So it looks like there will be added costs for the work of a structural engineer in order to get my plans permitted. Fortunately because the house is fairly new, the original engineer for the property was located and will be making the drawings and instructions to the builders which eliminates some costs and exploratory work that may have been necessary for an older structure.

Not surprising –this is going to add at least a week to two weeks to my timeline.

In the meantime, I’ve created some renderings of what I hope the end result will resemble.

I’ve been preparing over the past year for a remodel to the house we’ve just purchased.  Our intention (I should say my intention –because my husband is completely content with things just the way they are) was always to remodel the kitchen since day one.  I recently had a refrigerator guy over for some warranty repair work to whom I mentioned we were remodeling the kitchen… Like my husband, he commented:  ”Well what’s wrong with this kitchen?  It seems perfectly nice!”  Well on the outside I suppose it does… from the too-tall counter tops clad with chipping granite tiles, to the lovely (birch?) builder-grade cabinets with totally inaccessible blind corner cabinets and a layout that works for nobody… Yes I suppose I could live with this designer’s nightmare if I had to.  But FINALLY –I don’t!

We bought a nearly new house with good bones and decent curb appeal so that we could be confident that money would be available to put towards the remodel instead of making repairs.

The primary remodel plan is for my dream kitchen.  Because… after all I am a kitchen designer.  Over my adult years (of which there are many!) I have designed countless spaces and dream kitchens for other people.  But for whatever reason, my own dreams were always delegated to the back burner.  In time I came to feel the best way for plans NOT to come to fruition was to put a design on paper.  That’s as far as I got.  Beautiful designs and renderings of the spaces I occupied but never got the chance to build either due to finances or life situations that made it impossible.

So now the time has come. The plans are on the paper and low and behold –my dreams have not been squashed once again.  In fact, the plans are at the city planning department awaiting whatever demands to make changes and adjustments said planning department will impose in order to grant me a building permit.

In the meantime, I’ve been turning the internet inside out searching and finding ungodly deals on appliances and fixtures.  There are many sources out there if you spend the time looking.  I’ve found all of the appliances at greatly discounted prices. Most are new but  some were floor model and ‘open box’ items from surplus wholesalers.  Some are without a full year’s warranty as they were registered with the manufacturer by stores that put them on display, but never used… others will have the full year’s warranty.  Some are simply ‘last year’s model’ but are perfect in every other way. None are “scratch and dents” but are new and functioning perfectly.  All in all, I’ve managed to save almost 44 percent on the appliance package over retail!  In the end, the overall project is predicted to be about 48 percent less than “retail” …at least that’s how it looks on my spreadsheet. Ok… that’s how I’m selling it to my husband anyway.  I have high hopes that we will stay pretty close to budget.   (Yeah I know –Doesn’t everybody?!)

Not everything is discounted, but I’ve spent some money in some areas on a few things I just had to have.  Like the pendant lights that are made from antique seltzer bottles and the antiqued and embossed metal tiles (like those that go in a Victorian tin ceiling) that will be the back splash.  I’ve had some discussions with my cabinet guy about some of my ‘extravagant’ choices as well.

I should note that over the many years of dreaming and planning –my ideas have changed.  A lot.  I’m a different person than I was in my 20′s, 30′s and –well let’s not get into counting decades. Technology has had a great influence on my choices as has the economy.   This remodel (that involves about a third of the nearly 2000 square feet of living space) is going to cost (even at the “value engineered” price) about double the purchase price of my entire first house!

Even over the year of planning this remodel, I’ve made huge changes to the plans.  We were originally going to add on, but realized quickly that our budget wouldn’t support it and… like the plan reviewer at the planning department noted:  ”This looks like you are empty nesters.”  Yes indeed,  we need better use of the space we have.  Not more of it.

We’re not quite empty nesters yet, but that’s just a matter of time.  We still have one more bedroom than we need that’s going to be turned into a hobby-laundry room.  The new gourmet kitchen will be way overbuilt for the neighborhood.  Probably not a great idea if increasing the resale value of the home were the primary goal.  But it’s not.  This is intended to be our last house… last move.  FOREVER.

