Anne BildEaston, Md. — Barbara Elliott and Jennifer Ward-Woods, owners of The Sisters and Company Decorating Den Interiors franchise serving Stone Mountain, Ga. and greater Atlanta (www.barbaraandjennifer.decoratingden.com) , were selected as the company’s Designers of the Year by interior design journalists from throughout the US and Canada.
Their bedroom design that fulfilled their client’s desire “for a luxurious, cohesive master suite” was judged best in category and the overall best of 173 entries in 12 categories by interior design journalists from throughout the U.S. and Canada.
To achieve the client’s vision, the sisters’ design team expanded the bedroom into the adjacent sitting area, removed barriers, and introduced elegant design elements. Features include an ivory-upholstered bed, mahogany chests, gold-framed mirrors, oak paneling, a fireplace wall, and boucle seating. Grass cloth wallpaper and motorized drapery add texture and sophistication to this new luxury master suite.
This is the third time The Sisters have been selected as Designers of the Year. “It’s still as exciting as it was the first time,” they both exclaimed. In the journalists’ judging, they also were awarded first place in bathrooms along with second and third in children’s rooms. Additionally, their bedroom and bathroom won three other awards in separate judging, explained below.
Designer of the Year Runners-Up
The First Runner-Up also was the duo of Elliott and Ward-Woods whose ensuite bathroom adjoining their winning bedroom was first in its category and judged second-best overall. The bathroom renovation epitomizes luxury, blending elegance and modernity. Heated floors add comfort, while an arched area with tubular tilework highlights a sleek glass bathtub. Floating vanities with infinity sinks, LED mirrors, and a spa-like shower with state-of-the-art fixtures create a serene, tech-infused retreat for ultimate relaxation
The Second Runner-Up was The Lawson Dream Team franchise of Lynne Lawson and Laura Outland, of Columbia, Md. Their family room took third place overall and first in its category. Previously Designers of the Year three times, they also had firsts in dining room, living room and window treatments. This family room features soaring gold-leaf beams, crystal-textured wallpaper, and luxurious pieces, including a charcoal velvet sectional, gold-leaf tables, and a custom rug. A restored “window” with mirrors embraces a conversation area with four ebony frame chairs, while bold wall décor and a mirrored gold chest elevate this glamorous space.
Other Design Awards:
Donayre Award
The first-place bedroom by Elliott and Ward-Woods also won 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. Their bathroom also earned second place in this judging.
Third place went to Lawson and Outland for their living room.
People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award is selected from online judging that was open to the public for two weeks and received thousands of votes. Elliott and Ward-Woods won first place with their bedroom.
Carly Jossund’s Astrid Design Group franchise, of Kansas City, Mo. won second place for her home office.
Lisa Rice, whose franchise is in Raliegh, NC, won third place for her living room.
Patti Award
Andrea Ritten’s Andrea Rose Designs Co. franchise, of Minneapolis, won the Patti Award. Named after Patti Coons, former public relations director who was instrumental in starting the International 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.
Aleem Arif, with Kiran Arif’s Kiri Designs franchise in Cincinnati, won second for his living room.
Carly Jossund won third for her home office.
This was the company’s 41st International Dream Room awards.
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.
