Luxurious surfaces, dramatic lighting, abundant storage and striking use of color characterized the winning projects in NKBA’s 2025-2026 professional Design Competition. NKBA revealed the winners at the Design & Industry Awards gala last night before the opening day of KBIS.
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.
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
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
Photo: 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.
Photo: Armando Vara, Armando Vara Photography
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
Photo: 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
Photo: 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
Photo: 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
Photo: 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
