Kitchen & Bath Design Contest - 2018 Winners

The National Kitchen and Bath Association Susquehanna Valley Chapter once again partnered with Susquehanna Style to showcase the year’s top shelf kitchen and bath projects around the region. Certified kitchen and bath designers’ winning entries were chosen by the NKBA’s independent panel of judges in categories ranging from $40,000 to $150,000 plus, outdoor projects, and more. 

AWARD-WINNING KITCHEN

Showstopper 

Category: Luxury 

Designer: Sandra Steiner-Houck and co-designer Candis Warren-Ashurst, Steiner-Houck & Associates

This fixer-upper purchase included a dark, dated kitchen where faux paneling covered windows, blocking natural light. The new homeowners needed a space that not only looked beautiful for their bed and breakfast events venue, but also a kitchen that could really cook and handle the workload of special events and entertaining. The historic home provided challenges to modern updates, but the outcome resulted in a kitchen that looks like it was always part of this 1885 Victorian.

Objectives: The new kitchen design needed to feel compatible with the historic elements of this 1885 home. Incorporate classic, black-and-white floor and light, neutral cabinetry with glass inserts. Find the perfect unique countertops to compliment this kitchen with maximized storage and workspace. Incorporate a wine rack, a plus, and good ambient task lighting, a must. Create large metal decorative hood to be the star of the space.

Design Challenges: This small room was not originally a kitchen so it has large windows that extend 18 inches below the countertops.The house had settled and the floor sloped 2 inches across the room.The age of home provided challenges when installing a new kitchen with modern appliances and fixtures.

Design Solutions: Maximized storage and workspace, extending over all windows and providing finished backs at all windows.A door to a back hall was closed in, which was another unneeded entrance. Cabinetry and counters were expanded to maximize space. Taller wall cabinets with mirrored doors were incorporated to visually expand space. Black-and-white luxury vinyl tile floor was installed, which was more forgiving over the old, unlevel floors.Old plaster and irregular placement of studs inhibited opening the wall, so the large custom hood was secured to the floor joists above. Recessed lights were installed by removing flooring above in order to preserve the original horsehair plaster and lath ceiling. Under-cabinet Task Lighting illuminates work surfaces. 

Special Features: Moveable Boos butcher block work island with wine rack; custom designed zinc and satin brass hood; custom locally made range; Victorian style chandelier; Barocco leathered granite countertops, cabinetry details including the new linen finish, continuous drawer-head profile and crystal knobs to emulate the designs of antique furniture.

Cabinetry: Linen glaze, Signature Custom Cabinetry / Contractor and installer: Ebersole Brothers Construction / Appliances: Custom range, Blue Star; ventilation, refrigerator, microwave drawer, Jenn-Air; dishwasher, Miele; garbage disposal with air switch, Insinkerator / Hardware: House of Antique Hardware / Countertops: Barocco leathered granite, Natural Stoneworks / Floor: Luxury vinyl tile, Armstrong / Plumbing fixtures: Shaw’s fireclay sink, Rohl / Lighting: Fiess / Backsplash: Spanish limestone, Natural Stoneworks / Wall color: Anew Grey, Sherwin Williams / Other custom elements: ceiling treatment, custom pearlescent Venetian plaster; custom zinc and brushed brass hood, locally made 

AWARD-WINNING KITCHEN/BEST OF SHOW

Aged to Perfection 

Category: Moderate 

Designer: elizaBeth Marcocci, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry

The 1879 Victorian home was in dire need of a kitchen remodel. Previous remodels and changes over 139 years had left it lacking in functionality and usable space. The new owners’ love of “aged” homes and their desire to bring it back while taking it forward to achieve perfection were evident from the beginning. 

Objectives: Reclaim the past but bring the space into today, reusing existing materials where possible. Increase countertop space and functional space for today’s lifestyle, including a place to eat breakfast. Find a new place for the refrigerator, add a gas range, hide the dishwasher and microwave. Increase back wall space. Keep and refurbish radiator. 

Design Challenges: There were five openings into the kitchen, four doorways and one previous window. Exposed pipes needed to be moved if possible, and previous remodeling mistakes needed to be corrected.The room was cold, with lack of insulation in the window wall, and a window needed to be replaced.

Design Solutions: The designer utilized the two original glass wall cabinets on either side of the window, which were cleaned up, fixed, and repainted.Signature created new glass wall cabinets to reflect the original ones.Wood floors were restored to their previous beauty.

