High glam closet walk-in wins Best of Show

By Michaelle Bradford

April 19, 2024 | 12:03 pm CDT

Photo By The Couture Closet

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - Kathleen Jacobson of The Couture Closet won Best of Show in the 2024 Top Shelf Design Awards, sponsored by Sauder Closets, for "High Gloss & Glamour in this Luxury Walk-In Closet." The high-end closet was part of the remodel of an existing Tudor home and features a handbag display case, ceiling-high cabinets with crown moulding and a high-gloss finish in a custom-blended color to match the wallpaper.

"Our cabinet team, J & J Construction & Cabinetry, used paint-grade maple plywood for all the woodwork and Baltic birch inside the drawers. We designed an inset-style beaded shaker drawer and door front. Our clients wanted to dress up the cabinetry, so we added a bone trim to all the custom millwork," said Jacobson.

LED lighting is integrated throughout the project behind a custom-cut face frame, and additional features include brass wardrobe rods, recessed valet rods, belt racks, brass pulls, and more.

Jacobson will receive a $500 prize for Best of Show, and each category winner below will receive a $50 prize as an award plaque and publication in Closets & Organized Storage magazine.

The awards were distributed at the 2024 Top Shelf Design Awards and Young Wood Pro reception, sponsored by Sauder Closets and Grizzly Industrial, held on April 18 at the Schaumburg Convention Center as part of the annual Closets Conference & Expo.

Special thanks to judges Laurie Haefele, Haefele Design; Tim Coleman, SCE Unlimited; and Kelly Victor-Burke, Burke Architectural Millwork and Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces.

The Top Shelf Design Awards are given annually to honor designers for their creative closet and home organizational designs. Each entry is judged based on the following criteria: 50 percent appearance/design (emphasizing design creativity) and 50 percent functionality and quality of construction/materials.

Special thanks to judges Laurie Haefele, Haefele Design; Tim Coleman, SCE Unlimited; and Kelly Victor-Burke, Burke Architectural Millwork and Bespoke Closets & Organized Spaces.

2024 Top Shelf Design Award winners:

Closet: Laminate Over 18 linear ft.

Winner (tie): Jenna Shock, Inspired Closets Pittsburgh
Project title: Glamour Haven: The Ultimate Luxury Closet Experience

Winner (tie): Wendy Scott, Timeless Closets & Cabinetry
Project title: Boujee Boutique

Honorable Mention: Domenic Marcolongo, Las Vegas Closet Design
Project title: Dream Closet

Closet: Laminate Under 18 linear ft.

Winner: Patty Miller, P Miller Luxury Closets Inc.
Project Title: Ensuite Enclave

Honorable Mention: Allanna Bell, Optimization Dolls
Project Title: Dolls to the Rescu!

Closet: Reach-In

Winner: Wendy Scott, Timeless Closets & Cabinetry
Project Title: Closet Equality

Honorable Mention: Tracie Lucas, All About Closets
Project Title: Ivanoski

Closet: Wood Over 18 linear ft.

Winner: Kathleen Jacobson, The Couture Closet
Project Title: High Gloss & Glamour in this Luxury Walk-In Closet

Honorable Mention: Kathleen Jacobson, The Couture Closet
Project Title: Lavender Elegance

Closet Wood Under 18 linear ft.

Winner: Domenic Marcolongo, Las Vegas Closet Design
Project Title: Purse Collector's Dream Closet

Garage: Over 600 sq. ft.

Winner: Tracie Lucas, All About Closets
Project Title: Fitzgerald

Garage: Under 600 sq. ft.

Winner: Elizabeth Sterenberg, The Tailored Closet/PremierGarage DC
Project Title: Incredible Garage Remodel & Update

Honorable Mention: Amanda Comstock, Inspired Closets
Project Title: An Inspiring Garage

Home Office: Under 150 sq. ft.

Winner: Domenic Marcolongo, Las Vegas Closet Design
Project Title: Home Office Transformation

Honorable Mention: Wendy Scott, Timeless Closets & Cabinetry
Project Title: Elevated Workspace

Specialty (Craft, Pantry, Laundry, Mudroom)

Winner: Wendy Scott, Timeless Closets & Cabinetry
Project Title: Elegant Hearth Haven

Honorable Mention: Pamela Taylor, Capitol Closet Design
Project Title: Radiant Reflections

Wine Cellar

Winner: Robert Bass, Kessick Wine Storage Systems
Project Title: Wine Wall with a Surprise

Honorable Mention (tie): Stuart Narofsky, Narofsky Architecture
Project Title: Cardinale Wine Cellar

Honorable Mention (tie): Darryl Hogeback, Savante Wine Cellars
Project Title: Cherry Hills Wine Cellar

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About the author

Michaelle Bradford, CCI Media, is Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine and Woodworking Network editor. She has more than 20 years of experience covering the woodworking and design industry, including visits to custom cabinet shops, closet firms and design studios throughout North America. As Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine under the Woodworking Network brand, Michaelle’s responsibilities include writing, editing, and coordinating editorial content as well as managing annual design competitions like the Top Shelf Design Awards. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media.