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NW Design Awards 2024 Winners
The results are in! We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 NW Design Awards, where creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation shined brighter than ever. These exceptional projects highlight the artistry and resourcefulness that define the Seattle design community.
RISING STAR AWARD WINNER
Reanna Channer of Design to Elevate
PROJECT: West Coast Transitional Family Room & Breakfast Nook
SHOWROOMS USED: J Garner, Andonian Rugs
PHOTOGRAPHER: Emily Keeney
A traditional family home in the heart of Edmonds undergoes a full main-floor transformation, blending classically modern design with an effortlessly timeless aesthetic. A bright neutral palette, layered with texture and Northwest coastal vibes, brings light and warmth to the interiors.
The renovation tackled the challenge of a traditional floor plan by fostering connection and togetherness for this busy family. By opening the wall between the family room and kitchen, selecting furnishings that prioritize comfort, and designing a built-in storage bench to create an inviting breakfast nook, the space now encourages daily interactions. The new open layout seamlessly supports both everyday activities—like cooking, cleaning, and homework—and quality family moments, from movie nights to meals shared together.
The family room features white oak hardwood floors, a new fireplace with a custom soapstone surround, and built-in cabinetry for storing books and games. Open shelving with accent lighting provides display opportunities, while furnishings are thoughtfully arranged to promote conversation and relaxation. This harmonious design effortlessly balances beauty and practicality, celebrating the rhythms of family life.
Photographer: Emily Keeney
INFLUENTIAL ROOM AWARD WINNER
Lowe Delgado of Delgado Interiors
PROJECT: Rock Lake House Bedroom
SHOWROOMS USED: Rubenstein’s, Trammell-Gagné, Kelly Forslund, Kravet, Baker McGuire
PHOTOGRAHER: Austin Chernich
This project is a testament to the magic that happens when bold, creative minds come together to craft a living work of art. Designed as a serene, Scandinavian-inspired retreat, the clients’ lake house features a balance of airy, tranquil hues with structured upholstery patterns and grid-like woven carpeting. Thoughtful material selections, including wool, linen, stone, walnut, and ash, add layers of sensory delight and infuse the space with dynamic energy.
This project would not have been possible without the invaluable resources of the Seattle Design Center and the expertise of its representatives, including Audrey Nelson, Sue Trudell, Carrie Johnson, and Jessica Williamson. Their collaboration made this vision a reality.
INFLUENTIAL PROJECT AWARD WINNER
NB Design Group
When NB Design Group was tasked with designing a second residence in Port Townsend, the goal was to create a compact yet exquisitely detailed retreat for the client’s demanding lifestyle. Partnering with DeForest Architects and Lockhart Suver, they crafted a 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom cottage perched on a lush meadow overlooking Puget Sound. The design respects the natural setting, preserving towering evergreens and allowing for future expansions.
Every detail of the home was thoughtfully crafted to feel timeless. The exterior features reclaimed Italian rockery with oversized mortar joints, a material echoed in the interior fireplace. Vein-cut travertine anchors the kitchen backsplash, while lime-washed paint, oak casework, and bronze hardware create a warm, tactile connection to the surrounding environment. The interiors invite nature in, blending simplicity with refinement.
The great room and primary bedroom capture expansive views of Discovery Bay, filling the spaces with natural light during summer. Furnishings include a custom sofa, leather ottoman, boucle armchairs, and a vintage wool rug sourced in Seattle. The primary bedroom pairs a tufted mohair bed with linen wallpaper, while the guest room embraces moody winters with “Dior Gray” walls and a fireplace with blackened steel accents. This blend of antique and custom pieces reflects the collaborative vision of a European-inspired sanctuary, thoughtfully designed for family, friends, and creative living.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
A heartfelt thank you to all the talented designers who submitted their projects for the 2024 NW Design Awards. Your creativity and dedication inspire us all.
Congratulations once again to this year’s winners—your work sets a benchmark for excellence in our design community! Keep an eye on your inbox for future emails announcing when submissions open for the 2025 NW Design Awards—we can’t wait to see your incredible work! Let’s continue celebrating and elevating the incredible talent in the Pacific Northwest.