So it looks like we’ll be ordering cabinets next week which should arrive in about six weeks.     The permit should be issued anywhere from three to five weeks.  My contractor should be ready to start work in about five weeks.  Except for the (2) garbage disposals all of the appliances and fixtures have been purchased. We will be without a kitchen for about a month.

In the meantime –I’m trying really hard not to second guess my choices or my plan.  We designers are a pain in the ass to work with when it comes to making changes.  Knowing this, I’m trying really hard to be on my best behavior.  My good friend and contractor Dave will be certain to put me in my place if I get out of line.

I’ll post befores and afters on the progress of the remodel once we get started.  But now?  We wait…

Whether you choose to openly charge clients directly for design or bury the costs in product prices, design expenses are being addressed somewhere in order to make your business profitable. Like it or not, design is a key component in the process of selling cabinetry and it is a cost of doing business that can’t be ignored.  Should you choose not to address design expense with your clients, you can expect the following:

1. The quote for your cabinets will likely be higher than those of your competitors who separate design and product quotes. Clients are “shopping” more than ever before due to the economy and internet savvy. Clients do not just “know” when your quote for cabinets includes the cost of doing business and the competitive quote is just for product because you haven’t spelled it out.
2. Your closing ratio will be significantly diminished because clients have no vested interest in the design process and will happily take your drawings and quotes to competitors. When you don’t charge for design, it sends a message that it is without value. So why should they respect your work or that of your design staff? You don’t.
3. You will have difficulty maintaining design staff, particularly those who are “commission only” because they will be spinning their wheels creating designs and quotes just to see them go to the competition. If they are salaried, you will have little justification to keep them employed when they can’t close sales.
4. Your company’s reputation suffers when your focus is entirely on the bottom line and not the quality of your services. If you are not giving sufficient care to the very-detailed process of designing kitchens and baths, you can expect the eventual backlash from mistakes. Clients are more likely to share their bad experiences than good ones with everyone they know.

So if you are not currently charging a retainer or design fee but would like to give it a try, how do you determine what to charge? There are a few ways:

1. Do a little market research and see what and how others are charging in your market area.  Attend a local NKBA meeting (you don’t have to be a member to attend, but it cost a little more) and ask some of the other attendees.  You might also join some social network sites like LinkedIn and Facebook or user’s group sites like those available for 20-20 Design, Chief Architect’s “Chieftalk” or Google Sketchup where there are several discussions among industry colleagues on the topic.
2. Determine your actual design expense. If you’ve been in business for awhile, you’ll have some basis to determine the average time it takes to create the design and quote –including time spent at measuring appointments, at the drawing table or computer drafting plans (which might include outsourcing design services to someone like me), materials and resources used to create presentations, etc. Don’t forget to estimate typical change orders within the design process from the initial presentation to the time an order gets placed.
3. Decide which process will work best for your business model. There are several ways to charge retainers or design fees. Some charge a flat fee, some charge a percentage of the estimated price of the project and others use a sliding scale that is relative to the size of the project. Some fees are based on the relationship with the client such as might be differentiated between builders with whom they’ve built a relationship with and homeowners that they expect to work with one time only. You might discover that design is not just a cost of doing business but might actually be a profit center.

How do you protect your work from going to your competitors? In this highly competitive marketplace, you need to ensure your work is not compromised even when clients are paying you a retainer or design fee. Along with charging fees, there are usually agreements created with verbiage that is intended to prohibit clients from sharing your work with competitors. This is not to be confused with intellectual property rights for designers which are implied. Even so, most people are not aware of such laws and assume that once they have your paperwork in their hands it’s theirs to do with as they wish. It’s easy for clients to overlook the small print and give your drawings and quotes to competitors –especially when they are offering to pay for them. So it is necessary to determine a deposit on the retainer that should be collected before any work is done or any drawings or quotes are given out. This deposit should be large enough to make ‘selling’ your work prohibitive.

While collecting a deposit might scare off some potential clients, you will ultimately find that it is a great “qualifying tool.” By eliminating or reducing time spent with look y-loos, you and your staff will have the extra time and resources you need to concentrate on developing new business, supervise existing projects, and taking care of your existing clients. Thus, you can ensure greater attention to details and eliminate costly mistakes, wasted time and resources.

