BlueStar announced the winners of its annual Kitchen Design Contest, recognizing designers and architects for their creativity, vision and inspiring kitchen design featuring BlueStar appliances.
Six designers and architects — one grand prize winner and five regional winners — have been selected by a curated panel of judges, including notable designers and previous Kitchen Design Contest winners Garry and Suzanne Shumaker, who selected the 2026 Color of the Year; Jenn Feldman of Jenn Feldman Design; and Lindsay Woolf of Woolf Architecture.
This year’s grand prize went to Mark Schwebel, designer-builder at Big Art Building Corp in San Jose, New Mexico. Honored for his work on Calle Largo Ranch, Schwebel’s project captivated judges with the attention to detail it takes to make minimal, organic design exceptional.
White oak cabinets and matching white oak floors frame a custom Fawn Brown BlueStar 48-in. Dual Fuel Range, the anchor of the kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling silver travertine, imported from just east of Rome, Italy, and Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, finished with a subtle whitewash to prevent yellowing, round out the palette.
Ceiling beams, milled from white fir Schwebel personally sourced from dead timber left by the 2021 Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe, add rustic texture overhead, while the white oak itself was cut by a friend in New York’s Hudson Valley and shipped to New Mexico. Rather than adding upper cabinetry that would have crowded the intentionally compact kitchen, Schwebel eliminated it in favor of a window and routed extra storage into a butler’s pantry.
“This space stands out for its honest design and calm, inviting atmosphere,” according to Garry and Suzanne Shumaker of Shumaker Design Associates, two of this year’s judges. “The BlueStar range is thoughtfully integrated into the layout, creating a beautiful contrast against the minimalist materials. Every detail is executed with precision, proving that the cleanest lines require the highest level of craftsmanship.”
Additionally, BlueStar is announced five regional winners:
- Monica Villa of Foxhall Homes, Bethesda, Md.
- Erin Salimena of Gusto Design, Portland, Ore.
- Avneet Luthra of Case Architects and Remodelers, Marshall, Va.
- George Shiekh of The Cleveland Tile and Cabinet Co., Lakewood, Ohio
- Jessica Berrios of J. Berrios Design, Southlake, Texas
BlueStar Kitchen Design Contest Regional Winner Monica Villa, Photographer: Monica and Vee
“Each year, we’re honored by the work the design community creates with BlueStar in mind,” said Ann Muth, vice president of marketing at BlueStar. “These projects give us a look at the dynamic ways architects and designers are using color, creating practical layouts and enriching their clients’ homes. Working with past winners as judges helps our team explore industry trends and new ways to support and recognize this community.”
BlueStar Kitchen Design Contest Regional Winner George Shiekh
The annual competition has become a coveted honor celebrating the incredible kitchen projects that incorporate BlueStar professional-style appliances such as ranges, wall ovens, vent hoods and premium refrigeration for the home. The Grand Prize winner receives BlueStar appliances with up to $20,000 retail value, and regional winners are granted a cookware set retailing between $400 and $600.
