The previously announced winners finally got to bring home their hardware.
By Nicholas Tamarin
There was lightning in the air at the Lafite Ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas Monday night as the winners of NKBA | KBIS’s 2023-2024 Student Design Competition, sponsored by Fisher & Paykel, were honored in front of more than 1,000 guests. As part of the celebratory 2025 Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards, the rising stars of kitchen and bath once again proved that the future of the industry is promising and bright.
Taking a break from their studies in kitchen, bath and interior design, many from NKBA | KBIS Affiliated Schools, the participants presented a mix of practical functionality and inspired creativity in solving their clients’ needs while utilizing products from sponsor Fisher & Paykel throughout their spaces. For this year’s competition, the assignment was to pay homage to NKBA’s 60th anniversary: The 2023-2024 competition scenario featured a mid-century home with architectural elements common to the 1960’s. Students were tasked with updating the home’s kitchen and primary bathroom to make them more modern and functional for an active family of four. Competition participants were challenged by the small square footage of the rooms and the expectation to incorporate a mix of vintage style and touches of modern art into the finished designs.
Winners selected out of more than 200 entries were awarded scholarships of $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place, along with their complimentary registration and ticket to KBIS 2025, airfare and hotel accommodations. The winning designs will also be featured in KBB Magazine.
Kitchen Category Winners
First Place
Kerry Lombard, Century College
Project Name: A MCM Culinary Revival
Judges appreciated Lombard’s creative integration of storage space and admired her creativity and decision to break up the room’s linear feel.
Second Place
Cassandra Jerrems, Saddleback College
Project Name: Nostalgic Nouveau
In her design, Jerrems balanced the G-shape of the kitchen effectively and incorporated a practical approach to seating.
Third Place
Meghan King, Lakeland College
Project Name: Connect Four
Kings’s design featured excellent placement of the cooktop and placed a good amount of focus on technology.
Bath Category Winners
First Place
Alexander Drozdovitch, Montgomery College
Project Name: Bathing in Light
Judges admired the integration of two entrances and noted Drozdovitch’s excellent use of appliances. The design featured a creative layout and good attention to detail.
Second Place
Kateryna Ponomarova, Montgomery College
Project Name: Springtime Sunrise
Standout details of Ponomarova’s entry include a bright design and a welcome incorporation of a wet room.
Third Place
Mamie Granger, Lakeland College
Project Name: Modern Contrasting Cohesion
Judges complimented Granger’s use of the room’s existing footprint for her design and her balanced approach. They also appreciated the integration of appliances such as a cool drawer.
Judges
The judges for NKBA | KBIS’s 2023-2024 Student Design Competition were:
- Paula Smith, AKBD, representing Student Design Competition Sponsor Fisher & Paykel
- Mark Haddad, CMKBD, Interiology Design Company
- Mac Dodge Junker, CKBD, The Kitchen Specialist
- Rebecca Sutton, CMKBD, Kitchen Design Concepts
- Jenni Russel, CMKBD, Design in Perspective
Open Call For KBIS 2025 Student Designers
NKBA student members have the option to enter the upcoming kitchen competition, the bath competition, or both, crafting their designs around client requests and provided plans. Winning this prestigious competition enhances industry visibility and provides invaluable publicity and networking opportunities in addition to a complimentary KBIS registration, hotel accommodations, and round-trip airfare to attend KBIS 2026 in Orlando. Entry is free and the deadline is June 6, 2025. Submit today.
The NKBA | KBIS Student Design Competition is sponsored by Fisher & Paykel. Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove underwrite the Student Chapter and Students of the Industry membership programs. The 2025 Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards were presented by sponsors Whirlpool Corporation and Kichler Lighting.
