Success Is in the Details

People say it's the little things that truly count.

Well, large or small, one location or several, kitchen and bath dealers are finding this saying to be true – so true, in fact, they are punching up their showrooms with a plethora of details.

And, as they add more details to their displays and extras to their service rosters, and pay even closer attention to the overall showroom experience, success is following. One might even say success is in the details.

Indeed, dealers have found that moving toward displays that show complete kitchen and bath concepts that are fully accessorized is the best way to allow clients to truly conceptualize these designs and picture them in their own homes. Just as one dealer did when he installed a new display that showed his flair for painted finishes and design detail that tie an eclectic selection of styles together, dealers around the U.S. are also adding details that show off their best work and design techniques.

In addition, they have also found that paying attention to detail in other areas, such as offering a variety of services, incorporating a library filled with sample books, holding cooking demos and hosting community events, equates with happy clients, referrals and showroom success.

Last, but not least, dealers are tailoring their showrooms to fit how they work. For instance, how about turning your home into a showroom, as one designer did? Another dealer goes for big impact in a small space, turning an old home into a showroom and dedicating the entire second floor to a full kitchen display complete with a walk-in pantry. At the opposite end of the spectrum, two different dealers chose to incorporate as many different displays into their showrooms as they could, in order to provide their clients with as many options as possible, and hit a variety of price points.

On this and the following three pages, Kitchen & Bath Design News spotlights a host of innovative kitchen and bath showrooms that are giving the term "detail-oriented" a new meaning.

Condo Is Now 'Living Showroom'

Most independent designers find it hard to maintain a showroom. But Julie DeJardin, owner of DeJardin Design, took a unique approach. She turned her Portland, OR condo into an appointment-only showroom that opened in April with two staff designers and a team of interior designers she uses on an as-needed basis.

As to why, DeJardin says while searching for a condo to buy in downtown Portland, she found that many people moving into the area were remodeling existing condos and lofts. She saw a chance to showcase products and styles that would aid these people in their efforts.

After she bought her condo, she spent a year securing products from vendors, suppliers and fabricators – such as Kohler, TOTO, Wood-Mode, Asko, Franke, Sub-Zero and Wolf – that would support her idea. Then she designed the 1,030-sq.-ft., curvilinear showroom, using those products.

"My clients, especially those buying condos and lofts, can see the products in place and understand how they apply to their own homes," she says.

There's one huge, multiple-cook, gourmet kitchen on the first level. It features honed French Vanilla countertops, metallic cork from Cortica Cork Concepts, Wood-Mode slab cherry cabinetry with an espresso stain, Sub-Zero wine storage, drawers and 700 Series refrigerator, a Wolf microwave/wall oven with a pizza stone and warming drawer, an Asko dishwasher and a Franke faucet and sink.

"The kitchen stands as a stage for the rest of the living room, which includes a home office with my design library. It has a home theater with Surround sound that's wired into the bedroom and bath. The living space is very functional, and designed for dining, entertaining, relaxing or working. There's a 6' dining room table that pulls out to 12' that acts as a desk during the week," notes DeJardin.