The 2019 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) today announced the five design professionals who will judge the Best of KBIS Awards, the kitchen and bath industry’s most prestigious honors. The judges will choose the most innovative new products making their debut at KBIS 2019, which returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center, February 19 – 21.
The 2019 Best of KBIS Awards judges are:
Laurie Haefele, Associate, AIA; founder, Haefele Design: Haefele specializes in kitchen and bath design. Celebrated for her versatility, range of style, attention to detail, and knowledge of the latest trends, her dedication to excellence began with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Pratt Institute and a master’s degree in architectural history and theory from UCLA.
Aimee Inouye, AKBD, founder, AID+D and NKBA Thirty under 30 Alum: Inouye specializes in kitchen and bath design to create functional, beautiful, and enduring design solutions. With clients in Hawaii as well as California, she enjoys sharing mainland design trends and products with Hawaii residents to help to bring the latest design innovations to her homeland.
Kelly Morisseau, CMKBD, CID, MSK Design Build: Morisseau is a writer and residential interior designer. Author of Kelly’s Kitchen Sync and Kelly’s Kitchen Savvy, she also has written for well-known trade and consumer publications. When she’s not designing creative new spaces or traveling to conventions, Morriseau is exploring the world.
Nathan Reynolds, CAPS, CLIPP, interior designer, Insperiors, LLC and NKBA Thirty under 30 Alum: Reynolds is passionate about all things design and is distinguished by his ability to incorporate timeless design principles with select product trends. His goal with every client is to help them get inspired and have fun when designing their dream space.
Aston Smith, kitchen designer, Bilotta Kitchens: Smith’s expertise in kitchen and home furnishings design reflects her background in fine arts and design where she first discovered her interest in the balance and function of form. She believes that blending her client’s intent with her own vision of a room’s form and function is essential to creating a truly beautiful working kitchen.
“We are thrilled this group of talented and respected designers accepted the challenge to select the 2019 Best of KBIS award winners. I can’t wait to see which products they choose as ‘best of the best,’” said Suzie Williford, executive vice president of industry relations and chief strategy officer for the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), which owns KBIS.
New for 2019, the Best of KBIS Awards judges will review all product entries prior to the show and narrow those to 50 product finalists based on product description, images and answers to entry questions. The judging committee will visit each of the top 50 finalists at KBIS 2019 and winners will be announced Wednesday, February 20 at 4:00 p.m. on the KBISNeXT Stage.
“We are proud of the prestige these awards have earned over the years and thank this stellar group for sharing their time and expertise to choose the Best of KBIS winners this February,” said Brian Pagel, senior vice president, Emerald Expositions.
The 2019 Best of KBIS Awards are sponsored by Meredith Corporation, publisher, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Traditional Home and Dream Kitchens & Baths.
