Brands, Design Pros, Media and VIPs Convene for Idea Exchange to Kick Off Their Design & Construction Week Experience
The Modenus Talks event at the Las Vegas Market brought 75 participants together from all areas of the interior design and kitchen & bath design industry on Jan. 19 – just before KBIS and IBS opened for business. The day revolved around the important topic of “The Power of Design: How Does Great Design Impact the Way We Live & Work?”
Lively Q&A sessions followed ASID CEO Randy Fiser’s keynote and color expert, Amy Wax’s, presentation at the sold-out Modenus Talks event. All photos by Chasen West Photography.
Keynote Randy Fiser, CEO of ASID, spoke on the “Power of Design,” followed by Color911 founder Amy Wax’s presentation on the “Impact of Color.” A group brainstorming session, mirrored online as a Twitter Chat, yielded important elements that can and should be considered by design professionals when developing a design concept for a client. Solutions and ideas brought forth in this dynamic session covered everything from the psychological impact of color, sound and smell to the physical impact of well-thought-out space plans, sustainable material selections and lighting design – to name a few.
NKBAU Professional of the Year Rhonda Knoche, CMKBD, and Molly Switzer, AKBD, present their team’s outdoor living concept.
During the afternoon session, the audience divided into eight groups to create design concept using a minimum of three of the elements that had been identified during the brainstorming session. Teams presented the projects at the end of the day with results that produced an urban oasis; a universal-design restaurant concept; a colorful modular group office; an interactive, healthy day care; a feature-rich micro home, as well as kitchen, bath and loft challenges.
Interior designers Holly Hollingsworth Phillips, (left) and Pamela Copeman, review their three key terms of wellness in design as it relates to their bathroom/spa concept.
“Seminars and learning sessions are crucial to stay relevant in our industry, but the format may not fit everyone in the room. Individuals have their own experiences and knowledge to share.” said Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus. “We created Modenus Talks to bring brands, design pros, media, showroom owners and others together through conversation, sharing of ideas, skills and experience.”
Judges Brian Pagel, vice president, Kitchen Bath Group, Emerald Expositions; Chelsie Butler, executive editor K+BB Magazine; and Laurie March, designer and HGTV/DIY Network personality, gave top honors to the universally-design restaurant concept created by Designers Mitzi Beach, Robin Siegerman and Anne Edwards, color expert Amy Wax and sponsor Thermador’s Director of Brand Marketing Zack Elkin. Other event sponsors included Mr. Steam, Blanco, Cosentino and KBIS.
Awarding the winners of the Modenus Talk Design Challenge: Judges Brian Pagel, vice president, Kitchen Bath Group, Emerald Expositions; Chelsie Butler, executive editor K+BB Magazine; and Laurie March, designer and HGTV/DIY Network personality.
Modenus Talks, produced by Modenus.com, is a series of one-day events, as well as smaller, showroom-based events that leverage Modenus’ design network locally and regionally.
– Leanne Wood Newman, principal, Flying Camel
