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Wellness Features Termed a ‘Necessity’ for Today’s Homes
INDIANAPOLIS — Wellness features, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and an elevated awareness of indoor environments’ impact on physical and mental health, are no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity in today’s homes, a leading wellness expert contends.
According to Dr. Jie Zhao, exec. v.p. of Delos, a New York-based wellness real estate and technology company, COVID-19 has literally reshaped the way homes – including kitchens and baths – will be designed, built, equipped and remodeled in years to come.
“People are much more cognizant of the important role that homes play in our lives, and how these environments can have a positive or negative impact on the wellness of their inhabitants,” Jie said.
At the recent “Insights Summit,” an annual event sponsored by the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), Jie outlined four key wellness trends that he believes will have the greatest impact on home improvement in the post-pandemic world. Among them:
• Indoor Air Quality: Because viruses spread through the air much easier than by surface contact, the pandemic shed light on the importance of indoor air quality, or IAQ, as a component of a healthy home, Jie said.
“Air filtration is vital to the reduction of particle transmission,” he observed. “Not only can air-cleaning technologies improve peace of mind when it comes to invisible health threats like COVID-19, they also tackle visible particles in the air such as smoke and other harmful particles.”
Jie said that ventilation and/or ionization technology will be at the forefront of the fight against contaminated air in home spaces. “For this reason, IAQ may be the biggest wellness trend to have emerged from the pandemic,” he noted.
• Mental Wellness: Mental wellness issues persisted long before the emergence of the coronavirus, but the amount of attention devoted to the topic increased significantly afterward, Jie said, noting that mental health came to the forefront of conversation due to isolation during stay-at-home orders.
Jie observed that one result of this for the home-improvement industry is the general migration away from congested cities in favor of larger residences, more nature and less commuting time. Jie also pointed to the effect of mental wellness on increased demand in certain product categories, including home entertainment, artists’ supplies, sports equipment and pets.
• Home Offices: Another major change emerging from the pandemic is the increased importance of the home office.
“Many employees have made investments in their home offices and have gotten used to working from home,” Jie said, pointing to surveys which found that 80% of workers want to be able to work from home three days per week, and 92% want at least one remote workday per week.
“There has been a rise in office furniture and accessories that support health and wellness, such as the standing desk or ergonomic keyboard,” Jie said, adding that 20-25% of companies are currently reimbursing their employees for wellness-related home office supplies and furniture, “hinting at the prospect that work-from-home may be around well into the coming years.”
• Fitness: While the spread of COVID-19 led to the temporary closure of most gyms and athletic institutions, it gave rise to new home fitness technologies, as people sought to stay fit within the confines of their own homes, Jie pointed out.
“Companies like Peloton and MIRROR are changing the way we think about fitness (and) combining the physical and virtual,” he said. “Consumers not only purchase a piece of gym equipment for their home, but they buy into an entire online social and content experience.”
“I expect to see more integration with online fitness platforms and home décor,” he said. “People want convertible spaces, so the easier their equipment blends with their home and lifestyle, the better.”
The post Wellness Features Termed a ‘Necessity’ for Today’s Homes appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Kitchen of the Month Winner for Cabinet Refacing for June
Kitchen Transformation by Kitchen Solvers of Columbus
Project Location: Dublin, Ohio
Remodel Style: Traditional
Remodel Type: Cabinet Refacing
Type of door style: Glen Haven
Door Material: Cherry – Natural Stain
Door Color: Java (V3)
Countertop type: Cambria – Quartz
Countertop color: Ellesmere
Backsplash: Quayside
Flooring: Pre-engineered hardwood
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Columbus’ Blog.
Find a location near you.
The post Kitchen of the Month Winner for Cabinet Refacing for June appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.
Kitchen of the Month Winner for New Cabinets for June
Kitchen Inspiration by Kitchen Solvers of Raleigh
Project Location: Apex, NC
Remodel type: New Cabinetry
Type of door style: Simple Shaker
Remodel style: Contemporary
Color: Naval
Door Material: Maple/MDF
Countertop: Quartz
Countertop color: Alaska White
Backsplash: Blue/Gray Glass Backsplash
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Raleigh’s Blog.
Find a location near you.
The post Kitchen of the Month Winner for New Cabinets for June appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.
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https://www.culturekitchen.net/?p=862
2021 Home Spending Continued at ‘Dizzying Pace,’ Report Finds
DENVER — Not only did homeowners spend more on their homes in 2021, but they also completed more projects, according to a new report by Angi, the Denver-based firm that links homeowners with remodeling and other home-related professionals.
