Other area designers also take home awards

While two kitchen design firms in the Northwest and West suburbs captured the majority of the prizes in the recent Chicago Midwest "Design Visions" competition, four other area designers each earned an award, as well.

Susan Klimala, a certified kitchen designer at The Kitchen Studio in Glen Ellyn, won third place in the small kitchens category for a Glen Ellyn home.

"The goal of this project was to create a spot for entertaining and casual dining for this large family, as well as to accommodate the large professional style appliances that would make up their dream kitchen," Klimala said. "A variety of interesting materials, including cherry cabinetry, soapstone and slate tile were chosen to blend seamlessly with the home's bungalow style. In addition to peninsula seating, a banquette area was also designed to accommodate daily family dining."

Marty Scherr, senior designer with Liam Brex Custom Design and Cabinetry in Naperville, received an honorable mention for his small kitchen, designed for a client in Glen Ellyn.

"The goal of my clients was to open up the space of the U-shaped townhouse kitchen," Scherr said. "My design eliminated the U-shape and the small eating area. We moved and widened the entry to the kitchen from the dining room, tying the two spaces together. We opened a 10-foot section of wall between the kitchen and the great room and put in a beautiful walnut eating bar with stools on the family room side. The result was a spacious, open kitchen plan designed for an active family with a casual style. Classic white cabinets with beautiful granite top keep it timeless."

In the large bathroom category, designers from two smaller firms shone brightly.

Cathy Sparling, owner of C Spar Designs in Addison, took second place in the large bathroom category for the space she designed for a Park Ridge home.

"This master bath is modest in size but provides all the amenities of a luxury spa sure to be enjoyed for years to come," she said. "After the first consultation, I knew the clients were seeking an unusual design since they showed me three river stones, which they wanted as the theme of the design. Using recycled or natural materials was also very important to them. Selecting natural materials like a slate floor, reclaimed ceiling boards, and limestone counters, along with tumbled glass for the shower walls, incorporated both recycled and natural elements. The use of button metal accents and soft circles provided a contrast to the harsh lines of the cabinets and sauna. Finally, the warm paint colors on the ceiling and walls blend well with the natural cedar of the sauna."

Julie Loehner, owner of Kitchens by Julie Inc. of Cary, earned an honorable mention in the large bathroom category for a bath she designed in a North Barrington home.

"The owner of this home wanted to change the style of their guest bathroom," Loehner wrote in her design statement. "They wanted everything in creams and neutral tones to stay in tune with the theme and design of the rest of their home. The original bathroom was gutted. Traditionally raised panel styled cabinetry with a cream glazed finish with antique distressing is a key feature of the bathroom design. Porcelain tile, stone and mosaic tiles used throughout the entire bathroom frames the space with classic, understated elegance. These contrast nicely to the smooth mirrored surfaces and the polished, light marble countertops. The rustic metal light fixtures and the oil rubbed bronze faucets and accessories make this space even more inviting."

Klimala can be reached at (630) 858-4848; Scherr at (630) 848-0222; Sparling at (630) 664-8664; and Loehner at (847) 516-2226.