Posted: March 28, 2017
Winning Designs Combine Sophistication & Simplicity, Inspired by BlueStar’s Unsurpassed Color and Customization Options
We are excited to announce the grand prize winner and finalists of our 2nd annual BlueStar® Kitchen Design Competition. The contest, which attracted diverse entries from across the country, honors design professionals who incorporate BlueStar® products into innovative kitchen designs. Internationally acclaimed designer, Eric Cohler, led this year’s judging panel which included Kim Lewis, best known as the Lead Designer behind ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and founder of Kim Lewis Designs in Austin, TX and last year’s Design Contest grand prize winner, Heidi Piron, of Heidi Piron Design & Cabinetry in Summit, NJ. The judges applauded all finalists for their thoughtful designs and creative use of BlueStar® appliances in multiple colors and metal trims.
2017 BlueStar Design Contest Winner: Jill Calo from Payne & Payne Builders
Congratulations to the Grand Prize winner this year – Jill Calo from Payne & Payne Builders in Moreland Hills, Ohio. The kitchen was inspired by the red color of the 48″ RNB gas range with a 12″ charbroiler, showing how a simple “pop” of color can completely transform a space. The lines are simple yet elegant. The kitchen cabinets are painted in a high gloss white and accented with understated, modest hardware. One kitchen island features waterfall countertops with a walnut back. The red backsplash by the bar area compliments the red range. The remaining backsplash was created using a simple 3”x6” subway tile to create a place for your eye to rest. “The red BlueStar range is the catalyst for this sophisticated yet playful kitchen. The designer is right on trend – and ahead of the curve,” said Lead Judge Eric Cohler. “The designer’s fearless use of red for the range and accents ignite a sophisticated yet livable kitchen that exemplifies the customizable and iconic BlueStar brand.”
2017 BlueStar Design Contest Finalists
Karen Nepacena, Destination Eichler, Walnut Creek, CA
A 1959 Midcentury Modern Home gets a modern kitchen renovation. A mix of natural materials, such as Flatsawn Walnut and Concrete, meld with European style modern cabinetry, stainless steel BlueStar® appliances and designer lighting, for a modern kitchen, in an iconic midcentury modern home with a 36” RCS gas range.
Rebekah Zaveloff, KitchenLab Design, Sunnyside, Chicago, IL
Located in the historic Ravenswood Manor neighborhood of Chicago, the designer transformed the original kitchen into a bright and open floor plan which complimented the home’s vintage style. The kitchen features a 30” cream RNB gas range, with brass accents and a custom hood. Simple, white subway tiles are complimented by the creamy marble countertops. A triple quarter sawn oak French door leads to the back porch. The kitchen features an unlacquered brass bridge faucet and farmhouse sink and is tied together by Dorian Gray cabinetry with stained oak interiors.
Elizabeth Lawson, Elizabeth Lawson Design, Roland Park Kitchen, Baltimore, MD
The designer was looking to create a transitional kitchen with both traditional and modern elements. This kitchen renovation features dark gray lower cabinets and white upper cabinets with satin brass hardware and a continuous Carrara marble backsplash. The kitchen evokes a modern sensibility, yet timeless feel. The designer used a 36” Platinum gas range in stainless steel with stainless steel knobs to bring the kitchen together for the homeowner who loves to cook.
Lauren Rubin, Lauren Rubin Architecture, Greenwich Village Apartment, New York, NY
The designer transformed an outdated, poorly lit two bedroom, two bathroom apartment into a cheerful, open and stylish home for an urban family with two small children. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, plastered with antiquated tiling, dinghy veneer cabinetry, old appliances and fluorescent lighting. Lauren removed walls to create an open living plan, marble topped kitchen island, built-in bar and wine storage and a new spacious and functional entryway. The fun, deep red 30” BlueStar RNB range provides a whimsical pop of color in this fresh white space.
Douglas Leake, CKD, Custom Kitchens, Inc., Scottsville, VA
Located on the James River in historic rural Virginia, this charming space assumes the role of an ideal farmhouse kitchen just perfectly. The project entails a large addition to the client’s existing 1840s country farmhouse and involves a new gourmet kitchen, stone fireplace, and adjacent entertainment area. A complex barrel ceiling design adds visual significance to the space and piques interest. The kitchen, complete with a 48-inch BlueStar gas range and coordinating French-door electric wall oven, is not only beautiful, but capable of handling sizable gourmet meals for the family with ease.
Congratulations to all these talented designers!
We would like to officially announce our 2018 Design Contest. The 2018 competition is open for entries from March 21, 2017 through January 20, 2018. The kitchen design entry can be any style kitchen. A minimum of one BlueStar® cooking appliance as the primary cooking appliance is required. Ranges, rangetops, refrigerators, gas and electric ovens and cooktops meet this requirement. Official rules and entry criteria can be found at https://www.bluestarcooking.com/inspiration/kitchen-design-contest/
