Tag Archives: Paula Kennedy CKD

January 12, 2023 · 6:15 am

January 18 at #KBtribechat – BIOPHILIA DESIGN IN THE BATHROOM

Hosted by Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC

Inspirational Speaker. Writer. Designer. Creativity Guru. Educator. Serial Entrepreneur.

Beyond basic hygiene, the bathroom is an important space where we execute self-care, escape from the world and nurture ourselves.  Within the category of wellness design, the concept of Biophilia takes us deeper into bringing the outdoors in and increasing our human connection with nature.

“Biophilic design is a concept used to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions.”

Biophilic design makes us happier and healthier by increasing our connection with the natural world, even indoors, whether we are at work or at home. It is said to promote productivity, too, which is why employers are sitting up and taking notice.

I have used Wellness and the Four Elements; earth, water, fire, air, (as well as wood and metal) to guide my discussion with clients as to how we can design bathroom spaces utilizing biophilia.  These spaces nurture our souls and keep us connected to the earth which supports our mental and physical wellbeing. 

  • Biophilic design creates healthy, happy built environments.
    • Decreased stress, enhanced creativity, and accelerated recovery from illness
  • Biophilia is not just about plants.
    • The use of patterns and fractals in design is commonly referred to as biomimicry.
  • Light is a part of our rhythm.
    • Lighting systems that either naturally or artificially changes throughout the day to mimic our circadian rhythm helps link people to the outdoor environment
  • Our minds and bodies appreciate the presence of water.
    • The presence of water in spaces lowered blood pressure, lowered heart rate, and memory restoration. 
  • We can feel nature in the air.
    • Studies show that airflow stimulation has been found to keep people awake, also naturally improving focus and performance.
  • Appealing to multiple senses makes more sense.
    • In order to most effectively reach people with biophilic design, it’s best to aim for multi-sensory stimuli.
  • Faking nature has some payback, too. “Biomimicry”
    • Elements that mimic nature are not without some benefit, too.

“IT DOESN’T HAVE TO LOOK LIKE A JUNGLE!”

Please keep the conversation on the bathroom so we can remain on topic.

Question 1: What are the benefits of biophilic design?

Question 2: What surfaces support biophilic design?

Question 3: What plumbing fixtures support biophilic design?

Question 4: How do we use light in biophilic design?

Question 5: What other materials support biophilic design?

Question 6: What shapes and textures support biophilic design?

Question 7: How are plants used to support biophilic design?

Question 8: What elements of biomimicry can be utilized in the bathroom?

Join this Twitter conversation

at 2pm ET on Wednesday 1/18

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets.

Other hashtags that apply to this conversation include #biophilia #bathroomdesign and #timelesskitchendesign.

Where you can find Paula online:

Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC

Timeless Kitchen Design

www.timelesskitchen.design/ 

Twitter @TimelessKitchDz

www.instagram.com/paulakennedyckd/ 

www.linkedin.com/in/paula-kennedy-cmkbd

Leave a comment

Filed under Guest Host Bios, kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

July 9, 2020 · 6:15 am

July 15 at #KBtribechat: COLOR CUES – Colors influence in our lives!

A design discussion

Hosted by Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC

Add a little bit of body text-11

 

Given how much we are all staying at home now it has been fascinating watching the DIY projects shoot through the roof. I would love to see some statistics on DIY paint purchases.

4554b8f4bafe6c89e13c0bbec53c7d48
Most of us have been through many Color 101 classes and trend reports. You likely have a basic understanding of hues, tints, shades, and complementary or tertiary color palettes, along with what this year’s color of the year is. Once I received my certification as an Architectural Color Consultant my perspective of the world of color was blown away! As interior designers in the kitchen and bath industry, we know we can’t select wall/paint colors in a vacuum from ALL the other finishes that we specify every day.

Add-In-Marketing-Ventura-County-Marketing-Company-Southern-California-Creative-Agnecy-Color-Psychology-Marketing

We must consider ALL the elements! Outdoor landscaping, reflection, region, window direction, time of day, CRI, CCT, wood undertones, metamerism . . . and the list goes on. How can we best support the vision of our aging population, or support the mental wellbeing of our children? Do we want to stimulate our appetites in our kitchens and dining rooms or decrease our appetites?

“Color is the REACTION that light is having to an object or within a space, without LIGHT there is no color.  The type and amount of light affects the perception of color.”

