Every year, a special feature in Home & Design spotlights local, up-and-coming designers who’ve launched firms of their own. We gathered with these rising stars and photographed their portraits in Salus Homes’ stunning Bethesda showroom, featuring high-end furniture, kitchens and bath solutions. Click to read the designers’ stories and discover their stellar work.

Julia Longchamps Julia Longchamps Design See More...

Jenna Morrow Morrow Design Studios See More...

Lauren Carranza Seasons for Design See More...

Hannah Goldberg Hannah Charlotte Interiors See More...

Cindy Eyl Jefferson Street Designs See More...

Area designers submitted more than 105 entries to the 2025 Kitchen & Bath Awards, organized by the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and sponsored by Home & Design. Winners were announced on June 12 during a gala celebration at VisArts in Rockville. The 2025 jury included Lindsey Britten, Allied ASID, of BOWA; James McDonald of James McDonald Associate Architects; Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas of Interiors by Design; and NKBA chapter communications chair Kirsten Gable, CKBD. Links to all winning projects are listed below.

Large Kitchens First Place: ODE Design. See More... Second Place: Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. See More...

Large Baths First Place: c|s DESIGN STUDIO LLC.  See More... Second Place: Mint Interiors. See More...

Medium Kitchens First Place: Adam Greene Architect. See More... Second Place: Design: JD Ireland Interior Architecture + Design.  See More...

Medium Bath First Place: Masseria Chic.  See More...

Small Kitchens First Place: The Kitchen Guru.  See More... Second Place: TOBE DesignGroup. See More...

Small Baths + Powder Rooms First Place: Wiedemann Architects. See More... Second Place: Christie Leu Interiors. See More...

Specialty Rooms First Place: Black Salt Home Design. See More... Second Place: Shea Studio Interiors Inc. See More...

Before + After First Place: Bethesda Contracting. See More... Second Place: Ella Lee Interiors. See More...

Cabinetry in walnut laminate delivers durability and style. Calacatta Imperiale porcelain in a silk finish frames the island, which is equipped with an induction cooktop, and the backsplash, featuring a handy ledge. Handmade bronze sconces cast a warm glow.

Project Team
Design & Contracting: Yuri Sagatov, Colleen Hyde, Allison Hardeman, Laura Gerber, Christine Varela, ODE Design. Photo: Dev Productions.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: adelphikitchens.com. Countertops & Backsplash: gramaco.com. Appliances: thermador.com through abwappliances.com. Sconces: blueprintlighting.com. Plumbing: weaverhardware.com.

White-painted and rift-cut white oak cabinets complement quartz countertops and wide-plank oak flooring. The island’s cantilevered wood top offers a casual dining perch while clever storage solutions abound all around. Brushed-brass fixtures and hardware add a touch of glam.

Project Team
Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD; Nancy McCarren, AIA, LEED AP, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Contractor: Lappas Contractors, Inc. Photo: Stylish Productions.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: qcci.com. Quartz Countertops: landmarksurfaces.com. Wood Countertop: glumber.com. Appliances: abwappliances.com. Lighting: visualcomfort.com. Plumbing: houseofrohl.com.

This modern, luxurious retreat boasts a zero-entry shower and a deep soaking tub. In the former, a combination of horizontal subway tile and vertically oriented wood-look tile creates a dramatic accent wall. A floating double vanity echoes the wood tones.

Project Team
Design: Christina Simon, Brittany Gunst, c|s DESIGN STUDIO LLC. Contractor: Snead Custom Homes. Photo: Stylish Productions.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: signaturecustomcabinetry.com. Tile: mosaictileco.com. Tub: signaturehardware.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com. Countertops: cosentino.com. Sinks: lacava.com.

The newly expanded retreat was designed to balance innovation and style. A wide mirror is integrated into a custom vanity with reed detailing on its doors. The smart shower allows residents to control water temperature and functionality via built-in panel or remote.

Project Team
Design: Alexandra Richter, Mint Interiors. Contractor: B&G Construction. Photo: Peak Visuals. Styling: Kristen Alcorta.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: builtincabinet.com. Countertop: petrastonellc.com. Tile: renaissancetileandbath.com. Plumbing: kohler.com and kallista.com through fergusonhome.com. Lighting: visualcomfort.com.

The project moved the kitchen to the rear of the home, expanding it by three feet. A wide window bathes the space in light and forges a strong connection to the landscape. Custom, craftsman-built cabinets in quartersawn red oak reinforce the natural tableau.

Project Team
Architecture & Interiors: Adam Greene, AIA, Adam Greene Architect. Contractor: Harmony Remodeling LLC. Photo: Peak Visuals.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: Richard Abendroth; 240-351-4133. Appliances: kitchenaid.com; lg.com/us; bosch-home.com. Quartz Countertops: msisurfaces.com. Fixtures: fergusonhome.com.

Removing a wall between the row house’s galley kitchen and dining room made way for a furniture-style island. Elevated finishes range from polished quartzite countertops to antiqued-mirror panels and custom cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore’s Sylvan Mist.

Project Team
Design: JD Ireland Interior Architecture + Design. Architecture: SDK Architecture. Builder: Armstrong Construction Services. Photo: Trevor Parker.

