NKBA | KBIS Honors Winners of 2026 Design Competition at KBIS

The National Kitchen & Bath Association, owners of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), kicked off KBIS last night with the highly anticipated NKBA Design + Industry Awards gala at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. Luxurious surfaces, dramatic lighting, abundant storage and striking use of color characterized the winning projects. The annual celebratory event brought together trailblazing designers, media and brand executives to recognize top kitchen and bath industry talent.

Returning hosts Richard Anuszkiewicz, founder and principal of Raith Design Studio, and Alena Capra, principal of Alena Capra Designs, awarded 26 designers during the evening, including winners from the NKBA Student Design Competition and the NKBA Innovative Showroom Awards Competition. Event sponsors included JennAir (Diamond Sponsor), Brizo (Diamond Sponsor, Educator of the Year Sponsor) Kichler (Gold Sponsor), Fisher & Paykel (Student Design Competition Sponsor) and Ferguson Home (Photobooth Sponsor).

“Each year we are increasingly impressed with the beautiful and innovative projects submitted by designers,“ said Bill Darcy, NKBA | KBIS global president & CEO. “This competition serves as an inspiration to the design community and presents a momentous opportunity to recognize the work leading our industry. Thank you to all who entered, and congratulations to this year’s finalists.”

Kitchen and bath designers competed in three kitchen and three bath categories, plus a new classification for smart-home technology, in cooperation with CEDIA, the technology integrator association:

• Large Kitchen (over 300 square feet)
• Small Kitchen (under 300 square feet)
• Specialty Kitchen
• Primary Bathroom
• Secondary Bathroom
• Powder Room
• CEDIA Smart Home Technology, which honored a designer and an integrator.    

Cash prizes included $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place in each category. Best Overall Bath and Best Overall Kitchen winners each took home a grand prize of $25,000. Another new feature this year awarded a $25,000 bonus if either of the Best Overall winners is an NKBA-certified designer.

Winners were determined after measured deliberation by expert designer judging panels, who considered creativity, presentation, design planning, safety and ergonomics, as well as usage of elements and principles of design.

Judges, all CMKBD certified, included:

Bath Category:

• Rachel Hutchens, CMKBD, Maven Home Interiors, West Jordan, Utah
• Megan Siason Elliott, CMKBD, M Studio Interior Design, San Diego
• Andrew Risinger, CMKBD, Kitchen, Bath and Home, Dallas     

Kitchen Category:

• Polly Nunes, CMKBD, Polly Nunes Designs, Torrence, Calif.
• Elma Gardner, CMKBD, By Design Studio, Davis, Calif.
• Candace Rudd, CMKBD, Two-30-Nine by Décor, Winnipeg, Manitoba  

Judges for the Innovative Showroom Awards included:

• Jamie Keel, residential A&D market representative at Cambria
• Jared Barry, branch manager for UMI
• Tom Knotts, president of NKBA Central Florida Chapter, owner of Adalay Interiors, Tampa, Fla.
• Brianna Weiler, Kitchens by Charles Weiler, Lahaska, Pa.

Best Overall Kitchen

1st Place, Large Kitchen; 1st Place, Specialty Kitchen
“The Castle Kitchen”
Designer: Kate Roos, Kate Roos Design, Minneapolis, Minn.
Co-designers: Nicole Sirek, Nancy Baker, Leah Dunne
Minnesota State Chapter
Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

This stunning “Castle Kitchen” design earned three first-place honors, for Specialty Kitchen, Large Kitchen and Best Overall Kitchen. Respecting the 1903 provenance of the historic mansion, the designers incorporated dramatic elements including stone arches, an oversized island and a full-height marble backsplash. Luxe finishes, 14 state-of-the-art appliances and custom cabinetry, carefully scribed into the rock-faced limestone walls, restore and modernize the space. Hidden channels and cavities keep plumbing and electrical lines from disturbing the original stone walls, while details like a hand-gilded mirror, an antiqued-brass range hood and walnut cabinetry inserts add elegance befitting the grandeur of this turn-of-the-century home.

