Galleries: Trends & Inspirations
KBB’s 2017 Design Award Winners Announced
Bathroom of the Year
Often it is the simplest designs that are the most luxurious; without all the complications of extra detailing and intricate textures, one can feel more relaxed. Designer Elma Gardner of Davis, Calif.-based By Design Studio took this outlook in a new-build bathroom meant to serve as a retreat.
“A sense of spa-like luxury with a minimalistic design aesthetic was the goal for this master bath suite,” said Gardner, explaining that the design reflects the desert landscaping outside of the home.
Bathroom of the Year
This home is built on a steep lot on a rocky ridge. To express the rugged nature of its setting, the master suite features rustic custom brick walls and soffits. These appear to have been carved from the side of the ridge, and they are used seamlessly from an exterior courtyard into the interior of the space. Inside, the clients asked for a luxurious bathing and showering experience with dual vanities and expansive storage along with a number of less common requests.
Bathroom of the Year Sources:
Designer: Elma Gardner, CMKBD, CID, By Design Studio, Inc.
Photographer: Jeffrey A. Davis
Coffee System, Undercounter Refrigeration & Warming Drawer: Thermador; Countertops: DuPont Corian; Faucets, Shower Components, Sinks, Toilet & Tub: Kohler; Tile: Daltile; Washer & Dryer: Bosch
Kitchen of the Year
Three bustling families regularly convene at this expansive vacation mountain home near Lake Tahoe. At the center of the estate is a 365-sq.-ft. kitchen where all members can gather and spend quality time together cooking and entertaining.
“The kitchen was designed for all families to enjoy, from the grandparents to the grandkids,” said Jules Wilson, principal of San Diego-based Jules Wilson Design Studio. “Having worked alongside the client, who also heads the company that built the home, we were able to design the kitchen in a way that worked seamlessly with the rest of the house.”
Kitchen of the Year
The main kitchen was to be a space to entertain with ease, so the design team created a separate ‘dirty’ kitchen behind it that conceals food prep and clean up. This area also houses a food pantry for storage.
“On open layout isn’t very service friendly for homeowners who host a lot of gatherings,” explained designer Jules Wilson. “This separate space makes entertaining in the main kitchen more elegant with the catering done behind the scenes.”
Kitchen of the Year Sources:
Designer: Jules Wilson, Jules Wilson Design Studio
Contractor: Catalyst Builders
Architect: Chris Heinritz
Photographer: Jared Carpenter
Backsplash & Flooring: Exquisite Surfaces; Coffee Maker; Miele; Countertops: Caesarstone & Eurostone; Doors: Catalyst Builders; Hardware: Artisan Hardware & Rocky Mountain Hardware; Lighting: Restoration Hardware; Paint: Dunn Edwards & Sherwin-Williams; Pot Filler: Waterstone; Range/Microwave/Warming Drawers: Thermador; Refrigerator/Freezer: Sub-Zero; Sink: Signature Hardware
Showroom of the Year
The most important goal of Pirch’s showrooms is to provide a sense of discovery for guests, and the newest 32,000-sq.-ft. location in SoHo is no different. What does set it aside is its three-story layout in a historical building with more than 30 vignettes that cater to the Big Apple’s living spaces.
“Our goal was to utilize this space to its maximum potential,” said Steve Stewart, director of showroom displays and environments for Pirch. “This included incorporating its historical architecture and the surrounding community to make this a one-of-a-kind, world-class showroom tailored for New York City.”
Showroom of the Year
The SoHo location is the first in which each floor is dedicated to a specific category. The Sanctuary on the bottom floor is where guests can achieve the entire bathing experience, and every available space was used. Savor on the main floor is dedicated to kitchens, and the top floor houses Patio – the outdoor kitchen area – and laundry products. Those two floors are divided by a brick wall with arches.
Showroom of the Year Sources & Brands Represented:
Design Team: FITCH & the Pirch Store Planning Team
Bain Ultra, Bertazzoni, Bosch, California Faucets, Caliber, Cosentino, DCS, DXV by American Standard, Duravit, Gaggenau, Gessi, GRAFF, Jenn-Air, Kalamazoo, Kallista, KitchenAid, KOHLER, La Cornue, Lynx, Miele, Monogram, Mr Steam, Oceanside Glass Tile, Perlick, ROHL, Samsung, Samuel Heath, Siematic, Sub-Zero, Thermador, TOTO, U-Line, Victoria + Albert, Viking, Watermark, Waterstone, WaterWorks, Wolf
Best Sustainable Design
Seattle-based Dwell Development prides itself on building only five-star Built Green homes, which is the city’s way of quantifying the way builders label sustainability. This kitchen project is part of one of those highly rated homes and includes reclaimed, recycled and local materials in its design to help meet these strict requirements for green certification.
