2013 NKBA design competition winners

Canadian designer tops the list of honourees
Friday, June 28, 2013

Glass in all its glory – hand-cut, hand-blown and LED-lit – was creatively used by the winning designers in both the Best Kitchen and the Best Bathroom categories in the 2013 National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) design competition. The category winners in the annual contest were revealed April 18, during the 2013 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Of the honourees, Canadian designer Anastasia Rentzos of Andros Kitchen & Bath Designs came out on top in the green design category.

Photo 1: Best Kitchen – Wendy F. Johnson, Designs for Living (Manchester Village, Vt.). With the focal point being the glass wall and views of a private golf course beyond, a large centre island forms the heart of the space. The combination of warm linear rift oak and cool stainless steel cabinets of varying heights provides a serene balance, and the floating LED-lit glass bar, colourful cabinet glass, recycled glass tile backsplash and pendant lights add the right amount of drama. This project also earned Designs for Living first place in the Large Kitchen category.

Photo 2: Best Bathroom – Shea Pumarejo, Younique Designs (Helotes, Texas). Mirroring a high-fashion boutique, the pure white room with pops of bold colour features clean and simple lines of marble flooring, shower tiles and cabinetry juxtaposed against the curves of the serpentine vanity, baroque mirror, and hand-blown glass faucet and sink. Clean, bright, white lighting adds the finishing touch. This project also earned Younique Designs first place in the Large Bathroom category.

Photo 3: Before & After Kitchen – Richard Ourso, Ourso Designs (Baton Rouge, La.). Rough hewn finishes and salvaged wood planks help recreate the Old World French décor the clients truly desired. A custom hood was created, using copper, and the finish was left with a naturally dark patina. The island top and open shelving were made from longleaf yellow pine boards. Perimeter countertops feature black granite with a Tuscan finish and a chiselled-edge treatment.

Photo 4: Before & After Bathroom – Brigitte Fabi, Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio (Glenn Ellyn, Ill.). This remodelled bathroom is built exclusively with natural materials: slate, pebbles, walnut, teak and stacked natural limestone. Limestone flooring and tub front, and chocolate brown large-scale tile decking create uniformity and add to the overall calmness of the space. A rug of pebbles creates a Zen-like path that leads to the master bath, which is set against a large picture window.

Photo 5: Budget-Friendly Kitchen – Cheryl Kees Clendenon, In Detail Interiors (Pensacola, Fla.). This kitchen in a rental was designed for the easy navigation of a large number of guests. The open kitchen plan reflects the Gulf Coast colour palette. High ceilings, balanced neutrals and pops of turquoise mirror the unobstructed water views from the adjacent living areas. The porcelain floors, black walnut counter section with prep sink, vibrant backsplash and aluminum swivel stools make the space a cool, modern beach retreat.

Photo 6: Budget-Friendly Bathroom – Elizabeth Schulz, ABK Today (Lancaster, Pa.). A half wall between the shower and toilet, along with frameless glass doors and panels, makes the space feel more open, while maximizing the natural light. The original bathroom’s oversized mercury glass pendant as well as other cabinets, faucets and accessories were reincorporated into the layout to save money.

Photo 7: Green Design – Anastasia Rentzos, Andros Kitchen & Bath Designs (Mississauga, Ont.). This modern retreat offers elegance and efficiency at its very best. The countertops are made of recycled quartz material, the cabinets have a water-base finish and are 100 per cent VOC-free, the low-flow showerhead and rain head along with low-flow toilet ensure maximum water efficiency, the walls are made of recycled tile and LED lights illuminate the space efficiently.

Photo 8: Universal Design – Sandra Tierney, Cabinets by Design (Escondido, Calif.). The kitchen in this 1920s Storybook Mission home was designed to make the space accessible to the client who uses a wheelchair. The design enables the client to access all the appliances comfortably and to move freely between the cooktop and sink. Notable features include the appliances, which are carefully placed at the right height, with all doors dropping down to provide the easiest access.

Photo 9: Best Builder/Remodeller – Sandra Tierney, Cabinets by Design (Escondido, Calif.). The traditional, compartmentalized floor plan for this original 1950s home lent little space for entertaining. The remodel featured custom cabinetry with spacious workstations, allowing for cooks to interact with guests. The light and airy finishes combined with dark wood floors provide an expansive, warm and inviting feel to the space. Touch technology faucets, fully dimmable colour-corrected LED lighting and decorative niches are some of the special features the make the remodelled space exceptional.

Photo 10: Small Kitchen – Elina Katsioula-Beall, Dewitt Designer Kitchens (Pasadena, Calif.). Housed in a mid-century modern, post-and-beam home, the kitchen was remodelled to reflect its original charm. The centre section of the dropped ceiling was opened up to expose original beams and a long row of unusual tilt-down vents. Architectural restoration of rare 1940s plywood, a two-bay breakfast area, the “alkalizer” water niche with mini sink and refurbished “boat cabinets” contribute to the kitchen’s vintage “wow” factor.

Photo 11: Medium Kitchen – Karen Swanson; New England Design Works (Manchester, Mass.). Designed to optimize natural lighting, storage and comfortable seating, this kitchen accommodates multiple people working at the same time. The peninsula seats four and still has room for prep space and a prep sink. The dark floor is the perfect counterpoint to the white kitchen, which gets even more light from an eight-foot door leading to the back porch.

Photo 12: Powder Room Elina Katsioula-Beall, Dewitt Designer Kitchens (Pasadena, Calif.). Fashioned to replicate the client’s childhood memories of South Africa, the powder room features unconventional elements such as wood-lined walls, a faux leather vanity, chiselled limestone counter, slate flagstone flooring and natural branches that serve as functional pieces to hold towels. The framing plan accommodates a hidden tank for the wall-hung toilet, four narrow medicine cabinets, plus lighting strips along the mirror.

Photo 13: Small Bathroom – Leslie Lamarre, TRG Architects (Burlingame, Calif.). Framed stone mosaic circular medallions dress up the tub walls. The same pattern repeats at the face of the bench, while circular sconces support the rhythmic pattern. A chunky marble chair rail moulding frames the mirror and an elegant grey Roman shade mimics the dark grey accents of the stone tile. Ballerina-pink ribbon on the shades and the cabinetry’s turned wooden legs, bun feet and clear-glass handles add a decidedly feminine touch. This project also earned TRG Architects the People’s Pick Bathroom award.

Photo 14: People’s Pick Kitchen –  Bryan Reiss, Distinctive Design (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.). This renovated kitchen in a historical home features antiqued, hand-painted finishes and a large antique Chinese print on the soaring wall over the stairs. Oversize cabinets contrast with dark countertops and the hefty details on the island. The original heart pine floors, large arched windows and exposed brick and beams add to the unique character of the soaring space. The copper hood becomes another focal point.

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