The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) has unveiled the distinguished panel of judges who will preside over the 2027 KCMA Design Awards program. Kitchen and bath designers are invited to submit their best kitchen design projects featuring KCMA member cabinets for judging, feedback and suggestions from a five-member jury panel of recognized, experienced design professionals, each contributing their deep expertise and individual perspective to celebrate innovation and excellence.
“We’re very pleased to introduce the expert design competition jury that has been selected for our fourth KCMA Design Awards program in 2027,” said KCMA CEO Betsy Natz. “Each of these renowned, award-winning designers brings their own unique and invaluable insight to the evaluation process. Their fair and thoughtful feedback will offer participants new perspectives and ideas, while also helping them to hone their design skills and learn from best practices. In addition, the diverse expertise and shared passion for design of this year’s judges will undoubtedly elevate the competition, inspiring participants to showcase their most innovative and creative work.”
The 2027 KCMA Kitchen Design Awards competition jury members
Heather L. Kirk, is the founder and principal designer of Seattle-based Kirk Riley Design, an award-winning residential interior design studio established in 2004. With nearly 20 years in the industry, she specializes in colorful, highly personal vintage home renovations with plenty of character.
A self-proclaimed design nerd, Kirk is especially drawn to old houses, unexpected material combinations and the details that make a home feel distinctly its own. Her work has been featured in regional and national publications, television and online. She served as president of the ASID Washington State Chapter from 2025-2026 and is also a member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC, is the founder of Timeless Kitchen Design LLC and an award-winning interior designer with 28 years of experience specializing in kitchen and bath design and whole-home solutions. As a Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer, Certified Architectural Color Consultant and Certified Living in Place Professional, Kennedy brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the evolving role of residential design.
An NKBA subject matter expert, KBB Magazine Advisory Council member and KBDN contributor, she actively contributes to the industry through speaking, teaching, curriculum development, coaching and writing. Her recent work explores creativity, holistic wellness, inclusive and sensory-conscious design, and expanding the role of the kitchen and bath designer into whole-home solutions.
At the heart of Kennedy’s work is a passion for inspiring other designers to explore new ideas, grow creatively and discover new possibilities within their own careers and businesses. As both a practicing designer and an educator, she is committed to translating emerging ideas into practical approaches designers can apply to their projects and practices — advancing conversations around human-centered design, creativity, wellness and the evolving opportunities available to today’s design professionals.
Heather Abrames, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a certificate in interior design. Before joining RIKB Design Build in 2018, she worked at a large architectural firm and as a designer for a residential design firm.
In her current role as design manager at RIKB, Abrames works closely with design consultants, design associates and technical designers. She oversees the design process from initial concepts through final specifications and plans, helping to ensure every detail comes together for the best possible design outcome.
Meredith Weiss is the founder of Merri Interiors Inc., a boutique kitchen and bath design firm built on creative vision, resilience and a belief in starting over stronger. After leaving a toxic leadership role in a high-end showroom during the economic downturn, Weiss launched her business from the dining room table of her Long Island home. She taught herself web design, created her own branding and website, and reconnected with former clients and contractors to begin building Merri Interiors from the ground up.
Within three years, the business had become successful enough for Weiss to leave her side jobs in massage therapy and project expediting and devote herself to Merri Interiors full time. Now with more than 22 years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry, she has built a reputation for thoughtful, highly personalized design. Her work has been published more than two dozen times, she serves on the editorial advisory board of KBB magazine, and she was named one of the industry’s “50 Top Innovators” in 2018.
Her journey has been equally transformative personally. Through years of challenge and transition, she remained a steady presence for her family while building an independent life and career. Today, what began at a dining room table has grown into a thriving, highly regarded design firm built on strong client relationships, industry recognition and a reputation for creating distinctive spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Molly Erin McCabe, AKBD, CLIPP, CGP, CAPS, is an award winning interior designer, and founder and principal designer of McCabe By Design LLC, a full service interior design firm specializing in accessible and sustainable design for residential remodels and new construction projects.
McCabe is a published author and a frequent presenter on the subjects of aging-in-place, sustainability, design and construction. She has 24 years of design and construction experience and has devoted her time and talents to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the National Association of Home Builders, Professional Women in Building, Northwest EcoBuilding Guild, Sustainable Bainbridge and other nonprofit entities.
Important Dates — Tentative
KCMA is currently planning the following schedule for the 2027 Design Awards program:
- Design Submission Period: Oct. 12 – Dec. 18, 2026
- Judging Begins: Feb. 15, 2027
Dates are tentative and subject to change. Additional competition details, eligibility requirements, award information and submission guidelines will be announced by KCMA.
Kitchen and bath designers interested in participating are encouraged to start identifying their strongest kitchen projects and gathering professional photography and project information in preparation for the submission period.