Now is the perfect time to kick off the New Year with a way of doing business that is profitable and rewarding. Start taking a serious look at your design services. Si se puede!

PamDesigns is still a kitchen and bath design service and the web address is still the same. The look is updated to show my more recent work and has been moved to WordPress.com. to incorporate this blog. My business model has changed also. I’ve narrowed the scope of the service offering to modular cabinet dealers only. I’ve also changed the way I charge to a “box count” system from the “linear foot” system I used in the past. The intent is to make it easier for those who will be using the service as it is geared toward modular cabinetry.

So stop by http://pamdesigns.net/ and have a look. I’m still tweaking a few things (or rather my web designer Jason is) so be aware there are still some updates to be made. But generally, the new and improved PamDesigns.net is live and ready to go!

When I opened up Facebook for the first time yesterday, the first 10 or so posts I read were all about Missoni for Target.  Yesterday morning crowds were lined up around the block at Target stores across the country (even in my little town) to purchase Missoni items.  Yes I’d seen the Target commercials of the over-the-top op art flowers and zig-zag patterns everywhere.  Actually, the first thing that came to my mind were the 1970′s polyester pantsuits (pimpwear for men), hand crocheted afghans my mom made,  avocado refrigerators, orange shag carpet and Ford Pintos.  Pllllleeeeaase don’t make me go back! (Not one of my favorite decades.) I thought maybe, just maybe, the era was put to rest when Mike Myers’ Austin Powers made us cringe and laugh out loud in the 90′s, but OOOOh no.  We apparently loved it all the more. 

So what is the attraction here? Is it the sexy Italian name that sounds like an expensive sports car? Is it the bright colors and geometric patterns?  The retro appeal?  The Target prices vs. runway fashions that look nearly the same as those from Milan that line the racks of Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus?

Well I have to admit looking at the Missoni Home Collection, there is a  fresh new sophisticated look that is more in tune with our current aesthetic…. What was it Sarah Reep said at KBIS about what appeals to Gen Y?  Traditional with a modern kick… Not their mom’s traditional.  Oh who am I kidding? Nobody… It’s the price!  We’re in a recession people.

I did as I Tweeted that I was going to do… went to my local Target here in Santa Maria, California.  We’re pretty ‘small town’ but even our shelves are bare the day after the NEW Black Friday (as coined this morning on The Today Show).  The only remaining items seemed to be garments in the children’s and tween’s sections.  Surprising to me because these fashions looked as though they would appeal most to that group… who seriously need to work on their lobbying skills with the parents.  I have to say, Target is not the cheapest source for ANYTHING when compared to other discount department stores, though when you look at the “original” Missoni –where a dress can easily retail for $1,500  –forty bucks at Target seems frivolous… that is unless you’re 12 I guess.  I did think there was a clear difference between the two Missoni dresses worn on the Today Show this morning… The Target version looked cheaper to me.

Still, this overnight purchasing explosion of the line both at all of Target’s stores and its online store is a phenomenon not seen before.  Unless you are living in a cave, you know that their website was so overwhelmed with hits that it crashed… big time.  So is it that everybody just wants a “Missoni thing?”

I believe it is a sign of our times and a really, really good marketing strategy by Team Target and Missoni.  When you add up a few other “never befores,” it just makes sense.  Never before in the history of bad economies have those who are not wealthy had the same access that is instantaneous and far-reaching as the wealthy… via the internet… for quick online, impulsive purchasing.  This probably explains the postings on ebay and Craigslist across the nation that are expanding exponentially…. for Missoni items purchased at Target.  What is odd is that they are being listed for as much as three times their original list price. Much of these items were purchased by resellers with this original intention… though many others joined this group when they discovered the value of their newly purchased treasures.  Why not sell a back pack you just paid $39 for $150… on Craigslist for free.  This bike was listed on Craigslist for $1,500 (I read in a Chicago Tribune article).

Target’s Missoni Line is a limited time offer… We don’t even know if they will be restocking their shelves for the holidays.  Considering the massive success of this sales campaign… well it’s anybody’s guess.  They wouldn’t say when asked on the Today Show.

