October 21, 2019

More than 110 kitchen and bath design projects from across North America were submitted in nine categories for the first national Showplace Cabinetry Design Contest. The designers were asked to submit a variety of materials for judging, including professional imagery. The panel of peer-group design professionals judged each entry on visual appeal, creativity, workflow and design elements.

Categories for the projects entered in the Showplace Cabinetry Design Contest were chosen to represent designs for kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities in traditional, contemporary and transitional styles, along with best small kitchen.

“The originality of design and the quality of these projects were exceptional,” said Paul Sova, president and CEO of Showplace Cabinetry. “It’s important to remember that all the design entries were from actual projects, placed in homes across the nation. The pride of the designers in creating functional and beautiful rooms for their clients shows through in each entry.”

View a gallery of winning projects HERE.

Judges’ Choice and Contemporary Kitchen Design winner – Julie Leverett with ONE eleven
The homeowners’ goal was to add aesthetically pleasing functionality to this kitchen while providing for their needs; one is wheelchair bound, and the other has issues reaching overhead. They were living in an older, outdated home that conflicted with their physical abilities. Leverett and her team reconfigured and updated the floor plan within the footprint of the existing kitchen/living space.

Relocating the sink and appliances to the opposite side of the room – which lacked plumbing, gas and proper electrical requirements to accommodate the new design layout – proved to be challenging. The solution was to cut and remove the concrete, eliminating the existing downdraft cooktop vent and relocating the underground plumbing and gas. The team added sufficient electrical, including USB port outlets for convenience, to accommodate the new open floor plan.

Transitional Kitchen Design winner – Amy Britton, CKD with Artisan Kitchens Inc.
This homeowner purchased a house in a great neighborhood, but the home itself was a fixer upper. It was plagued by bad layout, poor lighting and a rabbit warren of rooms with no access to the backyard.

Britton added pantry units on either side of the fireplace for additional storage. The family gained a small dining area at the end of the expansive island as well. The biggest challenge Britton faced with this design was establishing good functionality while keeping the space from looking like an appliance showroom.

The homeowners love the efficiency and the improved flow, which keeps the cooks on one side of the island and foot traffic on the other. They also love to entertain so the communication between the kitchen, the family room and the outdoor pool area is appreciated.

Best Small Kitchen Design winner – Chenelle Johnson with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen – St. Louis Park
The homeowners chose DreamMaker to design a new kitchen in their small, 1952-dated, split-level home. They were looking for more storage, functional counter space, improved workflow, safety (getting rid of the outdated baseboard heat) and updated materials that would be easy to maintain.

The layout was redesigned to make good use of every square inch of available space. The baseboard heat was removed and capped, and a new electric toe kick heater was installed to heat the room, while allowing space for the sink and dishwasher to be relocated beneath the window. A slide-in range and microwave replaced the former cooktop and double ovens. The range was recessed into the wall to allow clearance for the dishwasher door to open and close with ease.

Transitional Bath Design winner – Briana Langel & Marie Hofmeyer – Holland House Interiors
The homeowners wanted a wow factor for this powder bathroom. Gold and emerald green are trending, so the Holland House team suggested introducing the colors in a dramatic fashion.

The emerald green shiplap walls are offset by a floating, natural wood vanity with a marble countertop. Gold hardware – including the sconces, faucets and mirror – adds a touch of elegance to the place. A hexagonal-patterned tile floor in neutral tones brings texture and interest to the bath.

New Dealer winner – April Haggard with Haggard Home Group
The homeowner purchased a modern-style ranch – built in the early 1980s – and wanted to open up the floor plan to modernize the look and feel of the home. Haggard was presented with a challenge during the design: The homeowner is an active cook and prepares meals for a large family of five. The homeowner did not want to use any wall cabinetry, so storage for pots, pans and dishware became an immediate challenge. Not only was the homeowner concerned about what had to go where, but the amount of needed storage quickly became an issue without a wall cabinet option.

With the use of all-black cabinetry and black tile, the team aimed for the space to have more of a contemporary Scandinavian feel. The amount of storage the team was able to accomplish – making sure every pot and pan had a home in the correct space for its purpose – made a huge difference.