We are very excited to share the winners of our 2nd annual Kitchen Contest and Bill Algier Award recipient.  At Bentwood Luxury Kitchens, we are proud to have a strong dealer network from coast to coast, representing both the Bentwood and Harmoni cabinetry brands.  Our goal in 2023 was to launch a contest that recognizes the best project designs within six categories from our talented dealer network. We could not be more thrilled with the results!  

But First, Some Thank–yous are in Order 

To our Dealer Network, thank you for taking the time to submit your contest project entries. This was a very important initiative for the Bentwood companies in growing dealer relationships and featuring our talented designer network.     

To our judges, thank you for carefully reviewing the project submissions to determine our six category winners and the recipient of the Bill Algier Award.  Ashlynn Bourque, of Sherwin-Williams, Jeanne Chung, of Jeanne K Chung Interiors and Cozy Stylish Chic, and Bill Algier upheld the industry’s gold standards.  

The Winners Circle—Meet the Designers Behind the Winning Projects 

Bentwood Traditional Category Winner 

Congratulations to Karmela Dizon and Shawna Roorda of Bentwood of Austin for their luxurious kitchen project. 

The judges appreciated the incorporation of three distinct cabinet construction types—frameless, inset plus, and inset—to define each space and create a more personalized experience.  

“With Bentwood’s customization capabilities, we were able to execute the homeowner’s vision by selecting the perfect wood species, finish, texture, creating new door styles, and incorporate three different type of minimal handle designs: factory-mortised pulls for the kitchen perimeter and coffee bar areas, matching handles for kitchen island, and custom routed pulls for the pantry and wine bar areas,” says Karmela Dizon.  

The combination of the intricate wood grain and texture and the minimalist design of the cabinet faces complements the traditional home with a modern twist, making for a winning, timeless design.  See more of this Bentwood Beauty 

Bentwood Non-Traditional Category Winner 

Congratulations to Joël Lynn Ralph of Joël Lynn Designs for her gorgeous remodel project.    

“This is a very traditional home, so we needed to make sure that the kitchen stood out, but not feel out of place,” notes Joël Lynn.  

Joël Lynn encountered two design challenges on this project. The first being that the original kitchen was “small, dark and closed off to the rest of the house,” and the second being the homeowners’ height difference. The lady of the home is only 4 feet 9, and her husband is over six feet. “We needed to ensure the space would be comfortable for both,” Joël Lynn says. 

A walk-in pantry with 12-inch deep shelves was created that features a step stool for her, allowing for easy viewing and access of the items. The microwave is housed in one of the wall cabinets located on both sides of the range and is at counter height, allowing both husband and wife to use it efficiently. 

Solving these two challenges with amazing results proves that Joël Lynn’s talent is well-deserved of the judge’s recommendation. See more of this Bentwood Stunner 

Bentwood Outside the Kitchen Category Winner 

Congratulations to Shawna Roorda of Bentwood of Houston for her work on the Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove Showroom Display.   

A unique approach was taken to seamlessly integrate a substantial number of appliances (12 models) within a relatively compact space. A creatively designed armoire-style refrigerator surround, a highly functional coffee bar setup, and an island featuring a spacious Galley workstation with a custom wood Parsons top—adding warmth to the knee space—all contribute to the luxurious appeal of both the appliances and Bentwood’s millwork. 

“Balancing traditional style with sophisticated design, we incorporated refined elements throughout the space,” says Shawna. “Metallic finishes complement the stainless steel appliances, while soft radius profiles on the door details and luxurious surface treatments enhance the overall elegance.” 

Savvy design made for a winning project.  See more of this Bentwood Display Project 

Harmoni Traditional Kitchen Category Winner 

Congratulations to Colin Snider and Emily Martin of Bentwood of Dallas for his elegant remodel project.   

Even after the architect reimagined the space, Colin and Emily were left with a small footprint to incorporate specific design elements and maximize storage. He worked with the homeowners to determine which tasks would be performed in each of the three spaces (kitchen, scullery, and bar) and then customized the cabinets to meet their storage needs.  

Frameless Harmoni cabinets were used for much of the project, but the client wanted a more furniture-like island. To accommodate the client, Colin designed the island using Bentwood plain inset construction with brass ferrules on the legs. 

The thoughtful design and the refreshing beauty of the shades of green for the cabinets made for a winning project.  See more of this Harmoni Beauty  

Harmoni Non-Traditional Category Winner 

Congratulations to Ashley Deschene of Refined Renovations mid-century modern new construction project. 

For a custom home, Ashley created a gourmet kitchen, suitable for hosting large gatherings. The unique design elements not only fit with the home’s modern architecture but enhance its architectural beauty.  

“We started with a grand and oversized kitchen design with five distinct work zones. The focus of the kitchen is a framed range zone specifically designed for cooking. The range’s vent extends up to the ceiling in a manner reminiscent of the living room’s main fireplace,” explains Ashley.  

“An expansive island offers plenty of room for meal prep and additional storage. The refrigerator and integrated pantry are concealed next to the range, within easy reach while cooking,” says Ashley 

Not to be forgotten is the rich rift-cut white oak wine bar in a russet stain finish that provides the perfect area to mix cocktails and store wine at just the right temperature. 

The rich design and outstanding use of cabinetry translated into a winning project.  See more of this Harmoni Stunner  

Harmoni Outside the Kitchen Category Winner 

Congratulations to Brenda Helms and Megan Creve of Edmond Kitchen for their dramatic en suite project.  Smart functional design and stunning aesthetics made this a clear winner. 

With the client’s desire for a modern, spacious, yet warm luxury primary suite, Brenda and Megan imagined what might be possible with a wet room filled with matching floating vanities made of Harmoni cabinetry for both husband and wife.  

“We were given all of the old bathroom space, the old primary closet, plus an addition that was being built for a larger closet,” says Brenda. The judges agree that they made the most of the space, creating a spa-like space that is luxurious and inviting.  

Not everyone can pull off a see-through smoke-tinted tub! Add to that the 24-by-48-inch large-format brown onyx bookmatched tiles in the shower, and it is easy to understand why the judges also awarded Brenda and Megan the best overall design of the 2025 Kitchen Contest and honored them with the Bill Algier Award. This special dealer award celebrates the talent, vision, and gold standard that Kitchen Designer Bill Algier has exhibited throughout his career and the valuable insights he has shared with our factory team.  See more of this Harmoni Eye Catcher  

Bravo! 

Watch for More Dealer Features  

Again, congratulations to all our 2025 Kitchen Contest Winners and their outstanding projects.  It is very gratifying to see the use of Bentwood and Harmoni cabinetry in these final designs.    

“Bringing your vision to life” is a guiding mantra for the Bentwood Companies, along with our carefully selected national dealer network.  Today, we gladly celebrate you.   

Stay tuned for more project features from all the Kitchen Contest entries, and see how designers across the country are utilizing our premium cabinetry in luxury homes across the country.    

Find Inspiration Near You

Inspired to update your own space?  Click here to find your closest authorized Bentwood dealer. We’ll connect you with a designer in your area and get started with your vision right away! 

Not quite ready to begin a project? Look through our gallery to find inspiration and discover the beauty of Bentwood.