People today are more environmentally aware than ever and NYKB, New York City’s premier kitchen and bath remodeling firm, is absorbing these ecological concerns into its work. The Manhattan-based one-stop home design company is striving to become the best eco-friendly option for New Yorkers wishing to renovate their apartments. Under the environmental stewardship of NYKB President, Perry Hiiman, the company is instituting in-house initiatives that will encourage customers to opt for green solutions. In addition, NYKB has instituted a company-wide campaign of environmental awareness for its employees. NYKB is quick to reassure customers that there are no losers in the green migration. In fact, an eco-conscious apartment dweller in the Big Apple is being practical (saving money on energy conserving appliances in the face of rising energy costs, for instance) and loses nothing in the way of creature comforts. NYKB’s lead designer, Mairav Gargano, is well aware of the green appeal and says, “do not equate ‘green’ with ‘customer sacrifice’ because there is a wide range of eco-alternatives. Companies like Caesarstone have terrific alternative, all-natural options and we are using them.”

NYKB is forging business relationships with companies, like Caesarstone, who are dedicated to an eco-friendly business practice. Another company NYKB salutes is the custom supplier QuakerMaid Cabinetry. All of the QuakerMaid board that NYKB installs is California 2009 compliant and its exotic veneers are either plantation grown or bamboo. No exceptions. Sales teams at NYKB are making pointed efforts to disclose the environmental benefits of these and other earth-friendly products on sales calls. To date, the customer base has been overwhelmingly receptive.

A good, eco-friendly business should be aware of environmental impact its products have. Bamboo, a versatile and handsome wood, is a raw material being used more frequently by NYKB these days. Bamboo is an easily renewable resource, a wonderful material for the green minded consumer to incorporate in the kitchen. Not only is it the fastest growing plant in the world, but it flourishes naturally and requires no extra water, energy, or fertilizer for sustainable harvesting. NYKB designer, Geoffrey Belle, is a big fan of bamboo. Said Belle, “Most people like bamboo because it looks great, but more and more people are using it because it’s eco-friendly, which is a great thing. And it’s durable, too.”