An Insider’s Look into Participating in a Showcase House
Back in 2015, Julie and I traveled to Las Vegas for the combined KBIS/IBS trade show (Kitchen and Bath and International Builder Show) and the Las Vegas Market (furnishings). It was our first trade show event and after two and a half days of non-stop walking, product viewing and seminar education, our eyes were crossed and our brains billowing smoke.
On the shuttle back from seeing that year’s New American Showhome (which features the most amazing display of advanced home tech, energy-efficient products and innovative building techniques), we made the executive decision to recover and debrief over some therapeutic clothing shopping (Vegas Premium Outlets are conveniently close). Between the “Oh, those are cute! You should get them in both colors”, we came to a conclusion: trade shows are the perfect annual injection of information and innovation … but we need strong local resources who help us keep up with all this information year-round. So we began building our connections with local contractors, architects, vendors and other experts in the inter-connected areas of design.
There’s no better example of how these relationships can impact our design projects than with the Pasadena Showcase. The intense deadlines and rapid-fire decisions will test your resolve under normal circumstances. Add to that the excitement of COVID and the decision to make the house tour virtual and you can see how important a strong and supportive tribe of vendors and trades-people can make all the difference. Our resources jumped on board with our design vision and helped us create a magical space that provides respite and relief from the everyday chaos.
Here are some of the photos from our Mighty Mudroom along with the resources who provided their invaluable help and commitment:
Mission West Kitchen and Bath:
Top Knobs – Cabinet hardware
Armac Martin – Brass diamond mesh for the upper cabinet and dog kennel.
Mission Tile:
Pet Bath: Hand-made and hand-glazed Japanese tile
George’s Plumbing:
MD Appliances: LG Washer/Dryer and the (crowd favorite) Styler
Cambria: Classic Britannica with polished finish
*Special thanks to our fabricator, International Marmol Inc., who stepped in last minute when our original fabricators had to pull out due to COVID and worked tirelessly with us to get design and installation just right.
Carey Yount at Currey & Co
When we work with our clients on their interior design journey, these relationships are what allow us to share all of the up-to-date knowledge about products and materials that support the way you want to live in your home.
And the best part? You gain access to our network of resources without spending days of endless walking through conventions, visiting showrooms or riding crowded shuttle busses. Visiting the outlets, however, is up to you!
Courtney Thomas, ASID
Principal & Lead Designer
My job is to make spaces functional in their layout, comfortable in their use, inspirational in their style and luxurious in their appointment. In that order. For that one moment after installation, the pictures are perfect.
