The highly successful KBIS 2024 celebrated 60 years and welcomed 55,000+ visitors and more than 670 exhibitors – a 30% increase from 2023. Design & Construction Week, which includes the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show and the National Association of Home Builders’ International Builders’ Show, hosted more than 117,000 attendees at the 2024 event in February. NAHB and NKBA will continue to co-locate for DCW through 2030 for the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design industry professionals.
Above photo: The eye-catching Middleby Residential booth was designed by Matthew Quinn of Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio.
Signature Kitchen Suite hosted the lively KBIS Uncorked event.
KBIS 2024 Best Booth Winners
Judges based their Best Booth 2024 choices on creativity, product display, thoughtful design and attendee experience.
BEST OF SHOW: KOHLER
Kohler’s creative associate interior designer Sofia Asmus said her creation was inspired by the high-end, luxury retail experience, with each sense playing a role.
“Our booth smelled of our Sprig scents, the soundtrack featured upbeat music, and lighting was integrated to set a particular mood in each space,” she added. “The products were convenient for attendees to interact with, with floor-to-ceiling LED screens showcasing ambient content.”
Judges’ Praise:
- Small vignettes allowed visitors to experience the products in a lifestyle presentation.
- The colors Kohler is reintroducing visually tell the story of the company’s longevity.
- The boutique feel of the exterior created a “window-shopping” atmosphere.
- Kohler addressed guest engagement with its #selfie campaign with the #youarebeautiful Statuesque Lighted Mirror from Robern.
- The colors and textures this year were certainly off the charts.
BEST SMALL BOOTH: LAPITEC
Devvy Comacchio of Didonè Comacchio Architects designed this booth, and highlights included a cascade of natural minerals, which are also used to create the Lapitec mixture, and two large-format slabs on easels.
Judges’ Compliments:
- The interesting and creative design pulled me off the show floor and into the booth.
- The clean lines, modern vibe and clear expression of the brand was simple and understated but perfectly special.
- Lapitec used its stone material as an artistic piece floating above the display, which really translated the idea of the beauty and inspiration of the products.
- The booth made a small but powerful statement with the use of architectural forms and great lighting.
BEST MEDIUM BOOTH: TECHLAM
Architect Hector Ruiz Velázquez designed this booth to engage all the senses and highlight the material’s natural origins with elements like water and plants in the composition. The sun and fire were represented with Techlam’s translucent Colorado offering
Judges’ Commendations:
- The geometric pattern of display pieces drew the attention of anyone walking by; you wanted to see what was happening inside.
- A large, round backlit piece of stone was eye catching and showed how the product could be used in a new and design-forward way.
- The true size of the booth was deceiving, having both product display and a hospitality area to enhance the booth experience.
- It was a very clean and simple idea, and the booth was a modern sculpture.
BEST LARGE BOOTH: HOUSE OF ROHL
According to the brand’s director of marketing, Lindsey Jovanovic, there were four goals the company was looking to achieve with its booth. First was to evolve the “Life Well Crafted” story inside and out, and second was to demonstrate the endless design possibilities. Other goals were to elevate the brand into the luxury space and introduce Emtek and Schaub among the company’s new offerings.
Judges’ Accolades:
- There was something very sexy about this space with the dark and moody walls and all the faucets lined up in cases framed like jewelry boxes.
- Displaying all the product lines was done seamlessly; each area was well designed and allowed you to focus just on that particular area.
- I loved that this booth displayed its products in vignettes designed by working designers. It really showed how the products come alive when placed in the hands of very creative design professionals.
BEST HONORABLE MENTION: CAESARSTONE
The judges* appreciated this warm and inviting environment in which to explore the products. Judge Meredith Weiss of Merri Interiors said the booth’s vibe felt dreamy, and the sample wall wasn’t just about the samples but how you were experiencing the samples. According to Sharon Sherman of Thyme and Place Design, the booth featured lovely colors and provided individual spaces to experience the materials used in a variety of ways.
*The other judges included architect Michael Menn of Michael Menn Ltd. and architect and designer Rose Dostal of RMD Designs LLC.
The first stop on the KBB West Hall Tour was Forza and its 48-inch Induction Range, which won an Editors’ Pick in this year’s KBB Excellence Awards.
Attendees Go West at KBIS 2024
On the second day of KBIS, KBB hosted its West Hall Tour of new exhibitors. We took 15 design professionals on booth visits to Akicon, Fresco, Forza, JAK Appliance Group, Luxury Glass Surfaces by Charleston Forge, Midea, Ome, Slate-Lite North America, Tenzo Fine Plomberie, THRILL International, Visobath and Whynter.
