A Look at This Year’s Northwest Design Award Winners

Each year, the Northwest Design Awards spotlight designers whose projects push the industry forward with creativity, innovation, and real-world impact. Winners are celebrated at Seattle Design Center’s Designer Appreciation event; three were honored in late spring.

Influential Project Award

LeeAnn Baker Interiors in Seattle won the Influential Project Award for the garage pavilion created in collaboration with Patrick Byrne Architects and GKO Construction LLC.

The 11,000-square-foot car gallery features a steel-and-concrete structure, a glass-floored pavilion, a two-story wine tower, a sculptural bar, a guitar nook, and a catering kitchen. According to the project description, “a concealed lift seamlessly carries vehicles from the garage to the pavilion above, marrying technical precision with effortless sophistication.”

The space was created for a couple of race-car enthusiasts and philanthropists in Medina. It lends itself to intimate gatherings and larger philanthropic events. It sits on the shores of Lake Washington.

“The project embodies what I value most in design: creating spaces that foster connection, inspire memories, and stand the test of time,” LeeAnn Baker said.

She was honored to receive the award and said it was a team effort.

“Every successful project is the result of a shared vision between clients, craftspeople, consultants, and the whole design team. To have that work recognized by peers within the design community is both humbling and affirming,” Baker said. “This dream project took years to bring to fruition, and it is especially rewarding to see both the client’s vision and the entire team’s dedication celebrated in this way.”

Influential Space Award

Portland’s Nifelle Design Fine Interiors won the Influential Space Award for a project they dubbed “Sweeping View,” a custom Oregon home designed to capture views of the Cascades from almost every room.

“My heart sings when I see our clients thriving in their new home. When they share photos of stunning sunsets over the Cascade Mountain Range from their deck. When their friends and family visit and remark how comfortable and cohesive their home feels,” said Jennifer Leonard, principal of Nifelle Design Fine Interiors. “The client connection is the driving force behind my work. For me, design isn’t just about beautiful objects (although I do love them so!); it’s about crafting an authentic backdrop that reflects the best version of the clients themselves.”

The home is warm and modern with layered textures and natural materials. Leonard sets the scene for the judges this way: “A Baker cinnamon mohair sofa anchors the space, complemented by beams of Oregon black walnut, leather lounge chairs, a shaggy silk rug, and layered textures that evoke both comfort and refinement,” she wrote in her project description. “Expansive windows flood the room with natural light, drawing the eye to the sweeping mountain views beyond, while thoughtful details — like sculptural lighting, a sleek fireplace, and curated accessories — create a perfect balance of rustic charm and contemporary polish.”

“We incorporated custom artisan plaster finishes on both fireplace walls and in the powder bath,” she added. “This home is filled with thoughtful details, and it has been a pleasure to work with our clients from the ground up.”

She credited her collaborators for helping make the project possible.

“Having grown up in the design industry, I have always known that exceptional spaces aren’t created in a vacuum; they are the culmination of a shared vision and a dedicated community,” she said. “Our design team, along with a fabulous network of talented artisans and local workrooms, made ‘Sweeping View’ possible — a perfect reflection of the natural beauty of Central Oregon, as well as the lovely inhabitants who call it home.”

Rising Star Award

Studio Stellavato, which serves the Pacific Northwest, Montana, and Hawaii, earned the Rising Star Award for a historical remodel in Bozeman, Montana. Founder Nadine Stellavato Brown served as both the interior designer and interior architect.

“This remodel is a seamless blend of historic charm and modern architecture, thoughtfully crafted to honor Bozeman’s rich past while embracing the comfort and functionality of contemporary mountain living,” according to the project description. “Designed for a ski-loving family, the home balances heritage with warmth — pairing preserved architectural details with a fresh, modern sensibility.”

Built in 1904, the home required a careful balance: preserving its architectural integrity while updating it for daily life. The project also received a 2025 Historic Preservation Award from the Bozeman Historic Preservation Advisory Board for Outstanding Preservation Project of a Residential Structure.

The NWDA Rising Star Award is meaningful, too. “To receive this recognition in my fifth year, from peers I respect deeply, is the kind of affirmation that tells you the leap was worth it. It confirms that 30 years of thinking about how design shapes experience did not go to waste. It carried forward, and this project is proof of that.”