According to Angi’s report annual 2021 State of Home Spending Report – entitled The Great Shift: How the Pandemic Put Homes in Focus – surveyed homeowners spent an average of $15,680 on home improvement, home maintenance and emergency repairs in 2021, and took on an average of 14.4 separate home projects.
“The growth in home spending we witnessed continued at a dizzying pace as people have continued spending more time in their homes,” said Mischa Fisher, chief economist for Angi, whose annual report focuses on trends in home spending including drivers, obstacles, top projects and forecasts for the years ahead.
“2021 also presented homeowners with trillions of dollars of unexpected home equity and that wealth has been, at least in part, reinvested in the home through improvements, maintenance and repairs,” Fisher observed. “Pre-pandemic, people were motivated to work on their homes for a return on investment or other financial incentives. Now, they’re prioritizing projects that help their homes better suit their new normal,” she added.
The most popular home project of 2021 was interior painting, completed by nearly one in three homeowners (32%), followed by bathroom remodels (28%) and installing smart home devices (27%). Other top projects include flooring (26.7%), landscaping (24.7%), exterior painting (24.2%), kitchen remodels (23.7%), fencing (23.1%), new roofing (19.6%) and new cabinets (19.5%).
The Angi report also asked homeowners what home projects they would do if given $10,000. While the overall top project was a living room upgrade, selected by 17% of homeowners, the different priorities of men and women were clear. Male homeowners prioritized living room upgrades (18%), outdoor space upgrades (17%) and bedroom upgrades (15%), while women were more interested in kitchen remodels (21%), bathroom upgrades (17%) and outdoor space upgrades (16%).
The State of Home Spending was based on Angi’s analysis of surveys fielded to 6,400 consumers in early October, the company said.
The post 2021 Home Spending Continued at ‘Dizzying Pace,’ Report Finds appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
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https://www.culturekitchen.net/?p=859
Quartz Products Importers Reportedly Found Evading Tariffs
MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has taken punitive action against several companies charged with violating U.S. trade laws by attempting to evade tariffs on quartz surface product imports from China, Cambria Company LLC announced last week.
The Le Sueur, MN-based manufacturer of quartz surface products said that Customs officials, taking action under The Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA), found that 15 U.S. importers were guilty of misclassifying, undervaluing and illegally transshipping Chinese quartz surface products through Malaysia in order to evade the payment of antidumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) duties. Days later, Customs cracked down on two additional importers for illegally misclassifying their imports of Chinese quartz surface products as “crushed glass” surfaces, said Cambria, which has charged numerous Chinese producers and exporters, several Malaysian companies involved in transshipping merchandise, and numerous importers with participating in the tariff-evasion efforts.
Customs will suspend the entries of quartz surface products by the importers subject to the agency’s investigation until it receives instructions from the U.S. Commerce Dept. as to the correct AD/CVD rates that should be applied to the entries, Cambria said. Duties will then be imposed.
“Customs should be commended for its efforts in digging into the facts of this evasion scheme to ensure that the U.S. importers that were involved are held accountable for their illegal activity,” said Luke Meisner of Schagrin Associates, Cambria’s legal counsel. “Enforcement action in this investigation targets an unprecedented large number of U.S. importers and should send a clear signal to the industry that evaders can and will be caught.”
“This illegal evasion of the antidumping and countervailing duties on quartz surface products will not be tolerated,” said Arik Tendler, chief sales officer for Cambria. “Customs’ aggressive actions are important because they hold these importers accountable for their illegal evasion, deter other importers from engaging in similar evasion tactics, and ensure that the domestic industry receives the relief to which it is entitled under the U.S. trade laws.”
The post Quartz Products Importers Reportedly Found Evading Tariffs appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
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https://www.culturekitchen.net/?p=856
Showcasing the Shower
Showers have come a long way in design, from a basic area adorned with standard subway tile and heavy framed doors to an oasis adorned with spectacular tile and advanced shower systems showcased through stunning frameless glass surrounds. In keeping with this trend, many homeowners are removing seldom-used tubs to expand their showers, making them the focal point of the space.
While frameless shower doors remain the most popular versions, doors that feature etched designs, decorative borders and patterns are also garnering significant attention. Whether the design is contemporary or traditional, there is a shower enclosure to fit the space.
Below are some of the hottest trends in shower enclosures.
— Many clear shower enclosures are designed with minimal hardware for a streamlined look, creating a sense of openness in the bath.
— Frames, trims and handles are offered in a range of finishes, from the more standard chrome and polished nickel to the more current brushed brass and rose gold.
— As boomers adapt their homes to become safer and physically more accessible as they age, low-threshold and barrier-free showers are gaining in popularity, and easy-to-use and push-to-open shower doors are garnering more attention.
