Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
Issue link: http://kitchenbathdesign.epubxp.com/i/586749
» » Integrated storage bins, drawers and lockers for toys, leashes and pet pa- perwork; » » Custom beds, benches and nooks where they can sleep or relax. All of these represent chal- lenges and opportunities for the kitchen and bath profes- sional and contribute to the development of products and strategies by frms like Wood- Mode and others. "As a custom cabinet line, we receive all sorts of creative designs from our dealer network; pet accom- modations are nothing new," shares Wood-Mode's Troxell. "We premiered the Pet Parlor this year as a lifestyle concept to emphasize the role cabinetry and storage can play in the lives of every family member." Rev-A-Shelf took a difer- ent approach. The company ties into the pet trend by fea- turing photography using its organizers for pet products, along with more traditional uses. The pull-out shot with pots and pans will appeal to the "Top Chef " fan, while the same product shot with leash- es, collars, etc. will speak to the "Dog Whisperer" audience. "As for specifc products, we really don't have any strictly for pets," notes Shari McPeek, the company's public relations & advertising manager. "This is not because of a lack of in- terest, but more so because our products can easily be adapted and used in several ways for a multitude of stor- age applications." LAST WORDS The pet ownership trend is large enough to consider how your existing product line or services might sell to this massive segment, or what you might develop to tap into it. Designers don't need to wait for pet-owning clients to come calling, either. Create a part- nership or promotion with a local pet charity, as Wood-Mode has in its corporate headquarters region and Wills has done in Nashville. If your brand is national, there are many opportunities to work with national animal groups, too. Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS is an indepen- dent designer in San Diego, the author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work and upcoming New Bathroom Idea Book (Taunton Press), and a blogger, design journalist, seminar developer and industry consultant. M A N S F I E L D P L U M B I N G . C O M / E A S E T E N S I O N MADE FOR REAL LIFE. W A N T T O S T AY O U T O F H O T W A T E R ? W O R K W I T H P E O P L E W H O K N O W W H A T T H E Y ' R E D O I N G . P E O P L E W H O ' V E B E E N M A K I N G G R E AT T U B S I N T H E U. S . F O R D E C A D E S , A N D C A N B E C O U N T E D O N F O R E V E R Y T H I N G F R O M E A S Y O R D E R I N G T O S P E E D Y D E L I V E R Y. P E O P L E W H O K N O W A N H O N E S T A N S W E R C A N E A S E A L L K I N D S O F T E N S I O N . Swirl-way Essence Luxury Whirlpool bathtub shown Circle No. 17 on Product Card Let sleeping dogs lie stylishly. Photo: Dea Design Group/Photo by Jozef Jurcisin