The design reframed and shortened the side window (previously a porch, now closed in) to put cabinetry below for more countertop space, plus created a peninsula with dining for two.Water pipes were moved to install a counter wall cabinet with microwave hidden behind a lift door,and the refrigerator was moved to the range wall. Marcocci created wall cabinets to reflect the original cabinetry and a sink base cabinet that looks added and aged.

Special Features: Under-cabinet lighting, angled power strips, roll-out shelves, hidden microwave behind lift door, aged hardware, farm sink, farm sink base cabinet with profiled feet pulled 3 inches out with green stained wood lattice in doors, base cabinet accessible under peninsula for extra storage, honed granite countertops. 

*Best of Show selections were based on the highest point value awarded by the judges.

Cabinetry: Decorator White inset painted, Signature Custom Cabinetry; sink base stained hickory with lattice inserts, Mother Hubbard Custom Cabinetry / Contractor and installer: Jason Frank, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry / Hardware: rust finish, Top Knobs / Countertops: Negresco honed granite, Classic Rock Fabrication / Floors: Original wood floors, refinished by Frontz / Plumbing fixtures: farm sink, Kohler, enamel cast iron in white, Whitehaven / Lighting: Tape angled power strips, LOOX LED / Backsplash: 3x6” subway tile in Arctic Gloss, Silver Shadow grout / Windows: D/H Stone white clad exterior, white pine interior, Marvin / Wall color: Hearts of Palm, Sherwin Williams

AWARD-WINNING KITCHEN

Gourmet Upgrade 

Category: Efficient 

Designer: Valerie Kissinger, Dimensional Designs Unlimited 

The homeowner was tired of her outdated, “pinky” washed oak cabinetry, scratched laminate countertops and one-cook kitchen layout. This new gourmet kitchen is a bright, family-friendly place to gather where great meals and  memories will be created.

Objectives: More storage, more countertop space, large French door-style refrigerator, microwave, double oven, beverage center with wine storage, and most of all to be able to have more than one person working in the kitchen.

Design Solutions: By removing the peninsula in the existing layout and creating a center island with a 36-inch flat glass downdraft cooktop, the chef is in the center of all her guests (in the kitchen and facing the open family room). A new French door refrigerator was moved next to the sink, allowing the cook and the cleanup person at the sink to access the refrigerator without getting in each other’s way. A second sink on the back wall behind the cooktop gives the chef a separate preparation area with their own built-in, pull-out trash bin to the left of the sink. The back wall is dressed up with glass mullion doors with crystal knobs to display wine glasses; wine cubbies for storing un-chilled wines; and a French-door, under-countertop refrigerator for other beverages. This creates a beautiful backdrop for the kitchen viewed from the open family room and is functional for guests to get a beverage without getting into the main refrigerator.

To gain additional storage, wall cabinets were taken to the ceiling and trimmed with a two-piece molding detail. The tall cabinets on each end are angled to soften the corners, but this is not wasted space; it was designed with shallow, tall storage from the sides. The angled end of the oven cabinet also has a docking station inside for cell phone charging and space for a note board. The angles on the one end of the island feature storage for cutting boards, etc. Deep storage drawers on the island end are convenient for unloading dishes from the dishwasher.

Special Features: The new Kohler Farm sink with a stainless steel rack in the bottom is accented with a pre-rinse spring stainless steel faucet for easy cleanup, along with double pull-out trash bins to the right. The leather textured Fantasy Brown granite lips over the sink and flows along. The granite covered wall step up conceals the sink from the family room.

Cabinetry: Park City Style and Maple Chalk finish, island in Maple Driftwood, Bishop Cabinets / Contractor: Dimensional Designs Unlimited / Installer: Revolution Builders / Appliances: French door refrigerator,convection/micro/oven, 36” glass cooktop with downdraft; under-counter refrigerator 24” French door silhouette, dishwasher with hidden controls, GE Profile /Hardware: crystal knobs, Emtek / Countertops: Fantasy brown granite with leathered texture / Floors: ceramic tile / Plumbing fixtures: Sea Salt farm sink with stainless steel bottom rack, Kohler;pre-rinse faucet in sterling silver, Align; under mount bar sink with Align pull-down faucet in chrome

AWARD-WINNING KITCHEN

Mod Makeover

Category: Best Before and After

Designer: John Petrie, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry 

A builder blah kitchen gets a modern makeover with form and function. The end result is a clean-lined contemporary kitchen with sinks and appliances designed to provide maximum efficiency for cooking and entertaining. 

