Housing’s Biggest Stage
The NAHB’s International Builders’ Show and the NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Show, were again held concurrently last month in Orlando. What were some of the highlights?
Home Plans. Two design aspects were particularly in demand at the 2018 show: dual owner’s suites (think multi-generational housing), and multi-elevation plan sets. Tied for most popular/top selling were: the dual master Cedar Glen II (with sibling plans Cedar Grove and Cedar Creek); and the multi-elevation Jensen plan set including the Jensen Place, Jensen Falls, and Jensen Creek plans.
Home Design Amenities. Not surprisingly, builders at this year’s show were looking for what’s new. Education sessions touted today’s trends toward family foyers with drop zones and benches, pocket offices, pet centers, prep pantries, and oversized, doorless showers as today’s must-haves – amenities appearing in Design Basics’ plans 10-15 years ago! Visitors to our booth were among the first to see some of our newest pre-trend amenities, including the innovative Stor-N-More™, Appliance Center, and Ante Room.
Developer Services. Being able to build out a varied, attractive, and cost-effective neighborhood using a small number of base floorplans with multiple elevations is a “sweet spot” with many of our land developer/home builder clients. Marketing services, such as rendered streetscapes and presentation plat maps garnered lots of attention as well.
Innovative Products. Here are a couple of our favorites*: Though they debuted previously, Brinks Home Security’s innovative “push, pull, turn” door handle sets really caught our 
eye. Whether your hands are full or for easier access by everyone, including the elderly, this is great technology!
The Beale MeasureFill pull-down kitchen faucet from American Standard. This innovative faucet delivers an exact volume of water – from half-cup to five cups – with a turn of the dial. A great time and energy saver when the faucet dispenses just the right amount of water! (photo courtesy: American Standard)
The IBS is the National Association of Home Builders’ premier event, made possible by the approximately 1500 exhibitors. Design Basics’ ongoing support of NAHB was recognized through identifying Design Basics as 1 of just 60 exhibitors belonging to the IBS Quarter Century Exhibitors club. In fact, Design Basics was the only major home plan design service exhibiting at the 2018 IBS!
Make plans to attend 2019 IBS in Las Vegas!
(*Product spotlights are for informational purposes only; we do not formally endorse any product or service.)
