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MARCH 2015 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 43 THE NATIONAL KITCHEN & BATH ASSOCIATION ( NKBA) ANNOUNCED THE WINNERS OF THE 2 015 NKBA DESIGN COMPETITION AT AN EXCLUSIVE AWARDS CEREMONY AT THE TRYST NIGHT CLUB IN L AS VEGAS ON JANUARY 19, PRIOR TO THE OPENING DAY OF THE 2 015 KITCHEN AND BATH INDUSTRY SHOW (KBIS ® ) . WINNERS FROM ACROSS SIX MAIN KITCHEN AND BATH CATEGORIES AND 10 SPECIALTY CATEGORIES WERE HONORED AND RECOGNIZED AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE INDUSTRY. T his year, Brigitte C. Fabi, CMKBD, of Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, secured the Best Kitchen Award as well as 1st Place in the Large Kitchen Category, winning a total of $12,000 in cash prizes for her stunning Moroccan themed design. Luz Marina Selles, CKBI, of Allure Designs, LLC, Gilbert, Arizona, won top honors in the bathroom category, taking home the Best Bath, HGTV's People's Pick Bath, and 1st place, Large Bath awards. Her awe-inspiring outdoor bathroom design won a total of $14,000 in cash prizes. For her Best Kitchen design, Brigitte drew inspiration from her clients' private collection of Moroccan antiques. The kitchen featured a banquette emphasizing Moorish textures and furniture styling. Custom veneer panels were hand-stained on-site and made to match the walnut cabinetry. A Moorish arch around the range area was created using a laser cutout of the shape and covered with a dimensional vein-cut marble. This eclectic kitchen serves as a functional, multifaceted space for a busy, city family. Luz Marina's Best Bath project featured a breathtaking outdoor bathroom, highlighting luxury master shower areas as well as one indoor and one private outdoor shower with a seating area. Frameless glass shower panels and the shower door contributed to the contemporary ambience, and all bathroom fixtures contained a chrome finish with a stylish modern design. Functional and serene, this outdoor retreat brings the harmony of nature into the client's abode. "For many years, the NKBA Design Competition has been a great source of pride and a valuable platform for our members to showcase their talent and expertise." says 2015 NKBA President Maria Stapperfenne, CKD, CBD. "Recognizing the winners of this premier design competition helps us communicate the significance of professional design to consumers and the industry at large." A panel of eight, certified industry experts evaluated nearly 300 entries for projects from across the United States and Canada in the 2015 NKBA Design Competition. All participating projects were scored on various criteria, including safety and ergonomics, elements and principles of design, design planning, creativity and presentation. Each judge was either a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) or both a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and a Certified Bath Designer (CBD). The 2015 NKBA Design Competition judging panel included Peter J. Albanese, CKD, CBD, Mary Jo Camp, CKD, CBD, CID, CAPS, CGP, Geeta Kewalramani, CMKBD, CAPS, Claudia McCabe-Cort, CKD, CBD, Jonni Huntley Spaulding, CMKBD, AAS, Beth M Stribling, CMKBD, Sandra Tierney, CMKBD, CID, and Art Warren, CMKBD. This year's competition was generously supported by the following sponsors: Diamond: Jenn-Air, Platinum: DuPont Surfaces, GE Monogram, and Waypoint Living Spaces; Gold: Delta Faucet and The Home Depot; Silver: HGTV, SieMatic, Wellborn Cabinet, 20-20 Technologies, Rev-A-Shelf, and Hafele. To view and share the designs of the 2015 NKBA Design Competition winners, visit the NKBA's Pinterest page. PART 1 OF 2 – KITCHENS