Designs Centering on Cabinetry Take Top Prize

Since 2003, the Design with Decora Contest has sought to recognize outstanding residential kitchen and showroom designs created by Decora dealers.

This year, two exciting projects received top nods in the annual competition - which is sponsored by the Jasper, IN-based Decora cabinetry division

"Decora dealers and designers all work hard to provide the very best design and product to their customers. The national winners of Design with Decora are a testament to the exceptional talent represented by our dealers and designers," relates Jan Aufderhar, brand manager.

Entrants submit designs taken from conception through completion, and compete in two categories: Kitchen Design and Decora Dealer Showroom Design. Regional winners automatically vie for the national award. National winners receive $5,000, while $1,000 is awarded to regional winners.

Special Recognition was awarded this year for an unusual application of kitchen design. This year's regional and national winners - eight in all - are featured on the next three pages.

Each of the kitchen and showroom designs highlighted here captured the attention of a judging panel of independent, nationally recognized experts, educators and opinion leaders within the design industry.

The judges included Penny Chin, CID, IIDA of Elements In Design, San Francisco, CA, as well as Kitchen & Bath Design News columnists Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD and Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID. Cheever heads her own firm in Wilmington, DE called Ellen Cheever and Associates, while Peterson runs her own firm in Brookfield, CT called MJP Design.

Best Kitchen Design: National and South Regional Winner

This 440-sq.-ft. kitchen "enhances the traditional European look of the home, with a formal, Old World feel," believes Mark Buelow CGR, and president of Distinctive Remodeling Solutions.

Buelow, with the help of Jill Weber, a design consultant with the Atlanta, GA-based firm, achieved this look by installing Decora's Galleria Brandywine on cherry cabinetry. The duo installed a microwave base cabinet modified to house a microwave and warming drawer, and also applied matching cabinetry panels to the cabinetry. They further enhanced the cabinetry by installing such storage solutions as pot/pan storage, trash pull-outs, a wine rack and pantry drawer roll-outs.

Buelow and Weber also re-organized the work areas and installed such functional elements as a 48" Wolf cooking unit and a sink in the island.

Best Kitchen Design: East Regional Winner

Gustave Brunet of Creative Design Construction and Remodeling in Northvale, NJ installed a number of Decora special-order items and accessories to create this 420-sq.-ft, free-flowing kitchen.

"In one area we stacked cabinets. We also used tulip feet, decorative legs, shelf supports, authentic panels, three-step crowns, wainscoting, clipped corners, fluted casings and decorative onlays," notes Brunet. He used Plaza Maple with an Antique Bronze finish in the L-shape area of the kitchen. The island features Plaza Cherry in a Suede finish.

Best Kitchen Design: Midwest Regional Winner

In order to give this 1960s cottage a truly functional kitchen, Steven "Chip" Weiss, CKD, of Mid-State Supply in Wautoma, WI decided to repurpose the 80-sq.-ft. existing kitchen and, instead, transform a 200-sq.-ft. existing bedroom into the new kitchen.

There, he applied a warm, earthy design that recalls the beauty of Tuscany by using Decora's Braydon Manor base and tall cabinets in cherry with a Coriander stain and Coffee glaze along with Braydon Manor wall cabinets in maple with a Vintage Chateau finish. ZINTEGRATED panels conceal the dishwasher, bottom-mount freezer/refrigerator and the undercounter beverage refrigerator at the end of the island.

"An open display shelf, plate rack and appliance cubby reflect the features of a bygone era," adds Weiss, "while a ribbon of 18"-high, lighted cabinets with glass inserts provide more display space and ambiance."

Best Kitchen Design: West Regional Winner

Kathleen Tish, CKD and owner of Kitchen & Bath Solutions in Fountain Valley, CA, had to ensure that her redesign of this 248-sq.-ft. kitchen retained a traditional look in order to maintain the integrity of the home's Tudor style. "The client wanted the new kitchen to look as if it had always been there, so choice of materials was important," she recalls.

Thus, she chose Decora's Covington maple in a Lemonade finish for the perimeter and Covington Bordeaux Patina for the island. She also applied spool legs and turnings throughout the kitchen, and used corbels and leaded glass on the hutch.

Best Kitchen Design: Special Recognition

Steve Farless of Design House Kitchens in Savage, MD created this unusual kitchen and bar design for a 125-year-old stone and timber barn near Ellicott City, MD using Decora's Simsbury door style in cherry with a Coriander stain and Coffee glaze. Tall crown (ZMTCROWN) moulding enhances the top of the wall cabinets, while light rail (ZMLR) moulding serves as an accent under the wall cabinets. Authentic end panels finish exposed cabinet ends.

"The kitchen was part of a major barn renovation. The barn is not the principal residence of the client, but meant as a place for entertainment and parties, and, when needed, it serves as a guest house," notes Farless. "The cabinetry and overall design reflect the rustic nature of the barn's interior, while offering country elegance."

Stainless steel appliances and brushed chrome knobs round out the look.

Best Showroom Design: National and East Regional Winner

Carved from space previously used as an office, Creative Design Construction and Remodeling's new, 1,500-sq.-ft. showroom in Northvale, NJ showcases traditional styling and reinforces a home-like atmosphere.

A sitting island offers clients a roomy, relaxing station to enjoy refreshments while reviewing the firm's presentation materials. "And the working kitchen has proven to be a great tool for hosting cooking demonstrations and other events as part of our marketing plan," remarks owner Glen Lumia.

Stacked cabinets, a modified corner cabinet and microwave cabinet and a sink base with clipped corners are among the special-order Decora items the showroom included in its design. Decora details include turnings, refrigerator and dishwasher panels, roll-out trays and an English country valance.

Best Showroom Design: South Regional Winner

When Cornerstone Design, Inc. revamped its 2,500-sq.-ft. showroom, it decided to update its Decora display. "The goal was to design a creative display that features the possibilities of a small kitchen," explains Bonnie Settle, ASID with the Atlanta, GA-based firm. "By using reduced cabinetry depths, I was able to illustrate some innovative storage ideas for our clients."

The display features a two-color palette that draws the eye through the space. Wall cabinets with beveled glass in Russet with Natural Coffee shelves pulled the base cabinet color onto the wall, notes Settle.

Best Showroom Design: Midwest Regional Winner

Inspired by a local home expo, Woodland House of Kitchens in Grand Rapids, MI remodeled its 15-year-old showroom, revamping its typical 8'x10' vignette displays and creating displays with more visual interest.

"Our primary goal for this particular kitchen display was to show an upscale kitchen using turning posts, elevation changes, mixed crown moulding sizes and light rail moulding," says Dave Offringa, CKD, CGR and owner. "The very same week we installed the display, we sold a customer the same style and finish of Decora cabinetry."

The W1848 turned sideways without doors, but with a finished interior and English country valance, is among the special-order/accessory Decora items the showroom included in its design.