Some of those at the recent Richelieu showroom field trip, L to R: Richie DeMarco, event speaker, Suzie Wheeler, Rev-A-Shelf; Toni Sabatino, ToniSabatinoStyle.com; Rex Aguirre, Premiere Systems Design; Tom Price next to Jeannine Price, President of the Manhattan Chapter and both with Custom Wood Products; Alena Capra, Alena Capra Designs LLC; and, Damiano Saracino, event speaker.
By Jennifer Mirsky and Maureen Klein
Damiano Saracino, Director of Business Development and Lighting Innovation Specialist at Richelieu, gave a wealth of information during his CEU class - The Power of Light on Health and Wellness. With slides, video clips and his energetic style, Damiano talked about the Electromagnetic Spectrum, Light Temperature / Kelvin Chart, Blue Llight (mimics midday sunlight), Warm Light, CRI (Color rendering index), Circadian Rhythms, types of circuits and more. He noted how different color temperatures can create various moods, from warm and inviting to bright and energetic, influencing how people interact with and perceive the environment. Examples of retail, office and senior home settings drove the points home. He also urged designers to take advantage of the Richelieu lighting layout service and to FEEL the MOVEMENT, citing and showing the NEXT (Sequential) and WAVE (progressive lighting) introductions.
“Light every job.” This is what Richie DeMarco, who leads the U.S. Closet Market for Richelieu Hardware, told NKBA Manhattan members at an educational networking event hosted at the Woodside, NY Richelieu showroom. He explained that personalization is key when it comes to closet design. “It’s not about bigger, it’s about smarter. It’s about personalization, when people get that ‘wow’ factor and bring their friends into their closet.” A pro at sales, Richie ended his talk with this takeaway––
Three Things You Can Do Tomorrow
1 Show lighting in every design, Make it the standard - not the upgrade.
2 Use Good / Better / Best, Give clients the power to choose value.
3 Sell One Additional Accessory or Upgrade.
Photos: Rex Aguirre, Tom Price, Barbara Haberman
Alena Capra from Fort Lauderdale came prepared with suitcase in tow as she enters the Richelieu showroom.
Attendees got a chance to see a wide range of lighting and hardware collections as well as sample a delicious buffet.
Rex Aguirre takes his position seriously as Communications Chair of the Chapter, clicking a selfie with Alena Capra, Isadora Acosta and Barbara Haberman.
Thank you chapter member Joey Mortel, Specification Representative for Richelieu, for setting up this event, arranging transit and providing a wonderful learning experience for us all. We will be back.
CEU Speaker Damiano Saracino reminded us to take advantage of Richelieu resources and their layout services. See HELP IS HERE!
Richie DeMarco spoke on Redefining Closets and reminds us to design for real life, and shows some of the hardware that makes items so more accessible.
HELP IS HERE!
Richelieu provides a lighting layout service form or configurator that you can use. There is a one time charge of $30 to be sent with your completed form which will be returned once the order has been placed.
We’re coming off an inspiring High Point Market, and it was great to see NKBA represented alongside several of our Manhattan sponsors, including Cambria, Fabuwood, and Cosentino. It’s a strong reminder of the connections and support that extend well beyond our local chapter.
On the global stage, the recent Salone del Mobile.Milano, including EuroCucina, continues to shape what we’re seeing across kitchen and bath, with refined materials, seamless integration, and innovation that balance beauty with performance.
Just around the corner, we’re excited for the upcoming International Contemporary Furniture Fair, ICFF. and the NYCxDesign Festival. As Diana Mosher leads our third annual NKBA Manhattan Chapter Inspire Awards at the Javits Center, we’ll be engaged in judging across categories beyond kitchen and bath. This is where emerging designers, new materials, and forward-thinking manufacturers begin to define what’s next and where we gain early insight into ideas that will influence our work moving forward.
Looking Ahead
In partnership with the New York Design Coalition, one of the most anticipated member events of the season is our upcoming Summer Social June 24th. It’s an opportunity to connect with industry peers and strengthen relationships across organizations.
If you’ve been considering joining the NKBA chapter and getting more involved, now is the time. There is a place for you here, and your voice matters.
Thank you for your continued support of NKBA Manhattan.
Warmly,
Jeannine Price
President, NKBA Manhattan Chapter
Erika Saucedo, Shaped by Culture and Creativity
Erika Saucedo’s story begins in Zacatecas, Mexico, a place rich in history, architecture, and the arts. Growing up in a family of musicians, writers, and artists, creativity was part of everyday life and left a lasting imprint on how she sees the world.
