like our New York design community has been to find how diverse we all are; everyone with different drivers and passions, as well as skill sets. And that, in itself, is one great reason to value each and every one of you. For you all bring something wonderful with you to the table each month when we get together. Sharing insights, troubleshooting issues, education and product knowledge, and the ability to

Every Thursday, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

MIELE ESPRESSO BREAK

Miele New York Experience Center

A&D Building, 9th floor

Miele invites you to drop by for a delicious pick-me-up at Coffee Thursday Afternoons—coffee presentation and tasting.

Learn more about Miele coffee machines here.

July 8 Opening Night Gala, 6:00 PM

July 9 through August 27, 6:00 PM

HOLIDAY HOUSE HAMPTONS

279 Mitchell Lane Bridgehampton, NY 11932

Holiday House is an interior design showhouse where top interior designers showcase their talent to raise funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF).

This summer we are so excited to be bringing our event to a brand new location in celebration of our 5th annual designer show house in the Hamptons! Our Opening Night Gala will take place on Saturday, July 8th and the show house will be open to the public from July 9th through August 27th, 2023. For details and tickets, click here.

PERSONALITY TYPES FOR SUCCESSFUL CLIENT OUTCOMES

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

Manhattan NKBA Member Sharon L. Sherman, founder of Thyme and Place Design, is interviewed by LuAnn Nigara of A Well-Designed Business Podcast. Sharon has been a practicing, award-winning kitchen and bath designer for the past 40 years, is a Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers, New Jersey chapter, and was named 2022 Innovator of the Year by Kitchen Bath Design News magazine. She has worked with every personality out there and is here to discuss personality traits. The discussion delves into the four personality types she categorizes of clients.

“Clients make our world go round. Without them, we're no longer in business,” Sharon explains. “If you understand how to speak to your clients, and how to ask them questions, and listen to what they're saying…you start to see who that person is going to be.”

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast With Sharon Sherman

COSENTINO ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT

Griselda Fernandez has been named New York City Center Manager for Cosentino. Griselda is a Bilingual Training & Events Manager with over 15 years of retail and leadership experience, specializing in business development, sales management, and creating strategic opportunities through partnerships.

“Honing my entrepreneurial, analytical, and interpersonal skills, I'm passionate about boosting employee morale and engagement that lead to stellar customer service,” says Griselda. “By taking on several leadership roles, I have directly managed and mentored teams through customized workshops, including impactful service, selling, and home styling.

“My energetic personality and organizational mindset have helped me successfully host events that have led to heightened brand exposure and opened up new gateways for everyone involved.

“I'm thrilled to be part of the Cosentino family. Please visit our showroom in the A&D building.”

HÄFELE AND PLATO LIGHT IT UP!

These days, innovative technology goes hand in hand with great design and with that, we are proud to announce our partnership with Häfele America! All orders moving forward will be able to incorporate Hafele’s fully integrated Loox5 Lighting system, eliminating the guess work in selecting the best light color for each project.

This plug and play technology is a great new addition to our custom cabinetry.

For more information, or to locate your nearest dealer, contact Linda Fitzpatrick.

Plato Woodwork - Quality Custom Cabinetry - Frameless cabinets

HASTINGS BATH INCORPORATES ITALIAN DESIGN

Allegro is a distinctive and eclectic floor-mount basin console that exudes Italian design and craftsmanship. Produced just north of Venice, the series is hallmarked by its bush hammer textured exterior and smooth inner basin with a selection of 44 diverse colors in the range.

Discover more at https://hastingstilebath.com/

SUB ZERO, WOLF, AND COVE COFFEE SYSTEM EMBRACES MORE OPTIONS

The newly designed Wolf Built-In Coffee System allows users to enjoy a professional-quality, customized beverage with every use. It’s simple to operate with an intuitive full-color touchscreen, 15+ professional-quality beverage options—including a full pot of coffee, and the ability to create up to six independent user profiles. With no water line required, two sizes to choose from, and several aesthetic options available, this system provides endless design possibilities. Add one to your Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove kitchen package today!

Click here to discover more!