No color is inherently wrong, although its amount, intensity, or depth may indeed be wrong for the LIGHT of a space. By manipulating the variables that create color, any number of combinations can be achieved that will bring life and light to the architectural space.

photo-1510115950941-b7c06c744133

Let’s break it down by room or “issue”.

QUESTIONS:

Q1: Considering Biophilia and Wellness trends, how can we utilize color in the home to help bring the outdoors in, to replicate and mimic nature inside the home?

Q2: Thinking specifically about our ever-growing Aging in Place population, how can we utilize color and color combinations to aid independent living?

Q3: In understanding how to best support our children’s wellbeing what are the best colors for their bedrooms?

Q4: Now that we are all working from home what colors best support productivity while also reducing stress in our home offices?

Q5: What are the best colors psychologically in supporting the occupants of our kitchens and dining rooms, which must support so many different activities from morning till night?

Q6. In thinking about the various activities in the bathroom what are the best colors

Join this Twitter conversation

on Wednesday, July 15

from 2 to 3pm eastern

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

safe_image

#kbtribechat #colorcues @paulakennedyckd #timelesskitchendesign

Hosted by Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC
Timeless Kitchen Design, Seattle Washington
NKBA CEU Provider
“Color Cues – Colors influence in our lives” is an approved NKBA Chapter CEU
425-466-4483 paulakennedyckd@hotmail.com

Here’s where you’ll find the transcript for this KBtribechat.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 31, 2019 · 6:15 am

11-6-19 at #KBTRIBECHAT: “Uncork that Creativity!”

Hosted by Paula Kennedy CMKBD

rl image

There are two questions I am so tired of hearing, “What magazines do you read for inspiration?” as if that’s the only way to be creative, and “What’s trending right now?” My immediate gut response is . . . . “put down the magazine and go OUTSIDE!” no offense to magazines. And, “if it’s IN right now, it’s already OUT . . . ask me what I think will be IN in the next 5-10 years!” THAT’s what turns me on!

In our industry we are so focused on how to inspire our clients but what happens if WE are stretched too thin, are sleep deprived, over committed and nearing burn out or simply just stuck in a rut. I find most of us never want to admit that publicly (I see your Instagram lives!), though privately I hear way too many designers (and non-designers) admit they feel just like that.

“Creativity is more than a career, it’s a way of life!” Paula

If you want to experience more creativity in your life and in your work you need only to remove the blocks that exist in your life until it starts to flow naturally again. Creativity is a force of nature; it will occur if it is allowed, it simply needs to be UNCORKED!

Creativity is the ability to imagine what has never existed, to see the big picture, to find the subtle connections between seemingly unrelated things. ALL of us have the ability to be creative, not just prominently Right brained individuals.
Think of this ability as something that will naturally happen if you just get out of its way. We need to be conscious about how to rejuvenate it, inspire it, protect it, exercise it, practice it and share it. I like thinking of it in terms of exercise . . . your creativity muscle needs to be loosened up and exercised just like any other muscle.

paint-sip-hero-1

Paula’s IGNITE CREATIVITY KBtribechat Questions:

Question 1: Be honest, do you ever feel stagnant, stuck or burnt out, either now or in the past?

Question 2: What blocks your creativity? (Get creative and use a GIF if applicable)

Question 3: What are your go-to methods to revive yourself and your ability to be creative? Feel free to share images of yourself doing these activities.

Question 4: How do you instill confidence in your clients to trust your creativity to help them get out of their comfort zones?

Question 5: What other industries do you follow to keep ahead of the “what’s in” question?

Question 6: How do you stay inspired within our industry locally and nationally? What events do you get the most value out of?

cropped even smaller color

Your list of activities to cultivate your creativity will look different. Join me at http://www.facebook.com/ignitecreativity to see what my entire list is and share yours with a growing community of creatives. I travel nationally to visit trade association chapters offering Ignite Creativity and many other Kitchen & Bath related CEU’s.

Do something Creative every day!

Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC
Inspirational Speaker. Writer. Designer. Creativity Guru. Educator. Serial Entrepreneur. Timeless Kitchen Design
425-466-4483 text/cell
www.timelesskitchen.design/
www.houzz.com/pro/timelesskitchenandbathdesign
Twitter: @paulakennedyckd
www.pinterest.com/paulakennedyckd/
www.instagram.com/paulakennedyckd/
www.linkedin.com/in/paula-kennedy-cmkbd
KBDN Top 50 Innovators 2018
NKBA Professional of the Year
NKBA Lifetime Ambassador & Diplomat
NKBA Voices from the Industry & Subject Matter Expert
Ignite Creativity
https://www.facebook.com/IgniteCreativity

 

Here’s the transcript for this KBtribechat.

Leave a comment

Filed under Guest Host Bios, kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Tagged as , , , , , ,

August 8, 2019 · 6:15 am

August 14 at #KBtribechat: #MicroSizeMe – Designing for Downsizing and Small Spaces

 Hosted by Paula Kennedy CKD.

pink small
We hear it every day but what does it really mean for us as designers . . . tiny home, downsizing, small spaces, urban living, minimalist, simplifying . . .

What does it all mean, is it just a trend that we don’t really have to worry about? Is it just an urban problem that I don’t need to worry about? If my clients need this what do manufacturers offer that will work? How can I meet their needs through design and specification?

A trend is something that comes and goes, this is something deeper, just like designing for Aging in Place and Sustainability. Our Industry, Manufacturers and Designers need to sit up, and take notice of the “Micro Size Me Movement” we need to get out in front of it!

too much

THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: (kitchen & bath specific)
Q1. Are you seeing this movement in your region? What generations are you seeing needing, demanding and utilizing these smaller living spaces?

Q2. Small spaces can be designed and built in the suburbs as part of larger homes as well, what situations (or opportunities) are driving this need? How do you feel about the current inventory of this type of dwelling in your area?

Q3. Considering appliances, fixtures and storage, how can we maximize design for these small spaces?

Q4. What design techniques, elements and principles can we use to design for these small spaces?

Q5. How will population growth continue to increase demand for these spaces, products and design?

Q6. What do we need from manufacturers for small spaces both in the kitchen AND in the bath?

17468

Join the Twitter conversation

on Wednesday, August 14, 2019

from 2 to 3pm eastern

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

Hosted by Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP
Timeless Kitchen Design, Seattle Washington
NKBA CEU Provider
“#MicroSizeMe – Designing for Downsizing and Small Spaces” is an approved NKBA Chapter CEU
425-466-4483 paulakennedyckd@hotmail.com
Pinterest boards associated with this topic:
MICROSIZEME https://pin.it/mpdydzzf62lc6e
MICROKITCHEN https://pin.it/d6ceqxz65s5p6e
MICROBATH https://pin.it/3lmezuyypcl54t

#KBTRIBECHAT @PAULAKENNEDYCKD #DOWNSIZE #MICROSIZEME

 

Here’s a link to read the transcript for this KBtribechat.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

June 6, 2019 · 6:15 am

SPOILER ALERT! Kitchen’s waste food!

JUNE 12, 2019 at #KBtribechat – Kitchen and Bath Industry Twitter Chat

Hosted by Paula Kennedy CKD*

Today’s kitchens are not designed with food preservation in mind. That may sound strange to say, isn’t so much of what we do focused around food storage? Yes, but, food PRESERVATION is different than merely storage.

food waste
Are you tired of throwing away produce? The U.S. wastes 30-40% of food per year. The amount of food wasted that goes to the landfill is disturbing. As food spoils in the landfill it puts off methane gas that contributes to the Greenhouse effect. Let’s talk about consumers shopping habits and their concerns for healthy and sustainable living.

Did you know some fruits and vegetables like it cool, some like it room temperature, and some need humidity? There are the fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas as they ripen that is detrimental to surrounding produce! Why did no one tell me you aren’t supposed to store your bananas and apples together!
Remember cellars, larders and that cute little wicker basket designed into a base cabinet? Did you know those wicker baskets that we don’t design into kitchens anymore actually served a valuable purpose?

Let’s get back to our roots, from only a couple generations ago, by re-learning how to properly store food and designing spaces for our client’s kitchens more effectively. Let’s help people save money replacing spoiled foods, help them eat more nutritionally when the healthy produce that they purchased is readily available, and let’s do our part in saving the environment by saving food from going to the landfill needlessly!

Our KBtribechat QUESTIONS:
Q1. What appliance features have you seen recently being introduced to address this issue?

Q2. What is the interest from your clients on this issue? Does it vary based on their generation or region?

