The right details were also key to the winning designs. Clever storage tucked into niches, paneled appliances that deliver a more cohesive look and exceptional cabinets, lighting and hardware were among the elements that elevated the leading entries.

The best of design is what is being celebrated in the 33 spaces that have been named winners of the 2021 Kitchen & Bath Design Awards. Over 200 projects were judged in 11 categories: Best Kitchen Over $225,000; Best Kitchen $150,000-$225,000; Best Kitchen $75,000-$150,000; Best Kitchen Under $75,000; Best Specialty Kitchen; Best Master Bath Over $100,000; Best Master Bath $50,000-$100,000; Best Master Bath Under $50,000; Best Powder Room; Best Showroom, and Best Specialty Project.

The prestigious judging panel for the awards included:

• Peter Cardamone, Bluebell Kitchens, Wayne, PA
• Laura Giampaolo, Nu-Way Kitchen & Bath, Utica, MI
• Laurie Haefele, Haefele Design, Santa Monica, CA
• Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath,
  Chevy Chase, MD
• Linda Larisch, CMKBD, DESIGNfirst Builders, Itasca, IL
• Doug Walter, CMKBD, Doug Walter Architects, Denver, CO
• Each of the projects was evaluated on multiple points, including: aesthetic appeal, functionality of the space, attention to detail, handling of unusual situations, originality, selection of colors and finishes, and overall impression. The judges also provided design feedback to all of the entrants.

The judging panel was pleased to see a departure from the ever-popular white and gray cabinets. “I actually loved the moody, dark, really dramatic kitchens, and the winners were the ones that had the dark and moody feel in contrast to the light,” stated Haefele. She noted the added use of natural woods, “which have a lot of warmth. Black kitchens have been around for a while, but integrating the lighter wood makes them less stark and more warm.”

“There was a ton of black mixed with naturals,” concurred Giampaolo, along with stone features. “It was very organic, with a lot of warm tones.”

“We saw a lot of moody tones, darker woods, the use of metals and metal paints,” added Kahn Turner. She noted that, while there were still several classic light and bright kitchens, the painted finishes were grays and mushroom tones – a softer, wispy palette.

Walter said that, while white is not dead, there were many shades of off white included. “Darker colors were very popular this year – dark green, navy in particular, and black,” he observed.

Larisch also noted additional combinations going on beyond the dark and light cabinets. “We saw mixtures of gloss and matte finishes, different pops of color, large windows with dark interiors, and different styles for hoods,” she offered.

But, she continued, “I just kept saying ‘less is more.’ Some designers tried to mix too many materials together and they just didn’t pull it off, versus other mixed materials that blended and seemed timeless.”

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

While Cardamone advocated for taking chances with design to stand out from the pack, he also stressed the importance of keeping things streamlined. “There’s a tendency to crowd an element like a tall refrigerator or place a wall oven next to a cooktop, with a hood squished in there. Instead, you should
let everything have room to breathe,” he stated.

“I’m excited to see people really embracing and stretching some of the cabinetry away from hoods and other things,” noted Kahn Turner. “Windows also give rooms a little more breathing space.” She notes the best designs “don’t try to cram as much cabinetry as possible into a small space, which can sometimes feel disjointed and a little heavy.”

Giampaolo agreed, noting that a few of the designs came across as forced, “like they were trying so hard to use the freestanding tub in the bath when there was no room for it. The designs that came off the best may not have had the most materials in them, but they were done correctly. They were sized, they were comfortable,” she explained.

IN THE DETAILS

“What separates a good project from a great project is attention to detail,” Walter stressed. He added that, sometimes, the judging between first and second place is so close, and what can make the difference is some small details. He was especially impressed by the dramatic hoods he saw, and the clever use of the sixth wall – the ceiling.

“I think we saw the cream rise to the top in the subtle details – the fit and finish,” concurred Kahn Turner. “Designers need to pay attention to the little things, such as pulling a cabinet panel forward so that it flushes out with the door, making sure that you have clearances, that your cabinets aren’t too spindly looking and narrow.”

The kitchens that stood out to Giampaolo were those that paid attention to unique details – finding usable space in otherwise unusable areas. “Some of the concepts with the hidden wine cubbies were amazing,” she offered.

“The ones that were outstanding were the ones that were unique and cohesive. They used textured walls. They used hidden storage units. They delivered multi-use designs, blending with the room next to it, making an entire space that you could eat, you could entertain, you could work, you could cook, you could do homework,” she added.

Haefele noted that, when first looking at an image, she knew instinctively when she liked it. “It’s when you really get into the details of the design that you can see why you liked it, that it’s so well thought out,” she reported.

Larisch stressed that the details need to be well thought out to make them work within the design, however. “The details need to make sense. You don’t want ones that are just randomly thrown in or had no thought process behind them,” she remarked. “You also need to take care of the details throughout the space and not miss an area. Every single part of that kitchen or bath should work cohesively through each turn.”