I’m still convinced much has to do with timing and the economy.  Target has collaborated with other high-end design houses without noticeable success.  Martha Stewart has become a household name in connection with her lines sold with K-Mart, Sears and the Home Depot…  Though I’ve never heard of people lining up around the block to get a can of paint from Depot or a set of sheets from K-Mart.

So what do you think?  Do you (did you) like Missoni knits and fashions?  Historically, famous for their fabrics and fashions, they are now making everything from hair clips to bicycles, throw pillows to skimpy lingerie.  Perhaps that is ONE of the keys to their success with Target… Their signature designs are on samplings of everything –small and large, for every age and gender demographic.

Is this a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon in the world of retail marketing, or is it the wave of the future?  Time will tell.

There aren’t as many homes on the tour as there once was –clearly a reflection of the economy.  Though I was not disappointed in what I saw as there were beautiful examples of design details and quality that I’ve come to expect over the years.  As in years past there were homes that ranged from moderate priced starter homes to exclusive custom fantasy estates.  There were single family homes and townhouses. All are new construction.

I had the opportunity to meet my long-time Twitter friend, Jordan Iverson, who is a design-build contractor and realtor there and had two lovely projects on display.  One was a custom home on acreage in the south hills of Eugene and the other was a townhouse near the downtown core and UO Campus.  Clearly aimed at the Gen Y demographic, these homes were cutting-edge modern.  

If this is so, it’s probably because you got started on your remodel long before this book came out and you have a team of professionals that also haven’t read this book yet.  This is not to say that there aren’t a whole slew of great professionals at your disposal, but I (being one of them) learned a great deal from reading Kelly’s book.  Kelly has more experience in the field of kitchen and bath design than any person I know as she is a second-generation designer who grew up with it before beginning a career that has spanned 25 years of professional practice.  She has attained the highest certification available by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) as a “Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer”, and she has also earned professional certification for the State of California as a “Certified Interior Designer.”  Neither of these designations come without a whole lot of book learnin’ and experience. So I guess you could say that “This girl knows her stuff!” is an understatement.  Qualifications not withstanding, Kelly has written the book with humor, and thoughtful light heartedness that is a reflection of her personality and character.  (More reasons that define the readability of this book.)

There are many, many topics in the book that will give you a basis for discussion (even if after the fact) with your “project team” (designer, contractor, countertop fabricator, tile guy, appliance dealer, and spouse) regarding the planning, details, costs, project team and products you will use or have used in your project.  Even if you are just at the ‘dreaming’ stage, Kelly has offered a great deal of insight into what you can glean from the myriad of resources that are available to the consumer today including the internet, design and DIY shows on cable, showrooms, and well-meaning friends and relatives who want to share their advice and experiences.

This is the book I hope every client I ever have will read (and every client I’ve ever had could have read) before embarking on a project.  I’m a strong believer that the best client is the one that is informed.  But getting the right information is tough these days with so much out there that misses the mark or is misleading.  My dad always said:  “Don’t believe everything you see on TV.”  Well multiply that a hundred fold nowadays with the internet, cable TV and glossy magazines that bend the truth to meet their objectives.

So join me at Kelly’s virtual book launch party at http://kitchensync.typepad.com/ where you can follow her blog and keep up-to-date with the latest kitchen and bath info as well as other musing that pass below her radar. (She’s also introduced me to the world of Steam Punk –but that’s another story.)  Kelly’s Kitchen Sync is just $19.95 –an investment that could save you thousands in do-overs and mistakes.  It will only be available online at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Kellys-Kitchen-Sync-remodeling-award-winning/dp/0982873204/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1307666959&sr=1-1, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Chapters in Canada.  I’ve come to know Kelly.  She’s the real deal.  When she’s not off writing books and blogs or judging design competitions, she actually designs real kitchens for real people in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The repairman that came was a nice older guy (older than me by a bit but not much -hehe).  He was quiet but didn’t mind my plying him with questions as he was working away.  After all, I’m in the business too, and I like to hear the perspective of other pros also.  The fact that he is in a different area made it more intriguing and his seeming long-time experience made it all the more so.