As the eldest of four, Erika learned early how to lead and adapt. Her father, who worked for the Department of Agriculture in water resources, and as a waiter while pursuing marathon running, instilled in her a simple mindset: “No matter where life takes you, strive to be the best at what you do. ”It is advice she still lives by..
An Unexpected Path
Erika’s academic background began far from the design world. She earned a degree in Clinical Psychology with training in forensics from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas. Still, her interests were wide-ranging. She was active in sports, theater, and dance, and drawn to both psychology and language. Her first job at 13, working at Blockbuster, sparked a love of storytelling through film. That early curiosity about people and human connections continues to shape how she engages with others today.
“No matter where life takes you, strive to be the best at what you do.”
Learning Through Experience
Before entering the luxury appliance sector, Erika built a diverse career. She managed a restaurant and co-founded a mobile bartending business in California, then moved into sales roles with Miele and Dyson in New York. Each role sharpened her skills at reading people and responding to their needs.Her interest in design developed over time, influenced by exposure to shows like Property Brothers and architecture and design videos. What began as inspiration quickly became a clear direction.
The Work Today
Today, Erika is Showroom Manager at Dacor Kitchen Theater in Manhattan, where she focuses on creating elevated, memorable experiences for consumers, designers, and architects. For her, it’s not just about showcasing appliances. It’s about helping others connect with the craftsmanship, performance, and lifestyle that Dacor products represent. As she puts it, "It’s not just about showcasing appliances…
“It’s about creating a luxurious, lasting experience."
Community and Connection
Erika joined NKBA through her work with Dacor in 2021 and quickly found her place within the Manhattan Chapter. Volunteering with God’s Love We Deliver was one of her most meaningful and personally fulfilling experiences. She values the opportunity to network with others in the industry and enjoys hosting events that bring people together. She has also been involved in Earth Day programming for several years, helping to spotlight sustainability and energy efficiency within the industry.
Life Beyond the Showroom
Erika finds work/life balance in cooking, participating in a book club, hiking, traveling, and writing poetry. When it's time to recharge, she will find a quiet moment or a weekend escape.
Looking Ahead
Erika’s goals reflect both ambition and curiosity. She hopes to travel to places like Transylvania and eventually own a home in a small town in Mexico or Costa Rica. Long term, she envisions opening her own store focused on naturally sourced home and skin-care products, and writing a memoir. For now, she continues bringing her perspective to an industry that blends design, performance, and storytelling.
Erika on vacation near the beach at Mazatlán in Sinaloa, Mexico
Welcome New Members!
April New Members
Ademar Pachianim, Bilotta Kitchens
Anthony Barnes, Bilotta Kitchens
Johanna Brito, Bilotta Kitchens
Lydia Brown, Bilotta Kitchens
Mariely Parra, Bilotta Kitchens
Marlon Maldonado, Bilotta Kitchens
Ronnie Lazo, Bilotta Kitchens
Steve Velazquez, Bilotta Kitchens
Julie Gonzalez, Fashion Institute of Technology
Betsy Goldberg, Consumer Reports
Jennifer Pallone, NY School of Interior Design
Cathryne Cheatwood, The New School
May New Members
Eros Hall, Richelieu
Angelica James, RAJ Kitchen and Bath
Rayan James, RAJ Kitchen and Bath
Owen Robertson, Studio Dearborn
Siana Kelmendi, Kobe Millwork
On Tuesday, April 14th Dacor Kitchen Theater hosted an event called CONVERGE: EMERGING PROFESSIONALS IN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN. It was an exclusive opportunity for design professionals with less than five years in our field and included exclusively members of IIDA, ASID, IDS, IFDA NY and NKBA.
The personally invited attendees were welcomed with cool drinks and a warm atmosphere from the team at Dacor; notably Keith Jones, Trade Development Manager, and Paula Smith, Senior Manager of Trade Marketing. What followed was a light and laughter filled keynote by Vicente Wolf and a talk from representatives from each organization. Presenting for NKBA Manhattan was designer and ex-chapter President, Julie Schuster, who extolled the virtues of education, community and networking that our professional association provides.
After all of that, there was time for light bites, questions for representatives from each organization and opportunity to network and get to know others from our new professionals groups. Everyone went home with an NKBA tote bag to remember the event! What a night!
– Julie Schuster
Some of the more established Pros at the event, L to R: Keith Jones - Dacor Trade Development Mgr; Dondrill Glover - IFDA President; Joe Lewis - Eggersman Showroom Mgr/Director; David Santiago - IFDA Representative / Casa Santi Interior Design; Julie Schuster - NKBA Representative; Paula Smith - Dacor Senior Mgr Trade Marketing; and Erika Saucedo - Dacor Showroom Mgr.
