Judge Jill. The 2010 Home Of The Year Awards

This past Saturday was a perfect 74 degrees, sunny and full of beautiful homes.  It was again time to judge the Kansas City Home and Garden magazine’s 2010 Home of the Year awards.

It is such an honor to be selected to judge the work of some of Kansas City’s greatest architects, builders, designers.  I know from my gold in 2008 the work that goes into each submission. The homeowner’s get just as excited.  It is a day to see who was able to do the most with what they had to work with, and how far the bar will be raised, again. See 2009′s winners.

Each year, we are sent in teams to a variety of homes all over the city in different categories.  The entries are submitted by the homeowners, architects, builders and designers and must be brand-spanking new.

About to go out and judge: Brooke Pearl, Asst. Editor, myself and Andrea Darr, Editor-In-Chief.

I take the job very seriously and even dream at night about the homes when I am trying to decide. This year, the 7 properties I judged ranged from a smaller home to almost 4 times that home’s asking price…so you can see the difficulty!  It is like comparing apples to bananas to oranges.  How do I choose?  Very carefully and thoughtfully…

I am a stickler!  My criteria?

• I look for unusual and unexpected design solutions that work beautifully
• Note smooth layouts
• Search for special details (especially those that work for the land or homeowner specifically)
• Examine quality of materials and craftsmanship
• Reward green design
• Want 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
• Notice location
• Judge the overall feel and look of the space. Not only must the home’s design work, it must be outstanding.

I ask myself:

• 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?

The categories are perfectly arranged (I don’t know how Andrea Darr and Brooke Pearl organize this every year) so the judges can make sharp choices as we drive to each structure, critiquing and taking detailed notes as we go.

What does the competition do for you?  It encourage the designers and builders in KC to constantly question their work, push themselves, explore and stay current with trends, materials and procedures.  It matters.

Watch for the KCH&G issue in the spring so you can judge for yourself.  By then, it may just be a perfect 74 degrees again…can’t wait!

-Jill

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Got a comment?  Reaction?  Question?  Interior Design question…WWJD? (What Would Jill Do) Tell me what’s on your mind.  I love hearing from you!

Photos:  Jill Tran Interior Design and Co.

Contact Jill

Naturally Unexpected

It is wonderful to share design tips with readers…the possibilities seem endless.  KC Home and Garden magazine asked me for a few to accompany their shot of my living room (see their page below) along with other designer tips.  It was so fun having the editor-in-chief, Andrea Darr and the photographer, Matt Kocourek over to shoot it.  She and I had a lovely lunch before hand at the Blue Koi, chatted about organic gardening and her saving a very special kitten.  She is such a doll!

"BEFORE" How the room looked the day it was bought.

“AFTER”

I believe in pushing envelope when designing a home for a truly memorable look.  I am a rule-breaker by nature so I bring Nature in.  Won’t you join me?”

Thank you KCH&G!

Our Before and After Shots Not Included In KCHandG Mag for NARI Homes Tour With Our Featured Project

Andrea Darr of Kansas City Home & Garden magazine chose my work and the construction work of Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction to feature in her beautiful magazine announcing the NARI Homes Tour. So great to see my designs on their pages once again. The home really did turn out famously. The homeowners were absolutely spectacular (see the pic) from start to finish and couldn’t be happier. It was exactly what they wanted! They communicated their wishes to Clay and I and then let us perform the magic we do best.

The article in KCH&G, titled “Family Ties” (April 09′) shows the ‘after’ shots, but I am going to give you the insiders look at the ‘before’ shots below!

We blew out the back wall in the kitchen and added the room with the arched door out on to the new deck. Downstairs, we blew out the back wall to add the indoor pool. Clay and I had such fun designing the fireplace, pizza oven and placing the Green Egg.

Thank you Andrea, Brooke Pearl and Keith Sauro!

"BEFORE" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"AFTER" Eating Area, Hearth Room, Family Room

"BEFORE" Hearth Room fireplace

"AFTER" Hearth Room fireplace

"BEFORE" Looking through the window at the new family room

"AFTER" The windows have been removed and the new family room is complete. The chair at left is for their daughter to snuggle and read. Notice the client's beautiful new desk...and her views!

"BEFORE"

"AFTER" For the outdoor gourmet! Notice the all-season fireplace and pizza oven on the far right.

"AFTER" Such a fantastic, relaxing and energizing room for the whole family.

Myself, our wonderful clients and Clay Lyon of Lyon Construction.