He mentioned to me that he had actually been here before for the very same thing for the previous homeowners.  It seems there is a design issue with my built-in single electric oven.  There’s a thermostat that shuts it down when the heat reaches the back wall of the oven.  They’d replaced the thermostat before.  This time he just re-set it.  Apparently I can expect the same thing to happen if I run the self-cleaning program at the highest level –which of course I won’t be doing.

We had an interesting discussion about products.  I asked him about his thoughts on induction cooktops.  “They tried bringing ‘em out in the ’80′s but they didn’t fly.” He’s worked on a few he said.  “They’re expensive and so are the repairs. Gas is still the best.” he said, and I agree –for cook tops anyway.  I told him I liked the electric oven.  This is the first I’ve had and I like the way it heats up so fast.  “I like gas best,” he replied.

“No charge,” he announced.  He printed out my receipt along with the next scheduled appointment in a couple of weeks to replace a piece of plastic trim that snapped when he took the door off of the oven.  There was no charge because I purchased a service agreement that was darn near the same price as the repair appointment.

“Yeah, I know,” I said.  “There was a time when I would never have purchased a service agreement.  They were designed never to be used.  Just a scare tactic.  Now they actually pay off sometimes.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. ”Now there’s too many people with their hands in the process.  The government puts pressure on the manufacturer to be energy efficient so they make the motors smaller to use less energy.  Then they make the rest of the parts cheaper to make them affordable.  They just don’t make ‘em like they used to!”

So I saw the genteel repairman out the door.  As I was waving him off, I wondered about the past homeowners.  Had they purchased a service agreement too?  I’m the third owner of a six-year-old house.  “Somebody’s making some money on service agreements,” I chuckled to myself!

I’ve been to home shows, conventions and trade shows that were local or regional in other industries that were larger than this “international” show.  I say international because it seemed like there were many foreign manufacturers of everything K & B were very well represented at the show and most of whom I’d never heard of.

I saw a beautiful display of some bathroom fixtures that were made in China. I asked the lady manning the booth if they had a collection of CAD symbols for their products.  Apparently I had stepped out of the realm of conversation that she had prepared to participate in.  “Kitchen?” she said looking like a deer in headlights.  “No… AutoCAD symbols?… you know… for computer… for drafting.” (Trying my best to convey my meaning using hand signals and expressions as if in a game of Charades.)  ”No” she said… “No Computer.”  We weren’t communicating very well. I didn’t collect brochures (or let her scan my badge to send me some).  Clearly, if I ever did have an opportunity to order anything from them, they’d likely have some issues getting the order right.

Admittedly, I was drawn to people and companies that I had become familiar with over the foreign product manufacturers I felt I couldn’t easily buy from or specify even if I wanted to.  Most notably was Masco Corp.  They are (I think still) the largest parent company of kitchen and bath product manufacturers in the country.  They produce familiar named cabinetry such as Marilat, Kraftmaid and Quality (all of which I have specified and sold over the years) as well as plumbing super stars Delta and Brizo.  Many of the events that I scheduled myself to attend (and actually made it to mostly) were Masco related.  This due largely to Mark Johnson who (until now) I had known as some architect guy on Twitter (@markjohnsonfaia) who was generously posting my tweets in his kitchen design “daily” news blog.  I had no idea he was really a secret agent for Masco! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zu96Po3fCc&feature=related

Mark not only emcee’d the knowledge presentations at the Masco booth, he actually presented sessions himself on the basics and benefits of social networking.  He also coordinated  Tweetups that he invited me to attend as well as dinners and receptions that Masco was throwing or helping with.  Those that I attended highlighted the KBIS experience for me. It not only gave me the opportunity to meet up with many of my “Blogger 19″ friends and others of my “online design network” in person, but actually gave me insight and new inspiration into the field of kitchen and bath design.

