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Decorating Den Interiors announces Designer of the Year and other design awards at its 50th anniversary conference and supplier market

Easton, Md. — Franchise owner Kimberly Paulus of Missouri City, Texas (http://www.kimberly.decoratingden.com  ) was named Designer of the Year, the highest design award presented by Decorating Den Interiors, North America’s largest interior design and home furnishings franchise company and leading in-home decorating service.

Designer of the Year Kimberly Paulus (center) with President and CEO Jim Bugg, Jr and Patti Coons, who was honored with a Making a Difference Award for having originated the Dream Room competition 35 years ago.

Her makeover of a bedroom was judged the best of 385 entries in 12 categories by a panel of interior design journalists from across the U.S. and Canada.  “My design resulted in a transitional master retreat that offers a serene, relaxing atmosphere in blue and grey,” she said. “Detail trim frames wall sconces and artwork while breaking up the expansive space. Luxurious bedding and designer fabrics add depth while furniture selections add interest. Sheer window treatments frame the seating area and soft lighting adds to a quiet mood.”

She also was tied for third in the living room category and took two honors among first-time participants in the competition.

 

Designer of the Year Runners-Up   

 

First Runner-Up was Lynne Lawson and her decorator Laura Outland, of Columbia, Md., who won first in living room and third in commercial.  Second Runner-Up was the sister duo of
Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward-Woods of Stone Mountain, Ga. who won firsts in bathroom, children’s rooms, and family rooms along with seconds in bedrooms and kitchens.

 

This was the company’s 35th Dream Room Awards competition. Other awards announced at the Paris Las Vegas conference were:

 

Donayre Award

 


Winners of the Donayre Award, which is voted on by company franchisees and is named for Carol Donayre Bugg, ASID, retired company vice president and director of design, were Lynne Lawson and her decorator Laura Outland, of Columbia, Md. for their living room makeover.

 

Second place was Terri Ervin of Dacula, Ga. for the main lobby in an over-55 community clubhouse.

 

Third place was Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward-Woods of Stone Mountain, Ga. for a family room design.

 

 


People’s Choice Award

 


Barbara McGinnis Hayman, of Spring City, Pa., won both first and second first in the People’s Choice Award segment, an online judging open to the public in which more than 30,000 votes were cast among the various entries. Her makeover of a bedroom received the highest number of votes cast and her design of a dining room attracted the second-highest number of votes.

 


Shelley Rodner of Ocean View, Del.  won third place her design of a family room.

 

Patti Award

 


Named after Patti Coons, former public relations director who was instrumental in starting the Dream Room competition, the award is for first-time entries into the competition and is judged by those franchisees who have achieved Decorating Den Certified Decorator status.

 

Kimberly Paulus of Missouri City, Texas  won first place for her bedroom design and second for a commercial space.

 

Kisha Lake, a decorator with Elliott and Ward-Woods, won third place for a bedroom.

 

Decorating Den Interiors was founded in 1969 and has interior design professionals and decorators throughout the U.S. and Canada. Its design professionals offer full-service interior design that includes fine furniture, case goods, accessories, lighting, floor and wall coverings, draperies and other hard and soft window treatments from its custom LIVV Home Collection™ of furnishings. Its design professionals bring samples directly to the client’s home or office, provide complimentary design services and personally oversee projects through installation.

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