The 2018 NKBA awards reflect Ottawa homeowners who are taking more chances with their kitchen and bathroom designs.
Called the Design Excellence Awards and held May 5 at the Infinity Convention Centre, the gala by the Ottawa chapter of the National Kitchen and Bathroom Association recognized designers in 19 categories from powder rooms to luxury kitchens. See photos of the winners below and read more about the awards here.
The winners
Photo: Melissa Leroux Photography
Julianna Dykstra of Distinctive Bathrooms & Kitchens won a doubly whammy for this kitchen: best new designer and people’s choice for kitchen. The clients were looking for an updated space where they could better spend time with their grandchildren.
First place for creative concept went to Jinan Al-Ani of Laurysen Kitchens for a curvy contemporary ensuite in white, grey and black.
Second place for creative concept was won by Nathalie Tambay of Designing To Stay for a modular kitchen that can evolve with the needs of the residents.
Metropolis Studio
Evoking a “fresh-baked apple pie feeling”, designer Caroline Castrucci of Laurysen Kitchens combined soft blue and creamy yellow-white cabinets with Salisbury Green walls in this project, which won first place in the category of classic/traditional kitchen, price group A ($20,000-$39,999 without labour).
Melissa Leroux Photography
This bungalow gets an open-concept facelift that won Julianna Dykstra of Distinctive Bathrooms & Kitchens a tie for second place in the category of classic/traditional kitchen, price group A ($20,000-$39,999 without labour).
Donna Bernard of The Cabinet Connection tied for second place at the 2018 NKBA awards in the category of classic/traditional kitchen, price group A ($20,000-$39,999 without labour) for another bungalow that was opened up for an open-concept look.
Two-tone maple cabinets and quartz counters help the transitional look in this traditional space to earn first place for designer Julia Enriquez of Astro Design Centre in the category of classic/traditional kitchen, price group B ($40,000-$59,999 without labour).
JVLphoto
Changing this U-shaped kitchen to an L-shaped allowed for the island the owners wanted in this project by Marina Medina of Astro Design Centre, which won second place in the category of classic/traditional kitchen, price group B ($40,000-$59,999 without labour).
JVLphoto
Mixing metals and materials, designer Nathan Kyle of Astro Design Centre sought a timeless esthetic in this kitchen, which won first place for classic/traditional kitchen, price group D ($80,000+ without labour).
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Caroline Castrucci of Laurysen Kitchens claimed second place for classic/traditional kitchen, price group D ($80,000+ without labour) for the kitchen in this rural home, using distressed maple cabinets and walnut island to tie in with the home’s ceiling beams.
The most popular kitchen category was for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group A ($20,000-$39,999 without labour). First place went to Wael Bakr of Laurysen Kitchens for a space that meets the needs of a young family that likes to entertain.
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Second place for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group A ($20,000-$39,999 without labour) went to Beth McGahern of Elizabeth McGahern Interior Design for an Old Ottawa South home that was opened up.
JVLphoto
Marina Medina of Astro Design Centre won second place for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group B ($40,000-$59,999 without labour) with a timeless kitchen in warm greys and browns with a variety of textures to create interest.
Second place for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group B ($40,000-$59,999 without labour) went to Marya Hwyn with Art House Developments for a clean-lined kitchen punctuated by a trio of angled pendants.
High-gloss white lacquered cabinetry is paired with a white marble-patterned waterfall quartz island counter in this project by Alex Diaz of Art House Developments, which won first place for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group C ($60,000-$79,999 without labour).
JVLphoto
Concrete and elegance is the theme in this project by Nathan Kyle of Astro Design Centre, Heather Pira of Campanale Homes and Bailey Delanty of Tego Bathroom Solutions. It won second place for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group C ($60,000-$79,999 without labour).
JVLphoto
To keep the space light, fresh and airy in an old home getting a modern facelift, designer Nathan Kyle of Astro Design Centre went with many shades of white and carefully integrated 14 different appliances. The project won first place for contemporary/modern kitchen, price group D ($80,000+ without labour).
Christine Aubrey Photography
Large windows in this ensuite posed a challenge for cabinetry so designer Dawn Tite of The Cabinet Connection and Deb Gerbis of Eye 4 Detail hung a mirror over the window to allow for both function and natural light in this first-place finish for classic/traditional bathroom, price group A ($10,000-$24,999 without labour).
Nadia Calabrese
Balancing the masculine and the feminine, Marcia Perrotte of Designs MCP won second place for classic/traditional bathroom, price group A ($10,000-$24,999 without labour), as well as grabbing the award for best transformation.
Looking for classic sophistication, Becky Powell of Kitchen Craft Cabinetry paired dark grey cabinets with a soft colour palette and curved standalone tub to take first place in classic/traditional bathroom, price group B ($25,000-$39,999 without labour).
Melissa Leroux Photography
A thoroughly updated and airy ensuite by Sarah Stott of Westend Bath and Kitchen won second place for classic/traditional bathroom, price group B ($25,000-$39,999 without labour).
The most popular bathroom category at the 2018 NKBA awards was for contemporary/modern, price group A ($10,000-$24,999 without labour), with first place going to Bailey Delanty of Tego Bathroom Solutions for an elegant bathroom with an industrial edge.
An unusual slatted ceiling with concealed lighting helped Marya Hwyn with Art House Developments win second place for contemporary/modern bathroom, price group A ($10,000-$24,999 without labour).
JVLphoto
Oozing elegance, this inviting ensuite by Walter Bunda of Astro Design Centre tied for first place in the category of contemporary/modern bathroom, price group B ($25,000-$39,999 without labour), as well as claiming the award for people’s choice in bathroom, which is voted on by the public.
Tying for first place in contemporary/modern bathroom, price group B ($25,000-$39,999 without labour), Marya Hwyn with Art House Developments made efficient and stylish use of space and light.
Taking space from unused bedrooms allowed Wael Bakr of Laurysen Kitchens to add everything from his client’s wishlist to this ensuite makeover, which won second place in contemporary/modern bathroom, price group B ($25,000-$39,999 without labour).
JVLphoto
Taking its cues from nature and Scandinavian spas, this ensuite becomes a sanctuary that won Janik lemery of Astro Design Centre first place in the category of contemporary/modern bathroom, price group C ($40,000+ without labour).
Aiming for modern simplicity in a third-floor master retreat, Erica Dwyer of Urban Home Design & Custom Kitchens won second place for contemporary/modern bathroom, price group C ($40,000+ without labour).
JVLphoto
Big on drama, this powder room packs a punch in black and floating marble, winning first place at the 2018 NKBA awards in the category of powder room for Janik Lemery of Astro Design Centre.
Second place for powder room went to a more understated yet sophisticated design by Alex Diaz of Art House Developments.
JVLphoto
Winning the look for less bathroom, in which the space costs less than $10,000 for materials only, is this attic ensuite by Emma Doucet of Grassroots Design that gives the impression is has always been there.
Metropolis Studio
Elnaz Shahrokhi of Laurysen Kitchens won the look for less kitchen, which must cost less than $20,000 for materials only, for a galley kitchen in a mix of walnut and high gloss.
With durability and practicality in mind, Andre Guenette of The Kitchen Guy created a functional layout with plenty of storage that won best transformation for a kitchen.
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One of three awards for industry veteran Caroline Castrucci of Laurysen Kitchens, this library in walnut and maple won the Other Rooms category.