Best Overall Bath

1st Place, Primary Bath
“Paris After Dark”
Designer: Shea Pumarejo, CMKBD*, Younique Designs, San Antonio, Texas
Texas South Plains Chapter
Photos by Armando Vara, Armando Vara Photography
*Certification earned an additional $25,000 for Best Overall winner.

Shea Pumarejo, CMKBD, created a luxurious Parisian Art Deco-style retreat, drawing inspiration from the home’s French architecture and the clients’ love of bold, elegant design. The focal point is an LED-backlit onyx bathtub surround that glows like sculpture, echoed in the countertops and backsplash for continuity and drama. A custom-designed marble tile floor grounds the space, while a Venetian glass fixture sparkles overhead, enhancing the sense of glamour. The designer included an aromatherapy steam shower, custom cabinetry with hidden storage solutions, unlacquered brass fixtures and hardware that will age with character, and operable transoms reminiscent of European design traditions.

2nd Place, Large Kitchen
“Stoney Wylde”
Designer: Peter Cardamone, Bluebell Fine Cabinetry & Design, Wayne, Pa.
Co-designer: Brittany Hakimfar
Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Photos by Brian Wetzel, Brian Wetzel Photo

3rd Place, Large Kitchen
“Weathered Ridge”
Designer: Megan Tennant, Forte Design Studios, Olympic Valley, Calif.
Rocky Mountain Chapter
Photos by Nic Rentfrow

2nd Place, Primary Bathroom
“Fifty Shades of Green”
Designer: Gina D’Amore Bauerle, D’Amore Interiors, Denver
Rocky Mountain Chapter
Photos by Eric Lucero, Eric Lucero Photography

3rd Place, Primary Bathroom
“Desert Dream”
Designer: Lori Caroll, Lori Carroll & Associates, Tucson, Ariz.
Co-designer: Debra Gelety
Arizona South Chapter
Photos by Jon Mancuso, Jon Mancuso Media

1st Place, Small Kitchen

“The Veined Vision”
Designer: Lindsay Wolfe-Assaf, The Home Stylist, Manotick, Ontario
Co-designer: The Cabinet Connection
Ottawa Chapter
Photos by Justin Van Leeuwen, JVL Photography

Black, white and rich oak cabinets throughout this winning design provide tons of storage and serve as a foundation for the veined porcelain countertops and backsplash. The bold veining pattern, which also surrounds the vent hood, is a dramatic focal point.

2nd Place, Small Kitchen
“Kendrick”
Designer: Jerel Lake, LakeHaus Designs, Atlanta
Georgia Chapter
Photos by Mark Mauldin, Mark Mauldin Photography

3rd Place, Small Kitchen
“Going for the Gold”
Designer: Ann Gaeta, RJ Builders, Shorewood, Wis.
Wisconsin/Upper Michigan Chapter
Photos by Hayley McCormick, Hayley McCormick Photographs

1st Place, Powder Room

“Full Moon”
Designer: Gina D’Amore Bauerle, D’Amore Interiors, Denver
Rocky Mountain Chapter
Photos by Eric Lucero, Eric Lucero Photography

This intentionally moody space features deep teal walls and a ceiling painted to match the concrete sink. Walnut wall slats provide architectural interest, and the matte black porcelain tile and faucet add to the sophisticated ambience. A repurposed floating vanity contributes to the asymmetrical nature of the design. 

2nd Place, Powder Room
“Island Jewel”
Designer: David Heide, David Heide Design Studio, Saint Paul, Minn.
Co-designer: Tam Ngo
Minnesota State Chapter
Photos by Richard Michell

3rd Place, Powder Room
“Where the Wild Things Are”
Designer: Gina D’Amore Bauerle, D’Amore Interiors, Denver
Rocky Mountain Chapter
Photos by Eric Lucero, Eric Lucero Photography

1st Place, Secondary Bathroom

“Sprice Basement Retreat”
Designer: Lindsay Winterbottom, Novero Homes and Renovations Ltd., Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
Photos by Allan Laing, ALP Photography

Inspired by the clients’ frequent travels and affinity for world-class hotels, this design transformed a basement into an elegant retreat with a spa bathroom featuring premium details: an infrared sauna, Calacatta Vagli marble, a walk-in shower, gold-finished Brizo fixtures and accessories, and a heated bench and floors.