THERMADOR INTRODUCES THE ALL-NEW PRO HARMONY® LIBERTY® INDUCTION RANGE

Building on a legacy of exceptional performance, Thermador leads the industry in induction cooking innovation. By combining unparalleled induction features with the power and performance of a convection oven, we’ve created an uncompromising range that’s sure to move you. Welcome to a new era in the groundbreaking Induction Innovation Collection. Learn more here: Induction Ranges | Thermador

TRUE RESIDENTIAL NAMES NEW SHOWROOM MANAGER

Wes Lind is the new Showroom Manager of True Residential in their new location at the A&D Building—150 E. 58th St., Suite 603. Wes has managed several showrooms in San Francisco and in New York. As an interior designer with an education in design and business, he brings a unique view and understanding of the showroom experience.

Handcrafted in America since 1945. True Manufacturing is recognized as the leading manufacturer of commercial refrigerators and freezers in the world for the food service and soft drink industries. Now, we’ve taken our decades of refrigeration leadership and expertise and refined our refrigeration line for the home, bringing the performance and quality of commercial refrigeration to your kitchens and outdoor entertaining spaces.

VADARA SURFACES BRINGS NATURE HOME

The latest trends in home design feature a decided focus on nature, bringing the essence of the outdoors inside. This emphasis on biophilic design—which connects the built environment with natural light and the elements, materials, patterns and colors of nature—has been shown to support cognitive function and enhance health and well-being.

To help bring the wonders of the natural world inside, leading quartz-surface manufacturer Vadara has expanded its collection with eight new colors and patterns inspired by nature, revealing Earth’s subtle beauty and unique variations.

Transform your space into a stunning sanctuary with the latest collection of nature-inspired quartz surfaces. To explore Vadara’s new designs click here.

ROSE OTT

By Melisa Jahic -- This month’s member spotlight focuses on our Secretary/Treasurer, Rose Ott of Rose Ott Design. Rose has been involved in the industry since 2003. Previously, she worked in graphic design and fashion and painted murals and faux finishes for clients.

As a child, Rose loved rearranging her parents' house when they weren’t home. Their initial reaction was that there was something wrong with her! When they returned, they would find their entire home transformed, with accessories repositioned, furniture thoughtfully arranged, and even items removed if they seemed out of scale. Rose says she understood at a very young age how a room could feel from a simple adjustment and the shift in the experience of that room.

When she was doing faux finishes, clients often sought Rose's advice on furniture selections and placement, window treatments, and lighting. She soon recognized interior design as her true calling and returned to school. With a degree in fine arts and graphic design from a dual program at Oneonta and FIT, proceeding with the birth of her children, she received a certificate in interior design from the Metropolitan School of Interior Design.

Rose worked for a few different designers before opening her own design studio and mainly focused on interior design. As the years went on, she realized how much she loved the process of designing kitchens and baths, and instead of hiring a separate designer for those rooms, she took classes, joined the NKBA, and became certified. She now carries three lines of cabinetry so that she can meet any budget, and she absolutely loves it!

A bit about Rose’s day-to-day: Her routine kicks-off promptly at 5:00 am with the ritual of writing Morning Pages. This practice has been a consistent part of her daily life for years, helping to maintain clarity and map out the details of her day ahead. Following this, she works out, either attending a class or taking a bike ride on the boardwalk near her home. These are non-negotiables, and essential, Rose says, to her mental well-being in an often stressful industry.

Her schedule then encompasses a variety of activities, ranging from studio days, where she devotes her time to drawing, creating spec sheets, and sourcing materials, to days filled with back-to-back appointments. Rose plans her days meticulously, so as to allocate sufficient time to handle essential tasks such as billing, ordering, and managing general office responsibilities.

When asked about her favorite part of the job, Rose says, “My absolute favorite part is helping clients transform their lives through thoughtful and intentional design. I love people and consider it a privilege that they trust me to bring their vision to life. The kitchen is especially rewarding— it’s like solving a puzzle and has the most profound impact on the people living there.”

Another asset of Rose’s career is her time spent with us over here at the NKBA. She says she learns something valuable at every chapter meeting and thoroughly enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals in the industry. When asked about her time on the board, she said it allows her to actively participate in fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge is shared, skills are honed, and industry advancements are embraced.

Rose would like to share a snippet of advice with our chapter: “Actively engage and take full advantage of the resources, networking opportunities, and educational offerings available through the association. Attend chapter meetings, participate in workshops and conferences, and connect with fellow members to expand your knowledge, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and foster meaningful professional relationships. By actively involving yourself in the NKBA community, you can maximize the benefits and opportunities the association provides, leading to personal and professional growth.”