Celebrating Craftsmanship, Community, and Brand Integrity at Palm Beach Design Days
From January 27–30, Palm Beach Design Days once again brought together leaders in design, architecture, and creative innovation. Bakes & Kropp was proud to participate as a sponsor of this highly anticipated multi-day event, which featured panel discussions, presentations, and curated social gatherings across Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. Proceeds from the event benefited The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.
This year’s program offered thoughtful conversations spanning craftsmanship, antiques, textiles, and the business of design, alongside networking events, pop-ups, book signings, and special experiences that fostered meaningful connection within the design community.
Our Head of Design, Bob Bakes, joined a panel of industry leaders for a conversation about building a luxury brand.
Bakes & Kropp hosted a Design Days kick-off luncheon in our Palm Beach showroom.
A Warm Welcome to Design Days
To kick off the week, Bakes & Kropp hosted a luncheon on opening day, welcoming nearly 200 designers, architects, and builders working within the luxury market. With an “island-hopping” theme, the event paired Palm Beach’s coastal energy with immersive design moments and vibrant cuisine.
Each of our kitchen display islands represented a different island cuisine, encouraging guests to circulate, connect, and explore. The menu featured Jamaican curry chicken with rice and peas and sweet plantains, Hawaiian beef and pineapple kabobs with coconut rice and jicama slaw, and classic Cuban desserts. Island music set the tone as guests wore flowers in their hair and previewed our newly released Surf and Sand finishes, which generated enthusiastic feedback for their warmth and texture.
Beyond the experience itself, the luncheon sparked meaningful one-on-one conversations that led to several promising B2B relationships, cross-marketing opportunities, and increased brand awareness within the Palm Beach design community.
Guests “island-hopped” by enjoying traditional cuisine from Jamaica, Hawaii, and Cuba.
As a sponsor of Palm Beach Design Days, Bakes & Kropp was proud to share our space with the design community.
Interior designers and other trade professionals mingled and networked in our Palm Beach showroom.
We expanded our Elements Series with the launch of two new finishes: Surf and Sand.
On the Panel: Building a Brand
Later in the week, our Head of Design, Bob Bakes, joined an esteemed panel for “Building a Brand: How to Execute a Creative Vision,” alongside Jo Saltz (House Beautiful), Missy Tannen (Boll & Branch), Regan W. Iglesia (Pooky Lighting), and Bebe MacKellar (Buzz by Bebe). The well-attended discussion, hosted by Mabley Handler Home & Design, welcomed guests with Prosecco and bites, ending with margaritas served from a bike-powered bar cart.
Bob’s message was clear and resonant: Bakes & Kropp remains grounded in who we are and who we serve—prioritizing clients, values, and timeless craftsmanship over fleeting trends. He emphasized brand clarity, long-term decision-making, and the importance of letting the work speak for itself, drawing inspiration from enduring design principles and the pride of our artisans.
An accomplished panel of industry pros engaged in inspiring dialogue.
It was standing room only for the Design Days panel discussion.
A Week Well Designed
Palm Beach Design Days 2026 was a meaningful opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate excellence in design. We’re grateful to the organizers, fellow sponsors, and everyone who joined us, and we look forward to continuing these conversations in the months ahead.
