by Liz Teodorini
Decorating & Design Competition gala celebrates excellence in Canadian decor and design.
The highlight of the gala was, as it is every year, the unveiling of the Decorating & Design Competition winners. The competition receives entries for its 10 categories from DDA Canada’s accredited and student members. Each category’s entries are then evaluated by a jury of industry peers from across the country. They evaluate the projects based on complexity, concept, materials and functionality, among other criteria. Attendees were captivated as a video of each winning project described the planning and thought behind the design. The videos were punctuated by applause as the designers, some from as far afield as Nanaimo and Calgary, accepted their awards. In all, 26 people, including three students, were recognized for their best-in-class work:
Interiors Under $45K
Gold – Gabriele Pizzale, Pizzale Design Inc.
Silver – Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory Inc.
Bronze – Evelyn Eshun, Evelyn Eshun Design Inc.
Interiors Over $45K, Under $100K
Gold – Lana McIver, The Interior Design Group
Silver – Marion Da Ponte, Bridgemont Properties Inc.
Bronze – Rotem Golan, Ace of Space Interiors
Interiors Over $100K
Gold – Svetlana Tryaskina, Estee Design
Silver – Charlene Threatful, Lush Interiors Inc.
Bronze – Lorelie Noble, Design Details
Powder Room
Gold – LeAnne Bunnell, LeAnne Bunnell Interiors
Silver – Gabriele Pizzale, Pizalle Design Inc.
Bronze – Evelyn Eshun, Evelyn Eshun Design Inc.
Challenging Budget
Gold – Krista Salter, KMSalter Design
Silver – Katie Golec, ACM Designs
Bronze – Kathleen Casey FitzGerald, Kathleen Casey FitzGerald
Bathrooms Under $30K
Gold – Cara Lawson, Cara Lawson
Silver – Margaret Struthers, Margaret Struthers Interiors
Bronze – Jennifer Costello, Jennifer Costello Interiors
Bathrooms Over $30K
Gold – Linda Mazur Olijnyk, Linda Mazur Design Group
Silver – Lara Kalins, Breathe Interiors
Bronze – Caroline Harrison, Caroline Harrison Designs Inc.
Kitchens Under $50K
Gold – Enza Ricco, Fig Interiors
Silver – Rotem Golan, Ace of Space Interiors
Bronze – Elena Gouchtchina, Maison Interiors
Kitchens Over $50K
Gold – Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory Inc.
Silver – Sarah St. Amand, Sarah St. Amand Interiors Design Inc.
Bronze – Evelyn Eshun, Evelyn Eshun Design Inc.
Student Project
Gold – Jia Wei Pu, Sheridan College
Silver – Rebecca Aparicio Velasco, Algonquin College
Bronze – Catalina Radulescu, Sheridan College
“This national competition showcases our fabulous members and their talent,” says Mary Dancey, chair of awards for DDA Canada. “There were so many outstanding submissions this year, it’s clear our members are continuing to advance their craft on every level.”
For a practising decorator or designer, a win means peer recognition and increased professional credibility. “Winning a DDA award has been a wonderful experience. The response has been overwhelming,” says Marion Da Ponte, 2018 silver winner in Interiors Over $45 Under $100K. “It’s exciting news to share with friends, family and, of course, my clients — former, current, and new ones.”
The competition, which is supported by sponsorship from several DDA Canada affiliate partners will begin accepting entries again in fall 2018.
Liz Teodorini is Marketing Consultant for DDA Canada .