Categories:

ENTIRE HOME

Home: Custom Primary Residence

We’re looking for a custom, one-of-a-kind home (primary residences only) designed by an architect, architecture firm, architect/designer collaboration, or design-build firm. Submissions should include one photo of the exterior as well as photos of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, plus any other room you'd like us to consider.

Home: Vacation/Secondary Residence

Whether it’s on a lake or in the woods, these homes exemplify leisure living. We want to see projects that support and augment relaxation and recreation. These projects should be designed by an architect, architecture firm, architect/designer collaboration, or design-build firm This category is for secondary residences only. Submissions should include one photo of the exterior as well as photos of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, plus any other room you'd like us to consider.

Home: Builder-Produced (Production or Spec Home)

This category is for builders who deliver homes from a set of existing plans, whether for one client or for several new for-sale or for-rent homes within a community or neighborhood. We’re looking for homes that are on-trend in their styling, use of materials, layout, and livability, from entry-level to luxury, attached and detached. Submissions should include photos of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, plus any other room you'd like us to consider.  

Home: Historic Renovation

Whether you have renewed and refreshed a 100-year-old Tudor or a 1960s ranch, show how you’ve infused new life into a renovation project while preserving the house’s fundamental character. Submissions should include one photo of the exterior as well as photos of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, plus any other room you'd like us to consider.

Home: Whole House Renovation (Non-Historic)

Updating a contemporary home requires a seamless blend of vision, expertise, and meticulous planning. Designers and architects must reimagine the home's layout and character while addressing structural updates, modern functionality, and the homeowner's unique style. This category is open to homes that were built in the last 50 years.  Submissions should include photos of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, plus any other room you'd like us to consider.

Home: Condominium or Townhouse

Renovating a condominium comes with unique challenges, from navigating strict association guidelines to creatively reimagining confined spaces. Designers and architects must balance functionality, aesthetics, and compliance to transform these shared living spaces into personalized havens. Submissions should include photos of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, plus any other room you'd like us to consider.  

DÉCOR

Décor: Living Room/Contemporary

Show us your best example of a contemporary or modern aesthetic. This style is sleek, featuring clean lines and emphasizing simplicity and practicality. Explain the goals of the project and share details regarding how you created the look, including your selection of furniture, artwork, lighting and any accessories that help establish the style (and name the sources, if possible). 

Décor: Living Room/Traditional or Transitional

This design embraces timeless elegance and classic comfort. Explain the goals of the project and share details regarding how you created the look, including your selection of furniture, artwork, lighting and any accessories that help establish the style (and name the sources, if possible). 

Décor: Dining Room

This is where family traditions are established and memories are made, and where great design melds with functionality. Explain the goals of the project and share details regarding how you created the look, including your selection of furniture, artwork, lighting and any accessories that help establish the style (and name the sources, if possible). 

Décor: Primary Bedroom Suite

For this space, a meeting of comfort and style are a must. We want to see your creativity in creating a sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Show us how you’ve melded the ensuite bathroom with the sleeping area. Explain the goals of the project and share details regarding how you created the look, including your selection of furniture, artwork, lighting and any accessories that help establish the style (and name the sources, if possible). 

Décor: Basement

This can be a highly functional family room or a space where dreams run wild. We want to see how you fulfilled your client’s wishes with creativity.

KITCHEN

Kitchen: Small/Contemporary (Up to 200 square feet)

This design is sleek, minimalist, and modern. Clean lines, flat-panel cabinetry, and subtle, streamlined hardware dominate the space. Materials often include glass, stainless steel, and engineered stone, creating a polished and uncluttered look. Attaining an uncluttered modern or contemporary look in a small footprint presents an extra challenge. Tell us what the goals were and how you achieved them. Include any insights that will help readers as they plan their own space.

Kitchen: Small/Traditional or Transitional (Up to 200 square feet)

A traditional kitchen is warm, classic, and timeless. You'll often see intricate details like crown molding, raised-panel cabinetry, and decorative hardware. Materials like natural wood, stone countertops, and tiled backsplashes are common. The overall feel is inviting and rooted in heritage. Show how you’ve incorporated storage, style, function and beauty into a smaller footprint, with traditional styling overtones. 

Kitchen: Large/Contemporary (Larger than 200 square feet)

This design is sleek, minimalist, and modern. Clean lines, flat-panel cabinetry, and subtle, streamlined hardware dominate the space. Materials often include glass, stainless steel, and engineered stone, creating a polished and uncluttered look. Tell us how you achieved the goals of the client while working within a modern or contemporary style.

Kitchen: Large/Traditional or Transitional (Larger than 200 square feet)

A traditional kitchen is warm, classic, and timeless. You'll often see intricate details like crown molding, raised-panel cabinetry, and decorative hardware. Materials like natural wood, stone countertops, and tiled backsplashes are common. The overall feel is inviting and rooted in heritage. Tell us how you achieved the goals of the client while working within a traditional or transitional style.

Kitchen: Remodel

Readers love a good makeover! Give us your best transformation of a dated kitchen. Tell us how you reworked the floorplan and rethought the space. Walk us through the highlights of the project, including those little details that the client loves best. Please include before and after photographs, ideally with matching angles.

BATHROOM

Bathroom: Full

Function is primary in the bathroom, but achieving with beauty and flair can make this space exceptional. Walk us through the highlights of your design.

Bathroom: Half

When space is tight, a designer must work extra hard to make it appealing. Show us how you used creativity to overcome constraint in this project.

Bathroom: Remodel

Transforming an existing bathroom into something fresh, new and functional is the ultimate challenge. Show us how you aced this challenge. Please include before and after photographs, ideally with matching angles.

OUTDOORS

Outdoors: Deck/Patio/Pool

Outdoor living is gaining in popularity. Show us a project that enhances your client’s enjoyment of their yard, whether for entertaining or relaxation. Outdoor kitchens belong in this category.

Outdoors: Landscape

Whether the goal is to enhance the beauty of a home or to create a backyard oasis, we want to see your most outstanding project. Show us how you used greenery, plantings, shrubs and trees to fulfill your client’s desires.

 

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