Heartland Design Excellence Awards 2025

Timeless Teal: Kitchen less than 300 SF

La Cuisine Francaise

The client desired a quiet retreat that had color, but felt serene. We used a mix of textures from linen patterned floor tile, AB coated glass picket tiles in the backsplash, deep textured accent tile on exterior wall of tile, calming creamy polished shower wall tiles to allow eye to rest to create interest, pattern, rhythm, and texture. The vanity drawers were specifically designed for specific storage needs by each client. We added warmth by incorporating wood pulls. Toe kick lighting is motion activated for night time safety and ambiance.

The soft green palette of this primary bath was inspired by original handmade green tile work on a fireplace surround in the Primary Bedroom. The floor was completely removed to replace the sewer and water supply lines. We took advantage of this and removed the radiator and added radiant heat and beautiful green marble hex tile to soften and ground the space. Original wall tile was salvaged, restored and patched in to preserve the aesthetic. The large new shower absorbed the space to the left which had been the primary closet. An adjacent room was repurposed into the new primary closet. A local artist created the tempered stained glass. The style was inspired by other original stained glass in the home. The window was previously the light source for the former closet. Now the stained glass window floods the shower with light and interest.

This hearth room is designed to function as the social core of the home, balancing dramatic architectural presence with comfort, durability, and day to day usability. A custom curved sectional maximizes seating capacity while maintaining visual softness and reinforcing conversation flow. Petrified wood cocktail tables nested inside the sectional curve, providing stable, functional surfaces with strong natural material presence. Velvet chairs add warmth, with one chair incorporating leather paired with hair-on-hide as a subtle acknowledgment of the husband’s appreciation for rustic texture and hunting, while still staying within a refined transitional design. The 10' wide vapor fireplace delivers visual impact, controlled heat, and safe operation for grandchildren, while the sculpted slate surround introduces depth and movement in an undulating bamboo-inspired pattern that draws the eye upward to the dramatic blue ceiling, reinforcing vertical proportion and architectural rhythm. Floating wood shelves, grounded by a wood panel backing, provide anchored display areas with intentional lighting and organization. A custom blue animal-inspired rug adds a playful but controlled design moment, supported by the gold demilune cabinets flanking the double sliding doors providing symmetry, elegance, and visual stability while connecting the interior to the curved roof deck beyond. The result is a high-performance living area that blends comfort, aesthetic clarity, strong material control, and thoughtful personalization, creating a cozy experience in a cohesive, intentional design.

Rocky Mountain Chalet