Category

Experts in the Field

The Virtual Tour


Large open kitchen with vaulted ceilings, eat at island, and fireplace.

Author's portrait By Adam Gibson, CMKBD, CLIPP, CAPS

“My design business added a powerful tool in 1995 when I started using the Chief Architect platform. This provided me with a way to articulate ideas in the most efficient way possible. I am fortunate to be among the team of designers and architects that have participated in beta releases and provided feedback as part of the Chief Architect user interface/user experience process.

“When engaging with new clients, I encourage them to create an Idea Book in Houzz or Pinterest, collecting images that appeal to them. They are instructed to note, in each image, the specific element they find alluring. It could be lighting, the look and feel of the space, the color and texture of cabinets, or myriad other elements. By creating in 3D, I can design for their aesthetic rather than guessing what moves them.”

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Fine Homebuilding California House Collaboration


FHB California House Watercolor Rendering by Chief Architect

Winning Spaces from the 2018 NKBA Design Awards


This large kitchen is airy and open, galley style with a long island, warm wood ceiling, and impressive industrial hood.

Author's portrait By Adrean Stephenson

January’s KBIS event marked another success on the books. This year, in addition to manning our booth and hosting the annual User Breakfast, our team was delighted to contribute to one of the favorite KBIS announcements: the 2018 NKBA Design Awards! See the full spread of winners and project information in the January/February issue of NKBA Innovation + Inspiration.

We used Chief Architect’s 3D Modeling, Rendering, and Video Walkthrough Recording tools to replicate the winning designs, then recorded animations that virtually explore the spaces.

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Davida Rodriguez – Featured Study Guide Designer


Robin Rigby Fisher – Featured NKBA Study Guide Designer


Natural spa bathroom with steps wrapped around freestanding tub

Author's portrait By Adrean Stephenson

 

When you have been designing Kitchens and Baths for 32 years and teaching the process to others for 14 more, it is next to impossible to not know your stuff. Robin Rigby Fisher is no exception, and it shows in the Large Bath she submitted for 2017’s NKBA Design Competition.

“I teach part-time at Portland Community College, an NKBA Accredited College. One of the reasons I continue to teach is to make sure that I stay at the top of my game. I want my drawings to be as meticulous as possible because I expect that from my students.  I think they are synonyms. I’m at the top of my game because my students are at the top of theirs. They are highly desirable, highly regarded. They are easy to hire. That’s what I like about teaching.

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Lori Carroll – Featured NKBA Study Guide Designer


Warm colored teak wall tile and cool stainless steel of a vanity base are brought together with lively natural stone.

Author's portrait By Adrean Stephenson

The little room that won 1st place for the Powder Room category in 2017’s NKBA Design Competition is big on character! Lori Carroll’s take leverages a vaulted ceiling and the use of light and texture to make this Powder Room a space to remember.

 

“For this client, luxury is a state of mind; something that goes beyond the ordinary amenities and accommodations.  Wanting their guests to experience something special, the design concept for this powder room didn’t have to be extravagant or opulent; just beautifully simple.  When visualizing aesthetics for this project, a softer, more natural look conveyed the feel the client hoped for. The combination of stone, metal and wood creates a unified design in this powder room.”

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Elma Gardner – Featured NKBA Study Guide Designer


Author's portrait By Adrean Stephenson

 

Elma Gardner has only ever drafted her designs by hand, and they are beautiful. A fading art in our digital age, the small details are the most impressive in her style. My personal favorites are the tiny circles that don’t quite encompass the numbers for her Floor Plan Specification labels, eluding to the efficient confidence in speed her hands must take on as they traverse the page.

 

“I just happen to be one of those strange people that actually enjoys hand-drafting and have made a deliberate decision to stick with it. I like the process.”

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NKBA Competition Winners become Design Study Guides


Author's portrait By Adrean Stephenson

 

Over the years I’ve had a number of opportunities to leverage Chief Architect’s tools for projects with our friends in the industry. Not only is it exciting to mix up my regular routine, but I always get the extra benefit of coming away with newfound understanding of needs and details in these specialty areas; this latest project was no exception.

 

The Goal: Create examples of Kitchen and Bath projects that can be used as references for those studying for the CKBD examination.

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