Q3. How are the shopping behaviors of our clients changing and do you see that change being more dramatic over the next 10-15 years?

Q4. What design techniques can we employ to help aid food preservation and access to healthy fresh food?

Q5. How will current and future technology aid this effort in reducing food being sent to the landfill?

* Hosted by Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP Timeless Kitchen Design, Seattle Washington, NKBA CEU Provider (“Spoiler Alert” is an approved NKBA Chapter CEU) 425-466-4483 paulakennedyckd@hotmail.com

 

You can find the transcript for this KBtribechat here.

2 Comments

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

June 14, 2018 · 6:15 am

June 20 at #KBtribechat – Reducing Our Personal Environmental Impact

Hosted by Paula Kennedy, CKD

After 20 years in this business working with kitchens, clients, cooking, food, appliances, even in my own home and life, I became increasingly aware and aghast at how much food we waste and how much energy and water these spaces consume. I’ve learned that every single action and effort builds and grows. I have a responsibility in my own life and in my business to help promote reducing our personal environmental impact.

food waste

Personally my diet has been changing to a more organic, healthy, clean, local lifestyle. But I was tired of throwing away spoiled food! How was I supposed to eat healthy if the spinach was spoiled by the time I wanted to enjoy it, or the bananas, I like them on the green side. One day I heard someone say to separate your bananas from your apples!? What! No one told me this! Why didn’t I know this? Thus began my research. It saddened me how quickly we’ve forgotten practices that only a generation or two ago practiced on a daily basis. Since that time I created a CEU class for NKBA called “Spoiler Alert: Kitchens waste food.”

Our kitchens today are great at storing food but not that great at helping to preserve it. The biggest impact we can have on our planet is to reduce food waste. A typical family will throw out 470lbs of food each year. Globally 4 Billion tons of food is wasted each year. Throwing away one egg wastes 55 gallons of water. Food waste in landfills creates Methane which is the largest contributor to Greenhouse Gas Emissions!

I’ve started having Imperfect Produce delivered to my home, less expensive than at the store and saves these items from the landfill. I use an app to track my inventory at home so when I’m at the store I’m not purchasing more bananas than I need just incase. I use special bags to store my produce to reduce the ethylene from affecting other produce that is sensitive to it. I’ve stopped storing my bananas next to my apples! And, just say no to the fruit bowl on the sunny countertop please! What current appliances can help us, or future appliances and smart features?

We’ll also talk about electricity and water usage in kitchens as well; lighting, appliances and plumbing fixtures. It’s all connected.

Everything is changing with our relationship to our kitchens, to our food and our environment. Pantries may soon not even be necessary as consumables are delivered on a daily or weekly basis in the future.

Everything starts with us, one change at a time, then, I believe we have a responsibility in our industry to help educate our clients and help them reduce their impact as well, sometimes even without them knowing it. Just like we may put extra backing in the walls for future grab bars in homes for aging in place, why not recommend an insulated pantry keeping items slightly cooler than room temperature, or carefully designing it on an exterior wall for coolness, depending on your region. Let’s bring back the cellar, recommend a second freezer in the garage.

Let’s keep it focused in the Kitchen today:

Q1. What appliances and storage solutions can we utilize today to reduce food waste?
Q2. How will food storage change in the future? What “old school” practices can we re-learn today?
Q3. How can we reduce Electricity usage in the kitchen? Lighting, appliances, processes?
Q4. How can window design and window treatments help us with heat and electrical management?
Q5. How can we reduce Water usage in the Kitchen?
Q6. What “smart” features can help us in these efforts?
Q7. What other ways can we reduce our impact in our homes and our client’s homes?

Saving one banana at time!
Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CLIPP, Seattle Washington
#KBTribeChat #TimelessKitchenDesign #ReduceWaste

**If you would like this CEU brought to your chapters just email me at paulakennedyckd@hotmail.com

https://www.pinterest.com/paulakennedyckd/environmental/
https://www.pinterest.com/paulakennedyckd/food-fresh-storage/
https://www.pinterest.com/paulakennedyckd/preserveiq/
https://www.eomega.org/article/3-biggest-ways-to-reduce-your-environmental-impact
http://www.instructables.com/id/100-Ways-to-Reduce-Your-Impact/

Join this Twitter conversation

on Wednesday, June 20

from 2 to 3pm eastern

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets! 

Here’s a link to read the transcript for this KBtribechat.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,