2018-2019 Designer of the Year: Living Spaces $30,000 & Below

Winner: Kara Karpenske, Kamarron Design, Minnesota
What used to be a secondary space (frankly used as a pass thru room) in the first level of this home has now been transformed into the epicenter of the living area and the focal point once you enter the home.

The wood paneling from the entry pulls your eye into the new living room. The tired existing bookshelves used to blend into a sea of natural tawny oak in this space. With expert design and craftsmanship, these bookshelves were transformed into a show stopping focal point in this new living room. 

The design and style of this room is sophisticated and a nod to the textures and colors found in the streets of an Italian village in the countryside.

Creating a natural looking fireplace from scratch with faux brick can be a challenge. This design definitely delivers on creating an authentic experience and the new fireplace was successful in the design intent to look like it truly belongs and has always been in the space. Since the scale of this room was originally meant for an office, the floor plan had to be carefully created to maximize comfort and seating opportunities. The sectional was an excellent solution to overcoming this challenge.

1st Runner Up: Megan Kranz - MTK Design Group, MTK Design Group, Texas

This home had a contemporary foundation and the homeowners desired a warmer feel with rustic touches. Spreading an even balance of both throughout with textured woods, bold color and defined lines lent the perfect mix of styles to compliment the home and capture their personality. 

                      

The textured wood and cut-out unique design blended the two styles perfectly. The customer's rustic storage tables were also very heavy before and didn't coordinate with the home's character. We balanced out rustic textures around the room that incorporated clean lines and geometric shapes to better flow with the home's style.

              

                   

2nd Runner Up: Linda Baker and Lisa Floyd, Baker Design Group, Texas

Modern rustic chic was the goal and manly suiting inspired materials, hair on hides, and shades of cognac and slate blue were all deployed to make it happen.

Custom storage pieces offer space for components and disguise outlets and jacks for all the game day equipment needed, while offering intentionality to the often-overlooked space under the windows. The sleek, oversized sofa boasts a slate performance fabric and modern wood detailing. Additional seating brings another mix of wood tone and mid-century modern inspired vibe with a modern-western stripe upholstery and classic leather pillows. 

 

A wagon wheel-like light pendant drops in pairing with stylized layered lamps around the room. Custom draperies and cornice boards continue our clean and masculine aesthetic with more menswear inspired textiles set off by leather and even hair on hide tape trims.

The space was long and narrow with a large fireplace statement in the center, making for a creative layout need in order to allow for viewing points of TV and conversation spots

The builder incorporated arched windows that were mostly suited for shutters. These would have cost more money and offered less flexibility to natural light infiltration.