— Taller shower enclosures (at least 76”) are popular for their ability to take advantage of floor-to-ceiling tile designs.
–Matte black is featured in many gridscape and trim elements, coordinating with bath fittings in similar finishes.
–Frosted glass and distinctive patterns that blur the interior and deliver privacy to the bather are among the requests from today’s homeowners.
The post Showcasing the Shower appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
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https://www.culturekitchen.net/?p=853
Exertis Acquires Almo Corporation
Philadelphia – DCC Technology, a Dublin, Ireland-based technology distribution and services business that trades as Exertis, has acquired Almo Corporation in North America.
The move extends the company’s international scale in the Pro AV sector and ramps up its expansion in the North American market. The addition of Almo Corporation builds on other acquisitions in North America such as Stampede, Jam Industries, The Music People and JB&A. It expands Exertis’ Pro AV capability to form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America.
Alongside its Pro AV business, Almo Corporation is the largest distributor of mainstream appliances, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of products including full kitchen packages with essential appliances to small and medium-sized retailers throughout the U.S. In addition, it is the leading distributor of premium appliances, serving retailers and builders designing luxury residential installations for refrigeration, ventilation and cooking in both indoor and outdoor settings. Almo’s business in consumer appliances and lifestyle products will add scale to Exertis North America’s business in the consumer channel.
Almo’s 75-year-old, third-generation, family-owned business brings 660 employees, nine distribution centers and more than 2.5 million square feet of warehousing space across North America. Almo Corporation will benefit from leveraging Exertis’ financial resources and supply-chain logistics, according to the company. The acquisition will provide Exertis North America with increased back-end economies of scale allied to the front-end specialization.
Almo will continue to be operated by the Chaiken Family, with Warren Chaiken as president and CEO and Gene Chaiken as Chairman. The combined Exertis and Almo Pro AV divisions will, in due course, be led by Sam Taylor, current exec. v.p. & COO of Almo Pro AV. Shortly after the completion of the integration, the combined business will be rebranded as Exertis Almo Pro AV.
John Dunne, a long-time senior executive with Exertis, currently leading the Exertis Pro AV team in North America, will join the Almo executive team and help lead the integration. The Premium Appliances and Mainstream Appliances divisions will continue to be led by Steve Terry and Jack Halperin, respectively.
Exertis’ expanded North American operation becomes a $2.4 billion business overseen by Martin Szpiro, managing director of Exertis North America. It forms part of the international expansion strategy of Exertis International, under Managing Director Clive Fitzharris.
Tim Griffin, DCC Technology & Exertis managing director said, “The acquisition of Almo Corporation is the largest in DCC’s history and signals our confident and ambitious intent to expand DCC Technology. By integrating Almo with our North American business, we will form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America. Almo’s 75-year history of growth and success, combined with its longstanding relationships with industry partners and its ability to continually innovate and expand will be great assets to Exertis. In turn, we will bring significant economies of scale, global supply chain access and other benefits to the customers of Almo Corporation.”
Warren Chaiken, Almo Corporation president & CEO stated, “Having just completed a year-long celebration of 75 years of growth and business success, the time is right to give our manufacturer and channel partners a truly global distribution stage so they can operate their businesses at a greater capacity, leverage more buying power and the ability to compete for a more comprehensive position in the global supply chain. We are committed to growing with our partners by remaining their value-added distributor with larger scale and access to more products, more services and more financial support. For them, this transition will be seamless in that we will operate business as usual.”
The post Exertis Acquires Almo Corporation appeared first on Kitchen & Bath Design News.
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Spotlight Kitchens of June – New Cabinetry
- Project Location: Pembroke Pines, FL
- Remodel type: New Cabinetry
- Type of door style: 1300 series
- Remodel style: Contemporary
- Color: Matte White
- Countertop: Carrara Quartz
- Backsplash: Tile backsplash
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Fort Lauderdale’s Gallery page.
- Project Location: Plantation, FL
- Remodel type: New Cabinetry
- Type of door style: 1300 series
- Remodel style: Transitional
- Color: Matte Grey
- Countertop: Quartz
- Countertop color: Silestone Pulsar Polished
- Backsplash: Natural Stone Tile
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Fort Lauderdale’s Gallery page.
- Project Location: Eau Claire, WI
- Remodel type: New Cabinetry
- Type of door style: Mission
- Remodel style: Modern
- Color: Fog on base, Pewter on uppers
- Door Material: Maple
- Countertop: High Definition Laminate
- Countertop Color: Spring Carnival
- Backsplash: 3×6 white subway tile
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Eau Claire’s Gallery page.