PUBLISHING SHAKE-UP
In a surprise move, BOH, Business of Home, gets a new owner: Recurrent Ventures sold Dwell, Domino, and Business of Home to Ziff Davis, expanding the company into lifestyle media. The titles will form a new lifestyle group led by BOH founder Julia Noran Johnston. Read more.
A TAILORED BLUE KITCHEN
NKBA Member Shai Arviv shares some of his design process...The client wanted a transitional kitchen, but with a more refined interpretation than a standard shaker door, so we developed a custom shallow-recessed profile to keep the cabinetry crisp and understated. Behind the calm appearance, the design also addresses several practical needs, including concealed coffee storage, deeper island storage, a tall corner solution, and an awkward HVAC condition integrated through a soffit detail that disappears into the composition. The result is a kitchen that feels tailored, highly functional, and quietly resolved.
Crafted in Italy, the Flut vessel sink brings sculptural sensibility to the modern bathroom. Its signature flared rim and gently contoured concave silhouette introduce lightness and movement to a clean rectangular form, where modern minimalism meets thoughtful design.
Architectural Details The basin’s flared edge and concave shape create a refined, architectural presence. With multiple faucet hole options, Flut 65 and 80 adapt to a range of layouts, from minimal residential spaces to elevated hospitality settings. Available in 16 contemporary colors, Flut shifts effortlessly between bold statement and quiet elegance, from crisp neutrals to expressive tones.
Dimensions Offered in two sizes: Flut 65 (25-5/8" W) and Flut 80 (31-1/2" W), both 16-1/2" deep and 5-3/8" high. Each includes an overflow and supports wall-mount or deck installation.
Resistant Materials Glazed ceramic ensures durability, resisting moisture, stains, and daily wear for lasting performance. Learn More
Take a Walk Outside in the Comfort of your Kitchen
Fabuwood notes that with sculpted inner and outer detailing, this Fusion door style now comes to life in Timber, a warm, nature-inspired stain that brings softness, depth, and organic character to the kitchen. Solid wood rails showcase visible craftsmanship, while the tailored profile delivers a refined presence that feels timeless yet fresh.
Rich in soft golden-brown undertones, Timber highlights the natural beauty of the wood grain. The overall look is clean but full of character, designed for spaces that echo the comfort of nature with a more elevated point of view. Learn More
A New Way to Experience the Bath by Noken
Porcelanosa introduces the new Swan and Nova bathtubs bring a softer, more personal feel to the bathroom. Their clean shapes and warm finishes make the space feel calm, relaxed, and inviting. Available in different colors, they offer an easy way to add character without overdoing it. Learn More
Designed to Impress, Built to Preserve
Thermador Wine Columns elevate wine storage into a considered design feature, seamlessly integrating into custom cabinetry in 18” and 24” widths, with both panel-ready and stainless-steel finish options. Push-to-open doors maintain clean, uninterrupted lines, supporting a fully handle-free, architectural aesthetic.
Inside, diamond-shaped wooden dowels cradle each bottle with stability and elegance, while hidden rails ensure smooth, uninterrupted access. The 24” column features three-zone temperature control for precise preservation across varietals, while the 18” column offers dual-zone flexibility for curated collections.
Beyond wine, both columns are designed to adapt, storing spirits, olive oils, or styling curated charcuterie and dessert boards for entertaining, along with chilled refreshments. A dedicated Presenter Shelf allows bottles or pairings to be showcased when hosting.
With configurable storage, designers can tailor each column to suit lifestyle and entertaining needs, pairing effortlessly with Freedom® refrigeration for a cohesive kitchen experience. Learn More
Introducing the Sonoma Bathtub Tray - Native Trails' First Bathtub Accessory
Native Trails introduces the Sonoma Bathtub Tray. As the brand’s first accessory for the bath, Sonoma offers a refined surface for everyday essentials—bringing ease and intention to the bathing ritual. Sonoma embodies the art of repurposing while providing an indulgently tactile and useful bath accessory. Handcrafted by American artisans on California’s central coast, each tray is made from wine-seasoned French and American white oak staves reclaimed from local vineyards after their useful life in winemaking has ended. Hand-finished in Cask or Charred Oak to highlight the wood’s natural grain then sealed with a low-VOC protective finish, the 38” x 9” tray is designed to rest securely across all of Native Trails' concrete and copper freestanding bathtubs.
The Communications Committee seeks contributors for outbound marketing to provide relevant industry news. We'd love you to join our team if you have social media or writing skills. Please contact Communications@nkbamanhattan.org.
The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creation of certifications, marketplaces, and networks.
