Homeowners and businesses rely on the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) to find experts who can help make inspiring ideas a reality. Every year, local designers submit their top projects to ASID MN for consideration and the opportunity to be recognized as one of the best.
Read on to see which projects earned top honors in this year’s ASID MN Interior Design Awards.
Best in Show
Project Name: Modern Sophisticate
Designers: Kimberly Scanlon, Allied ASID, and Team
Firm: Crush Collective
Designer’s Note: The clients are both lovers and collectors of art, so the designers recommended that they paint the entire space a true white to reflect that of an art gallery and not detract from their large pieces of artwork. Contrast was used strategically throughout to keep a delicate balance in a space that has a lot of volume.
Kitchen Less Than 300 Square Feet
Project Name: Vintage Charmer
Designer: Annie Tropple, Allied ASID
Firm: Blend Interior Design
Photographer: Spacecrafting
Designer’s Note: Elongated subway tiles in a creamy white colorway with a crackle glaze finish were chosen and extended from countertop to ceiling to give a warm background without demanding attention. Likewise, a clean, crisp white that didn’t have too many yellow or blue undertones was used to keep the space bright, warm, and inviting.
Kitchen More Than 300 Square Feet
Project Name: Modern Sophisticate
Designers: Kimberly Scanlon, Allied ASID, and Team
Firm: Crush Collective
Photographer: Spacecrafting
Designer’s Note: The clients requested all surfaces be easily maintained. Quartz was chosen for its high durability and easy maintenance, while the designers selected whitewashed maple flooring to resist scratches from the clients’ two beloved dogs.
Second Place: “Rustic Luxe” —from Jennifer Ball, Allied ASID, with Gabberts Design Studio
Model Home
Project Name: Urban Farmhouse
Designer: Bonnie Kespohl, ASID
Firm: Blend Interior Design
Photographer: Scott Amundson, Spacecrafting, and Shannon Tacheny
Designer’s Note: The overall lines of the home are straight and clean, reinforced with industrial details such as concrete-like countertops, white brick veneer, and simple cabinetry designs.
Second Place: “Grand Minimalism” —from Darsi Floersch, Allied ASID, and Team with Martha O’Hara Interiors
Special Purpose Room
Project Name: A Love for Cabernet
Designer: Tami Holsten, Allied ASID
Firm: Bear Trap Design
Photographer: Steve Voegeli
Designer’s Note: A wall mural of an authentic wine cave provides an illusion of continuing the space, while the rustic wood floor and tongue-and-groove barrel ceiling, painted to resemble brick, seamlessly blend the room together.
Multiple rooms/entire residence 2,500 square feet and under
Project Name: Modern Soiree
Designer: Darsi Floersch, Allied ASID, and Team
Firm: Martha O’Hara Interiors
Photographer: Corey Gaffer
Designer’s Note: To ensure that the home’s minimalism felt approachable and welcoming, the designers selected soft fabrics and comfortable seating choices—such as velveteen dining chairs and plush leather lounge chairs—for every room.
Multiple Rooms/Entire Residence Between 2,501 and 4,500 Square Feet
Project Name: Finding Balance
Designer: Jodi Gillespie, ASID
Firm: Jodi Gillespie Interior Design
Photographer: Paul Crosby
Designer’s Note: The design of this home is a balance of contrasts with subtle details, quiet colors, and complex systems. Elegant interior waxed plaster walls reflect the surroundings, while dark trusses and window frames support the light cedar wood ceiling with its hidden acoustic layers.
Second Place: “Lap of Luxury” —from Lisa Peck, ASID, from LiLu Interiors and Luanne Silvia, ASID, from LiLu Interiors
Multiple Rooms/Entire Residence 4,501 Square Feet and Over
Project Name: Open Dialogue
Designer: Ann Marie Ludwig, Allied ASID
Firm: All Design Group
Photographer: Jenni Hagen Photography
Designer’s Note: To draw the eye back inside from the stunning outside views, the designer chose to dramatize the dining room and wine cellar by specifying darker furnishings with sleek yet distinctive character, making the spaces feel extraordinary without losing sophistication.
Second Place: “Bright & Bold” —from Bonnie Kespohl, ASID, and Team from Blend Interior Design
Bathroom Less Than 150 Square Feet
Project Name: Exquisitely Enchanting
Designer: Sandy LaMendola, ASID, and Team
Firm: Twist Interior Design
Photographer: Susan Gilmore Photography
Designer’s Note: The door to the powder room was cut out of the dark wood paneling lining the home’s grand entry and reception area. Though the designers borrowed the proportions and details from this millwork element, they abandoned the dark-stained finish that extended into the powder room, achieving their goal of creating an environment that felt larger than it really was.
