April 11, 2022

The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) is thrilled to announce this year’s finalists for the 2022 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards (SEDY). The 39 finalists represent the most creative and innovative minds in the business across the fields of residential design, contract design and architecture. Entries were received from across the southeast, spanning seven states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The SEDY featured finalists were selected by an esteemed panel of top industry professionals including VERANDA executive editor EllenMcGauley, founder & principal of Yellow House Architects Elizabeth Graziolo and award-winning interior designer, Ron Woodson of Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design. Winners will be announced at a private awards gala on Thursday, April 28.

“SEDY is a celebration that allows us to bring together the SE design community to recognize incredible talent making a global impact,” said Katie Miner, general manager of ADAC. “This year we had the largest number of submissions resulting in 26 residential finalists. Not only is this a testament to the plethora of notable talent in the region, it confirms it was difficult for this year’s judges to narrow down the pool of entries. I know I’m not alone in saying I can’t wait to see who wins.”

The 2022 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards returns to ADAC’s spring market, DESIGN ADAC, co-sponsored by VERANDA, taking place April 26-28.All are welcome to join ADAC, VERANDA, Logan Gardens, and Sunbrella to meet and celebrate the 2022 SEDY finalists in Suite 506 at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27.

2022 SEDY Finalists

Residential Design Finalists

• Amy Morris Interiors | Atlanta, GA
• Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design | Montgomery, AL
• Betty Burgess Design | Atlanta, GA
• Blackberry Farm Design | Walland, TN
• Brad Ramsey of Brad Ramsey Interiors | Nashville, TN
• Caroline Willis Interiors | Atlanta, GA
• Charlotte Lucas Design | Charlotte, NC
• Karen Ferguson of Harrison Design | Atlanta, GA
• James Farmer Designs | Perry, GA

• Hope Austin of Hope Austin Interiors (above, photo by Laura Negri Photography) | Atlanta, GA

• Julie Couch Interiors (above, photo by Caroline Allison) | Nashville, TN

• Laura W. Jenkins Interiors (above, photo by Jeff Herr Photography) | Atlanta, GA
• Liz Hand Woods of Liz Hand Woods Associates | Birmingham, AL
• Liza Bryan Interiors | Atlanta, GA
• Mallory Mathison Glenn of Mallory Mathison Inc. | Atlanta, GA
• Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos of Mark Williams Design | Atlanta, GA
• Melanie Pounds Interior Design | Birmingham, AL
• Melanie Turner Interiors | Atlanta, GA
• Melissa Ervin of Melissa Ervin Interior Design | Charleston, SC
• Michele Johnson of Michele Johnson Design | Greenville, SC
• Leslie Murphy of Murphy Maude Interiors | Memphis, TN
• Pursley Dixon Ford Interior Design | Charlotte, NC
• SAVAGE Interior Design | Nashville, TN
• Susan Ferrier Interiors | Atlanta, GA
• Tammy Connor Interior Design | Charleston, SC
• Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier | Atlanta, GA

Contract Design Finalists

• Alejandra Dunphy Studio | Atlanta, GA
• Blackberry Farm Design | Walland, TN
• Michael Habachy of Habachy Designs | Atlanta, GA
• Harris Interiors | Atlanta, GA
• Sandra Cannon of Sandra Cannon Interior Design | Spartanburg, SC
• Square Feet Studio | Atlanta, GA
• The Johnson Studio | Atlanta, GA

Architecture Finalists

• Harrison Design | Atlanta, GA
• KHOURY VOGT ARCHITECTS | Alys Beach, FL
• Daniel Kahan of Smith and Moore Architects | West Palm Beach, FL
• Summerour Architects | Atlanta, GA
• Timothy S. Adams of T.S. Adams Studio, Architects | Atlanta, GA
• William T. Baker of William T. Baker| Atlanta, GA 

Click here for a full schedule of DESIGN ADAC events, as well as information about the SEDY reception.

About the 2022 judges:

Ellen McGauley, executive editor of VERANDA
Ellen McGauley is the executive editor of VERANDA, a national design magazine based in Birmingham, Alabama. Over the course of her career, which includes senior editorial roles at Coastal Living and Charleston Home, she has built a writing portfolio rooted in historic and contemporary architecture, modern interior design and global decorative arts traditions, as well as led discussion panels on topics ranging from architectural precedent to antiques and fine art. Her stories have taken her from the Pacific Northwest to the northern coast of France and from the midlands of Ireland back to the American South.

Elizabeth Graziolo, founder and principal of Yellow House Architects
Elizabeth Graziolo, AIA, is the award-winning founder and principal of Yellow House Architects based in New York City and Miami, a collaborative-minded practice specializing in residential and commercial work. Preceding YHA, she was a partner at Peter Pennoyer Architects for over 15 years, directing projects ranging from private homes to multi-tenant developments in the United States and abroad. In 2021, Architectural Digest inducted Elizabeth into their illustrious AD100 after profiling her as “One to Watch” earlier that same year. In 2018, the Museum of the City of New York presented Elizabeth with their renowned “City of Design Award.” She has contributed regularly to articles in The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Traditional Building, and Veranda. Elizabeth is a trustee of The Museum of the City of New York and The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art and serves on the Delano & Aldrich/Emerson Fellowship Committee of the American Institute of Architects. She has spoken at international conferences for prestigious institutions such as L’ARDEPA, The American Academy in Rome, and The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. She is an ongoing guest lecturer at The Cooper Union. Elizabeth is also an active mentor and champion for young women entering the architecture profession, participating as a presenter and resource in programs that help inspire and support the next generation of women architects. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Architecture from The Cooper Union. She is a registered architect in New York, Michigan, and Florida and is a longstanding member of the American Institute of Arc.

Ron Woodson, Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design
Ron Woodson grew up in a musical and entrepreneurial family that exposed him to a wide variety of cultures and tastes that ultimately influenced his career in interior design. Ron studied interior design at UCLA and holds a degree in finance from CSULA. He is an award-winning interior designer and co-owner of the Los Angeles-based design firm Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design. Ron has been named along with his business partner, Jaime Rummerfield, Next Legends 2022 by Veranda Magazine, Design Leadership Awards winner by the Design Leadership Network 2021, Interior Designer of the Year 2017 by the Arts Awards, Top 20 Interior Designers by The Hollywood Reporter, and America’s Top Young Designers by House Beautiful. Ron has been published in over 150 publications and makes frequent appearances on TV and radio. Part of his success and inspiration draws from his passion for travel, which has taken him to over 60 countries.