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2008 National Kitchen & Bath Association Awards

The most frequently remodeled spaces, kitchens and baths, are the target rooms for members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Talented local designers earned kudos for their work at the Minnesota chapter’s 12th annual NKBA awards banquet in September.

Photo by Matt Schmitt Photography

Expanded Elegance

First Place:

Large and Open Kitchen
(Greater than 50 square feet of countertops and/or including additional spaces such as great rooms, breakfast nooks, and dining rooms)

Designer:

Carol Sadowsky, CKD
The Woodshop of Avon
Edina

A minor addition resulted in major improvements to this traditional two-story Hopkins residence occupied by a busy family who enjoys entertaining. The previous kitchen lacked function and space, and was inconsistent with the home’s elegant interiors. Carol Sadowsky used an existing foundation beneath the home’s exterior back stairs to expand the kitchen slightly. This clever gain produced more cupboard and counter space and allowed for larger views of the lush backyard and pool. Removing the soffits and relocating the cooktop made room for a large island with storage and table-style seating. A paneled beam and column, built to conceal pipes previously hidden in a soffit, now anchors a new half-walled bar area near the patio. An under-counter refrigerator keeps refreshments close at hand, while the kitchen side of the same wall houses a built-in microwave and coffeemaker. The new floor-to-ceiling buffet provides storage, as well as an electronics charging area, magnetic chalkboards, and a file drawer to keep this on-the-go family organized. A carved hood and sophisticated backsplash form the hearth—and heart—of this tasteful kitchen.
 

Photo by Gilbertson Photogra

Modern Merger

Second Place:

Large and Open Kitchen
(Greater than 50 square feet of countertops and/or including additional spaces)

Designer:

Kristy Conlin, CKD
Partners 4 Design
Minneapolis

By merging three spaces into one—and adding all the culinary bells and whistles the homeowners requested—Kristy Conlin created a contemporary kitchen in Minnetonka that’s now greater than the sum of its parts. The old kitchen, an adjacent office, and a built-in buffet were combined to form a gleaming galley-style kitchen with seemingly endless counter and cabinet space. Sliding glass doors on one end flood the room with light and offer access to the manicured gardens and outdoor entertaining spaces. Streamlined cabinets, back-lit glass cabinet doors, and honey-colored wood floors soften the kitchen’s spare aesthetic. An aluminum pantry, tambour cabinet, and large island with prep sink and informal seating are among the new amenities. Visual contrast gets a kick from thin and thick horizontal lines, light and dark tones, and matte and shiny materials. By removing the wall between the former kitchen/family room area and the home’s two-story living and dining space, Conlin unified and brightened the main-level entertaining zones.
 

Photo by Matt Schmitt Photography

Suitably Stunning

First Place:

Medium kitchen
(Between 35 and 50 square
feet of countertops)

Designer:

Carol Sadowsky, CKD
The Woodshop of Avon
Edina

Following the popular real estate mantra, the homeowners chose this 1930s home for its desirable location rather than its interior amenities. A 1970s-era remodel had stripped the kitchen of its original character, which the homeowners wanted back, in addition to some family-friendly updates. To accomplish this, Carol Sadowsky removed the wall between the kitchen and informal dining room/family room to create a single welcoming space. Eliminating the built-in television area and changing access to the lower level allowed for continuous countertops and generous appliances, including a 48-inch dual fuel range. Sadowsky also removed unused desk space and relocated the kitchen sink to its original position under the exterior window. This evoked a period layout and added valuable prep space. An impressive island with open storage, informal seating, and furniture detailing anchors the open floor plan and creates smooth traffic patterns. Dark granite counters, nickel fixtures, and a large stainless steel hood add sheen while wood floors provide a warm finish. Quaint beadboard accents, a white subway-patterned back-splash, and a new apron sink complete the vintage look.
 

Photo by Tom Henry

White Magic

First Place:

Small kitchen
(Less than 35 square feet of countertops)

Designer:

Susan Palmquist, CKD
Sawhill Custom Kitchens
Minneapolis

very homeowner deserves a kitchen that prompts a smile. But with multiple doorways, minimal lighting, and outdated cabinetry, this Minneapolis kitchen mostly evoked traffic headaches. On the plus side, it was roomy and included an informal eating area. Several minor yet effective changes allowed Susan Palmquist to conquer the homeowner’s lengthy wish list. By eliminating a doorway and relocating a broom closet, she increased kitchen space and streamlined movement through the room. Modifying the archway to the dinette added character, while further defining the eating area. Enlarging the dinette window brought more natural light into the room, which now features the same gleaming hardwood floors seen throughout the first level. Beaded inset cabinets inspired by the dining room’s original built-ins and a classic subway tile backsplash reflect the home’s existing charm and make the dramatic green granite counters really pop. The white-on-white color scheme also provides a clean visual canvas for the owner, a budding artist and designer. Red appliances and accents give her kitchen its bold strokes. Says the homeowner with a smile, “I love my new kitchen!”
 

