Dare to Add a Touch of Color to Your Kitchen with Julien's PROINOX H75 - A New Collection of Black Stainless Steel Sinks.

Sinks are a fundamental part of every kitchen, and they should reflect who you are. The ProInox H75 collection brings color to the kitchen with its black stainless steel sinks in a perfect marriage of beauty, strength and durability. The ProInox H75 sinks blend easily with kitchens of classic or monochromatic design and their sleek, modern look will remain absolutely timeless.

Made with Innovative nano-PVD technology, these black stainless steel sinks are not only extremely durable, but also have increased scratch resistance and water-repellent properties for easier maintenance.

EXPLORE PROCHEF BY JULIEN

INOX by Treemme – Distributed Brand by AD Waters.

Founded in 1968 in the heart of Tuscany, Treemme presents INOX, featuring three collections, all of which are named after the width of their respective faucet components: 5mm, 22mm and 40mm. Treemme’s INOX material is recognized internationally as one of the most hygienic surfaces, as well as the material of choice for eco-friendly projects. Made entirely of the highest quality of stainless steel (316L), the sleek yet timeless styles of INOX are available for any water space styles. Whether the choice is between a faucet from the award-winning 5mm collection, or a pure industrial design conveyed through the shapes of 22mm, the technology of miniaturization will provide at its best. The collection also offers bath accessories and kitchen faucets of the same collections.

DISCOVER INOX

Timeless Beauty Meets Versatility with STRASSER's Montlake Bath Vanity Collection.

From the most compact powder room to a his-and-her master suite, Montlake offers everything designers need to customize an elegant bath with confidence—all while maximizing storage space.

From Montlake’s standard door/drawer combination to Montlake Town’s use of drawers-only storage, there’s a Montlake configuration to suit every need. In addition to vanities ranging from 24” to 72” widths, the collection includes coordinating linen towers, drawer banks, mirrors, and medicine cabinets— all in various sizes. A 32” Tall Retrofit model makes a “swap-out” renovation easier.

Eight unique door styles (Slab, Shaker, Deco Miter, Ogee Miter, Tiered Miter, Ultraline, Beaded, and Classic Miter) and 17 finishes allow for even more personalization options.

EXPLORE MONTLAKE

Buster + Punch Welcomes Brandon Hoffman and Teresa Salvador.

To support Buster + Punch's growth in the North American market, the organization has hired Eastern Regional Sales Manager, Brandon Hoffman and Sales Operations Manager, Teresa Salvador. This hiring news—with an additional two new North America customer service team members that will report to Salvador—reinforces the home fashion label’s commitment to growing its presence in North America.

As Sales Operations Manager at the Buster + Punch North American headquarters, Teresa Salvador will facilitate the management of multiple departments, including sales, dealer support and customer service, bringing the in-house (some working remotely still) resources to six members strong.

Brandon Hoffman’s role as Eastern Regional Sales Manager with Buster + Punch North America will leverage his experience in direct sales with his background in communications and social media marketing.

VISIT BUSTER + PUNCH

Tips for Keeping Customer Loyalty Strong: By Stephanie Azran, SH Design-Build.

In the pandemic situation we are currently experiencing, strengthening customer loyalty is more important than ever. This is not only because more consumers are shopping online, an issue affecting brick and mortar retail across the globe. The strongest reason for ensuring customers remain loyal is this: people are much more conscious of their spending habits, due to widespread economic upheaval. Showrooms have to put up a fight to stay in the minds of their customers so when those precious purchases are made, they are made in-store. Taking specific actions during the months to come won’t just help the showroom weather the storm; it will inspire long-term confidence in the client. 

