Tag Archives: sustainable countertops

September 20th at #KBtribechat – Kitchens Designed for Wellness

The KBtribechat questions:

1.)  There are many ways to design with wellness in mind, from open-concept kitchens that encourage family interaction and food prep to proper lighting. What does the wellness trend mean to you?

2.) Consumers are becoming more conscious of not just their own health, but the health of the planet.  Using sustainable building materials is more prevalent than ever before. How do you incorporate sustainable materials/elements into your designs?

3.) Your kitchen should serve as a retreat, not a pressure cooker. What tips do you have for streamlining design to avoid clutter and promote minimalism?

4.) An ideal Wellness Kitchen should be easy to maintain, user friendly for all ages and logically planned. Share your favorite Wellness Kitchen design and tell us why you love it.

5.) What wellness related products and ideas have you discovered lately?

6.) How would a kitchen design change if your client is focused on a wellness lifestyle?

7.)  Can a healthy kitchen design influence the food you consume? How can a well appointed kitchen promote healthy eating habits?

8.) How can we reduce waste in the kitchen?

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions

October 9 at #KBtribechat – Designing Kitchens and Baths that Last with Sustainable Natural Materials

A design discussion

Sponsored and Hosted by the Natural Stone Institute

Photo courtesy of Rugo Stone.

Ferris Bueller once said: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Doesn’t it seem like the same could be said about design trends? We constantly refresh Instagram and Pinterest or scan through our favorite design magazines, searching for the next new thing—something fresh, cool, and totally unexpected. Things that we loved six months ago now seem passé. In 2019, we move at super speed.

Let’s slow down for a moment. Instead of seeking out the next big trend, let’s think about what would happen if we focused on using materials that were built to last, like natural stone. Natural stones like granite, marble, quartzite, and soapstone have been used for hundreds of years, beloved for their durability, versatility, and easy maintenance. In recent years, stone companies have made significant efforts to ensure that best practices are in place for sustainability, both in quarrying and fabrication facilities. Whether you are designing in a style that is modern or classic, when you use natural stone, you will be designing a room that is made to last.

Italian marble quarry. Photo courtesy of the Natural Stone Institute.

Our KBtribechat Questions:

1.) How often does sustainability factor into material choices with your clients?

2.) In our fast-moving, “throwaway culture” world, how do we pivot back to timeless materials and designs?

3.) Sustainable materials like natural stone and wood are made to last. Share some of your favorite designs!

4.) How do you stay trendy/current while still designing something meant to last?

5.) Are there questions or misconceptions your clients have about choosing sustainable products?

6.) Using salvaged or reclaimed materials can add a unique piece of history to a project. Have you used materials like this in your designs?

7.) Natural stone is seen in currently trending kitchens, but it is also timeless. What other trends do you think will stand the test of time?

Join this Twitter discussion

on Wednesday, October 9

from 2 to 3pm

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

Here’s where you can read the transcript for this KBtribechat discussion.

Leave a comment

Filed under kbtribechat questions, Topic Descriptions