Objectives: A modern, contemporary update from a dysfunctional country kitchen.

Design Challenges: The existing oak wood country kitchen, with u-shaped peninsula design didn’t fit the young, growing family’s needs for entertaining or style. 

The original peninsula design trapped the cook in the kitchen and didn’t allow for good entertaining and family traffic flow. The original appliances were dated, small, and inconveniently located. A desk located in the kitchen was simply used as a spot to collect stuff. A closet that jetted into the kitchen breakfast room, made the walkway through the kitchen narrow.

Design Solutions: Clean, straight lines for cabinetry, countertops, and integrated appliances were designed to fit the request for contemporary style. 

A long island designed to accommodate a couple of stools and a single bowl prep sink opened up the flow of the space. The closet towards the breakfast room was removed to open up the space and allow for a wine/beverage refrigerator. The island was also designed to have a waterfall edge on the backside, completing a very modern, clean look. 

Cooking and entertaining are very important parts of this family. A 36”-wide, six-burner range with ventilation, warming drawer, speed oven, and separate wall oven were requested to fill the cook’s needs, along with a large refrigerator and a separate prep sink. 

Special Features: To keep the modern, clean lines of the cabinetry, Miele and SubZero appliances were specified. Cabinet hardware was held to minimum, using C-channel for the base cabinets and extending the wall cabinet doors down below the cabinet box. The outlets and wall switches were all relocated to provide for a very clean glass backsplash. Cabinet drawers were confined to concealed roll-outs in certain base cabinets and a single four drawer base was installed in the island, facing the dishwasher, all by itself. The kitchen only features horizontal drawer lines. 

Cabinetry: Strata door in Ash Brown and Umber high gloss lacquer, Signature Custom Cabinetry / Contractor: Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry / Installer: Matt Aull /Appliances: dishwasher, wall oven, warming drawer, range, and hood, Miele; refrigerator, freezer, and wine refrigerator, Subzero / Hardware: matte stainless steel, Hafele; ontemporary Bravo pull, Berenson / Countertops: White Seus Extreme, with 2 centimeter waterfall edge, Silestone quartz / Floors: 4x48” Martis white tile, Vallelunga & Co. / Plumbing fixtures: Soap dispenser and faucets in stainless steel, Moen; stainless steel sinks, Kohler; water dispenser and garbage disposal with air switch, Insinkerator / Lighting: recessed square LED lights, Lotus; under-cabinet lighting, Seagull / Backsplash: Backpainted glass wall in Telegray, Element Designs / Other: Adorne modular track with outlets and table cradle, LeGrand; stainless steel island legs, Doug Mockett & Company

AWARD-WINNING BATHROOM/BEST OF SHOW

Formal Farmhouse 

Category: Luxury

Designer: Sandra Steiner-Houck and co-designer Candis Warren Ashurst, Steiner-Houck & Associates

The new master bath design is much brighter and more grand, with a unique vanity wall featuring built-in mirrors that reflect the light from a large adjacent window. Minor structural changes were made to the existing space, including the removal of built-in niches and an angled wall in the shower. These changes allowed designers to take full advantage of the existing space to maximize the impact of the new design. Emperador Dark and Calacatta marble were selected for use throughout the room to compliment the soft and warm color of the cabinetry. A unique and subtle hand-painted blue accent detail on the cabinetry pulls the new design together with the clients’ existing window treatment in the space. The heated marble floors provide for a very luxurious and warm master bathroom.

Objectives: Refresh and update the space. Remove large bathtub and design larger shower with body sprays. Incorporate heated floors.

Design Challenges: Retain existing window treatments.

Design Solutions: Removed large tub and incorporated a much larger shower. Designed a built-in bench at window where tub was removed. Coordinated fresh new fabrics and cabinet finish to complement existing window treatments. The additional fabrics help with acoustics and feel warm and inviting.

Special Features: Marble mosaic heated floor design reflects shape of custom ceiling design above. Tall linen alcove with antique mirror doors. Large built-in vanity mirrors visually expand space.

*Best of Show selections were based on the highest point value awarded by the judges.

