Galleries: Trends & Inspirations
Awarding the Best
Kitchens Under $50,000
1st Place: Staci Steidley, Studio Steidley, Plano, Texas
With the client looking for something fresh and inviting, Studio Steidley integrated a blend of rustic and modern elements. The custom weathered-wood island, vent hood and open shelving add warmth and charm to an otherwise sleek, white space. For a timeless room, the design team chose to leave major finishes monochromatic and instead bring pops of color in through the accessories.
Kitchens $50,000+
1st Place: Traci Connell, Traci Connell Interiors, Dallas, Texas
“In an area where Old World design was extremely prominent for many years, we designed this spectacular kitchen to be a direct contrast to the layers and layers of browns,” said Connell. “We chose a stark black-and-white design contrasting the vast difference of styles. Our vision was to appeal to the younger clients of today.”
Bathrooms Under $30,000
1st Place: Michele Youell, Natural Domain Interiors, Henderson, Nev.
“The client didn’t know what she wanted for this powder room other than replacing the pedestal sink, having more storage, keeping the floor tile and creating an aesthetic that would ‘wow’ her guests,” said Youell. “My inspiration was to use the gray tones we were using in other rooms but in a new, feminine way.”
Bathrooms $30,000+
1st Place: Starr Miller, Starr Miller Interior Design, Charlotte N.C.
This complete master bathroom renovation brought in texture and spa-like features to an incredibly dated space. The design introduced texture, a soft color palette, high-tech DTV shower controls with enhanced audio, better lighting, custom cabinetry and a level shower entry to the bath.
Laundry/Craft Rooms
1st Place: Starr Miller, Starr Miller Interior Design, Charlotte, N.C.
This 40-year-old laundry room got a facelift that nodded to the husband’s interests. Extra storage, interesting finishes, pet accommodations and new appliances make this a space to envy.
Wine Rooms
1st Place: Starr Miller, Starr Miller Interior Design, Charlotte, N.C
This project took a junk-packed hidden basement and turned it into a warm and inviting cork and craft room. The client wanted a fun space to store and taste beer and wine with a couple of friends, and the basement hidden under the garage was the perfect place.
Universal Design
1st Place: Jan Cregier, Interior Expressions by Jan, Chicago
Downsizing and retiring at a relatively young age had Cregier’s active clients wanting to plan ahead for longevity in their new home. This home was completely wired for smart technology. Verbal commands are used for temperature control, communicating from one floor to another and even changing television channels.
In the kitchen, the microwave was installed in a base cabinet, and long pulls to fit the scale of each drawer were added for ease of opening. Base cabinet rollouts and a corner lazy Susan were also installed.
Sustainable Design
1st Place: Kerry McHugh Upton, Quincy Home, Olympia, Wash.
This home was designed for the clients to be their ski cabin. The concept lends itself to using natural woods and fibers, and the furnishings were primarily natural leathers, earth-friendly fabrics and wool in fabrics and carpet. Low VOCs were considered when selecting materials and finished products, since the home is closed up for weeks at a time and the air quality is a consideration for this family. The countertop material, Paperstone, was selected because it could be fabricated on site, eliminating the need for high transportation costs, plus it is a certified recycled product made in the region.