On the vibrant evening of November 18, design enthusiasts, industry leaders, and culinary connoisseurs gathered at the Arizona Heritage Society in Tempe, AZ for a night of elegance and celebration. The occasion? The NKBA Arizona Chapter's Inaugural Design Competition and Awards Ceremony, a spectacular event that showcased the best in kitchen and bath design.

A Feast for the Senses

The night commenced with a formal cocktail hour, where guests were greeted with the signature cocktail of the evening: The Pineapple Sunset. As attendees mingled and admired the venue's beauty, the anticipation for the night ahead built.

The culinary journey began with a dinner prepared by the talented Chef Gabriel from the Arizona Appliance & Home Showroom. The menu was a testament to culinary artistry, featuring dishes like Fall Harvest Salad, Garlic Rosemary Chicken in Caper Cream Sauce, Lemon Butter Poached Salmon, and a medley of sides including Wild Rice Pilaf, Herb Roasted Delicata Squash, Brown Butter Garlic Green Beans, and a Roasted Brussels Sprout, Beet, Carrot Blend.

Honoring Partners and Toasting to Milestones

During the dinner portion, Chapter President Kristy Stevenson took the attention to express gratitude to the event sponsors, the backbone of the evening's success. The sponsors, including names like Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting Gallery, Thermador, Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine, Cosentino, Monogram, Emser Tile, MTI, Middleby Residential, Arizona Appliance & home, Moderno Porcelain Works, Reece Bath + Kitchen and Premium Wholesale Cabinets were acknowledged for their invaluable support.

Kristy Stevenson also seized the moment to offer a heartfelt toast in celebration of NKBA's 60th anniversary. "To six decades of innovation, inspiration, and excellence – may the next sixty be even more remarkable!"

"Tonight, we raise our glasses in honor of something close to our hearts—the 60th anniversary of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Six decades of innovation, inspiration, and excellence in transforming our homes into true havens of style and functionality.
 

The NKBA is not just an organization; it's a journey of six decades filled with passion, creativity, and the shared love of turning houses into homes.

From the beginning, the NKBA has been a driving force behind the evolution of our kitchens and bathrooms—which are the heart and soul of every home. From modern to classic designs, this association has guided us through the changing tides of taste and technology.

To the designers, the architects, the craftsmen, and every soul who has poured their heart into shaping the very spaces we live our lives in, this toast is for you. Your dedication has not only defined trends but has woven the fabric of our daily existence, making kitchens and bathrooms not just functional spaces but reflections of our dreams.

Please join us in a toast, and as we clink our glasses, let's celebrate not just an association but a community that has enriched our lives. Here's to the National Kitchen and Bath Association—sixty years of making our homes warmer, our lives richer, and our memories more beautiful.

May the next sixty years be as vibrant and visionary as the last, as we continue to turn houses into homes, and kitchens and baths into works of art.

Cheers!"

And the Winners Are...

As the dinner concluded, attendees eagerly transitioned to the auditorium for the highlight of the evening: the presentation of awards. The ceremony featured 13 categories, including five for kitchens, five for baths, one for Aging in Place & Universal Design, and two for Industry & Trade Partners. Representatives from sponsors had the honor of announcing the winners in each of the 13 categories,

Custom Cabinetry & Millwork

• 1^st: Jaquie Bethke & Brandi Sedlak
• 2^nd: Maika Winter

Slab Fabrication

• 1^st: Jaquie Bethke & Brandi Sedlak
• 2^nd: Jule Fazz

Secondary Bath Luxury

• 1^st: Jaque Bethke
• 2^nd: Lori Carroll & Debra Gelety
• 3^rd: Diane Swenson

Primary Bath Budget

• 1^st: Jaque Bethke & Brandi Sedlak
• 2^nd: Maika Winter
• 3^rd: Wanda Fredrick

Primary Bath Luxury

• 1^st: Jaque Bethke
• 2^nd: Jaque Bethke
• 3^rd: Jaque Bethke

Powder Bath

• 1^st: Jaque Bethke
• 2^nd: Lori Carroll & Katrina Saucedo
• 3^rd: Jaque Bethke

Aging in Place /Universal Design

• 1^st: Bonnie Lewis
• 2^nd: Bonnie Lewis
• 3^rd: Maegen Blau

Small Kitchen Budget

• 1^st: Grace Geison
• 2^nd: Wanda Fredrick
• 3^rd: Maegen Blau

Small Kitchen Luxury

• 1^st: Jaque Bethke
• 2^nd: Jaque Bethke
• 3^rd: Maika Winter

Conceptual Kitchen

• 1^st: Jason Miller
• 2^nd: Kristin Sims
• 3^rd: Maegan Blau

Large Kitchen Budget

• 1^st: Wanda Fredrick

Large Kitchen Luxury

• 1^st: Jaque Bethke & Brandi Sedlak
• 2^nd: Jaque Bethke
• 3^rd: Sandy Black

Investing in the Future of Design

The event took a heartfelt turn when the Coggins family presented the inaugural NKBA Scholarship in memory of Ric Coggins. This scholarship, awarded to Scottsdale Community College, aims to support students pursuing a kitchen and bath certificate. Jaque Bethke further exemplified the spirit of giving by matching the scholarship, fostering a legacy of support for the next generation of designers.

Dancing Through the Decades

After the awards were presented, the celebration continued with an afterparty featuring the top hits from the '60s, a nod to NKBA's 60th anniversary. The event came alive with energy, marking the perfect end to a night filled with achievement, recognition, and camaraderie.

A Night to Remember

In closing, the NKBA Arizona Chapter's Inaugural Design Competition and Awards Ceremony was a resounding success. The organizers express their sincere gratitude to sponsors, designers, students, venue staff, and culinary artisans for contributing to an unforgettable evening. As the curtains closed on this edition, anticipation builds for the next, promising another year of innovation, creativity, and excellence in kitchen and bath design. Let’s get ready to Glow.