Drury Design Team Earns Five NKBA Accreditations
A Standard That Sets Designers Apart
The NKBA, National Kitchen and Bath Association, developed industry credential programs to recognize designers at varying levels of expertise.
Five Drury designers have earned prestigious credentials with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the leading trade association for the kitchen & bath industry. Drury Design has added one Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, three Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers, and one Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer. They join an elite group of professionals specializing in the design, planning, and execution of residential kitchens and bathrooms.
Certified NKBA professionals provide insight into design options and technical necessities that clients wouldn’t necessarily think of independently. Accredited professionals have an almost “engineer-type” mentality, which couples aesthetic judgment with practicality and safety. They understand the components ‘behind the wall’ that enable the space to function properly and efficiently while still maintaining a sleek and desirable design.
Janice Teague: Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer
Alicia Saso: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer
Samantha Schoell: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer
Basia Kozub: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer
Emily Tomek: Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer
Gail Drury, CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer) knows firsthand how much work goes into preparing for these exams, “This group’s combined creativity and demonstrated skills make each of them very valuable. Their commitment to excellence and hard work enabled them to join the few designers in the industry with certifications. We are proud of all of them and their accomplishments!”
Janice Teague, Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer
For more than fifteen years, Janice owned and operated two custom design/build home construction companies in the Dallas area. As a valued member of Drury Design, she has received construction and design awards from Builder/Architect magazine. Her work has been published in Trends, Better Homes and Gardens, and Chicago Home and Garden.
Alicia Saso: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer
Alicia has valuable experience designing custom homes and selected everything from the interior/exterior materials and finishes to custom lighting and fixtures. Along with Alicia’s Interior Architecture degree from Columbia College, her experience with custom homes has made her appreciate every space of the home. Still, her favorite rooms are kitchens and baths.
Samantha Schoell: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer
Working for a premier kitchen and bath showroom at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, Sam has designed luxury interior spaces ranging from contemporary to traditional home additions, remodels, and “new builds” for quite some time.
Sam’s background and education allow her to immerse herself in every aspect of each design project, from the initial drawing all the way to the final construction drawings and the final installation.
Basia Kozub: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer
Basia began her career designing at The Chicago Merchandise Mart, helping select sophisticated tile designs, materials, and finishes to floor plans, layouts, and pricing. Her work has earned the acclaim of clients, design peers, and the press. Her innate skill for space planning, color, and design has become integral to Drury Design’s success.
Emily Tomek: Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer
With an eye for detail and a love for design, Emily brings a fresh view of interior design to each project she is a part of. Her passion for beautiful interiors has been the driving force behind creating stunning kitchens and bathrooms in an array of styles for her clients. In 2020, the NKBA recognized Emily’s work with a “30 under 30” award.
To earn these coveted certifications, designers must undergo a very rigorous process. Within the NKBA, there are various accreditations that professionals can acquire.
AKBD: Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer – To reach this accreditation, one must have at least two years’ experience where one of those is specific to the kitchen and bath industry. To receive accreditation, the professional must pass the AKBD exam, which includes a combination of questions involving planning and design, construction and mechanical systems, business management, and products and materials.
CKBD: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer – This accreditation requires a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the kitchen and bath industry and a minimum of 60 hours of NKBA education. The professional must provide eight design drawings to be scored and pass an exam with questions related to design solutions, specifications, graphics, and mechanical construction to receive the certification.
CMKBD: Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer – To qualify for the highest distinction offered, these professionals must have seven years of experience in the industry and verify that they have earned the required education credits/college coursework. They must submit client references and professional affidavits. To prove their competency and skill, they must pass an intense, comprehensive, two-part examination consisting of eight design drawings and a 100-question multiple-choice exam. To maintain the certification, they need to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and remain registered with the NKBA annually after successfully passing the exam.
For more information and to view the press release in full, visit https://www.prweb.com/releases/drury_design_team_earns_six_nkba_kitchen_and_bath_design_industry_accreditations/prweb17762738.htm
About the NKBA
The NKBA is the world’s leading trade association for the kitchen and bath industry providing tools, research, certification, and events to thousands of professionals.
The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade group that promotes professionalism in the kitchen and bath industry. Established in 1963 as a network of kitchen dealers, it has evolved into the premier association of designers, retailers, remodelers, manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, installers, and other industry professionals.
Wondering how your ideas and goals for your space might look when designed by a Certified Professional? To get started, we’d love to send one of our qualified professional designers to your home and explore the options with you. Contact us HERE or chat with us below to find out more.
About Drury Design Kitchen and Bath Studio
Founded by Gail Drury, CMKBD in 1987, Drury Design’s Client-Focused Design™ approach integrates design recommendations, materials selection, and construction management into one seamless customer design, project management, and build experience. For kitchen, bath, and home remodeling ideas, view Drury Design’s Chicago luxury kitchen design portfolio online or visit the studio at 512 N. Main Street in downtown Glen Ellyn, Illinois. To schedule a complimentary in-home design consultation, call 630.469.4980.