RETAILOBSERVER.COM AUGUST 2021
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A S S O C I A T I O N N E W S
T
he NKBA Summit: Luxury Defined shared a wealth of
information, informative research and intriguing discussions
with luxe designers and luxury market experts. A common
denominator that arose from the two days of panels and presentations
was that true luxury comes not only from a high price tag, but even
more importantly from an elevated client experience, and personalized
design to suit that client's precise needs.
NKBA EVP and CSO Suzie Williford hosted the event, which
was sponsored by Cambria. Here are some conference highlights:
THE LUXURY KITCHEN SHOWCASE STUDY
This exclusive NKBA qualitative research, detailed by NKBA
Head of Research Tricia Zach, revealed that luxury is about an
experience, it's simple, it's personal and it's beautiful.
Designers say luxury isn't purely about budget, or about chasing
trends. Luxury clients are outcome-driven, and most had a specific
vision or expect their kitchen designer to deliver a dream space –
and they were willing to invest to get that result.
THE PATH TO BECOMING A LUXURY DESIGNER
Helene Oberman, managing director for Interior Design, and
designer Nar Bustamante, president of Nar Design Group in
Sacramento, Calif., discussed Nar's journey to the luxury sphere.
Flexibility, he said, was the key to his progress. Starting at age 14,
he helped his uncles who were contractors and discovered his
passion for building, ultimately leading to work as a builder,
carpenter, cabinet installer, while being drawn into the overall
kitchen and bath arena and earning a place in the luxury market,
"one kitchen at a time."
LUXURY CLIENTS — WHO ARE THEY?
Winston Chesterfield, founder of Barton Consulting Group, a
London-based luxury market strategist, defined demographics and
A FRESH TAKE
ON LUXURY
Designers and marketing consultants shared
strategic advice as they explored new
ways of thinking about the luxury market at
the virtual NKBA Summit: Luxury Defined.
