It’s here! The announcement you’ve been waiting for: the Winners of this year’s Best of the Best Contest! Last year we submitted the winners to five industry competitions and won in all of them – including three Gold, one one Regional, one Silver and four bronze. Our designers really rock!
Every year we hold this contest internally and this year we had 47 submissions from our 2019 projects! The categories are: Large Kitchens (over 240 sq ft), Small Kitchens (under 240), Master Bathrooms, Guest Baths and Other – which can be anything from Outdoor Kitchens to Laundry Rooms. This year had a particular emphasis on Bars – dry bars, wet bars, tiki bars!
Upfront, I want to thank Rickie Agapito of aofotos.com for his always beautiful photography of our projects! He always finds the right angles! Also, our construction crews, who tirelessly work with the designers to bring the designs and the customer dreams into reality.
Our judges this year were: Roxanne Martinez of Crossville Tile, Kate Slentz of Orange Appeal and Interior Appeal magazines, and Ashley Williams of Cox Media – all skilled in looking at a design for the details, big and small, that will really appeal to our customers. They definitely have the hardest job – choosing the top 3 in each category.
Our customers are amazing and the best projects often come when they are really involved in the process and know what they love. A collection of American Colonial pottery or of antique serving dishes can inspire new designs that are fresh and still respectful of the old.
Another trend this year is the navy island/lower cabinets paired with white. Blue is always a popular color, especially in Florida! The navy cabinets are often now paired with brass fixtures and lighting, bringing the look up to date.
While grey has been at the forefront of color trends for several years, the trend has gone a bit further this year to whole rooms that are strictly shades of grey and only very subtle uses of other colors. It makes for a striking design!
Tile work is also becoming a feature in designs. In the designer’s own guest bath below, it’s used in a limited color palette to wonderful effect.
And in this beautiful coastal bath the tile reminds clients of outdoor waterfall showers on their travels.
Lighting is another area that is always a critical element in a great design – certainly to provide function but also as a statement that can raise the level of design from average to outstanding.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Stay safe and healthy!