2nd Place, Secondary Bathroom
“The Gilded Glade”
Designer: Betsy Johnson, Betsy Johnson Design, Crystal, Minn.
Minnesota State Chapter
Photos by Rob Grosse, Spacecrafting Photography

3rd Place, Secondary Bathroom
“The Quartz Chamber”
Designer: Jaque Bethke, Jaque, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Arizona Chapter
Photos by Phil Johnson, Phil Paul Photography

CEDIA Smart Home Tech Award

“Nordhaus”
Design Firm: Stockwell Homes, Edina, Minn.
Designer: Jen Stockwell
Minnesota State Chapter
Tech Firm: Lelch Audio Video, Minnetonka, Minn.
Integrator: Alex Lelchuk
Photos by Bo Carlock, Spacecrafting Photography

Designer and integrator collaborated to create distinct but interconnected zones for cooking, dining, entertaining and daily living. Layered lighting sets the mood, with more than 250 feet of concealed tape lighting integrated into beams that transform the ceiling into a glowing canopy. A NetZero water vapor fireplace provides ambiance without emissions or pollutants.

2nd Place, Specialty Kitchen
“Gilded Monkey Bar”
Designer: Bianca Fathauer, Splendid Home Design, Stuart, Fla.
Co-designer: Sandra O’Neill
Florida Treasure Coast Chapter
Photos by Amanda Tenorio, Amanda James Photography

3rd Place, Specialty Kitchen
“Specialty Entry Fireplace & Bar”
Designer: Cathy Tonks, Designs with You in Mind Inc., Granite Bay, Calif.
California Capital Chapter
Photos by Spencer Backman, Backman

Student Design Competition

Kitchen

First Place: “A Walk Through the Redwoods” by Allison Hedrick, Portland Community College, Portland, Ore.
Second Place: “Colorado Heart” by Rachel Mendoza, Georgian College, Santo Domingo, DR
Third Place: “Cranberry Bloom” by Kateryna Ponomarova, Montgomery College, Gaithersburg, Md.

Bath

First Place: “Bringing it Back” by Emma Bunz, Lakeland College, Wawota, Saskatchewan
Second Place: “Private Retreat in Style & Function” by Catherine Wright, Century College, Minneapolis, Minn.
Third Place: “Crossing Time” by Kateryna Ponomarova, Montgomery College, Gaithersburg, Md.

Innovative Showroom Awards Competition

Kitchen & Bath Design Center 

Small (under 2,500 square feet): Two30Nine, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Showroom Designer: Candace Rudd

Medium (2,500 to 5,000 square feet): USA Cabinet Store, Houston
Showroom Designer: Tony Kaplan

Large (5,000+ square feet): Laurysen Kitchens, Ottawa, Ontario
Showroom Designer: Rene Chyba

Brand-Specific Non-Selling Experience Center

Signature Kitchen Suite at The MART, Chicago
Showroom Designer: Lissoni & Partners SKS Global Design Team

Traditional Independent Multi-brand/Product Showroom

Small (under 2,500 square feet): Northeast Architectural, Montclair, N.J.
Showroom Designer: Jason Cohen

Medium (2,500 to 5,000 square feet): 4A Collection Design, Cresskill, N.J.
Showroom Designer: Julia Dagistanli

Large (5,000+ square feet): Central Surfaces, Roeland Park, Kan.
Showroom Designer: Meg Hilburn

Multi-Location, Multi-Product Showroom

Medium (2,500 to 5,000 square feet): Herb+Oak Design Studio, Westfield, N.J.
Showroom Designer: Angelika Matusiewicz

Large (5,000+ square feet): BASCO Appliances, Bend, Ore.
Showroom Designer: Hannah Hacker, CMKBD

Unique Showroom Application

Gramophone Design Build, Hunt Valley, Md.
Showroom Designer: Stephanie Twarowski