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AI IN DESIGN: A SDC Exclusive Interview
AI IN DESIGN: An Exclusive Conversation with Interior Designers Carolyn Fuller & Michelle Cozza
HSID Graduate Carolyn Fuller is an experienced interior designer with a global perspective, shaped by five years in Germany and a passion for timeless design. She combines creativity, analytical precision, and expertise in procurement to deliver thoughtful luxury residential spaces, prioritizing clear communication and collaboration.
How do you see AI shaping the future of interior design, both creatively and practically?
I think AI is going to revolutionize interior design. On the creative side, AI can help designers to start coming up with mood boards and general concepts or be used to help a client visual a specific design quicker than using computer aided design tools. It’s like having a super-powered design assistant, always coming up with fresh perspectives. Practically, AI can streamline so many aspects of our work. From automating tasks like client relations to helping us source sustainable materials, it’s going to make our jobs more efficient and sustainable in the long run.
Are there aspects of interior design where you think AI will never be able to replace human expertise? If so, what are they?
While AI is incredibly powerful, there are certain aspects of interior design that will always require human intuition and empathy. Understanding a client’s lifestyle, preferences, and emotional needs is crucial, and I don’t think AI can fully replicate that level of human connection.
What ethical considerations do you think designers should keep in mind when integrating AI into their work?
It’s important to use AI responsibly and ethically. We need to be mindful of data privacy, intellectual property rights, and the potential biases that can be embedded in AI algorithms.
Looking ahead, how do you envision AI contributing to sustainability and eco-conscious choices in design?
AI has the potential to revolutionize sustainable design. It can help us identify eco-friendly materials, optimize energy efficiency, and reduce waste. By using AI to analyze data and predict trends, we can create more sustainable and resilient spaces.
What advice would you give to designers who are curious but apprehensive about adopting AI into their process?
My advice is to start small and experiment with different AI tools. ChatGPT, Gemini and Midjourney are great places to start. Then play around with different prompts until you find ones that work for you. The most important thing is to embrace AI as a tool to enhance your creativity and efficiency and still have fun putting your unique touch into every project you work on.
Michelle Cozza, founder of Perigon Design, brings nearly 30 years of expertise in custom architecture and interior design. An architect and ASID member, she creates timeless, innovative spaces tailored to her clients. From PNW homes to a restored castle in Italy, Michelle’s work reflects a passion for collaboration and craftsmanship.
How do you see AI shaping the future of interior design, both creatively and practically?
I hope it doesn’t shape the future, but rather supports creative and practical innovation. I think AI should be a springboard, the spark of an idea, rather than a shortcut to the finished product that removes the individual from the process.
Are there aspects of interior design where you think AI will never be able to replace human expertise? If so, what are they?
Yes, I think that human expertise is always going to be necessary. Not only do you need someone knowledgable to critically look at and evaluate the results, but the relationship with the client and the ability to understand what they want and what will fit their needs, cannot be artificially generated. The human touch will always be needed to give context and meaning to a space or building.
What ethical considerations do you think designers should keep in mind when integrating AI into their work?
There are design-generative websites where one of the parameters is literally “in the design style of (insert designer name here)”, which is by nature design plagiarism. These ethical pitfalls can be avoided by not using the available AI tools in that way, and being creative in specifying the parameters up front.
Looking ahead, how do you envision AI contributing to sustainability and eco-conscious choices in design?
This is where I am most excited about how AI can be useful! None of us can know all that is out there, or keep up with the latest innovations and knowledge, and we don’t know what we don’t know. AI can synthesize and summarize that vast available information, giving the opportunity to delve deeper into whatever sparks one’s curiosity or may apply to particular design goals.
What advice would you give to designers who are curious but apprehensive about adopting AI into their process?
I would say that just as a hand sketch can be interpreted differently by the designer or the client than was intended when drawn, leading to new ideas, play around with AI generated content to see what it sparks, but then really look critically at the “results” and use it as a starting, rather than end point.
