January 13, 2020

The names of the five winners of Top Knob’s inaugural Design Board Contest have been released. Entrants – including interior designers, architects and trade professionals – were invited to submit their projects for a chance to win up to $5,000. Winners were selected by a panel of design professionals led by Top Knobs president, Warren Ramsland.

“We received over 150 uniquely designed entries in our 25th Anniversary Design Board Contest, and selecting a winner was not an easy task,” said Ramsland. “Our panel of judges focused on spaces with a strong emphasis on blending aesthetic with functionality. Once we were able narrow down our top 20, we selected the five winning designs where Top Knobs really shown through and was the perfect finishing touch to tie the entire space together.”

Winning Designs

Grand Prize – Dave McFadden, PB Kitchen Design, Geneva, Ill.

McFadden focused on creating a kitchen fit for entertaining while maintaining the industrial aesthetic of the rest of the house. A mix of materials like stainless-steel countertops, a lofted ceiling with wood paneling and a metal tile backsplash establish this warm but modern look. He used flat-sided pulls from the Aspen II Collection in brushed satin nickel to complete the design.

Second Place – Craig Couture, Cypress Design Co., East Providence, R.I.

Couture remodeled a 1940s Rhode Island home with the goal of keeping its existing character while creating a functional modern space. The designer used knobs and pulls from the Top Knobs Devon Collection in honey bronze to add a touch of warmth to the room, which features white-painted cabinetry and a marble countertop with dramatic veining.

Third Place – Katie Borchardt, Jean Stoffer Design, Chicago

Borchardt was tasked with creating a custom kitchen that was both elegant and functional for her client. Rounded pulls, round knobs and an oval knob backplate in the light bronze finish harmonize the kitchen’s two-toned cabinet design, which combines forest green with soft tan. Exposed beams and a handmade ceramic tile backsplash bring additional character to the space.

Honorable Mention – Ariana Lovato, Honeycomb Home Design, Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Lovato designed the home of her client’s dreams after a fire destroyed their previous house. With a modern farmhouse aesthetic in mind, Lovato opted for the Ascendra knobs and pulls from the Transcend Collection in flat black to help bring the rustic design scheme into the kitchen. Additional features include a black, sliding barn door, upper white glass cabinetry and lantern-shaped pendants above the island.

Honorable Mention – Meadowcreek Builders Inc., Waukesha, Wis.

The team transformed a dark and dated kitchen complete with an adjoining dining area into a bright and spacious retreat for their clients to enjoy. They used the Somerset Weston pulls and London knobs in old English copper to add contrast and texture to the space, which combines a soft blue island base with open glass pendant lights.