We polled this year’s attendees to find out which were their favorites and shared some of those in our coverage. Many said they may not have discovered these brands were they not part of this enlightening tour.
Kudos to the 2024 Best of KBIS Winners!
This year’s judges shared why these brands and products stood out as Best of KBIS 2024.
BEST IN SHOW FREEPOWER FOR COUNTERTOP BY FREEPOWER
We all live on our phones and devices, and we as designers are often asked for a creative way to hide charging ports and create charging stations. By seamlessly integrating wireless charging capabilities into countertops, FreePower eliminates the need for cords and adapters, providing unparalleled convenience and versatility. Its cutting-edge design allows for effortless charging of multiple devices simultaneously without sacrificing charging speed. With its sleek and minimalist aesthetic, FreePower enhances the look and functionality of any space while reducing clutter and promoting a more streamlined lifestyle.
–SWATI GOORHA, SWATI GOORHA DESIGNS
STYLE STATEMENT BATH – GOLD: WALL-MOUNTED TUB FILLER BY TENZO FINE PLOMBERIE
This faucet is an answer we have been looking for in tub fillers. Not only is it beautiful, it is also functional in that it can be moved out of the way when not in use.
–ELIZABETH SCRUGGS, SUPERIOR CONSTRUCTION GROUP
This fixture is a must-have for the minimalist modern bath!
–NAR BUSTAMANTE, NAR DESIGN GROUP
STYLE STATEMENT KITCHEN – GOLD: PROFESSIONAL SERIES 48-IN. INDUCTION RANGE IN CARBONIO BY BERTAZZONI
This appliance’s advanced induction technology ensures precise and efficient cooking, reducing energy consumption while delivering remarkable results. The matte Ferrari-inspired finish with excellent control knobs, including carbon fiber accents, make it the crown jewel of the kitchen. As a pinnacle of culinary excellence, this range embodies the perfect blend of innovation, style and functionality.
–GOORHA
GAME-CHANGING INNOVATION GOLD: LUXURY 30 IN. SLIMTECH INSULATION COLUMN REFRIGERATOR BY JENNAIR
This refrigerator solves two very serious problems. Our most requested feature in a family refrigerator is more storage, and the thinner walls deliver more cubic feet of storage in the same size refrigerator. I also appreciated the idea that the insulation can be reused as we continue to need more sustainable ideas for home building and remodeling.
–LISA PECK, LILU INTERIORS
MOST FUNCTIONAL FIND GOLD: REVEGO BY BLUM INC.
With the uptick of kitchens inspired by clean, modern, European aesthetics, we know clients will be more compelled to explore the “tucked-away” kitchen layout. We also know this feature could be used to make family living spaces multi-functional, easily transitioning a living room into a homework space with the right pocket-door configuration. This system makes those scenarios possible in the best of ways.
–ARIANNE BELLIZAIRE, ARIANNE BELLIZAIRE INTERIORS
WELLNESS TRAILBLAZER GOLD: SPAVIVA TWO-FUNCTION HANDSHOWER AND ALL-IN-ONE CLEANSING DEVICE BY KOHLER
You can toss out all those scrubbers, loofah sponges and pumice stones in your shower. Kohler has created a very elegant showerhead with interchangeable scrubbers and massagers that are rechargeable and easy to use. Since it can replace any shower hose sprayer, this should be at the top of every gift list!
–BUSTAMANTE
SUSTAINABLE STANDOUT GOLD: RAINSTICK LITE BY RAINSTICK
We appreciate the commitment this company has made to seriously address the water shortage issue, and we value their ability to incorporate designers’ feedback by creating a “lite” version that allows socially conscious homeowners to use the product without sacrificing aesthetics.
–BELLIZAIRE
OTHER WINNERS INCLUDED:
- Style Statement: Kitchen – Silver: Viking RVL Collection by Viking Range LLC
- Game-Changing Innovation – Silver: Novy Light Pro by Novy
- Style Statement: Bath – Silver: Venezia by Venini by Fantini
- Most Functional Find – Silver: HydroTap Celsius All-in-One Plus with Pull-Down Sprayer by Zip Water
- Sustainable Standout – Silver: Transcendence by Kohler WasteLAB x Nada Debs by Kohler
- Wellness Trailblazer – Silver: M6A Water Purifier by FOTILE