Make the Showroom Clean and Safe

In the decorative plumbing world, the physical store determines everything from the mood of the customer to the range of price points the store can offer. The look and feel of a showroom make a strong impression on customers, and during a pandemic situation, a dated, cluttered showroom will keep potential customers from coming in. Do what is necessary to present a spacious, uncluttered showroom. It’s not about the look anymore, it’s really about making clients feel safe indoors by allowing them to be socially distant. Also, with less clutter, it is easier to sanitize display models as needed; people are definitely taking note of cleanliness in stores these days. This may mean removing displays in the middle of the aisles, curating the products with more care, or investing in new displays that allow for better product organization and layout possibilities. 

Show Gratitude

A thank you goes a long way, but what about showing gratitude by having special hours for at-risk groups or front-line workers? It may reduce the overall number of shoppers during those times, but offering those low-traffic hours may encourage those who haven’t felt safe enough to shop in-store to finally do so. By offering these special hours, you can show a commitment to health and safety regulations that inspires confidence in all your customers, at-risk or not. Special shopping hours can also work great as a loyalty reward. 

Promote the Buy Local Message

Aside from throwing a “Buy Local” icon on your webpage, ads or social media posts, take the time to explain to your existing and prospective clients the importance of buying local during the pandemic. Some of the top reasons people buy local is because it helps people with the following: 

• Avoid supply chain issues 
• Get their items faster
• Easier returns
• Better customer service
• Product and installation expertise

So many showrooms are family-owned and operated and have been in the community for years- tell your story as a way to share the benefits of buying local. Then you can move on to the more general benefits of shopping local. Have fun with this in your social media posts! 

The ups and downs of the past have left retailers and shoppers confused about in-store shopping. More and more people are turning to online shopping, perhaps out of convenience, but more likely out of anxiety of going into physical stores. In a situation like this, strengthening customer loyalty with the tips listed above can make a huge difference.

Empathy Goes A Long Way and Lack Thereof Can Be Devastating: Thoughts from DPHA Fellow Tom Cohn

Many moons ago, we renovated our master bath not necessarily out of a desire to improve the aesthetic or functionality, but more so out of necessity. The contractor who installed the original bathroom placed basic wallboard instead of a material that was waterproof in the shower stall and throughout the entire bath. Tiles were falling off the wall and water was leaking into the living room below. We took advantage of our misfortune to create or ideal bathroom (a big assist to the Goldberg family). We removed a jetted tub that could sleep four with a multifunctional dual shower that has 11 showerheads. We hired a local contractor with good references for the install. He did not do a good job. The shower leaked from day one. Long story short, it took us three demolitions to finally have a shower that did not leak, and the last contractor who saved our day is one of the largest remodelers not only in our service territory, but in the entire country.

We encountered a new problem a few weeks ago. The glass panel that is connected to the shower door was pulling away from the wall and we feared that our frameless enclosure could collapse. I reached out to the owner of the remodeling company, who referred me to a project manager that would help us. When I called the project manager to express the urgency of our concern, I was greeted with this statement: “Your warranty has expired.” What? I was taken back that the representative of a company with a stellar reputation who spends hundreds of thousands of dollars annually advertising and promoting its quality and trustworthiness was only concerned about who would pay for the fix. There was no interest in helping a former client who had a problem. There was no offer to help. There was no empathy. And this lack of empathy reminded me of what is considered one of the great moments in campaign history (if you did not know, I live in Washington, DC where campaigning is a major industry). In 1992 during a town hall, then candidate Bill Clinton was asked by an activist to take a stand and offer his position on the AIDS epidemic. Instead of reciting a policy position, Clinton walked from behind his podium and approached the activist saying, “I feel your pain.” That response is credited as a major reason Clinton defeated Bush and Ross Perot in 1992. It showed that Clinton was a human being and a great politician.

That’s the lesson of my recent less-than-stellar customer service experience. When a client or former customer calls with a problem, teach your customer service team, designers, sales professionals, bookkeepers and everyone else on your team to take a step back and understand that this person has a problem and they are calling you for help. Your customer does not care who was responsible or whether or not a warranty has expired. Their primary concern is the fix. Approaching problems with empathy and feeling your customers’ pain will go a long way toward determining who will rightfully pay for the solution without argument and whether or not you can take advantage of an opportunity to create a raving fan.