I listened to a couple of Masco’s sessions presented by Sarah Reep who also writes for Kitchen and Bath Design News and consults for HGTV.  She talked about several topics from Universal Design which addresses the burgeoning needs of the Baby Boomers as their physical needs and changes influence kitchen and bath design to understanding the trends, influences and buying habits of the next great demographic:  Gen Y (17 to 30 year olds presently) who are destined to outnumber the Baby Boomers as the major buying group in the next 5-6 years.  She stated that over half of the homes purchased last year were from this group. http://youtu.be/SW7nJpucu1o

That segue lead to a session I enjoyed presented by Eric Schimelpfenig, Akbd, a kitchen designer, self-proclaimed geek and Sketchup guru who demonstrated using the iPad as a tool to replace the volumes of paper designers find themselves generating in the design and sales processes.  Until then, I couldn’t justify owning an iPad that just looked like an expensive toy.  With all the free and nearly free aps that are available, Eric was able to show some real-life practical uses for the iPad by kitchen designers from taking site measurements to pulling together story boards nearly instantaneously before a clients eyes… How cool is that?!  Imagine:  no more heavy binders to update and lug around as cabinet vendors make their spec guides available as PDF documents.  A paperless society in our future?  Almost!

On the last day I was there walking among the exhibits it seemed there were way more exhibitors than attendees… in fact it seemed as if the exhibitors were more or less exhibiting to each other. 

I decided I’d better track down some of the booths that I had wanted to see before it was too late and perhaps see some products from manufacturers who I was not familiar with.  After all, they’d stuck their necks out (and pocketbooks) to exhibit in a show that had been dominated in past years by the big and famous that had opted not to ”risk it” on the iffy projected attendance of this year’s show.

The KBIS experience appears to be evolving into more than a place to see the newest and coolest products on the market.  Clearly that’s not going to happen as many of the exhibitors that had been the cornerstones of past years were no longer present.  In anticipation of this, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) turned its focus toward other aspects that would be beneficial to attendees.  In particular was the emphasis in technology and the changing demographic of the kitchen and bath consumer.  Not just in product innovation, but in how we kitchen and bath professionals conduct business and how we relate to, communicate to, and define our clientele.  So it’s likely I may never experience KBIS as those veteran attendees have.

I’m OK with that.  In the many decades since KBIS first began, we have changed.  Kitchens and baths have changed.  Technology has changed.  So it’s appropriate that our industry’s most important event should change too.   I’ve never felt the need to attend KBIS before because in the past decade that I’ve been in the business, I’ve had access to the internet.  I’ve subscribed to every available trade magazine, attended training seminars and product demos, and I have familiarized myself with products and technologies as needed.  It wasn’t until I found that KBIS was actually another social networking opportunity did I consider attending.

What I learned was that the opportunities for learning and networking were the aspects of KBIS that made attending this event worthwhile.  I’m hoping that the NKBA will pay attention to it’s own advice (so to speak) and keep moving toward adapting to the demands of changing technology.  There was evidence of this throughout this year’s show that included the cell phone ap that had the maps and exhibitors as well as personal calendars that integrated using the attendee’s badge number.  There was the Know-It-All Lounge and the Multi-Media Lounge where people could get info, charge their phones, and put their feet up inbetween tours and sessions.

My challenge to next-year’s exhibitors:  Don’t make expensive glossy books such an important part of your presentation.  Don’t offer to scan my badge and send me stuff I can get on the internet.  I’d rather you would send me an email and not waste a bunch of trees and chemicals that fill up my mailbox and (if the truth be known) I’m probably going to toss in the recycle bin along with the rest of the junk mail I get.  By the end of the second day of filling my KBIS-provided tote bag with crap, I was beat from hauling it around and found myself too exhausted to attend a reception I was really looking forward to!

This is part and parcel to marketing for the next generation of designers and consumers who are looking for smarter, more economical means to learn about new products and processes. Perhaps if exhibiting and attending were more fullfilling experiences while being less expensive, some of the exhibitors that have dropped out this year will see the advantages of returning for future KBIS events.

I’m a KBIS newbie.  I’m OK with that.  I’m hoping the next one I attend will be a totally new experience too and nothing like I expected.  If it’s the “same ‘ol, same ‘ol” it will be my last.  Somehow, I don’t think my next KBIS will dissappoint.