On pages 48-73, KBDN shares expanded coverage of the winning projects in the sixth annual competition. For more photos of this year’s winners, as well as insights from the panel of judges, visit www.KitchenBathDesign.com.

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This year’s honored kitchen and bath spaces incorporate bold tones, clean lines, elevated finishes and exceptional details that combine to stir the senses.

Personalization is key when it comes to today’s kitchen and bath designs, and the entries for the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Design Awards, sponsored by Kitchen & Bath Design News, were brimming with individuality. Clever design, meticulous detail and expert problem solving were evident in the 31 rooms that were honored by the prestigious group of judges for this year’s awards. 

Over 250 projects were judged in 11 categories: Best Kitchen Over $225,000; Best Kitchen $150,000-$225,000; Best Kitchen $75,000-$150,000; Best Kitchen Under $75,000; Best Specialty Kitchen; Best Master Bath Over $100,000; Best Master Bath $50,000-$100,000; Best Master Bath Under $50,000; Best Powder Room; Best Showroom, and Best Specialty Project.

The judging panel for the awards included: Danielle Burger, CMKBD, Kitchen Vitality Design in Charlotte, NC; Nar Bustamante, Nar Design Group in Sacramento, CA; Rose Ott, Rose Ott Design in Long Beach, NY; Toni Sabatino, Toni Sabatino Style on Long Island, NY; Karen Swanson, New England Design Works in Manchester, MA, and Chuck Wheelock, Wheelock Design in Greenwich, CT.

Each project was evaluated on multiple points, including: aesthetic appeal, functionality of the space, attention to detail, handling of unusual situations, originality, selection of colors and finishes and overall impression. The judges also provided design feedback to all entrants.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Whether it was tying into inspirational artwork, creative spins on architectural styles or a connection with nature and natural elements, the winning designs all struck a chord that created a connection. Though several design trends were cited, more general concepts were also discussed by the judges. 

Bustamante notes that the real trend, as he sees it, is to be authentic, “to be unique and yourself as a designer. When you see a project that comes from the soul, one that immediately evokes emotion, you know that’s the trend.” 

Designers shouldn’t copy something that’s safe, but instead need to push limits, he contends. “Anyone who is pushing limits is definitely at the top,” he remarks.

Bustamante focused on the thoughtfulness he saw in the designs. “The projects that rose to the top were from designers who really dive deep into the projects, who think about every detail and add plenty of warmth to the project,” he offers. “It wasn’t just one design style but kind of an eclectic gathering of their expertise.”

When it came to the winning kitchen entries, Swanson notes it was often the details that impressed the judges. They were drawn to kitchen islands that resemble furniture, and woodworking that tied into the overall design. For the designs that stood out, even the art on the walls and lighting were very deliberate. “There were projects that got knocked out for the wrong bar stool or hardware choice, or a misplaced electrical outlet. It was really about the details,” she stresses.

“To me, the biggest emerging trend is personalization,” agrees Sabatino. “I loved to see the storage solutions, the innovative floor plans that really look at design from a sociological point of view. How are these people going to live in this space and how can you improve their lives?”

“I’m very appreciative that there is more contemporary design than traditional,” adds Wheelock. “We’re seeing much cleaner and sleeker lines but great detailing. When you look at the design, you really have to study it to see the detailing and appreciate all of the thought that went into it.”

Among those trending details are textures, patterns and mixed finishes. 

“I’m seeing a lot of patterns, but pattern on pattern – maximalism. There are a lot of different textures and patterns coming together,” notes Burger.

“The trend of mixing metals is the way to go,” offers Ott. “Everyone is so afraid to mix metals, but we love the intrigue. It creates interest, it creates drama. I say don’t be afraid to mix your metals.”

“We’re also seeing a lot of wood grain and some of that added warmth from brass fixtures, hardware, plumbing and accessories,” adds Burger.

“The projects that I saw had a lot of warmth, but weren’t necessarily all wood. There were some industrial looks, some grays and blacks,” notes Bustamante. 

FROM WHITE TO WOW

Darker colors are definitely being embraced, and designers are using them to create jaw-dropping dark, moody spaces. “This is really on point right now, whether it’s a powder room, a kitchen or a library,” Bustamante stresses.

“We’re seeing a theme of dark and moody spaces, with heavy colors like gray and black, and black on black,” says Burger. 

“White shaker cabinets have had their day,” affirms Ott. “What’s coming in now is swinging in the complete opposite direction. We’re seeing a lot of bright and dark colors.”

She reports that brighter colors are adding a certain whimsy to spaces. Bustamante agrees, noting that he is seeing a playfulness with color.

