Home & Design

Excellence Awards

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About the Home & Design Excellence Awards

This competition recognizes exceptional residential work completed after January 1, 2022. Following a blind judging by a panel of your peers, winning projects will be honored at a special gala and presentation event this fall and be published in Home & Design's Idea Book.

Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2025

AWARDS
Each of the 15 categories will include Grand and Merit winners, assuming entries meet minimum qualifications set by the judging committee.

Parent Categories include:
Click on the Categories tab above to a read detailed description of the awards criteria.

  • Architecture
  • Custom Build 
  • Interior Design
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Landscape
  • Remodeling

Please contact Jerry Parks at [email protected] with any questions regarding the entry process.

ARCHITECTURE

Contemporary
This award honors exceptional homes designed in a modern or transitional style. Entries will be judged on accomplishment of stated goals, aesthetics and form, functionality, originality and innovative/consistent use of materials.

Traditional
This award honors exceptional homes designed in a classical or traditional style. Entries will be judged on accomplishment of stated goals, aesthetics and form, functionality, innovative/consistent use of materials and translation of traditional architectural norms to 21st-century living.


REMODELING

Exterior Makeover
This award evaluates how well an exterior renovation accomplishes the stated goals and improves upon the existing structure, taking into account the overall aesthetic, the execution of new style and the innovative or consistent use of materials. Can range from curb appeal-style façade makeovers to whole house exterior reinventions.

Interior Renovation
This award evaluates a renovation based on accomplishment of stated goals as well as improvements made to the original layout, functionality, originality, aesthetics of completed design and innovative use of materials. Additions should be submitted to this category.


CUSTOM BUILD

Whole House, New Construction
This award evaluates the construction of a whole home. It takes into account the level and quality of craftsmanship, the complexities posed by the architecture and/or the site, and the overall completed aesthetic. Entries are only open to custom builders.

Whole House, Renovation
This award evaluates comprehensive renovations done to an existing home that encompass 50 percent or more of the home's interior and/or exterior. Generally, this is a substantial project that involves some structural change and goes beyond minor or purely cosmetic updates.


INTERIOR DESIGN

Whole House
This award honors exceptional interiors designed for a whole house with a four-room minimum in any style (traditional, contemporary or transitional). Entries will be judged on accomplishment of stated goals, aesthetics and form, functionality, originality and innovative/consistent use of materials and furnishings.

Condo/Apartment
This award evaluates the interior design component of an apartment or condo project in terms of accomplishment of stated goals, layout and functionality, originality, overall aesthetic and the innovative use of materials, lighting and furnishings.

Getaway Home
This award honors the interiors of second homes outside of our region (meaning outside of DC, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware beaches). Entries will be judged on accomplishment of stated goals, aesthetics and form, functionality, innovative/consistent use of materials. The ways in which the interiors reflect or relate to the environment will be considered.

Outstanding Single Room Makeover
This award evaluates how well a redo transforms a singular space with an eye on originality, functionality, style and novel/innovative use of materials and furnishings as well as accomplishment of stated goals for that room.

Kitchen
This award evaluates a kitchen in terms of its layout and functionality, originality, overall aesthetic and the innovative use of materials, lighting and appliances as well as accomplishment of stated goals.

Bath
This award evaluates a bath in terms of its layout and functionality, originality, overall aesthetic and the innovative use of materials, lighting and fixtures as well as accomplishment of stated goals.


LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Less than One Acre
This award evaluates a landscape plan smaller than one acre in size, in terms of the accomplishment of stated goals, layout and innovative application of hardscape and plant materials.

More than One Acre
This award evaluates a landscape plan greater than one acre in size, in terms of the accomplishment of stated goals, layout and innovative application of hardscape and plant materials.

Outdoor Entertaining Space
This award evaluates an outdoor entertaining space, in terms of the accomplishment of stated goals, layout, functionality and aesthetics, as well as the use of materials and amenities including kitchen components.


Please contact Jerry Parks at [email protected] with any questions regarding the entry process.

Qualifications For Entry

  • Residential projects only.
  • Projects must be located in DC, Maryland, Virginia or the Delaware shore. Entries outside this region will be disqualified.
  • Projects must be completed after January 1, 2022.
  • Submissions must include professional, high-resolution images.
  • Entrants must fully complete all text fields in their submission.
  • Prior winning projects of H&D’s Design Excellence Awards are not eligible. 
  • No entries may be submitted from judges or their firms.

Fees & Payment

  • Each project requires a separate entry and must be paid in advance. Any entry started but not submitted is eligible for a refund, less processing fees. 
  • Entry fee for each project is $95. Maximum of five (5) entries per firm.

Please contact Jerry Parks at [email protected] with any questions regarding the entry process.

Entry Overview. What you’ll need to complete your entry.

Company Information
General company information: Name, Address, Homepage URL, Main/Public Email and Phone

Company Social Media
URLs: Instagram, Pinterest, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook

Company Logo
Company logo that looks best on a white background.

Production Contact
Contact person(s) to address issues or questions with the entry.

Photography Rights & Permissions
Confirm the Photography Rights & Permissions agreement for all submitted images, drawing and plans.

Entry Name
Provide an entry name to help judges identify and reference the project anonymously. For instance, something that is specific to the project. Example: Modern Green Bath

Project Resources

OUTSIDE CONTRIBUTORS: List all outside firms or contractors who played a significant role in the project. Provide the category, company and full name of persons involved. Category examples include Kitchen/Bath Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Contractor, Lighting Design, Cabinetry Design/Fabrication.

TEAM MEMBERS: List all members of your staff who should be credited for work on this project. Include names, credentials and roles.

BRANDS and SOURCES: Identify the category, brands and sources of the major materials and fixtures. Category examples include Cabinetry, Countertops, Countertop Source, Range/Ovens, Microwave, Refrigeration, Appliance Source, Backsplash, Backsplash Source, Pendant, Lighting, Lighting Source, Flooring, Plumbing Fixtures, Plumbing Fixture Source, Table, Chairs, Counter Stools, Special Finishes.

Project Goal and Objectives
What were the goals of the project in terms of functionality and aesthetics?

Project Description

  • Base the project description around the following. Click here for an example.
  • DO NOT USE COMPANY NAME IN TEXT
  • Word count: Minimum 200 to 500 maximum
  • Is this new construction or a renovation?
  • Describe challenges and solutions
  • Describe special innovations or unique materials (if applicable)
  • Identify special amenities or functions
  • Provide project location (city, state)
  • Tell a little bit about the homeowners
  • Project Size/dimensions

Project Images
Six minimum. 15 maximum. All images require a caption and photographer credit. Captions can be a simple description of the focal point shown in the image including materials, furnishings, etc. A nicely worded caption provides valuable insight for the judges

Project Drawings and Plans
One minimum. 5 maximum. All Project Drawings and Plans require a short caption and photographer credit.


Please contact Jerry Parks at [email protected] with any questions regarding the entry process.

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HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

The company also publishes an annual H&D Sourcebook of ideas and resources for homeowners and professionals alike. H&D Chesapeake Views is published bi-annually and showcases fine home design and luxury living in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

The H&D Portfolio of 100 Top Designers spotlights the superior work of selected architects, interior designers and landscape architects in major regions of the US.

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