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NKBA and Emergency Design: What’s Really Driving the Next Era of Home Design

The NKBA is redefining what it means to be a professional in today’s design industry.
Host Adam Kayce sits down with Stacy McCarthy, President of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and one of the few Certified Master Designers in the country, for a conversation on credentials, continuing education, and where the industry is headed next.

From the rise of AI in design to the importance of CEUs, Stacy shares what today’s professionals need to know. Plus, she breaks down the trends she’s loving and the ones she hopes won’t stick around.
In addition to her leadership at the NKBA, Stacy has a unique role in emergency restoration design, helping homeowners rebuild and reimagine their spaces after floods, fires, and other disasters. She shares her experience navigating these challenges and how design plays a vital role in recovery and resilience.
Whether you're a designer, student, or homeowner planning your next project, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.
🎧 LISTEN to the Home Design Podcast: https://homedesignpodcast.buzzsprout.com
📞 Learn more at www.stacymccarthy.design or follow @emergencydesigner
Enjoy Episode 54 of the Home Design Podcast!
For more home inspiration, visit homeshows.com and follow @FLHomeShows
0:00 Intro
2:15 Who is Stacy McCarthy
3:52 What it means to be a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer
6:01 Courses now computer-driven vs. hand-drafted in the past
6:32 Gaining 10 years of experience after earning credentials
8:25 How many Master Designers are in the industry
11:07 How Stacy got involved with the CEU side of the industry
15:02 Courses Stacy has created that stand out
17:14 Is the industry taking CEUs seriously enough
18:22 Educating to elevate and set the industry standard
18:58 How AI is changing the design industry
21:55 Overview of accrediting boards
23:31 What is the NKBA
25:52 Stacy’s presidency at the NKBA
29:22 What the NKBA means to homeowners
33:02 Finding the best design solutions for homeowners
36:51 Industry trends Stacy is seeing now
39:26 What to know about design finishes
41:00 Trends in cabinetry
42:55 Trends that made a comeback (and shouldn’t have)
43:57 Up-and-coming design trends and elements
45:18 Smart technology in the home
48:41 What’s trending in bathroom design
49:53 Eliminating grout lines and seams
50:53 Emergency design
59:20 Disaster restoration: Where should homeowners start
1:02:30 Key questions homeowners should ask before hiring a professional
1:04:03 What the design process looks like and how long it takes
1:06:03 Stacy’s favorite projects
1:07:23 Advice for designers and industry professionals
1:09:03 Final thoughts
1:09:48 How to contact Stacy
1:10:23 Closing
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