Hi everyone! Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Sharon Tiller, and I am the showroom consultant/manager for the Winsupply of Maryville, Tenn. Our location has been open for about 2 1/2 years. Winsupply has existed for 60-plus years and includes hundreds of locally owned branches operating under various names: Winnelson, Winair, Winelectric, etc. 

Currently, Winsupply employs more than 6,000 people. We have seven distribution centers in various cities offering each branch a wide range of products.

Winsupply is a wholesale distributor offering tens of thousands of products for many different industries. We are a major supplier of materials for residential and commercial construction. Some stores specialize in HVAC products, while others offer plumbing or electrical materials. Some branches include a counter area offering many parts and pieces for use in customer projects. Others are showrooms displaying various decorative plumbing items as well as lighting and appliances for homeowners to choose from.

I have been in the industry for 23 years and worked with many people. I always start my appointments with a “get to know you” conversation so I can get a feel for the likes or dislikes of my person, the desired look of the project, the budget we need to work with and the timeline. 

As a consultant, you need to be aware of all that to achieve the best results for your customers. You also need to be aware of the current trends and products and how to put them all together to achieve the look desired at the budget given. In other words, you need to be a magician!

Aging in Place, Washlet Seats and Pull-Down Faucets

Each Winsupply showroom differs in the products displayed as trends vary from region to region. My showroom currently trends to a more transitional look, with black being the dominant finish. So, with that in mind, I show freestanding tubs with simple lines, faucet styles that work with a variety of looks, vanity cabinets with a mid-century modern feel and lighting lines that work with various trends. 

Showroom displays need to stay fresh and show what is trending now as well as what is anticipated. I prefer to show unexpected or unusual items; they are always good conversation starters. I enjoy it when customers walk in and comment about how they enjoy the vibe I have created.

One trend we have heard a lot about in the last few years is the aging-in-place theme. This is a fantastic trend in my mind, and several products can be incorporated into a project to achieve this: washlet seats, grab bars, chair-height commodes, and voice-activated faucets or shower systems; I could name many more. 

In my conversations with homeowners, I ask if they have thought about any of these items; if not, I discuss the pros and how to best incorporate these into their projects. If they are not open to adding them now, I suggest they put in the infrastructure to add them in the future.

Washlet seats are one of the new trending items. For those unfamiliar with this term, it is a toilet seat with cleansing/drying components to assist the homeowner. Some of the features include heated seat/water with various temperature settings, an air dryer with various settings, a deodorizing feature, etc. The features vary from one brand to another, so discuss with your customers as to what is important to them. 

This seat offers the convenience of hands-free cleansing and many physical and mental advantages. Plus, we all remember COVID-19 and the supply chain issue with toilet paper, right? This seat will almost eliminate the need for toilet paper.

Another new trending bath item is the faucet with the pull-down spout. This has been a great feature for the kitchen faucet for years, but homeowners are now seeing the benefits of this for the bathroom. It assists in cleaning, washing hair, filling mugs, etc. I admit I had doubts when I first saw the item, but I am now on board with this new concept.

Freestanding tubs are as popular as ever but can be a touchy area. There are many things to consider when choosing a tub. What size/shape will my space accommodate? Will the tub need to seat one or two people? What features are wanted? What material does the homeowner prefer? 

The material can affect the feel and performance of the tub. So, begin an in-depth conversation with your homeowner about all this. I also suggest sitting in various tubs to understand what fits and feels the most comfortable.

Kitchen Workstations, Voice-Activated Faucets

In the kitchen trends I see, workstation sinks are gaining popularity. This is a sink in a stainless, composite or fireclay material with a track around the inside upper rim, allowing for different components to set inside the sink. This, in turn, keeps the countertops clutter-free. With the open concept so popular today, the clutter-free idea is great.

The touch- or hands-free faucets are still very popular — and now include the voice-activation concept. It is super-simple to ask Alexa or Google to fill my pot with a specific amount of water at a specific temperature, and I don’t need to interrupt my process.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been in the industry for 23 years and in that time, I have seen many things and worked with all levels of homeowners, contractors and designers. One thing I would emphasize is to actively listen to your customers so that you hear what is important to them. 

Each customer is different and you need to effectively hear them to help them accomplish their dreams. They depend on you with your knowledge and expertise to guide them through this path. I tell my people that my job is not to make customers’ decisions but to give them all the information they need to make the best decision with the offered choices. 

I always say that a room should give you the warm fuzzies and make you smile; if it doesn’t, then I have not done my job correctly.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and that is has helped you in some form or fashion. I truly enjoy my job and I love the idea of helping customers make their dream home come to life. 

Sharon Tiller is the showroom consultant/manager for Winsupply of Maryville, Tenn. She has been in the kitchen and bath industry for 23 years.