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BlueStar’s First-Annual Kitchen Design Competition

April 4, 2016

Heidi Piron, principal designer at Heidi Piron Design & Cabinetry in Summit, N.J., won the grand prize for BlueStar’s inaugural Kitchen Design Competition for her “Star Attraction” kitchen for her innovative use of space and appliances, the highlight of which included one of the company’s custom hoods.

Eric Cohler, the contest’s lead judge, announced the winner live from the recent Architectural Digest Design Show in New York City. The finalists were, of course, judged on their thoughtful designs and creative use of BlueStar appliances, which are available in a variety of colors and metal trims.

Click here to see a gallery of all of the projects in the competition

“The winning design reflects an industrial style, which is trending now, with the classic blending of black and white,” said Cohler. “Being a neutral, black is never not in style, but it is enjoying a rebirth, especially matte black the kitchen. It is extremely versatile so that it can be incredibly dramatic or serve as an accent against a white palette – another neutral that is in vogue now, as well.”  

Finalists included the following six designers:
–    Sue Boltz, principal designer for Littleton, Colo.-based Cress Kitchen & Bath
–    Joseph Giorgi, president and senior designer for Newark, Del.-based Giorgi Kitchens & Designs
–    Jordan Iverson, owner/designer for Eugene-Ore.-based Jordan Iverson Signature Homes
–    Elizabeth Nairn, general manager for Pepper Pike, Ohio-based Cabinet-S-Top
–    Jessica Smith, principal designer for Mentecito, Calif.-based JRSID

Piron’s Winning Project

Piron designed her kitchen around the BlueStar gas range, which her client – a master home chef – chose for its powerful and precise burners. The range is in matte black – a color also reflected in the beverage area, which also features and shiny, bronze tile backsplash. A matte black, powdercoated hood matches the look of the rest of the kitchen, and oversized white subway tile creates a dramatic effect.

The contest welcomed entries from across the country, and the Grand Prize winner will receive BlueStar appliances for her home kitchen and the BlueStar Kitchen Designer of the Year title. In addition to Cohler, the judging panel included four additional industry professionals – Amanda Nisbet, Brett Beldock, Ken Kelly and Grace Kelly.

The 2017 competition is open for entries from March 21, 2016, through January 31, 2017. A minimum of one BlueStar cooking appliance as the primary cooking appliance is required. Ranges, range tops, ovens and cooktops meet this requirement. Official rules and entry criteria can be found at www.bluestarcooking.com/designcontest.