“As this value becomes more mainstream, people are acknowledging that to decrease your footprint, you need to make conscientious purchases,” said project manager, Abbey Maschmedt. “Most of our homebuyers are investing in solar panels. Every little bit makes a difference, and we have some of the lowest electric bills in the country.”
Best Sustainable Design Sources:
Designer: Abbey Maschmedt, Dwell Development
Photographer: Tucker English
Appliances: Thermador; Cabinets: Abodian; Countertops: Caesarstone; Lighting: Minka Lighting; Plumbing Fixtures: Grohe; Tile: Statements; Windows: Atrium
Best Smart Design
This home in the desert outside of Las Vegas boasts both qualities, and the minimalist architecture and stunning view inspired the designer to create a kitchen that is ahead of its time.
“The project was new construction and was designed to showcase the latest innovations in technology and design,” said designer Elma Gardner of Davis, Calif.-based By Design Studio.
This home’s energy consumption exceeds net zero, which means that it even returns energy to the grid. Because of the home’s location on a 20-ft. drop off, some rooms are underground and others are strategically placed to contribute to temperature control.
Best Smart Design Sources:
Designer: Elma Gardner, CMKBD, CID By Design Studio, Inc.
Photographer: Jeffrey A. Davis Photography
Backsplash & Flooring: Daltile; Cabinets: Ultracraft; Coffee System & Dishwashers: Thermador; Faucets & Sinks: Kohler; Lighting: Progress Lighting
Microwave, Ovens, Refrigeration, Steam Oven, Induction Cooktop: Thermador
Best Use of Color
Designer Elina Katsioula-Beall embraces colors and uses them to differentiate and personalize her clients’ projects. This family’s kitchen remodel was based on their favorite painting – a work of art that reminds the young daughter of the movie “Toy Story.”
“This vibrant piece inspired the color palette and was the focal point from which the kitchen radiates,” she explained. “The stove backsplash features the painting tucked inside a niche, covered with tempered glass and complemented by an orange range, apple green spice pullouts and a curved hood.”
Best Use of Color Sources:
Designer: Elina Katsioula-Beall, MFA, CKD
Builder: Lyman Construction
Photographer: Suki Medencevic
Backsplash: UltraGlas; Cabinetry: Columbia Cabinets; Countertops: Silestone; Dishwasher: Miele; Faucets: Dornbracht & Franke; Flooring: ProSource; Hood Surround: Serrao Cabinets; Range: Bertazzoni; Recessed Lighting: Elco; Refrigeration: Thermador; Sink: Alfi; Ventilation: Best
Best Balanced Budget
The philosophy at Simmer & Soak in St. Simons Island, Ga., is to provide clients with custom kitchen and bath design options at price points that fit every budget and discover creative ways to save and splurge. When a couple in the area wanted to renovate their outdated 1970s kitchen, the husband was adamant about not going over their $50,000 to $60,000 budget.
“He joked around about that figure a lot, which made it easy and comfortable to talk about,” said designer Jessica Rogers.
The project’s biggest budget saver was keeping the existing soffits over the wall cabinetry and concealing them with paint and oversized crown molding.
Best Balanced Budget Sources:
Designer: Jessica Rogers, Simmer & Soak
Photographer: Chris Moncus, Chris Moncus Photography
Backsplash: Ken Mason; Cabinetry & Wood Countertop: AWD Custom Cabinetry; Dishwasher: Bosch; Faucet: Delta; Hardware: Richelieu; Marble Detail: Elon Tile; Pendants: Arteriors; Quartz Countertop: IGM Color Quartz
Best Universal Design
A master bathroom redesign in a California house originally began with the goal of adapting it for wheelchair access for the client, who was also the designer in charge of her whole-home renovation. It then evolved into creating a space for aging in place not just for the designer but for her husband as well.
“My philosophy is that all spaces in a home should be usable by all people,” said designer Sandra Murray of Redding, Calif.-based Interspace Design. “This project grew into our dream home, incorporating many of the innovative ideas I have wanted to use during my 36-year career.”
She removed the dysfunctional shower area and toilet room and opened up the bathroom for a full 5-ft. turning radius.
Best Universal Design Sources:
Designer: Sandra Murray, Interspace Design
Photographer: Jack Knox
Cabinetry: Shasta Wood Products; Grab Bars, Shower Components, Sink Faucets & Tub Filler: Kohler; In-Wall Flushing System: Geberit; Lighting: Elco Lighting & Hubbardton Forge; Medicine Cabinets: Robern; Pocket Door: Rogue Valley Door; Shower Seat: TEAKWORKS4U; Sinks: Inax; Stone Fabrication & Tile Setting: Norcal Granite and Tile; Stone Slate Slab & Tile: Echeguren Slate; Toilet: TOTO; Towel Rings: Alno; Towel Warmer: Mr Steam; Tub: Duravit
Second Place Bathroom
Designer Leslie Lamarre of San Mateo, Calif.-based TRG Architecture + Design stepped in to change a couple’s existing disordered bathroom and closet into a space that better reflected their lifestyle.
