Excellence in Kitchen & Bath Design
The NKBA|NEKS Chapter launched the first-ever Design Distinction Awards this fall to celebrate the creativity, skill, and people shaping kitchen and bath design across our region. Top designers in the categories of Kitchen and Bath, Specialty Room Entertainment, and Best Before & After Kitchen and Bath displayed peak expertise in drafting, NKBA Guidelines, creative space planning, and innovative and stunning use of product to earn their placings. Students also competed for best Student Kitchen and Bath and were awarded cash prizes promoting the future of our industry.
Choosing an NKBA-accredited designer can make all the difference in the success of a kitchen or bath project. Congratulations to the 2026 Winners and NKBA|NEKS Board, and thank you to all the Sponsors on this extraordinary inaugural event!
Small Kitchen: 200 SF or Less
Crystal Pihl Jones
Jill Painter, CKD: Second Place / Maddy Maas, CRPM: Third Place
Medium Kitchen: 201-350 SF
Jill Painter, CKD
Orion Design: Second Place / Laura Suhr: Third Place
Large Kitchen: 351 SF or More
Orion Design
Orion Design: Second Place
Primary Bath
Orion Design
Maddy Maas, CRPM: Second Place / Georgia Fuchs, AKBD: Third Place
Specialty Room Entertainment: Bar, Wine Cellar, Outdoor Kitchen
Jill Painter, CKD
Best Before & After Kitchen
Jill Painter, CKD