- Project Location: Eau Claire, WI
- Remodel type: New Cabinetry
- Type of door style: Mission
- Remodel style: Modern
- Color: Classic White
- Door Material: Maple
- Countertop: High Definition Laminate
- Countertop Color: Spring Carnival
- Backsplash: 3×6 gray subway tile
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Eau Claire’s Gallery page.
- Project Location: Columbus, OH
- Remodel type: New Cabinetry
- Type of door style: Seamless Shaker
- Remodel style: Traditional
- Color: Isle of Pines
- Door Material: Maple
- Countertop: Quartz
- Countertop color: Calcatta Alta MSI
- Backsplash: White Bevel 3 x 6 with Silver Mapie 27 Grout
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of the Columbus’ Gallery page.
The post Spotlight Kitchens of June – New Cabinetry appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.
Spotlight Kitchens of June – Cabinet Refacing
- Project Location: Grayslake, IL
- Remodel type: Cabinet Refacing
- Type of door style: Lancaster Profile
- Remodel style: Modern
- Color: Summerflame 3DL
For more information about this project, please visit Kitchen Solvers of Grayslake’s Gallery page.
The post Spotlight Kitchens of June – Cabinet Refacing appeared first on Kitchen Solvers.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.culturekitchen.net/?p=840
Leads Robust, But Margins Being Squeezed, KBDN Survey Finds
CHICAGO — Sales leads and project requests are robust, and revenue forecasts are bullish, but profit margins are reportedly being squeezed, COVID-19 remains a concern, and kitchen/bath dealers and designers continue to face supply-chain snafus, product price hikes, a skilled-labor shortage, and other headwinds to more robust growth in the months ahead.
That’s the primary consensus of a series of surveys conducted by Kitchen & Bath Design News and other industry sources attempting to get a handle on 2022 business prospects, following a year in which the kitchen/bath market witnessed sharp growth in both its remodeling and new-construction sectors, while COVID-19 continued to reshape the nation’s housing landscape, incomes and saving accounts rose, design trends and homeowner demographics evolved, and larger, more-multi-functional homes continued to remain a focus of consumer spending
But the pace of market growth, while projected to be palpable, has tapered off in recent months, and is expected to cool even more in the months ahead, as inflation scythes through the economy, product and labor availability continue to hamstring design/remodeling firms, housing affordability remains at historically low levels, and uncertainties tied to the coronavirus continue to loom.
KBDN’s nationwide survey of dealers and designers, conducted at the tail end of 2021, found that an overwhelming majority (86+%) of those polled said they expect their company’s revenue to either increase or remain roughly the same in 2022 compared to 2021. In contrast, less than 14% said they anticipate a revenue decline in 2022. Revenue gains are anticipated for both new and remodeled kitchens and baths, although dealers and designers are more bullish about revenue growth from kitchens (34.2%) than they are from baths (7.9%).
Dealers and designers also report that sales leads and project requests are up dramatically compared to the same time a year ago – understandable given how the current confluence of COVID-related demand, savings growth, home appreciation, government stimulus and other factors continue to spur homeowner spending. Specifically, a whopping 65+% of survey participants report their current sales leads are either somewhat or much higher now compared to a year ago, while only about 15% report that sales leads are lower and about 19% say they are about the same.
But while sales leads and strong, and revenue is generally expected to increase, surveyed dealers and designers paint a different picture when it comes to anticipated profit margins. For example, while 33.6% of those surveyed expect 2022 profit margins to increase, 14.2% expect margins to decline compared to 2021, and more than half (52.2%) expect margins to remain the same.
Other survey findings:
n With the COVID-driven emphasis on health and wellness, work-at-home arrangements and families sheltering in place, increases in client requests are being reported for products that range from universal design, smart appliances and aging-in-place elements to outdoor kitchens, anti-microbial materials and home ventilation.
n Pricing is apparently not a major factor for clients, many of whom seem willing to spend whatever it takes to get the kitchens and bathrooms that they want. For instance, while roughly 60% of the dealers and designers surveyed by KBDN say that pricing is either less important to clients or about the same as it was a year ago, far less (40%) say that pricing is more critical to clients now.
n While 51% of the design professionals surveyed say they are either extremely, very concerned or somewhat concerned about COVID-19 negatively impacting their business operations and profits in 2022, more than half (54%) say they are “not very” or “not at all” concerned, even in light of the new Omicron variant impacting the nation.
n While less than 5% of survey respondents report clients postponing or cancelling projects, nearly 44% report they are experiencing longer lead times for product deliveries and/or production and shipping delays.
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https://www.culturekitchen.net/?p=837