Refining the Approach to Design, by Phil Hotarek (Lutz Bath & Kitchen), an Education Committee Member

One of the major benefits of attending conferences is inspiration from interactions with industry colleagues.  Most recently at ICFF in New York, I was very fortunate to have interacted with many of our industry leaders and learned so much from the design community.  Returning from the show, I was struck with a familiar feeling that I had during my days of coaching ice hockey - as the game evolves, coaches must evolve with it.  Approach to design is no different.  Trends and design appeal evolve, therefore a refined approach to design is required to better service our clients.  Here are the takeaways from my interactions:

Budget and Timeline
This is a staple in the process and I'm doubtful that this will ever change.  The first question anyone is asked when visiting a showroom, "what is the timeline of your project?" will pretty much dictate the flow of the process.  If the client has lots of time and a limitless budget, the sky's the limit.  On the other hand, a low budget and a constricted timeline will limit their options pretty quickly.  Reinforcing the importance of asking about the budget and timeline is really just a reminder to stay sharp.

Create a Lifestyle
Creating a lifestyle was the big takeaway for me after the ICFF show.  What defines our bathrooms and kitchens have changed drastically over the years.  From my observation, the lifestyle of a room includes:

• Layout
• Function
• Mood
• Focal point

Furthermore, by developing the mindset of creating a lifestyle, you steer away from simply selling products.  The products are not the design - the products are simply components that fit the lifestyle of the room.  Layout and function are discussion points of sizing and storage solutions that fit the needs of your everyday life.  When selecting bath furniture, cabinetry, hardware and accessories, steer the conversation toward functional purpose.  Walk the client through their everyday uses and the little things that are important to them, and become the problem solver by making their life more functional.   

 

Mood can be affected by the colors and finishes.  Manufacturers have adapted by offering an array of finishes for their products which can open the discussion regarding the mood setting.  It is amazing what you can learn about a person by finding out what colors they gravitate toward.  Be observant in what colors strike the client's eye and make a connection by creating a mood in a space.

 

The focal point is where you can get creative with the design and make a statement.  One unique observation I had attending the San Francisco Decorators Showcase was the use of lighting in the bathroom and kitchen.  Almost every bathroom in the house had a unique lighting fixture that made the room "pop" while being more inviting.  With furniture and faucetry moving more toward minimal design function, it has created a void for a creative focal point.  Tap into what appeals most to the client and learn what the best focal point may be.