Finding your style: winner in our design program sponsored by the American Society of Interior Designers show off creativity and individuality that will inspire your own makeover

Sunset, Nov, 2002 by Ann Bertelsen, Mary Jo Bowling

2002 Sunset ASID

Western Interior Design Awards

Our quest to discover some of the best interior designs in the West drew 177 entries from 11 states this year, including Alaska and Hawaii. As usual, the jury (composed of ASID members Ivan Beardsley, Michael Bowman, Gregory Peters, and Tern Taylor, plus three Sunset home editors) had a difficult time narrowing down the selections. From whole kitchen remodels to a small entryway, the seven winners shown here (12 awards were given) represent excellent design. Look for the other five winners in a future issue.

* KITCHEN AWARD

From dark to light

"The adventurous use of contemporary materials and bold colors in this traditional environment is very compelling."

jury comment

When interior designer Ann Danford and her husband, Dave, moved into this Seattle house, conditions were grim. In fact, the circa 1906 home reminded them of The Addams Family house. The kitchen was dark: tiny, high windows let in very little light, and the walnut cabinets were accented with harvest gold countertops and finishes. Ann Danford worked with SHKS architects Theresa Freeman and Kevin Kane to keep the traditional elements of the architecture, but brightened them with color and simple lines. The remodeled kitchen has a nod to tradition with a modern flair to suit the needs of the family The colorful accents add a playful touch that distinguishes the kitchen from its more formal surroundings.

DESIGN: SHKS Architects, Seattle (206/675-9151)

Great ideas

* Using materials in new ways. The judges particularly liked the use of radiator screens in the cabinets (seen under the sink, left, and on upper cabinets, below left). The combination of the stainless steel inserts and painted cabinets with bright yellow trim is both innovative and effective.

* Easy-living details. There is plenty of space on either side of the range for hot pots and pans. The island is topped with a chopping block, making it suitable for meal prep or as a dining surface for informal meals. The sunny bench doubles as a space for grocery bags while unloading. Other functional features include an extra-deep sink; a drain board recessed into the countertop, which makes cleanup easy; and a two-sided cabinet that allows the recycle bin to be loaded in the kitchen and then emptied from the mudroom.

* Kid-friendly design. The back door opens to a wall of cubbies over a row of hooks and a bench, where the Danford boys can sit to pull on or remove coats and boots. Cubbies function for storage or display, and the hooks give backpacks and coats a place to hang. The dark green file cabinet keeps homework and school papers organized. Above the bench, cabinets offer more storage.

* DECORATING WITH COLOR AWARD

Bold and fearless

One of the most controversial entries in our competition, this playful San Mateo, California, kitchen designed by Lou Ann Bauer caught the judges' attention for its bold use of color. The redesign features vibrant hues on the walls and cabinetry and a rich array of patterns and textures.

Bauer took her cues from a favorite circus painting belonging to the owners. "We used the whimsy and color of the circus as a steppingstone," she says. The custom cabinets look like bright circus blocks, the tile backsplash has a harlequin pattern, and the pendant lights resemble spun cotton candy.

Bauer created a grid of small, fixed windows around the hood to let in light and offer glimpses of the stately redwoods outside; the windows also echo the block shapes of the cabinets. She used 12 different kinds of cabinet hardware in the kitchen, ranging from round doorknobs to elongated, wavy drawer pulls in stainless steel. "It's a young, lively environment, and it took guts to step outside the box to create this kitchen," commented one of the judges.

DESIGN: Bauer Interior Design, San Francisco (415/282-2788)

Great ideas

* Don't be afraid to mix woods for dramatic impact. The creative blend of cherry, maple, and stained cabinets, some with bold stripes, gives this kitchen distinctive style.

* Repeat a dominant color to create a pleasing balance. The olive green in this kitchen is used on the island countertop, on some of the cabinets and walls, and on the refrigerator door panel. The green shade is also repeated randomly in the tile backsplash.

* Draw inspiration from things you like. Consider a favorite painting or the scenery outside a window.

* KITCHEN AWARD

Craftsman makeover

"The understated simplicity is very alluring, and the richness of the wood cabinets mixed with stainless steel counters makes this kitchen glow."-- jury comment

This light, bright Oakland kitchen started life as two small, dark rooms. The challenge for architect Mercedes Corbell was to make the kitchen larger and more functional and to connect it to the back garden. The judges applauded her transformation for its modern Craftsman style, elegant simplicity; and innovative storage.

DESIGN: Mercedes Corbell Design Architecture, Oakland, CA (510/832-8970)

Great ideas

* Central storage. Corbell removed the upper cabinets from the exterior wall and installed large windows for light and views of the garden. Then she created a shallow storage unit that takes up almost an entire interior wall (seen below on right side of photo). Storage walls can be good solutions for small kitchens; they free up space and keep the kitchen from looking like a cabinet showroom," she says.