Surprise: the star of KBIS wasn’t a futuristic gadget but the return of character. We dive into a wave of “what’s old is new again,” where doors get beaded and chamfered profiles, mullions and mesh come back with purpose, and stained glass quietly flexes in kitchens and baths. After years of flat fronts and white shaker, this shift doesn’t feel fussy—it feels intentional, with cleaner proportions, smarter materials, and a warmer, crafted vibe.

We break down the material story driving that warmth: rift-cut white oak, walnut, and even revived cherry, paired with natural stone that’s reclaiming space from quartz. Countertops move beyond the square edge to ogee, double ogee, and bullnose, while thin 1–2 cm slabs unlock thermoformed curves and softer geometry. We tackle the practical side too—how to maintain ergonomic heights with thinner tops and how new textured finishes manage cleanup. The room expands beyond cabinets as arches, wide crowns, paneled walls, and bold trim treatments turn kitchens into cohesive architectural statements. Color’s still surging, but now in matte appliance finishes—hot pink, mauve, navy, and leafy greens that sit comfortably next to honest wood and stone.

There’s a fresh frontier as well: luxe closets. We’re seeing full-on kitchen-level detailing in wardrobe spaces, from fluted panels and glass doors to island-grade surfaces and lighting. Tile tech adds drama with oversize “wallpaper” porcelains and custom-printed trims that match pattern and tone. And for anyone heading to a massive trade show, we share our battle-tested plan to see more, stress less, and actually capture what matters—when to walk which hall, how to avoid the mobbed booths, and how to mine your photos for early trend signals. The industry mood is upbeat, even as hiring remains tough and AI enters the chat; the real opportunity lies in pairing human craft with better tools and a sharper eye for detail.

If this kind of design intel fuels your work, follow along, share the episode with a colleague, and leave a quick review so others can find it. Got a favorite comeback trend or a question about specifying thin slabs, matte finishes, or closet systems? Tell us what you’re testing next.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-162-KBIS-2026-Trends-from-the-Show-Floor

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops:

https://www.designerdiscussions.com/academy.html

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics.

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Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

Planning your 2026 marketing but not sure where to start—or how to fix what’s not working? We break down a practical path that helps design professionals win more of the right projects without burning hours on tactics that don’t convert. It begins with the must-have foundations: a clear ideal client and a website that proves credibility in seconds. From there, we show how to get discovered locally and convert interest into consultations with a few focused moves.

We walk through the top channels we track each year for designers and remodelers, then spotlight the ones that deliver reliable lift on normal budgets. You’ll hear why Google Business Profile is the smartest entry point for local SEO, how to fully complete and optimize your listing, and how posting a couple times a month can nudge you into the map pack. We also tackle social media with a calm, sustainable plan: four strong posts a month, a clear message about who you serve, and project-driven storytelling that builds trust. No daily grind required.

You’ll learn how to turn ongoing jobs into content—before-and-afters, process snapshots, and client outcomes—and how to use a fast competitor scan to spot service gaps you can own. We touch on connected TV advertising too: when it makes sense, what it costs, and why most firms are better served mastering the basics first. By the end, you’ll have a checklist to align your message, update your proof, and focus your time where it actually moves the pipeline.

If this helped, follow the links in our show notes for the CEU replay and our social masterclass, then subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review so more designers can find the show.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• https://www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-161-Listen-to-this-before-setting-your-2026-Marketing-Goals
• NKBA Presentation

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY

What does it take to build a resilient remodeling business that lasts? We sit down with Jeff Russell of Russell Room Remodelers to trace a 37-year journey from a broadcasting grad to a trusted contractor serving the Twin Cities. The conversation moves from hard-won lessons on pricing and financial literacy to the everyday choices that shape trust inside a client’s home.

Jeff breaks down why many new remodelers undercharge and how to fix it with real numbers: account for every cost, include the life you need to fund, and divide by true billable hours. We dig into the difference between a P&L and a balance sheet, why the balance sheet is your scoreboard, and how those insights guide margin, markup, and cash buffer decisions. A candid story about a flooded kitchen becomes a masterclass in client communication, accountability, and turning a setback into advocacy.

On the growth side, Jeff shares how he hires for values first, uses strengths tools to place people where they thrive, and taps associations and roundtables for mentorship, shared labor, and practical frameworks. We talk about marketing that evolved from newspapers to the Remodelers Showcase, a modern website, and social content that documents real work. You’ll hear a simple shift that changes everything: aim to make marketing a vending machine, not a slot machine, and keep testing channels like Google Local Services with a clear eye on lead quality and cost.

Finally, we explore smart uses of AI—from drafting sensitive client emails to modeling compensation—while stressing verification on technical topics like codes. If you’re a remodeler, designer, or contractor looking to price correctly, hire wisely, market with intention, and communicate under pressure, this conversation is your field guide.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow and subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more remodelers find the show.

If you would like to get the links and show notes for this episode, click on the link below:​

• www.designerdiscussions.com/episodes/episode-160-Lessons-From-37-Years-In-Remodeling-with-Jeff-Russell
• Russell Room Remodelers Website

Transform your marketing with Designer Discussions Academy. In weekly face-to-face sessions, we equip busy business owners with cutting-edge PR strategies, marketing insights, and time-saving tools to not just work in your business, but on your business. Join us to outshine competitors and elevate your business.

Join us for our Academy sessions and workshops: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/ZSwvvC5WwqxlumxrUtzv

Designer Discussions is an educational interior design podcast on marketing, PR and related business topics.

Download our FREE Client Avatar Guide https://designerdiscussionsmarketing.studio/store.

Designer Discussions is a partnership of three experts: Jason Lockhart, CEO of KABMS; Maria Martin, founder of DesignAppy; and Mirjam Lippuner, founder of Get Ink DIY