Cabinetry: Premier Custom Built, Inc. / Contractor and installer: Ebersole Brothers Construction / Hardware: Schaub & Company / Countertops: Emperador dark marble, Natural Stoneworks / Floors: Calacatta gold marble and Emperador dark marble, Natural Stoneworks, with Kerdi heated floor system / Plumbing fixtures: Rohl / Lighting: Minka Group / Shower tile: Calacatta gold marble, Natural Stoneworks / Wallcovering: Phillip Jeffries Wallcovering / Ceiling treatment: Koroseal wallcovering with custom applied moldings

AWARD-WINNING BATHROOM

Accessible Space 

Category: Moderate

Designer: Jim Mirando, Jr., Excel Interior Concepts & Construction

These homeowners needed a master bathroom that was wheelchair accessible to update a cramped old space. The result is a neutral retreat that functions and refreshes. 

Objectives: A small outdated bathroom needed to become wheelchair accessible with updates.

Design Challenges: A narrow doorway and bathroom layout. 

Design Solutions: The doorway into the bathroom was widened and matched a flush threshold to the existing hardwood floors in the master bedroom. The bathroom floor was then tiled. The new shower features a barrier-free entry, a flip-up teak shower seat, grab bars and a hand-held shower. The sink and urinal are both are accessible, and there are grab bars throughout the bathroom. A radiant heat mat, controlled by remote, was also added underneath the new tile flooring for the homeowners’ comfort.

Special Features: Renovated to be wheelchair accessible with radiant heat flooring controlled by remote for comfort.

Cabinetry: Marketplace line in Cherry with Mocha stain and top crown molding, Bertch Cabinets / Contractor and installer: Excel Interior Concepts & Construction / Countertops: laminate countertops in Bella Reale, Wilson Art HD / Flooring: Flush custom oak threshold, Florim tile in Ethos, radiant heat mat underneath / Fixtures: wall-mount sink, urinal, Kohler; sink faucet, shower faucet, hand shower, and shower valves, Moen; reused existing toilet / Lighting: recessed lighting, Progress; fan/light, Broan; vanity lights, Kovacs / Shower wall: Beige, tile shower base, gray, Florim Ehtos / Doors: New entry door installed for wider doorway / Wall color: Knitting Needles with same color trim, Sherwin-Williams / Other: grab bars in chrome, Brantford robe hook and toilet paper holder in chrome, Banbury, glass shelf and tilting mirror, straight curtain rod, Moen; teak ADA flip-up shower seat

AWARD-WINNING BATHROOM

A Modern Classic

Category: Efficient

Designer: Henrietta Heisler, Henrietta Heisler Interiors, Inc.

This classic bathroom was originally very small and dated. A bold splash of color was added into the traditional palette by selecting a luxurious blue as the custom vanity color. The large mirror over the marble double sink also makes the room feel expansive. Beautiful marble floor tiles in a classic pattern with a modern hexagonal twist complete the space.

Objectives: Create an updated, expanded feeling.

Design Challenges: Small, dated space.

Design Solutions: The designer incorporated space from a small closet and relocated the entrance to create a larger room. A small tub/ shower combination was converted to a large, glassed-in shower, providing a lot of openness and making the room feel larger. 

Special Features: Custom vanity in unique blue hue with classic hex floor tiles.

Cabinetry: Custom vanity, Greenbank Millworks, painted Benjamin Moore Summer Nights / Hardware: Finestrino pull, angled square / Countertops: Carrara vanity top and wall cap with Ogee edge, Natural Stoneworks / Floors: marble hexagon tile, Artistic Tile Riverside Drive Collection / Lighting: Openwork large flush mount, Chinoiserie double lights / Wall color: Pebble Beach, Benjamin Moore / Shower wall: bright white and matte glazed ice white tile with bevel, 3x6” base tile / Other: Shower door: Hydroslide sliding door system by Howells Glass; Caxton bathroom sink; ceiling color Winter Snow, trim color, White Diamond, Benjamin Moore 

AWARD-WINNING POWDER ROOM

Contemporary Elegance

Category: Powder Room

Designer: John Petrie, Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry

To create the clean-lined contemporary environment, Petrie designed a 2-centimeter thick vanity top, no cabinet hardware, using the  C-channel and a full overlay, flush door in a textured laminate. Roll out drawers were designed behind a single full-height door for function, yet keeping the cabinet façade clean and simple.

Objectives: The client wanted clean-lined contemporary style.

