DDA Canada 2019 Decorating & Design Competition Gala

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Decorators, designers and suppliers from across Canada gathered in Toronto on May 3rd for DDA Canada’s 2019 Awards Gala. The high-energy gala at the Grande Luxe Event Boutique included a giveaway of $6,800 in cash prizes and was hosted by celebrity designer, Glen Peloso.

DDA National Chair, Andria Cowan Molyneaux and designer, Glen Peloso entertain the audience.

The highlight of the gala was the unveiling of the 2019 Decorating & Design Competition winners. Contestants in 14 categories included both DDA Canada’s accredited and student members. Submissions are evaluated by a jury of industry peers from across the country who evaluate the projects based on complexity, concept, materials and functionality, among other criteria.

Attendees were captivated as videos of each winning project described the planning and thought behind the design. The videos were punctuated by applause as the designers accepted their awards. In all, 38 awards, including six student awards, were presented:

Pinnacle Award – People’s Choice for the best interior decorating project
Katherine Porath, Katherine Joy Interiors

Pinnacle Award winner Kathryn Porath (left) accepts the People's Choice award from Tanya Watters of the category's sponsor, Canadian Appliance Source.

Student, General, sponsored by Budget Blinds & Tailored Living
Gold – Suzanne Chenard
Silver – Vivian Mai Thao
Bronze – Bhoomi Patel

Student, Universal Kitchen or Bath, sponsored by Living in Place Network
Gold – Vivian Mai Thao
Silver – Suzanne Chenard
Bronze – Pukar Risal

Bathroom under $30K, sponsored by Ceragres
Gold – Rotem Golan, Ace of Space Interiors
Silver – Kim Purvis, Aurora Décor
Bronze – Adolphina Karachok & Leanne Tammaro, DesignTheory

Bathroom over $30K, sponsored by BainUltra
Gold – Lisa Frahm, Frahm Interiors
Silver – Svetlana Tryaskina, Estee Design

Kitchen under $50K, sponsored by Distinctive
Gold – Adolphina Karachok & Leanne Tammaro, DesignTheory
Silver – Rotem Golan, Ace of Space Interiors
Bronze – Robin Boles, Robin Interiors

Kitchen over $50K, sponsored by Caplan’s Appliances
Gold – Svetlana Tryaskina, Estee Design
Silver – Nancy Lem, Nancy Lem Design
Bronze – Gabriele Pizzale, Pizzale Design Inc.

Universal Kitchen or Bath, sponsored by Living in Place Network
Gold – Katherine Porath, Katherine Joy Interiors
Silver – Andria Cowan & Katie Golec, ACM Designs

Commercial, sponsored by ProSource Toronto
Gold – Sascha Lafleur, West of Main
Silver – Lana McIver, Interior Design Group
Bronze – Heddy Bing, Urban Spaces Design

Challenging Budget under $10K, sponsored by Glen Dimplex
Gold – Elena Gouchtchina, Maison Interiors
Silver – Rida Fatima Wasim, Rida Interiors
Bronze – Katie Golec, ACM Designs

Interior Decorating, no construction, $10 – $45K, sponsored by Sherwin Williams
Gold – Marisa Lupo & Luisa Maringola, Lumar Interiors
Silver – Marisa Lupo & Luisa Maringola, Lumar Interiors
Bronze – Patti Wilson, Patti Wilson Design Inc.

Interior Decorating under $45K, sponsored by Caesarstone
Gold – Gabriele Pizzale, Pizzale Design Inc.
Silver – Katherine Porath, Katherine Joy Interiors
Bronze – Lindsay Wolfe-Assaf, The Home Stylist

Interior Decorating $45 – $100K, sponsored by Stylish Fireplaces & Interiors
Gold – Gabriele Pizzale, Pizzale Design Inc.
Silver – Marisa Lupo & Luisa Maringola, Lumar Interiors
Bronze – Margaret Struthers, Margaret Struthers Interiors

Interior Decorating over $100K, sponsored by Cosentino
Gold – Svetlana Tryaskina, Estee Design
Silver – Sascha Lafleur, West of Main
Bronze – Patti Wilson, Patti Wilson Design Inc.

“This national competition is a wonderful showcase of the world-class work being done by our members,” said Mary Dancey, co-chair of awards for DDA Canada. “Each year we receive more and more entries. The competition this year was fierce — the winners should be very proud of their achievement!”

The annual competition sponsored by several DDA Canada affiliate partners including the Ontario Design Trade Sourcebook will begin accepting entries again in fall 2019.