Monarch Designer Enters NKBA Kitchen Design Competition

Monarch designer Melissa Foley is hoping a recent kitchen design has what it takes to catch the attention of judges at the National Kitchen & Bath Association's (NKBA) annual design competition. 

Monarch is proud to be a member of the NKBA, an organization that promotes professionalism and ethical business practices and sets industry standards for conduct and construction around the world. With over 40,000 members, winners of NKBA's annual design competition represent the top kitchen and bath designers in North America.

"I decided to enter this kitchen project into the NKBA design competition because it is one of the biggest transformations of a space I have designed so far in my career," explains Melissa. "The client's typical U-shaped kitchen and closed-off dining room has been transformed into an open concept space where they feel comfortable entertaining their guests."

Creating a warm, welcoming and functional environment to entertain friends and family was a priority for Melissa's clients. The wall between their kitchen and dining room was removed, opening up the main floor so it now illuminates with natural light, creating a bright and cheerful feel.

To keep costs down, the structural post was left in and the island became the focal point of this new area. The newly acquired space allowed room for the pantries, refrigerator, microwave and a decorative open-shelf unit, and all tall units were put along one wall, opening up the rest of the room for much needed counter and workspace.

With the back wall now the cooking area, a convenient prep sink under the window and ample workspace on each side of the range, Melissa's happy clients can now easily work side-by-side. A small desk area at the very end of the range wall keeps papers within reach but out of the way. The old dining room—now part of the open-concept kitchen—with double beverage fridges, a wall-mounted TV and wine racks became the ultimate entertainment space and serves as the main eating area, as well.

"The traditional look of the cabinetry, the modern look of the hood fan, tile, faucets and stools, the elegance of the lighting fixtures and the vintage feel of the recycled wood table has transformed this into a unique, inviting dream entertainment space," says Melissa.

Click here to view NKBA's 2010 winning designs.