It’s the time of year to judge some of Kansas City’s newest homes for Kansas City Home and Garden magazine’s 2013 Home of the Year awards.
It is such an honor to again be selected as TWO of the judges of Kansas City’s architects, builders, designers. New home’s are such work! The homeowner’s get so excited. The homes to be judges must be brand-spanking new.
We take the job very seriously. How do we choose? Very carefully and thoughtfully…
My team and I had great discussions about which home should win. Our criteria?
- • Unusual and unexpected design solutions that work beautifully
- • Smooth, flowing layouts while each room has it’s own personality
- • Special details (especially those that work for the land or homeowner specifically)
- • Quality of materials and craftsmanship
- • Green design
- • Thinking outside of the box (instead of a “me too” design) that ultimately adds value to the property and/or the lives of those that will live there
- • Location
- • The overall feel and look of the space. Not only must the home’s design work, it must be outstanding.
We ask ourselves and notice such things as:
- • Did the architect waste space or leave any small, funny areas the homeowners won’t know what to do with?
- • Were the niches, built-ins and/or lighting intended to be centered but didn’t quite make it?
- • Is the interior cabinet hardware going to last or did the builder cut a corner where no one would look?
- • What about window placement? Vent placement?
- • Does the entry have a “WOW” feel?
- • Does the exterior complement the land and interior?
- • How would someone live in the space and make it their own?
- • Were the designers innovative while respecting the style of the structure?
- • Were their solutions unique, without going into Oddville?
- • Is the selling price appropriate?
Then on and one…
Everything is perfectly organized (I don’t know how Andrea Darr and Brooke Pearl do this every year) so we can make sharp choices on each structure, critiquing and taking detailed notes as we go.
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About Tran + Thomas
Built on the foundation of a 30-year, family-owned Interior Design business, Jill Tran and Carmen Thomas opened Tran + Thomas Design Studio in 2011 bringing a combined 36 years of experience to their projects. They work on both residential and commercial projects across several styles. Interested in their services? Call (913) 268-9595 or schedule a consultation below.