Morris Lare decked out this living room in Norwalk with a variety of textures and organic materials to balance the minimalist architecture. The project won a silver award in the modern living room category. Photographer: Lauren Konrad
Traditional Living Room
Beam Me Up
Gold: Kimberley Development Corp.
Soaring ceilings and wooden beams literally raise the bar for this living room’s design. The floating shelves, wood floors and angular side chairs mix warm brown tones to play off the ceiling beams and make the space feel cohesive. Designers Rylee Hansen and Lisa Cameron used other natural elements to bring in a touch of the outdoors, such as a live-edge wooden side table, faux fur accent pillows and a rich brown leather couch. Southwestern-inspired motifs in the woven rug and pillows add interest without distracting from the panoramic views. A paneled mirror above the fireplace adds another touch to accomplish the design team’s goal to create a cozy and traditional space. Photographer: Mirza Kudic Photography
Silver: Jeid Studio
Bronze: Meghan Blum Interiors
Modern Living Room
Sands of Luxury
Gold: K. Renee
The homeowners spend most of the year in Arizona and wanted a special living space to welcome them whenever they stay in their second home here in West Des Moines. “Our clients were looking for something fresh, modern and masculine,” said Julie Ross of K. Renee. To help them bring the desert to Iowa, the design team chose a color palette of sand, black and shades of ivory. A beige hand-woven wool rug speckled with black anchors the space, complemented by a plush suede sectional and two swivel chairs in contemporary prints. Matching artwork dazzles throughout the room and adds a touch of luxury, while black-and-white accents add a note of contrast. Mirrors on either side of the fireplace enhance the natural light, making the otherwise small space feel larger and more inviting. Photographer: Kylie Clare
Silver: Morris Lare
Bronze: Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design
Dining Room
Polished Comfort
Gold: Meghan Blum Interiors
In this room, the designers set out to create a space that is casual enough for an afternoon snack but formal enough for big family dinners with the client’s grown children. To balance livability with polished style, they chose a simple color palette, using patterned drapes, striped chair covers and a textured rug to add interest. The frame of the chandelier mimics the wrought-iron fence seen through large windows, and the glass panes on the fixture elongate the sightlines to the outdoors. The dark wood dining table contrasts with the studded dining chairs, a theme seen throughout the open living space. “Formal dining rooms are always a ‘yes’ when it comes to design,” said Katelyn Huber of Meghan Blum Interiors. “The family can enjoy every meal here in comfort and style.” Photographer: Carolyn Vaughn Photography
Silver (tie): ALT Design Studio, Morris Lare
Bronze: Kimberley Development Corp.
Primary Bedroom
Vibrant Tradition
Gold: Amanda Reynal Interiors
This primary bedroom feels like an inviting dream, from the pale blue ceiling to the woven wall covering. “This room has a breath of fresh air in every detail,” designer Amanda Reynal said. The room’s three distinct spaces — for sleeping, sitting and working — feel like individual sanctuaries that are part of a greater whole. Traditional shapes in the customized headboard and the tufted couch benefit from a fresh jolt of lime green, which also peeks through the draperies and in paintings. A classic bedspread and natural touches like the wicker chair and grasscloth nightstands keep the color from feeling overwhelming, all while revitalizing the space and honoring the character of the rest of the home. Photographer: Adam Albright
Silver: Dynasty Homes
Bronze: K. Renee
Utility Room
Paws and Practicality
Gold: Morris Lare
The design team guided this project from start to finish. The room draws from Scandinavian aesthetics to create a warm and uncluttered landing space, with a dedicated drop zone and plenty of closet storage. A central hallway expanded the space, connecting it to the front foyer and back entry, and the design incorporates materials like the porcelain tile, quartz countertop and a white oak bench for durable elegance. Bonus: The designers even added an “elevated dog shower for our client’s mid-size pooch,” said Alicia Held-Morris, Morris Lare’s co-founder and creative director. Photographer: Lauren Konrad
Silver: Dynasty Homes
Bronze: Texturious Designs
Basement
Harmonious Design
Gold (tie): Silent Rivers Design+Build
This space needed to accommodate occasional party guests, storage for a large bourbon and wine collection and — trickiest of all — a musician who wanted practice without disturbing his wife. So here, the jazz-lounge theme accomplishes all three goals. A brick wall behind the bar creates a back-alley feel, and the brown silk quartzite counters and fireplace suggest the grooves of a record. The team converted a bedroom and large walk-in closet into a sound-muffling music room and hid 300 bottles of wine behind beautiful walnut doors. “The homeowners absolutely love the fireplace feature wall with mosaic tile,” said Victoria Fitzgibbons of Silent Rivers Design+Build. Photographer: Paul Gates
Basement
Strokes of Genius
Gold (tie): Amanda Reynal Interiors
Turning a dark basement into a kid-friendly space for a growing family was the goal for this refresh. The designers started with a wallpaper featuring paint brushstrokes, which inspired the color palette for the rest of the room. Carpet tiles create the clever gingham pattern on the floors, underneath a red sectional and vegan leather ottoman. The bookshelf provides more visual interest and practical storage space. “A playroom is the perfect place to have fun with color,” Amanda Reynal said. Photographer: Adam Albright
Silver: Hal Davis
Bronze: Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design
Bar or Wine Room
From Cellar to Cinema
Gold: Dwell Home Furnishings & Interior Design
This basement theater has everything the homeowners wanted for movie nights. An oversized gray sectional and plush ottoman face the screen, offering cozy seating. Industrial touches, such as the bar’s metal light fixtures and the sleek fireplace in the accent wall, balance more glamorous features like the white fur seating and rose gold kitchen gear. The zebra-print quartz countertop leads to the room’s highlight: “The bar is gorgeous, but the window into the wine room really sets it apart,” Dwell designer Abby Craighton said. “We designed that area to be functional but very eye-catching.”
Silver: Meghan Blum Interiors
Bronze (tie): Morris Lare, Silent Rivers Design+Build
Library, Office, Den
Place to Focus
Gold: Wild Rose Interiors
A striking green-black wall sets the tone for this office space. An oversized light fixture hangs above the custom live-edge table and makes the space feel modern. The less-is-more approach feels bright and open, thanks to the large window, bamboo-colored wood floors and off-white desk chair. The sparing use of pattern in the snakeskin armchair, paneled walls and chevron rug adds a delicate dimension without overpowering the compact space. “Don’t be afraid of dark walls,” designer Debra Pudenz said. “And if you’re going there, commit to the dark ceiling too!” Photographer: Lauren Konrad
Silver: MainBuilt
Bronze: Jeid Studio
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