The NKBA Susquehanna Valley Chapter announced the winners of its 2025 Kitchen & Bath Design Awards during the biennial gala held last month in York, Penn. The Winter Wonderland–themed event recognized outstanding achievement in kitchen, bath and interior design across the chapter. The evening was emceed by Veronika Miller, founder and CEO of M2 Connect.
“The Kitchen & Bath Design Awards celebrate the creativity, skill and professionalism of our members,” said Heather Rineer, NCIDQ, chapter president. “Each project represents thoughtful design solutions that improve functionality while elevating the spaces our clients use every day.”
Event Leadership and Acknowledgments
The 2025 Design Awards Committee included: Jason Artus, AKBD, Dovetail Sales; ElizaBeth Marcocci, CMKBD, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry; Denise Newcomer, CKBD, Lezzer Lumber; Brian Miller, CMKBD, Excel Remodeling); Brittany Loeffler (White Good); Lisa Martin, CKD (Bluebell Fine Cabinetry & Design; Heather Rineer, NCIDQ, Rineer Designs; Rob Ross, Classic Rock; and Evan Smith, ADU Appliance.
The 2025 Board of Directors consisted of President Rineer, programs chair Rob Ross, membership chair Evan Smith, communications chair Brittany Loeffler and secretary/treasurer Lisa Martin, CKD.
The 2025 Chapter Sponsors included Cosentino, Kountry Kraft and Classic Rock. The 2025 Design Award Sponsors included ADU Appliance, overall event sponsor; Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine, media partner; Würth, drink sponsor; Lezzer Lumber, music sponsor; and Modern-Aire Range Hoods, floral sponsor.
A panel of judges from the Michigan State and Central New York NKBA chapters, including Christie Dixon, CKBD; Trudi Smith; Lena McGuire; Carmela Downen and Rob Stafford, evaluated all submissions based on The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) standardized criteria, including design solutions, application of design principles, creativity, visual impact, presentation quality and compliance with NKBA planning guidelines.
2025 Design Award Winners
Bathroom Categories
Primary Bathroom
● 1st Place: Whispering Wellness – Heather Rineer, NCIDQ, Rineer Designs
● 2nd Place: A Serene Shower Sanctuary – Brian Miller, CMKBD, Excel Remodeling
● 3rd Place: Aging in Style – Jim Mirando, Jr., CMKBD, Excel Remodeling
Heather Rineer, NCIDQ, Rineer Designs
Secondary Bathroom
● 1st Place: My Sanctuary – ElizaBeth Marcocci, CMKBD, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry
● 2nd Place: Bath Time at Grandma’s – Jim Mirando, Jr., CMKBD, Excel Remodeling
● 3rd Place: Art Nouveau Inspired – Valerie Kissinger, CKD, Dimensional Designs Unlimited
Powder Room
● 1st Place: Moody Elegance – Brian Miller, CMKBD, Excel Remodeling
Recreation Space
● 1st Place: The Grande Project – Amy Sensenig, CKBD, TK Building + Design
● 2nd Place: Walnut Family Room Entertainment Center – Henrietta Heisler & Olivia Shaak, Henrietta Heisler Interiors
● 3rd Place: Family Basement – Alicia Goyette, AKBD, Excel Remodeling
Utility Space
● 1st Place: Timeless Tudor – Allison Ong Shreffler & Matthew Shreffler, Allison Ong Shreffler Architecture + Designer
● 2nd Place: Primary Bedroom – Kimberly Boomer, Fit and Finish Design
Showroom & Commercial Spaces
● 1st Place: Form and Function Workspace – Heather Rineer, NCIDQ, Rineer Designs
● 2nd Place: Pediatric Dentist Office – Kimberly Boomer, Fit and Finish Design
Kitchen Categories
Kitchens Under $75,000
● 1st Place: Art Nouveau Inspired – Valerie Kissinger, CKD, Dimensional Designs Unlimited
● 2nd Place: Family Kitchen – Alicia Goyette, AKBD, Excel Remodeling
● 3rd Place: The Tree House – Denise Newcomer, CKBD, Lezzer Lumber
Kitchens $75,000–$150,000
● 1st Place: Kitchen Dream Come True – Jim Mirando, Jr., CMKBD, Excel Remodeling
● 2nd Place: Pop of Color – elizaBeth Marcocci, CMKBD, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry
● 3rd Place: Cucina Minimalista – elizaBeth Marcocci, CMKBD, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry
Jim Mirando, Jr., CMKBD, Excel Remodeling
Kitchens Over $150,000
● 1st Place: The North Star – Stacey Kocevar, CKBD, Stacey Kocevar Designs
● 2nd Place: Gourmet Grove – John Petrie, CMKBD, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry
● 3rd Place: Culinary Creations – John Petrie, CMKBD, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry
Best Before & After
● 1st Place: Heritage Reimagined – Heather Rineer, NCIDQ, Rineer Designs
● 2nd Place: Monochrome Modern – Allison Ong Shreffler, Allison Ong Shreffler Architecture + Designer
● 3rd Place: Art Nouveau Inspired – Valerie S. B. Kissinger, CKD, Dimensional Designs Unlimited
Judge’s Choice Award
Stacey Kocevar, CKBD, Stacey Kocevar Designs
The Judge’s Choice Award, presented to the highest-scoring project across all categories, was awarded to Stacey Kocevar, CKBD, Stacey Kocevar Designs, for The North Star. Judges highlighted the project’s balance of color, texture and proportion, its functional design features, including a hidden pantry and the clear articulation of client goals reflected in every design decision.
Celebrating Innovation and Excellence in Kitchen & Bath Design
The 2025 NKBA Susquehanna Valley Design Awards highlighted the region’s most innovative kitchen and bath projects, celebrating excellence in design, functionality and creativity. The biennial event reinforces the chapter’s commitment to advancing the industry and recognizing the expertise of its members.