This is by far not expected to be one of the largest KBIS events that has also been held in Chicago and Atlanta in past years.  Chicago has traditionally had the largest number of attendees. The economy has hit our industry hard and many exhibitors have dropped out.  I’ve not been paid to design a kitchen in quite some time…. wah wah wah! This has not dampened my spirits one bit!  I’m really looking forward to this event for many reasons –the least of which is bolstering my stance as a professional in the K&B design community (though this is certainly an important aspect of it).  I’m “semi-retired” at present -keeping my foot in the door.

This is also the first time going to Las Vegas.  Call me crazy –but I’ll be driving!  Not alone however, but with my 17 year-old son, Mico.  He’s looking forward to tearing up the town on his skateboard while I’m attending the show.  He says there are a couple of “world-famous” skate parks there that he’s dying to try out.  There are also all kinds of activities and events to keep him occupied –many of which are even FREE.  I somehow misread something and thought our trip was going to be much longer than it actually is though it’s still somewhere between 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 hours (depending on traffic) one way.

We plan to take the trip in two-day legs.  At the end of the first day of driving (which happens to be Easter Sunday), I’m hoping to hook up with my cousin Karen in Hesperia. This is fantastic as in recent years the only time we’ve been able to meet in person has been due to funerals or other family drama.  It’s nice to be able to “just visit” because I want to.

The second day of driving will culminate in meeting up with my Blogger 19 and other Twitter friends for a dinner hosted by Masco.  Masco is the parent company of Brizo.  Brizo hosted a trip for us to New York a year ago February for their Fashion Week Event with fashion designer Jason Wu.  We coined our group “Blogger 19″.  Many of us have had opportunities to meet up in the interim, but this is the first time I’ll get to meet some K&B Tweeters that were Brizo’s Fashion Week guests this past February that I’ve also come to know on-line and am dying to meet. It will also be the first time I’ll get to see some of the East Coast B19ers since New York.  Oh I can hardly wait!

I am the new owner of an iPhone.  I don’t know what I was waiting for in regard to trading in my old dumb phone for a smart phone (well probably the price tag that came down to $49).  It’s awesome!  One of the really awesomeness things is the KBIS ap that has my schedule of events that I’ve committed to and allows me to add notes and events I’m interested in.  It also has maps of the show floor so I can find things.  It also links to my badge ID and profile.  Not sure what that’s for but I’m sure I’ll find out when I find the Know It All Lounge (new this year) that will have staff on hand to explain it all.

One of the booths at KBIS is their Multimedia Lounge that is designed (I think) for people to take a break and recharge (smart phones & lap tops?) and get info about the show  or directions from the concierge service there.  It also will have live presentations including celebrity guests and live feed from HGTV, DIY, Food and Cooking channels. This is also partially sponsored by my friends at Masco.

I’m planning on at least two afternoon “Tweetups” at the Masco booth and one at the Multimedia Lounge.  I’ve heard there will be a big “Tweet” screen somewhere on the show floor.  Social networking is clearly playing a big part in this-year’s KBIS schema.  I’ll be Tweeting my heart out my Twitter and Facebook friends.  But then so will a lot of other people!

One would think this is just a great big party –well I’m guessing IT IS!  I can hardly add anything to my schedule at this point that doesn’t conflict with something else.  Lots of cocktail parties, dinners and receptions scheduled after hours.  Oh my.  Sorry friends –I’m not much of a party girl.  Remember I have a teenager to attend to –so I’ll have to play it by ear.

As much as it is a party, it’s also the major event of the year for kitchen and bath designers to learn about new products and technologies.  We’ll also have the opportunity to hear from experts in the industry, network and learn business strategies.  Some will even have opportunities to earn K&B certification at the show.  There’s a Career Development booth for people to look for jobs or post them or learn interviewing and job search techniques. Others will learn how to use state-of-the-art software being demonstrated.  (I’m looking forward to the 20-20 Design and Chief Architect booths.)

And lastly, but certainly not least, is a large emphasis on green building practices like the NextGen home of renovation that “will showcase how you can live big in smaller places.”  One of the receptions I’m attending is the Green Builder Media Event –sponsored by (you guessed it) Masco.

I’m going to be at KBIS for two and a half days…. not nearly enough I think.  I don’t think I’ll leave disappointed.  A little tired perhaps but definitely inspired.  High expectations?  You bet!