The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently announced the winners of the 2015 NKBA Design Competition at an awards ceremony at the Tryst Night Club in Las Vegas. Winners from across six main kitchen and bath categories and 10 specialty categories were honored and recognized at the awards ceremony for their outstanding contribution to the industry.
This year, Brigitte C. Fabi, CMKBD, of Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio, Glen Ellyn, Ill., secured the Best Kitchen Award, as well as 1st Place in the Large Kitchen Category, winning a total of $12,000 in cash prizes for her Moroccan-themed design. Luz Marina Selles, CKBI, of Allure Designs, LLC, Gilbert, Ariz., won top honors in the bathroom category, taking home the Best Bath, HGTV’s People’s Pick Bath and 1st place Large Bath awards. Her outdoor bathroom design won a total of $14,000 in cash prizes.
For her Best Kitchen design, Fabi drew inspiration from her clients’ private collection of Moroccan antiques (pictured above). The kitchen featured a banquette emphasizing Moorish textures and furniture styling. Custom veneer panels were hand-stained onsite and made to match the walnut cabinetry. A Moorish arch around the range area was created using a laser cutout of the shape and covered with a dimensional vein-cut marble. This eclectic kitchen serves as a functional, multifaceted space for a busy, city family.
Selles’ Best Bath project (pictured above) featured an outdoor bathroom, highlighting luxury master shower areas, as well as one indoor and one private outdoor shower with a seating area. Frameless glass shower panels and the shower door contributed to the contemporary ambience, and all bathroom fixtures contained a chrome finish with a stylish modern design. Functional and serene, this outdoor retreat brings the harmony of nature into the client’s abode.
“For many years, the NKBA Design Competition has been a great source of pride and a valuable platform for our members to showcase their talent and expertise,” said Maria Stapperfenne, CKD, CBD, 2015 NKBA president. “Recognizing the winners of this premier design competition helps us communicate the significance of professional design to consumers and the industry at large.”
A panel of eight, certified industry experts evaluated nearly 300 entries for projects from across the U.S. and Canada. All participating projects were scored on various criteria, including safety and ergonomics, elements and principles of design, design planning, creativity and presentation. For a full list of winners, visit www.nkba.org.