Bathroom more than 150 Square Feet
Project Name: Silver Lining
Designer: Kristy Conlin, Allied ASID, CKD
Firm: Martha O’Hara Interiors
Photographer: Troy Thies Photography
Designer’s Note: To create an interior that was soothing and period appropriate, the designers chose a monochromatic gray palette, accented with marble floors, walls, and tile mosaics. They specified large herringbone and small basket weave patterns for the tile for a result that is well suited to the rest of the home.
Second Place: “Timeless Beauty” —from Tami Holsten, Allied ASID, with Bear Trap Design
Design is in the details
Project Name: Serving the Details
Designers: David Heide, Allied ASID; Michael Crull, Allied ASID; and Team
Firm: David Heide Studio
Photographer: Susan Gilmore Photography
Designer’s Note: An integral part of the kitchen was the use of two islands: one for cooking and one for serving. An oversized island—complete with integrated refrigeration and cooktop—provides storage and prep space, while the island/table at the end of the room affords staging and serving outside the cooking vicinity.
Second Place: “Vintage Wine Cellar” —from Tami Holsten, Allied ASID, with Bear Trap Design
Bedroom suite
Project Name: Modern Master Suite
Designer: Jodi Gillespie, ASID
Firm: Jodi Gillespie Interior Design
Photographer: Alyssa Lee
Designer’s Note: The designer opened up the master suite layout and defined the sleeping space with custom bedside tables and “kick-ass” sculptural oval LED bedside lamps. In the sitting area, sleek new lounge furniture is accented with local artisan-produced floor lamps and tables, while discreet track lighting and motorized shades behind a metal valance provide additional lighting control.
Second place: “Fittingly Appointed” —from Sandy LaMendola, ASID, and Team with Twist Interior Design
Historic Preservation/Restoration
Project Name: Decorative Arts, Alive and Well
Designers: David Heide, Allied ASID; Michael Crull, Allied ASID; and Team
Firm: David Heide Studio
Photographer: Susan Gilmore Photography
Designer’s Note: After the client saved this 1905 Craftsman home from the wrecking ball, she knew truly caring for the house meant making respectful changes to ensure its viability for the future. Wood carvings, art glass, and wall coverings were all conceived by the designer and then custom fabricated.
Singular residential living space (tie)
Project Name: Modern Family
Designer: Marie Meko, Allied ASID
Firm: Gabberts Design Studio
Photographer: Steve Henke Studio
Designer’s Note: Crown moldings, wood beams, and a tin ceiling were used to define the various seating areas and make the family room feel as though it was original to the house. The designer also covered the floors with Persian rugs and designed a hand-carved fireplace to complement other fireplaces in the house.
Singular residential living space (tie)
Project Name: Modern Retreat
Designer: Rena Feldman, Allied ASID
Firm: Inview Interior Design
Photographer: Landmark Photography
Designer’s Note: A large floor-to-ceiling mirror mounted on the wall across from the window created a great reflection of the city view and opens up the otherwise long and narrow room.
Second Place: “English Cottage Charm”—from Maureen Grace Haggerty, Allied ASID, with mint
Corporate/Commercial Offices
Project Name: Punctuated Palette
Designer: Stephany Eaton, Associate ASID
Firm: PureAlchemy Design
Photographer: Steve Voegeli
Designer’s Note: This fresh, technically savvy company chose teal and magenta accents to punctuate the sophisticated overall canvas of white and platinum gray. Found in everything from fabric to wall accents, countertops, murals, and custom handmade glass tile, the bold hues illustrate the creative agility and uninhibited approach to their work.
Second Place: “Collective Workplace” —from Todd Hansen, Allied ASID, and Team with Albertsson Hansen Architecture Ltd.
Merit Awards
“High Style in Small Spaces” —from Kimberly Scanlon, Allied ASID, and Team with Crush Collective
“Finding Balance” —from Jodi Gillespie, ASID, with Jodi Gillespie Interior Design
“Act 1” —from Sandy LaMendola, ASID, and Team with Twist Interior Design
“Charmed Life” —from Martha O’Hara, Associate ASID, with Martha O’Hara Interiors
“High Tech Haven” —from Amy B. Schweitzer, Allied ASID, with Inspired By Design
Other awards
Designer of Distinction Lisa Peck, ASID, LiLu Interiors
Emerging Talent Amber Ranzau, Allied ASID, Modern Design