“The clients have rare time home together, so they wanted a contemporary bathroom that felt masculine and luxurious,” said Lamarre, adding that the clients also requested a black-and-white color scheme.
To go along with a black-and-white theme, the clients wanted their bathroom to have luxurious touches like glamorous vanities set against a silver-backed glass tile.
Second Place Bathroom Sources:
Designer: Leslie Lamarre, TRG Architecture + Design
Photographer: Bernard André
Cabinetry: Amerian Woodworking; Glass Tile: Ann Sacks; Showerheads, Towel Warmer & Tub Filler: Dornbracht; Sinks: Kohler; Toilet: Toto; Tub: Wetstyle
Second Place Kitchen
“We needed to take an unattractive and proportionately small kitchen and turn it into a stunning, contemporary gourmet kitchen better scaled to occupy the open plan with extra-high ceilings,” said designer Leslie Lamarre of San Mateo, Calif.-based TRG Architecture + Interior Design.
One of Lamarre’s first steps was to bring the ceiling down to 141 inches, which was in better proportion to the width of the room.
“I instead designed dropped ceilings over each island to add dimensionality to the space and establish a connection to the main ceiling above,” said the designer.
Second Place Kitchen Sources:
Designer: Leslie Lamarre, TRG Architecture + Interior Design
Photographer: Bernard André
Dishwasher: Asko; Freezer, Refrigerator & Wine; Columns: Sub-Zero; Lighting: Artimide; Marble: Pietra Fina; Range: Wolf; Sinks: Julien
Second Place Showroom
Clarke at 7 Tide in Boston is designed to be more of an inspiration center than a retail showroom; in fact, no products are sold in this space. The goal was to provide a location where design professionals and homeowners alike could explore a myriad of kitchen designs. The 4,500-sq.-ft. space serves as a showroom, entertainment venue, meeting space and educational center where visitors can actually cook on the appliances.
“Part of the magic of our showroom is that there is no cash register,” said Sean Clarke, president of Clarke, New England’s Official Sub-Zero and Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen. “We are the distributor for the appliances, but the space is about the whole kitchen and varying lifestyles.
Second Place Showroom & Brands Represented:
Designers: Draper DBS Custom Cabinets (William Draper), Poggenpohl Boston Design Team, Putnam Design (Vincent Cappello), Right Angle Kitchens (Ken Schaefer), Scandia Kitchens Design Team
Photographer: The Photography of Glenn Perry
AlysEdwards, ASKO, Best, Cumar Marble & Granite, Dawn, Draper DBS, Eastern Design and Landscape, Focal Metals; Ipe Decking; Lucia Lighting; Marvin Windows and Doors; Nanz; Needham Lock & Decorative Hardware; Neolith; Plain & Fancy Cabinetry; Poggenpohl; Raging River Counter Works; Reflex Lighting; Resysta; Scandia Kitchens; Sub-Zero; Tile Showcase; Top Knobs; Water Street; Waterstone Faucets; Wolf; Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry
Third Place Bathroom
“Removing the lowered ceiling and exposing the pitched roof and skylights flooded the room with natural light,” said designer Paul Bentham.
Removing the side-by-side vanities and the bathtub provided the space necessary to install opposing floating vanities, which were centered with the skylights and open up the room.
Sources:
Designer: Paul Bentham
Photographer: Bob Narod Photography
Cabinetry: Premier Custom Built; Countertop: Caesarstone; Drain: Infinity Drain; Faucets & Sinks: Kohler; Hardware: Top Knobs; Showerhead: Grohe; Wall Tile: Porcelanosa
Third Place Kitchen
“We wanted to create a grand, warm feel in a large space with ease of entertaining,” said designer David Stimmel of Ambler, Pa.-based Stimmel Design Group.
Using the existing chimney as the foundation, the team converted the fireplace into a wood-burning pizza oven.
Sources:
Designer: David Stimmel
Photographer: Charles Meacham
Dishwasher: Miele; Freezer & Refrigerator Columns: Sub-Zero; Hood: Francois & Co.; Pizza Oven: Demetrio; Range: BlueStar; Sink: ROHL; Steam Oven & Warming Drawer: Wolf
Honorable Mention Kitchen
“Without standard walls, we had to come up with innovative storage solutions,” said designer Paul Bentham, who completed the design with Chevy Chase, Md.-based Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath.
He installed four pantries with retractable doors along the interior wall, which open and slide into the sides of the cabinets.
Sources:
Designer: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath
Photographer: Stephen Paul Whitsitt
Cabinetry: Premier Custom Built; Cooktop, Dishwasher; Oven & Refrigerator: Miele; Countertop: Grothouse; Hardware: Top Knobs; Wine Storage: Sub-Zero