By Donna Heiderstadt
Three designers have been named finalists in the Small Kitchen (under 300 square feet) category of the Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards 2025. To discover which project will receive $5,000 for a first-place finish, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third you’ll have to wait until the February 24 awards ceremony, the must-attend KBIS 2025 opening event in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas. But here’s a preview of all three innovative and solution-oriented designs. Read on to find out what made these the top three Small Kitchen projects in NKBA’s 2025 Professional Design Awards.
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William Adams, William Adams Design, Oakland, CA: “Evanston”
When planning the renovation of a kitchen in a circa-1910 Prairie-style home located in Evanston, IL, William Adams, Principal Design & Owner of Oakland, CA-based William Adams Design, knew he needed to blend historic charm and modern functionality. The solution was to open the layout within the home’s existing footprint and introduce natural light, creating a feeling of spaciousness for the clients, who loved to cook. The design incorporated dark, custom oak cabinetry (in a special stain that matched other elements of the home) along with made-to-order hammered brass hardware and honed white countertops to honor the original Prairie style, but with the addition of modern appliances for 21st-century functionality. These were strategically placed per the homeowners’ cooking preferences — they requested a separate refrigerator column and freezer drawers along with ample counterspace — and Adams added textured leather fronts at the wet bar to match the home’s historic pedigree.
Thu Trinh, Thu Trinh Interiors, Richardson, TX: “Breckenridge Kitchen”
Empty nesters residing in a local Texas home built in 2003 were ready to invest in a kitchen renovation that would match their lifestyle goal of entertaining friends and family in a manner consistent with their European travel experiences. The challenges faced by Thu Trinh, Owner and Designer at Richardson, TX-based Thu Trinh Interiors, were two-fold: The home in a gated community had a zero lot line, meaning expanding the space was not possible, and assorted archways made cabinet placement a challenge — especially since the clients wanted any upper cabinets that blocked natural light removed. Trinh’s solution: She reimagined the asymmetrical diamond-shaped layout, placing an oversized plaster hood between two windows to create symmetry and let in natural light. Below, a matte black La Cornue French range with polished brass and stainless steel trim is flanked by a pair of bespoke inset cabinets that resemble furniture, adding a timeless appeal to the kitchen. This feeling is enhanced by bold, black-and-white diamond-pattern floors and by Trinh’s use of integrated appliances, custom millwork, and honed marble to warm the space.
Kate Roos, Kate Roos Design, Minneapolis: “Parkway”
Photographer: Andrea Rugg of Andrea Rugg Photography
Like many older homes, this 1931 Twin Cities gem did not have a beautiful — or functional — kitchen when Kate Roos, Principal and Lead Designer of Minneapolis-based Kate Roos Design, was hired to do a remodel that would match the exquisite details, symmetry, and warmth of the rest of the home. By keeping the original footprint, as well as original door and window locations, but making minor adjustments, Roos was able to increase storage and counter space, improve flow, incorporate larger appliances, and give the homeowners an aesthetic that works seamlessly with the surrounding living spaces. Roos opened up the back entry and incorporated an existing closet and pantry into the main space and then created a newly configured pantry, drop zone, and wider entry from the front foyer. She also created symmetry between the cabinetry at the sink window and the focal-point range alcove with a fluted hood that echoes existing woodwork in the home. She also incorporated corbel details that mirror those in the dining room and designed a moveable, furniture-style island to provide additional prep space without affecting flow.
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