Photo by Mark Ehlen,

Ehlen Creative Communications

Mastery in the Mix

Second Place:

Small kitchen
(Less than 35 square feet countertops)

Designer:

Lynne Stryker, CKD
Spaces Into Places
St. Paul

For Lynne Stryker, designing this vibrant kitchen was like reconfiguring puzzle pieces to create a smarter, more beautiful fit. Tucked at the back of a lovely Art Deco-inspired home, the old kitchen was terribly cramped. Large soffits hid potential storage areas while lack of counter space kept family members from helping with meals. A strict budget required Stryker to work within the kitchen’s existing footprint and keep the windows and doorways intact. Stryker carved space from a back closet to fit the microwave, refrigerator, and new family message center along one wall. Moving the stove allowed for new double-height maple cabinetry along another wall, and created a convenient U-shaped layout that doubled the counter space. A lively mix of materials, including chunky stainless steel shelving and frosted-glass cabinet doors, keeps things interesting. Horizontal elements in the upper cabinets, sleek hardware, and a mesmerizing blue glass-tile backsplash add glossy movement and a linear effect to the room. Colorful Marmoleum flooring draws inspiration from the homeowner’s own artwork, while a recycled seltzer bottle converted to a pendant adds a whimsical touch.
 

Photo by Rebecca Lindquist

Swapping Success

First Place:

Large Bathroom and Master Suite
(Greater than 55 square feet)

Designer:

Rebecca Lindquist, CMKBA
Lindquist & Company
Duluth

Rebecca Lindquist preserved the best of this 1917 owners’ bathroom, namely its vintage pedigree, and replaced the rest. An obtrusive radiator was removed and a wall cavity revealed to make way for the crisp, new Carrera marble-topped vanity, with cheery glass knobs and polished chrome finishes. An under-utilized linen closet was replaced with more period-style custom built-ins. Lindquist did away with the uninspired shower for a marble steam version with partial glass walls, and added classic mosaic tiles in a windmill pattern to the floor. Underneath, luxurious in-floor radiant heat more than compensates for the missing radiator.
 

Photo by Marc Scholtes

Serene Scene

First Place:

Powder Room and Small Bathroom
(Less than 55 square feet)

Designer:

Paul Knutson
Ar-Co Residential Design
St. Paul

Everyone, even a newlywed, appreciates personal space. This includes a couple in St. Paul that asked Paul Knutson to create more elbowroom in their compact 1939 bath. They also wanted additional storage and better lighting, not to mention a relaxing ambiance. To that end, Knutson maintained the existing floor plan, yet maximized the space by finding purpose in every square inch. He carved out space from an adjacent hall closet to build open shelving. A recessed medicine cabinet, creatively designed around the existing plumbing, allows for increased storage above the sink. The compact, flat-topped sink and toilet provide additional surface areas. Italian wall tiles with vertical accents add height, while mirrored cabinet doors project light and spaciousness. A glass-block window over the new soaking tub invites dappled, natural light into the space. The result is streamlined and spa-like.
 

 

First Place:

Winning Cabinetry
(Utilization of cabinetry in residential rooms other than kitchens or bathrooms)

Designer:

Tricia Bayer
Belle Kitchen
Minneapolis

This project turned a 100-year-old basement into a lower-level entertainment area. To make the space inviting, the designer integrated glazed cherry throughout, including an "entrance" of clad archways and glass built-ins. A simple kitchenette allows guests to help themselves and supports a nearby outdoor kitchen and patio. 
 

Photo by J.H. Peterson

Second Place:

Winning Cabinetry
(Utilization of cabinetry in residential rooms other than kitchens or bathrooms)

Designer:

Val Stuessi, CKD
Crystal Kitchen Center
Crystal
 

Best Overall Makeovers

The editors of Midwest Home magazine awarded the best kitchen and bath makeovers.

The decision was based on the designer’s written design statement, solution to the client’s criteria, successful execution, aesthetic value of the space, and most dramatic before and after.
 

after
Photo by Tom Henry
Koechel Peterson
& Associates

before

Sunnyside Up

Kitchen

Designer:

Susan Palmquist, CKD
Sawhill Custom Kitchens
Minneapolis

Can’t you just see yourself enjoying a cup of tea in this cheery Minneapolis kitchen? We could. Designer Susan Palmquist added more than bright white cabinets, subway tiles, and green granite counters. She improved the room’s flow and added new windows in the dinette cove to center the table and flood it with natural light. Compared with the dingy, disorganized room it replaced, this remodeled kitchen is truly transformed.
 

After

Before

Organic Conversion

Bath

Designer:

Lori Jo Krengel, CMKBD
Kitchens By Krengel
St. Paul

This owner’s bathroom went from lackluster to wow in Lori Jo Krengel’s hands. Working within the construction restrictions of a Minneapolis high-rise condominium, she kept the vanity and toilet in place, and replaced the tub with a walk-in shower. Modern clean lines contrast with the deep, organic hues of the stone and wood to give the new bath its masculine, yet sleek aesthetic.
 

Michelle Baltus is a St. Paul freelance writer and editor.

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