Warm Reception

Winner: Architectural Residence
Residences Under 3,500 Square Feet

"The designer obviously had strong ideas," the judges said of this winning kitchen renovation. They especially liked the way the wall of the dining room was opened so that the kitchen interacts with the rest of the home. The warm materials and colors used complete the welcoming feeling achieved by the structural changes.

An open design with plenty of glass and light creates an airy feel in a relatively small space.

Victor T. Curti of Vicurti Design & Development said, "The existing kitchen of this Squirrel Hill town home was dated, cold and cut off from the rest of the house. The design challenge was to create a kitchen which was visually warm, modern and that opened to its surroundings to provide an entertaining center for the owners."

The judges agreed, singling out the "dialogue of materials and styles" that combines to create a style that is at once contemporary and cozy.

Architect: Victor T. Curti, Vicurti Design & Development
General Contractor: Dan Cromeans
Cabinetry: KraftMaid Cabinetry
Lighting: W.A.C. Lighting
Tile: Tile & Design
Faucet: Price Pfister
Countertop: Corian
Appliances: Kenmore

Blue Grotto

Winner: Interior Design
Singular Residential Space Under $25,000

The judges looked at this stunning master bath, looked again at the category in which it won, shook their heads and said, "It is amazing what this designer did for less than $25,000." They agreed that no matter how much was spent on this room that it was nothing short of amazing - period!

The circular design of the room and the way the room's elements flow together were the first things that caught the judges' attention. "It's not a box. The fluidity of the floor plan and tile surfaces is exciting," they said, and they imagined what the experience of being in the room and using it would feel like. "The architect has made a real attempt to create a whole experience. It's very dynamic, not at all static."

In his design statement, architect Matthew Schlueb of Schlueb Architecture said, "Created for Julianne, the master bath of Villa Vuoto is reminiscent of the Blue Grotto found on the Isle of Capri. A modern abstraction of her Italian ancestry, the space becomes a familiar feel, creating a sense of belonging, a welcome escape at the end of the day."

Architect & General Contractor: Matthew Schlueb, Schlueb Architecture
Flooring: Mosaic ceramic tile created and installed by Magnificent Manufacturing Inc. Custom polyblend grout installed by Ted Baker.
Walls/Ceiling: Hand-troweled interior texture and Venetian-finish plaster manufactured by Senergy, supplied by Exterior Products of Pittsburgh, and applied by Steel City Plastering.
Plumbing: Vanity sink bowl created and installed by Magnificent Manufacturing Inc. Metris lavatory faucet and Roman tub faucet by Hansgrohe, supplied by Splash, installed by G&G Plumbing. Cortina round whirlpool by Jacuzzi, supplied by Splash, installed by G&G Plumbing. Raindance shower pipe by Hansgrohe, supplied by Splash, installed by G&G Plumbing.
Cabinetry: Custom built-in cabinetry created and installed by Matthew Schlueb.
Specialty: Glass shower curtain and stainless-steel rod fabricated and installed by Iron Eden.
Windows: Wood circle windows by Andersen Windows & Doors, Wood skylights by Velux
Lighting: Hand-blown glass pendants by Doug Hansel
Furnishings: Mosaic wall mirror created and installed by Magnificent Manufacturing Inc. Hand-slumped glass soap dish by Daneal Ferraro

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