The Future of Office Technology

Nine months ago, no one would have imagined that by the end of the year 42% of Americans would be working from home, a number that is not likely to change in the near future. The decorative plumbing and hardware industry certainly has adapted. Virtual meetings are now par for the course for many DPHA members, as they help to save time and improve efficiency while keeping wellness in the forefront.

Advances in virtual technology will continue to redefine the future of work, and in many cases improve productivity and professional accomplishment. AI-driven platforms such as Remesh can give you consumer insights in minutes, enabling showrooms and manufacturers to research markets and collect and summarize anonymized views of up to 1,000 people on a topic or new product. This platform and others allow marketing specialists to react to focus group comments in real time.

Digital tools such as sticky notes, shared digital whiteboards and co-editing tools help to bring team members together if they are working from home. With the ability to video chat and share files, many of our members have adopted Microsoft Teams and Sharepoint.

Advances in technology will help make working and connecting with customers remotely more efficient and easier. Affordable home smart boards and large multi-monitor displays will make it possible for showrooms to project proposed designs from being viewed on a laptop or even smartphone. Advances in 3-D printing will allow showrooms to showcase products from around their world to their clients’ and prospects’ home offices.

Ten years from now, the crackly Zoom calls will be a distant memory as remote work technology will be the next best thing to being there.

DPHA Wednesday Webinar: THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA

THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH
2 PM EST

Facebook. Instagram. LinkedIn. Pinterest. TikTok. There are so many social media apps it can make your head spin. Which ones are right for your business? In this webinar, DPHA will dig into how several of our members use Social Media for their businesses.

If you have questions you want to pose to the panel, topics you would love to see us cover, or are interested in participating in a panel, email us! Missed a DPHA Webinar? Our #DPHAWebinars can be found on the members' only side of our website here.

REGISTER NOW!

It's a Great Time to Tell the World What's New With Your Brand: by DPHA Fellow Jeffrey Valles, Colonial Bronze.

Now that we know the next president of the United States, what’s next?  Who the heck knows!  It is likely the next few months will remain a bit hectic as the presidential decision sinks in, Covid continues to surge and nobody is really sure when the next calamity might hit.  All that uncertainty makes it a perfect time to announce something new and fabulous with your company.

So many businesses are waiting for specific vaccine news, policy rollouts and Wall Street reactions before they even start to plan new market plays.  All the while your team is looking for something new to tout and your customers are bored living the same old pandemic life-limiting style. Do not mistake being busy for being bored.  Being busy doing the same things day after day is monotonous.  Heck, without the stress of the election and the possibility of catching the virus, life would be outright boring.  

This is a great time to roll something out.  It does not have to be big, it just needs to simply be something for your company to present, your team to talk about, and that continues to showcase your brand as unique and the finest partner to have in the marketplace.

And yes, I am talking about now, not in 2021.  Now is the time to shout out.  It is the lull after the storm and people are beginning to feel the disappointment of not being able to get together for the holidays.  A few months back we were looking toward the holidays when family and friends would be able to gather with the pandemic no longer a concern.  Now it looks to be a Zoom holiday season.  So very frustrating for so many.  

Outside of the constant barrage of Black Friday deals, there remains a public looking for something new and innovative to add a spark to their day.  If you have an idea that you have put on hold while waiting for the world to stabilize, bring it out now.  

With KBIS going virtual and ICFF moving to November, there will not be any physical conferences or conventions in the first half of 2021.  So many of us have grown tired of virtual anything that just the thought of shaking someone’s hand is exciting.  

If you tried something in the past and that you believe should have been a hit, but it underperformed, give it another shot.  Second time's a charm!  Stress is the order of the day and, in our perception, there are so few ways to get away from it all.  A new and interesting story from your brand could very well be the news of the day, maybe even the week.  