Get the Look
Countertops: marblesystems.com. Appliances: bluestarcooking.com, jennair.com through abwappliances.com. Sink & Faucet: vigoindustries.com. Antique Mirror: mirror-tique.com.

After the existing space was taken down to the studs, a new bath took shape, centered on a shower enveloped in marble and zellige tile with a niche in book-matched marble. Alabaster-and-brass sconces illuminate the vanity; brass hardware conveys a polished look.

Project Team
Design: Federica Asack, Masseria Chic. Contractor & Recessed Cabinetry: MCA Home Improvement LLC. Photo: Stylish Productions.

Get the Look
Stone: petrastonellc.com. Sconces: visualcomfort.com. Tile: marblesystems.com. Glass: advancedglassexpert.com. Hardware: newportbrass.com. Curtain: lisafinetextiles.com.

Merging two closets into the existing bath establishes a spacious footprint. A vanity in marble and polished nickel sets an elegant tone; a niche houses a custom ledge. The Schumacher wallpaper pays homage to the Eastern Shore property’s history as a shipyard.

Project Team
Architecture: Greg Wiedemann, FAIA; Barbara Sweeney, AIA, Wiedemann Architects. Contractor: Winchester Construction. Interior Design: Shaun Jackson Interiors. Photo: Anice Hoachlander.

Get the Look
Tile: renaissancetileandbath.com. Washstand: sherlewagner.com. Faucet and Perrin & Rowe Accessories: houseofrohl.com. Toilet: totousa.com. Wallpaper: schumacher.com.

An asymmetrical vanity with a bow-front, 16-inch-deep walnut cabinet outfits the tiny powder room, introducing much-needed storage. Wall-mounted faucets and a mini sink deliver function and style. York’s Peacock wallpaper infuses the space with drama and whimsy.

Project Team
Interior Design: Christie Leu, Bryn Schmitt, Christie Leu Interiors. Architecture: Mortar and Thatch. Contractor: Fouché Construction. Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: weaverscustomwoodworking.com. Countertop: washingtonmarble.com. Sink: nantucketsinksusa.com. Faucet: brizo.com. Lighting: visualcomfort.com.

The design team embraced the bones of the structure, balancing a modern aesthetic with vintage charm. Natural hickory cabinets with beaded insets stand out against wooden walls painted black. Gooseneck sconces and retro-style appliances evoke bygone days.

Project Team
Kitchen Design: Joey Olson, The Kitchen Guru. Contractor: Veritas Contracting. Photo: Nova Soul Imagery.

Get the Look
Cabinetry: crestwood-inc.com. Stove & Refrigerator: uniqueappliances.com/en-us. Microwave: nostalgiaproducts.com. Granite Countertops: gmexpress.com. Plumbing Fixtures: fergusonhome.com.

Custom, soft-taupe cabinets surround a walnut island. Brass lighting and hardware, along with polished-nickel plumbing fixtures, add a sophisticated touch. The range wall stands as a focal point, defined by a statement hood flanked by storage towers.

Project Team
Design: Hannah Wunder, Ella Lee Interiors. Cabinets: Charles Henry Fine Woodworking. Contractor: Mueller Homes. Photo: Peak Visuals.

Get the Look
Lighting: visualcomfort.com. Stove: subzero-wolf.com through adu.com. Hardware: rejuvenation.com. Faucets: brizo.com. Quartz Countertops: umistone.com.

Equipped with built-in desks and cozy seating, the enclosed space enables the owners to work at home; it doubles as a hangout for movie and game nights. A coffee bar serves up snacks with ease. Cabinetry in Benjamin Moore’s Dark Olive makes a bold statement.

Project Team
Design: Anabel Hering, Black Salt Home Design. Photo: Peak Visuals. Styling: Kristen Alcorta.

Get the Look
Custom Cabinetry & Countertops: alvaradocustomcarpentry.com. Hardware: rejuvenation.com. Lighting: visualcomfort.com. Coffee Table: cb2.com. Desk Chair: westelm.com.

The Darnestown kitchen update traded a dual-height island for a single-level one, increasing work space. New, two-tone cabinets convey a furniture look and coordinate with a matching hood. Brushed-brass and -nickel hardware complement the La Cornue range.

Project Team
Design, Contracting & Cabinetry: Bethesda Contracting. Photo: Robert Radifera.

Get the Look
Quartz Countertops: cgm-collections.com. Range: lacornueusa.com through fergusonhome.com. Appliances, Lighting, Hardware & Plumbing: fergusonhome.com. Backsplash: mosaictileco.com.

A temperature-controlled glass enclosure displays wine in what was a former dining room. Insulated walls and low-voltage LED lighting maintain optimal conditions. Wine is decanted and poured at a tasting counter before it’s served in the comfy seating area.

Project Team
Interior Design: June Shea, Bonnie Cowan, Shea Studio Interiors Inc. Contractor: Duran Contracting. Photo: Tod Connell.

Get the Look
Cabinets: ntimedesignllc.com. Countertops: cosentino.com. Wine Racks & Refrigeration: wineguardiandealer.com; wineracksamerica.com. Flooring: flooranddecor.com. Lighting: fergusonhome.com.