“I’m really happy to see bold colors,” remarks Wheelock. “There are far fewer white-on-white schemes, and we’re seeing some great contrast and colors you don’t see often – teals and oranges and colors like that. These are great accent colors.”

“We’re seeing less of the monochromatic and more of these bold statements of color, and I think that’s just kind of a rejection of the classic white kitchen,” agrees Burger. “There is a desire for something with a little more visual interest.”

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Mark Cayen | Ryan Kirker

Empire Kitchen & Bath, Calgary, AB, Canada

This Calgary, Alberta powder room was designed to be a stunning visual departure from the rest of the main floor – a bold and vibrant crown jewel in a white and airy hallway. 

To achieve the desired luxurious, bold feel in the tiny 50.9-sq.-ft. room, the Empire Kitchen & Bath design team began with dramatic dark wainscoting and floral wallpaper in warm tones. A custom floating vanity topped with an eye-catching stone countertop anchors the space, while beveled custom cabinetry in brilliant white adds striking contrast. A large mirror and toe-kick lighting add a sense of depth to the small space.

In order to tie the powder room to the rest of the home, the black and white floor tile carries over from the hallway. The tile also serves to ground the vivid colors in the vanity and walls, as well as the white cabinetry.

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Amy Klosterman, Michelle Jefferson

AB Design Elements, Scottsdale, AZ

“A balance of black and walnut against the crisp whites of a contemporary kitchen…it was a lesson in restraint and asymmetry for a couple who wanted a quietly elegant kitchen within a home full of colorful art,” note designers Amy Klosterman and Michelle Jefferson. The couple also loves creative cooking, so the space is designed to encourage interactive cooking with kids and grandkids. A Monogram pizza oven and nearby wine room are fun additions for the couple.

Along the perimeter, a custom cold-rolled steel hood is flanked by slatted walnut panels that visually separate it from the custom black contemporary cabinets from F1 Cabinets that include Emtek cabinet edge pulls. A Monogram range sits below the hood. That same detail is repeated on the oven wall, which features a GE Advantium microwave and coffee maker, as well as the pizza oven. A Monogram refrigerator and freezer stand next to the pizza oven.

The island across from the range includes Brizo’s Litze faucet, sink, ice maker and Monogram dishwasher. The eating island includes a 30″ induction cooktop, microwave drawer, second dishwasher and prep sink with faucet, along with walnut butcher block floating counter. Both islands and the floating eating counter are stained black walnut and feature waterfall edges.

Clerestory windows allow for daytime natural light, so the light fixtures are rarely turned on. 

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Mark Cayen

Empire Kitchen & Bath, Calgary, AB Canada

Choosing the healthiest materials was paramount for this project, as it is only the second home in the world and the first home in North America to be awarded GreenGuard Gold For Homes certification. Taking on this kitchen project meant Mark Cayen needed to learn about healthy materials on a whole new level. In addition, the desire for luxury materials and an airy, calming atmosphere presented further challenges for the 340-sq.-ft. space.

As the heart of the floor plan, the kitchen had to serve as a social space that linked to the Great Room while also provide functionality in the form of a connected office and pantry. Streamlined custom cabinetry with a flat-panel design in a warm wood tone anchors the space, meeting the high standards of zero-VOC construction. It is topped with Mont Blanc quartzite with an eased edge on both the island and back wall. In a leathered finish, it also acts as a backsplash behind the Gaggenau 36″ 400 Series Full Surface Induction Cooktop and 42″ black hood with Wolf Pro Hood Liner. Continuing along the back wall, paneled Integrated 30″ Vario 400 Series Refrigerator and Freezer from Gaggenau sit between the range wall and the Wolf M Series Transitional Single Oven and Convection Steam Oven.

The island, which faces the family room, sports seating for five, and includes The Galley 5′ Workstation, Tara Ultra Single Lever Mixer and Tara Ultra Bar Tap in Platinum Matte from Dornbracht, East Liner Cold Water Dispenser in Satin Nickel from Newport Brass and Cove panel-ready dishwasher.

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Christina Fukumoto 

KSI Kitchen & Bath, Birmingham, MI

For this ensuite primary bath, designer Christina Fukumoto’s client drew inspiration from dark, moody spaces reminiscent of a cigar lounge or country club. To achieve this aesthetic, she incorporated warm wall paneling from Dura Supreme Cabinetry in quartersawn oak with a navy blue vanity, white marble countertop and Pub House Collection decorative hardware from Schaub & Co. 

With such a narrow room requiring a likewise narrow (custom depth) vanity cabinet, the designer opted for a wall-mount faucet to save on counter space. Due to issues with a wall pipe and the backsplash, the faucet was mounted higher than originally designed, which resulted in a distinctive look. A very narrow shower showcases a neutral tile behind glass with Kohler Purist showerhead. 