Design Challenges: The existing powder room was simply understated, builder basic, leaving a fair amount of unused wall space.

Design Solutions: The design solution was rather simple. Keeping the toilet concealed in its original location, the designer used the entire vanity wall to locate a floating vanity. This doubled the countertop and storage space in the powder room. The floating vanity was designed to help create a more open feeling in the room, now that vanity width doubled. The sink was kept off center to allow enough countertop space for guest to place a purse while using the powder room.

Special Features: A recessed lit, LED mirror was selected to help guests keep it all together, while a unique ceiling-hung fixture was designed for wow effect. LED under-cabinet lighting was designed to provide a soft illumination.

Cabinetry: Strata door in Ash Brown, C-channel in lieu of hardware, Signature Custom Cabinetry / Countertops: quartz, Caesarstone; concrete / Floors: Martis white tile, Vallunga & Co. / Plumbing fixtures: 90-degree single mount lavoratory faucet, Moen; rectangular undercount sink, Kohler; San Souci one-piece toilet, Kohler / recessed 6” square lights, Lotus / Wall color: Alpaca, Sherwin Williams 

AWARD-WINNING PROJECT

Sweet Master Suite 

Category: Use of ResidentialCabinetry in Other Areas 

Designer: Allison Ong Shreffler Architecture + Design

A dark, cramped master suite gets a modern makeover with a custom closet that houses everything in its place, making this master bedroom worth retreating to.

Objectives: Update a master bedroom with cohesion and function. 

Design Challenges: The original space was dark and crowded with furniture.

Design Solutions: Built-in cabinetry that includes bookshelves, storage cabinets, a window seat, and a dresser, all designed to replace the owner’s furniture while creating a cohesive, streamlined design. A custom wooden soffit and headboard frame in matching stain unifies the entire space. 

The original sitting area was redesigned to become a dressing room, complete with built-ins, shoeracks, pant racks, and drawers to neatly store this owner’s wardrobe. The stain on this cabinetry also matches the bedroom built-ins, resulting in a cohesive, modern master suite.

Special Features: Wooden soffit and headboard frame made to match custom built-ins.

Cabinetry: Custom built-ins, dresser, dressing room / Contractor: Home Time Renovation, LLC / Installer: Seifert Woodcrafts / Hardware: Signature / Countertops: Stained wood /Lighting: ceiling fan, Fanimation / Windows: Pella / Wall color: White Flour, Sherwin Williams / Wallcovering: York Wallcoverings 

AWARD-WINNING OUTDOOR KITCHEN

Pool House Panache

Category: Outdoor Kitchens 

Designer: Danielle Gundrum, Red Couch Interiors

Five years in the making, the dream for an outdoor oasis started in 2014 when a stone foundation was laid for a custom concrete table and built-in grill station. A custom concrete pool was installed in 2016. Construction began in 2018 for the final phase: the pool house pavilion. 

Objectives: Ample storage for outdoor dining supplies and small appliances, a bar sink, wine refrigerator, trash receptacle, and a full-sized refrigerator were among the requirements. The homeowners also wanted plenty of seating and counter space.

Design Challenges: Getting running water and sewer lines to hook up to existing lines without disturbing existing stamped concrete walkway at mudroom entrance. Creating a cohesive feel from original home to pool house pavilion. Providing enough space in the kitchen for all desired appliances without intruding on the overall visual appeal and line of sight.

Design Solutions: Cohesion was created by utilizing the same exterior wall sconces, stucco, stone, and stamped concrete colors from the original home and patio. The designer provided eating for five at the wet bar, plus a walk-up counter area for easy access. Seating can be added on this side if necessary.

Special Features: Custom built open shelving to house outdoor supplies and small appliances. A round, undermount stainless-steel bar sink. A 24” under counter wine refrigerator and a double trash receptacle. The full-size refrigerator housed inside the storage area of the pool house.

Cabinetry: outdoor base cabinetry slab door style in Raven Ash, NatureKast / Contractor and Installer: Samuel Lipsuis, Above & Beyond Services, LLC / Appliances: stainless steel 24” wine cooler / Hardware: brushed nickel t-bar pulls / Countertops: St. Ceulia granite / Floors: custom stamped concrete / Plumbing fixtures: round under-mount stainless steel sink, Artisan; black high-arc pull-down bar faucet, Delta / Lighting: recessed / Backwall treatment: stone veneer and stucco / Doors: craftsman style with dentil molding