A Recap of Denver’s NKBA Peak Design Awards

From left Jeremy Parcels, Gina D’Amore Bauerle and Kimberly Stubbs

The National Kitchen and Bath Association’s (NKBA) annual Peak Awards allow designers to display their talent and be celebrated by their peers. It creates engagement in the design community and fosters the growth and development of new ideas. The Peak Design Awards Gala was held on June 23^rd at Mile High Station in Denver. The NKBA Rocky Mountain Chapter members submitted amazing kitchen and bathroom designs that inspire creativity and highlight the latest in design trends. Attendees traveled to paradise with a fabulous “Night in the Tropics” themed Gala.

The evening’s sponsors included Monogram Luxury Appliances, The Stone Collection, Specialty Appliance, BAC Appliance Center—a Ferguson Enterprise, and Ballerina-Küchen. Beginning with a special appreciation happy hour, the event honored the many other sponsors who generously support the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the NKBA as guests arrived dressed in their elegant tropical best. This coupled with the surrounding décor which included tropical plants and flowers set the stage for a beautiful event.

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles team from left Elizabeth Hamilton, Darla Worden and Scout Petersen

The chapter’s former president Jeremy Parcels saved the day when he filled in as emcee for the event due to the scheduled emcee falling ill just days before the event. Together with hostess and current chapter president Kimberly Stubbs, an inviting atmosphere was created for all to enjoy.

A panel of accredited designers judged submitted projects and awards were presented to first, second and third place winners across multiple categories. Best before and after in both the kitchen and the bathroom categories were also judged. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

This year’s competition winners:

Small Kitchen: Less than 200 SF
Christine Spillar      1st Place
Doug Walter     2nd Place
Ashley Christensen    3rd Place

Medium Kitchen: 200-300 SF
Gina D’Amore Bauerle   1st Place
Delilah Collins   2nd Place
Ashley Christensen        3rd Place

Large Kitchen 300-400 SF
Dawn Wilkinson            1st Place
Gina D’Amore Bauerle   2nd Place
Ashley Christensen        3rd Place

Extra Large Kitchen: More than 400 SF
Gina D’Amore Bauerle

Powder Room
Stanzie Lindaas     1st Place
Eli Hariton              2nd Place

Small Bathroom: 56-120 SF
Heather Radliff      1st Place
Austin Ardrey     2nd Place
Doug Walter     3rd Place

Medium Bath: 56-120 SF
Heather Radliff   1st Place
Stanzie Lindaas    2nd Place
Faris Spinosi      3rd Place

Large Bath: More than 120 SF
Heather Radliff    1st Place
Stanzie Lindaas     2nd Place
Jan Neiges        3rd Place

Other Cabinetry: Laundry, Mudroom, Office, Bar, etc
Gina D’Amore Bauerle

Best Before & After Kitchen
Gina D’Amore Bauerle

Best Before and After Bathroom
Dawn Wilkinson

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Best Kitchen
Ashley Christensen

Colorado Homes & Lifestyles Best Bath
Stanzie Lindaas

Each year at the Peak Awards Gala the NKBA Rocky Mountain chapter honors winning students from its Peak Student Competition.  These amazing young designers attend the Peak Awards Gala for a night of fun and a chance to meet industry professionals in a relaxed setting. This is also a great opportunity for potential future employers to see some of the best students work in the region!  The Peak student competition is held each year alongside the Peak professional competition. The student competition is set to the same requirements and design scenarios as the National Competition. This allows future professional designers to receive input and feedback on their projects prior to submitting to the National competition.

This year’s student competition winners:
Kimberly Burke     1st place Kitchen- School – Arapahoe Community College
Leah Bos               2nd Place Kitchen – Front Range Community College
Sasha Versman     3rd Place Kitchen – Front Range Community College

Tannis Sampson   1st Place Bath – School – Arapahoe Community College
Rachel Douglas       2nd Place Bath – Front Range Community College
Sasha Verseman    3rd Place Bath – Front Range Community College

This year’s event was made successful by the hard work and dedication of the Rocky Mountain Chapters Executive Board members, the Peak Awards Committee, and most of all by our dedicated members of the Rocky Mountain Chapter.

nkbarockymountain.org