Thoughtful details in the bath include an accent tile ‘rug’ that was created with Liaison Mulholland Small in Silver Blend Honed by Kelly Wearstler for Ann Sacks. The same tile is repeated in the shower niche. Scalloped ends on the backsplash lend an air of sophistication.

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Eva Lindsell Anderson

Teakwood Builders, Inc., Saratoga Springs, NY

Located in an 18th century house on a scenic horse farm, this basement bar was created as part of an entertainment space to be enjoyed by multiple generations of the owners’ family. Because the owners are world travelers and entrepreneurs, they also wanted to incorporate amenities that would appeal to their business guests, such as a billiards parlor, whiskey room, spa, golf simulator and this formal bar.

The objective for the project was to create a New Orleans-inspired setting that would elevate the space. By dropping the formerly lofty ceiling and raising the floor, designer Eva Lindsell Anderson of Teakwood Builders, Inc., along with Balzer + Tuck Architecture, was able to create a raised, more intimate space that overlooks the golf simulator through steel-framed tempered glass windows. The windows retract into a wall pocket beside the banquette.

The bar, featuring a brushed cast pewter bar top by La Bastille, offers seating for seven, and is flanked by warmly lit floating glass shelves by Fittings Metal Collection and Essex cabinets in Black Galaxy from QCCI. The banquette, set against a cushioned tartan wall, offers a club-inspired niche for additional seating. A polished metal fixture above the bar functions as both a stemware rack and an uplight chandelier. Silvery antiqued mirrored glass tile by Artistic Tile, Masia Nero subway tile, dark honed quartz countertops and warm wood accents round out the sophisticated yet edgy aesthetic. A Monogram Wine Reserve and undercounter icemaker, freezer and 30″ beverage column from True Residential add beauty and function, as do the Blanco Precis sink and Brizo Levoir wall-mount faucet.

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Lauren Tolles

KSI Kitchen & Bath, Rochester Hills, MI

When conceptualizing a new KSI Kitchen & Bath showroom in Rochester Hills, MI, Lauren Tolles, co-owner of KSI and founder of Maison Birmingham, faced a challenge – namely, fitting three full kitchen displays (one functional) and three baths, as well as office space, a presentation room and a restroom, into 997 square feet. The goal was to provide inspiration to homeowners and designers; incorporate several cabinetry styles from multiple manufacturers, including Dura Supreme, Merillat and Medallion; and showcase multiple design styles in one vignette – all while maintaining elegance and not creating a cluttered feeling.

Vignettes in the showroom may feature inset and framed cabinetry in the same kitchen, as well as a mix of finishes, countertops and hardware. Harmonious, subtle combinations keep the space from feeling too cluttered, while organizational features provide space-saving examples to inspire visitors. 

One of the bath vignettes features a small stock vanity elevated with fixtures and artisan wallpaper to demonstrate how small touches can add elegance to a space on a budget. The other baths feature transitional and contemporary styles to provide a wide variety of inspiration.

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Richard Sherer, CEO/Founder | Nicholas Blavat, AIA/NCARB | Natalie Erickson, ASID

Deep River Partners, Ltd., Milwaukee, WI

Part of a new Craftsman-style home, this library in Chenequa, WI was designed to be a sophisticated work-from-home retreat with a masculine aesthetic. Dual-passage doors topped with transoms, along with a double-sided fireplace adjoining the Great Room, ensure that the space isn’t completely closed off from the rest of the home.

To create an appropriate atmosphere for a home library, the design team integrated custom woodwork, with rich wall-to-wall shelving, built-in cabinetry with decorative pulls from Rocky Mountain Hardware and eye-catching ceiling beams. Caramel-colored leather inserts add to the sumptuous feel of the space.

For maximized work-from-home productivity and relaxation time, the room is integrated with smart technology features for lighting, sound, window shades and more. Programmable overhead and down lights, as well as accent lights for shelves, can set the atmosphere for any activity, while the lakefront view outside the window is easily visible from the desk through French doors with casement and transom windows.

As a fun and dramatic extra touch, there is a secret door leading from the first floor master suite, concealed in the floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Radiant floor heating and windows with roller shades ensure a comfortable temperature at all times.

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The newly created lobby area partially conceals the rest of the showroom, creating a fun “reveal” effect for visitors and making them curious to see more. The displays feature cabinetry at a variety of price points, including Nickels Cabinetry and Dura Supreme in slab and framed door styles with hardware from Top Knobs. A variety of countertop materials is also displayed, including Pac Shore Stones, Calacatta Marble and Caesarstone. The dated bamboo flooring from the yoga studio was removed and replaced with Sandbank by D&M Flooring. 

Honeycomb’s designers have their own workspace divided from the main showroom by a slat wall feature, allowing the designers privacy without separating them completely from the inspirational showroom. LED lighting and zero VOC paint deliver a green and energy-efficient space.

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