What Q1 Taught Us: Design, Industry, and Momentum at KTI
April 2026
At KTI, a quiet start to the year would be suspicious. As a Colorado based interior design firm working across hospitality, model home merchandising, and luxury residential design simultaneously, there are always a lot of wheels in motion, and the beginning of 2026 has been no exception. National design awards in Orlando, an international hospitality project pushing forward in South America, 31 model home installations across five states, and KTI Cares design projects that reinforce how lucky we are to be able to give back to our community.
Now that we’ve had a moment to step back and reflect on a fast start to the year, we’re sharing a glimpse into the moments, milestones, and industry thinking that have shaped 2026 so far and what they tell us about where design is headed.
01 | A Colorado Interior Design Firm Recognized on the National Stage
February took us to NAHB International Builders’ Show for The Nationals and Best in American Living Awards, where we brought home three Gold and six Silver awards across our portfolio.
Gold wins included She’s a Brick House, The Elbert Model at Hillside at Castle Rock, and The Amelia Model at Lyric, with Silver spanning community amenities, model merchandising, and custom residential work.
A few patterns stood out to us amongst the winning projects and teams. The builders leading the industry are designing every touchpoint with care, from curb appeal to the finished product. Alongside strong builders, the same design teams showed up across categories and price points, reinforcing that long-term partnerships drive consistent results.
For us, the value isn’t in the trophies but rather in what they confirm: thoughtful, collaborative design resonates when the work is rooted in solving clients needs, creating spaces that are built for community, and that are deeply experiential. We’re proud to be a part of this community that continually recognizes excellence and pushes the industry forward.
02 | What We Took Away from IBS 2026
Beyond awards, IBS delivered one of its most ambitious education lineups yet, with 300+ sessions covering every corner of the industry. A few themes rose to the top, which we’re actively incorporating into how we design, market, and problem solve for our clients and partners.
AI has moved from buzzword to business essential.
Less theory, more application. Teams are actively using AI across design, budgeting, sales, and marketing. The through line was practical implementation: which tools actually work well, where the pitfalls are, and how to integrate without losing focus on the human element that drives great results.
Buyers need confidence, not just incentives.
The shift is toward consultative, trust-based selling. When a home connects with a buyer’s identity and core needs, decisions move beyond price. That thinking directly applies to how we approach both luxury residential and model home environments.
The home buying journey is borrowing from hospitality.
Several sessions framed the home buying journey the way hotels and restaurants think about guest experience from first impression through post-move-in care. As a firm with deep roots in hospitality design, this convergence felt especially relevant. The principles we apply to designing hotels and amenity spaces (atmosphere, comfort, a strong sense of place) are increasingly what builders need in their sales environments too.
Affordable housing is being solved through design.
The conversation has moved from policy to execution, with real strategies around cost cutting without sacrificing quality, designing density that still feels livable, and utilizing industrialized construction methods that make affordable housing realistic.
03 | Hospitality Design in Motion
Our hospitality team also attended ALIS+ Design early last quarter, where one idea kept surfacing: experience-driven design is the real ROI.
First impressions carry the most weight. Operations and procurement need a seat at the table early. And when guest experience, functionality and community align, the results are stronger and more sustainable.
That thinking is playing out across our work daily. From advancing projects with Marriott Vacation Worldwide to milestone progress with Hilton, and ongoing development with our dual-brand project in Guyana, South America, Q1 pushed multiple projects forward across phases, markets, and brand partnerships. Closer to home, work progressed with Glenmoor Country Club and the Ascension Club Amenity Center in Las Vegas, while the Shea Homes Lyric Cafe and Fitness buildings move closer to installation and grand opening!
04 | Model Home Installs Across Five States
If February was awards season, March was install season.
In Q1, our interior merchandising team completed 31 model home installs across Colorado, Utah, Washington, Texas, and Georgia, including a seven-model rollout in Utah.
That kind of volume requires more than strong design. It depends on infrastructure: procurement, warehousing, and installation working as one system, which is where our team shines.
It’s also where we’re seeing the industry shift. Efficiency and margin protection are becoming growth strategies. When these pieces are integrated, the results drive tighter quality, smoother timelines, and a better experience for everyone involved.
05 | The Work That Matters Most
Not every project that defines a quarter involves a contract.
Last quarter, we completed three whole-home refreshes at Clermont Commons in partnership with Volunteers of America and HomeAid Colorado, creating warm, comfortable spaces for women veterans and their families.
We also began the design work on Tall Tales Ranch, a pro bono community built around shared living and support, in collaboration with HomeAid Colorado, Shea Homes, and a powerhouse group of partners.
These projects bring our core values to life, reinforcing our belief that design should be accessible, elevate wellbeing, and shape how people connect.
06 | What’s Next for KTI
The year opened with a strong sense of direction and progress.
Momentum is building across every studio, from hospitality projects in multiple markets to a full pipeline of model homes and upcoming luxury residential projects from Denver to Crested Butte to Santa Fe.
More than anything, the past few months reinforced what we believe deeply: great design is supported by strong operations, the best work comes from long-term partnerships, and the thoughtful details behind the scenes amplify the end experience.
If you’re planning a project this year or want to start a conversation, we’d love to connect.