NKBA 2019 Design Awards – And the winner is …

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This year’s gala event celebrates Ontario’s best and adds a new creative category to the mix

Designing an award-winning kitchen or bathroom is much more challenging than making the space look pretty. It’s about creating an attractive and stylish room while continuing to balance the practical demands of everyday life.

Each year, the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) Ontario Chapter hosts a gala evening to celebrate the entries and reveal the winners of its annual design competition, and the calibre of this year’s winning projects proved to be exceptional!

There was excitement in the air as kitchen and bath designers, along with industry suppliers and leaders, gathered at the much-anticipated annual event, which took place February 9th at the Paramount Event Space in Woodbridge.

Entries to the competition are judged by a panel of certified designers (CKD, CBD, CKBD, CMKBD) and industry experts. Qualifying projects are then scored on various criteria, including: NKBA guidelines, safety and ergonomics, elements and principles of design, design planning, creativity and presentation. With 11 categories, six specialty awards including People’s Choice, plus the revered Pinnacle

Award, a total of 36 awards were presented for design excellence and creativity. A new category of Concept Kitchen was added this year where entrants could push the boundaries and create a space for an imaginary family without a budget to limit them.

This year’s Pinnacle Award Winner was Rose Barroso of Barroso Homes. This prestigious award represents the best of all entries and is selected from all the firstplace place winners.

The People’s Choice Award is given to the winner of a contest run by Homes Publishing Group. Select kitchens from the competition entries are nominated and voted upon by industry peers as well as the general public. This year’s winner was Svetlana Tryaskina , Estee Design & Ilona Peever , Irpinia Kitchens (Co-designer). The NKBA Ontario Chapter and HOMES Publishing are thrilled to feature this year’s award-winning designers and their respective designs.

Pinnacle Award

Rose Barroso, Barroso Homes

Compact Kitchen

FIRST PLACE Martin deSousa, Designström

Small Kitchen

FIRST PLACE Linnea Lions, Designström

SECOND PLACE Martin deSousa, Designström

THIRD PLACE Benjamin John Ouellette, Bjoid

HONOURABLE MENTION Beverley Binns, Binns Kitchen + Bath

Medium Kitchen

FIRST PLACE Beverley Binns, Binns Kitchen + Bath

SECOND PLACE Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok (Co-designer), Designtheory Inc.

THIRD PLACE Joleen M Constantis, Volumes of Space, Inc. & Hira Homes (Co-designer)

HONOURABLE MENTION Linnea Lions, Designström

Large Kitchen

FIRST PLACE Glen Peloso & Elizabeth Smith (Co-designer), Grafus Design Build

SECOND PLACE Frankie Castro, Square Footage Inc.

THIRD PLACE Andrea Pannaci, Olympic Kitchens Inc.

HONOURABLE MENTION Svetlana Tryaskina, Estee Design & Ilona Peever, Irpinia Kitchens (Co-designer),

Concept Kitchen

FIRST PLACE Martin deSousa, Designström

SECOND PLACE Cassandra Nordell, William Standen Co.

Powder Room

FIRST PLACE Andrea Pannaci, Olympic Kitchens Inc.

SECOND PLACE Emma Doucet, Grassroots Design + Build

Small Bathroom

FIRST PLACE Brittany Oakley, Toronto Custom Concepts Inc.

SECOND PLACE Mark Ashton, Ashton Renovations

Medium Bathroom

FIRST PLACE Dvira Ovadia, Dvira Interiors

SECOND PLACE Celeste Pilon, Total Living Concepts

Large Bathroom

FIRST PLACE Rose Barroso, Barroso Homes

SECOND PLACE Emma Doucet, Grassroots Design + Build

THIRD PLACE Natalie Venalainen & Keith O’Brien (Co-designer), Men at Work Design Build Ltd.

HONOURABLE MENTION Dvira Ovadia, Dvira Interiors

Other Room / Outdoor Kitchen

FIRST PLACE Laura Goard, Square Footage Inc.

SECOND PLACE Rose Barroso, Barroso Homes

Promotional Display

FIRST PLACE Yasmine Goodwin, My Design Studio

SECOND PLACE Erica Sibley & Beverley Binns (Co-designer), Binns Kitchen + Bath Design

Best Traditional Kitchen

Glen Peloso & Elizabeth Smith, Grafus Design Build

Best Before & After Kitchen

Frankie Castro, Square Footage Inc.

Best Before & After Bathroom

Alannah Bent, William Standen Co.

Best Budget Kitchen

Emma Doucet, Grassroots Design + Build

Best New Designer

Alex Deelen, Binns Kitchen + Bath Design

People’s Choice HPG

Svetlana Tryaskina, Estee Design & Ilona Peever, Irpinia Kitchens (Co-designer)

The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.


Allie Baxter
Allie Baxter
A Reno + Decor Influencer
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