Does one of your team members have an interesting idea that they have been pitching?  Why not give-it-a-go.  Even if it does not become a big thing, it will reward a talented member of your team and instill a confidence with your other employees that you do listen and are willing to take a chance on their ideas.

Some great things can happen in the strangest of times, and these are very strange times.  Best of luck out there and do give it a go!

P.S. What a time for a Pop-Up!!!

Hastings Tile & Bath Introduces URBAN Wash.

An extension of the popular URBAN collection, URBAN Wash features cabinets, wardrobes, countertops with sinks, accessories and storage bins in customizable configurations, sizes and finishes, offering everything for the ultimate transition room work station.

Designed to offer innovative, stylish storage solutions to optimize space and foster ease of movement, URBAN Wash can be set up horizontally and vertically with customized solutions ideal for any transition space. From clean lines for a minimalist look, to warm shades and wood finishes for the contemporary home, to vibrant and colorful finish selections, URBAN Wash seamlessly integrates into any existing decor.

EXPLORE THE RANGE

Kintsu™ Bath Collection by Brizo® Now Shipping.

Simple, yet intricate. Broken, yet perfect. The delicate harmony of the new Kintsu™ Bath Collection is now available to ship.

Its tranquil contours reflect the elegant minimalism of Scandinavian design, while its natural materials and motif of broken geometries channel the principles of Japanese wabi-sabi. The result is a stunning blend of two aesthetics, coming together to create an exquisite balance.

A 2020 Best of KBIS award winner, the collection features the new Brilliance® Black Onyx finish and an exquisite selection of natural materials – including Guyana Teak, concrete, and mother of pearl.

DISCOVER KINTSU

Meet Leonardo, a New Sink from Foster.

Innovative engineering and design, unique details, carefully selected materials, artful artisanship, and technologically advanced manufacturing, define the Leonardo sink and its accessories.

The accessories are designed to slide over two independent rails on the top of the sink, or to rest over the bottom thanks to one-centimeter level; this system prevents food from touching the bottom of the sink.

Therefore, whatever you are preparing, from sliced vegetables to grated cheese, from pasta to rinsing small fruit, or washing dishes, the Foster kit of accessories makes everything easy and your kitchen will always be elegant and clean.

EXPLORE LEONARDO

Regal Brands Announces New Addition to Family of Brands: Viaggio Hardware.

Drawing inspiration from the modern architecture of northern Italy and the iconic fashion capital of Milan, Viaggio pairs fluid lines and natural textures to create an extraordinary line of hardware. Each product in the collection is a work of art that brings elegant sophistication to its surroundings and makes a memorable design statement.

Produced in the heart of Europe, Viaggio Hardware evolved from a collaborative design and fabrication process that perfectly blends the science of engineering and the beauty of artistry. Each piece is forged from solid brass and equipped with the company’s Concealed Screw Mechanism (CSM) for a streamlined look. All Viaggio Hardware products are precision polished and coated with a protective lacquer for lasting good looks. A selection of five stunning finishes can be mixed and matched to create cohesive neutral or customized high-contrast combinations for truly unique looks. Options include bright chrome, satin black, satin brass, satin nickel and titanium gray. Beautiful textures like hammered metal, linen and leather are also offered.

Viaggio Hardware features three distinctive collections as part of its initial offering which include 3 crystal knobs, 2 brass knobs, and 6 levers. All are refreshingly modern with simple yet sophisticated silhouettes that are versatile enough to complement nearly anydécor. The brand offers interior sets and entry sets with deadbolts. All are covered by an industry-leading Lifetime Warranty.

• CIRCOLO – Celebrating the bold geometry of curves and cylinders.A luxurious finishing touch for contemporary settings.
• QUADRATO – Offering the perfect display of balance and symmetry.A singular meld of precision corners and clean lines.
• MOTIVO – Artful combinations of organic textures and smooth surfaces. A variable array of options with rosettes, deadbolt trims and lever grips.

For more information about the modern, new Viaggio line, visit them online at www.viaggiohardware.com.