CARIBOU, Maine — The National Kitchen and Bath Association’s Maine Chapter in partnership with Décor Maine magazine recently held their design competition awards ceremony in Augusta. Three Caribou designers took home several top prizes including the overall grand prize.
The three designers work at the S.W. Collins Design Center in Caribou.
Lisa Plourde was selected as the overall grand prize winner in the Kitchen category and also received first place in the Before and After Kitchen category.
Cindy Dufour won second place in the Before and After Kitchen category and also second place in the Large Kitchen (more than 250 sq.ft.) category.
Barb Michaud took second place in the Large Bathroom (more than 55 sq.ft.) category.
The competition recognizes excellence in kitchen and bathroom design projects from industry professionals across the state and entrants included kitchen and bath designers, architects, interior designers and contractors. Judging was anonymous and was divided into two sections: first on technical merit and then on aesthetic value and design excellence.
The three judges were veteran designers from the New England area, not from Maine, and have each been part of the National Kitchen and Bath Association for 30-plus years.
“We are so proud of our design team,” said Clara Collins, operations and kitchen and bath manager at S.W. Collins. “The quality of their designs and satisfaction of their customers is a testament to their hard work. I am so happy for them that they are being recognized for their skills and efforts as the best of the best in Maine.”
Plourde has over 20 years of experience in the industry and she has expertise in product selection, space planning, materials and finishing. As the overall grand prize winner, her kitchen design will be featured in Décor Maine Magazine’s September 2022 issue.
“It is really an honor to have my kitchen design selected from the many other designs submitted by amazingly talented colleagues in the industry,” said Plourde.
Dufour has worked nearly 35 years as a designer and has been with the company for 18 of those years.
“I love what I do and it is such an honor to be recognized by industry leaders at this point in my career,” said Dufour.
Michaud has been in the construction industry her entire life and began as a designer at the company in 1994. She is program chair on the board of the association’s Maine chapter.
“I was honored to be selected as one of the winning projects,” Michaud said. “Being on the board has enabled me to expand my appreciation for the people that work in the industry statewide.”
