July 1, 2021

Decorating Den Interiors has announced the winning room makeovers from this year’s 37th International Dream Room Contest. The showcase categories include living rooms, family rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, children’s rooms, bathrooms, home offices, window treatments, outdoor spaces and commercial spaces. Judges were from a variety of publications, including KBB.

See the winning room makeovers HERE.

Decorating Den’s top design honor – Designer of the Year – went to Cassy Young of Bogart, Ga. Her design of a sumptuous dining room was judged best in category and the overall best of 218 entries in 11 categories by interior design journalists from throughout the U.S. and Canada. In total, she won awards in three room makeover categories and a separate award from a different panel of judges.

“I am thrilled to win this honor,” said Young. “Classic wallpaper makes for an updated colorway in this dining room. Mirrored tiles were installed. The mahogany and gold-leaf table offers seating for twelve, while black and cane chairs mix in. A transitional black chandelier with gold highlights complements the furniture, while a buffet with gold hardware provides storage. The large rug is luxurious, and the velvet drapes with subtle sheen bring texture.”

Designer of the Year Runners-Up    

The First Runner-Up was Lynne Lawson, of Columbia, Md., and her design associate Laura Outland, who won first in miscellaneous with a luxury lounge and entertainment space. They also won second place in family rooms and third in bathrooms.

The Second Runner-Up was Terri Ervin, of Hoschton, Ga., who won first place in the kitchen category and third in children’s rooms.

Donayre Award

The first-place winner of the Donayre Award – which is voted on by company franchisees and is named for Carol Donayre Bugg, ASID, retired company vice president and director of design – was Cassy Young for the dining room that earned her Designer of the Year. Lynne Lawson and Laura Outland, of Columbia, Md., won second in the miscellaneous category and third for their family room.

People’s Choice Award

Veronica Simmons, of Wixom, Mich., won first place in the People’s Choice Award segment, an online judging open to the public. Her family room makeover received the highest number of votes cast. Maryann Fisher, of Chambersburg, Pa., won second place for her design of a kitchen, and Kathy McGroarty, of Lansdale, Pa., was awarded third place for her living room.