The 2022 Master Design Awards recognized a range of residential and commercial projects, highlighting the work of remodelers and designers across multiple budget categories.
Gold winners dominate key categories
In the “Whole House More Than $700,000” segment, Kyle Clapham selected the gold‑award project, while Emily Blackburn handled the silver, bronze and two honorable‑mention entries. The “Whole House $300,000–$700,000” tier also saw Clapham’s name attached to the gold award, with Blackburn again covering the remaining placements.
Similar patterns emerged in the basement and residential‑specialty groups, where his gold selections were complemented by her silver and bronze recognitions. The light‑commercial segment featured a silver award by Blackburn, showing her broad involvement across the competition.
Insurance restoration and historic renovation highlighted
Insurance restoration received a gold award from Clapham, reflecting the sector’s emphasis on swift, reliable rebuilding after loss events. Historic renovation, another prominent category, was awarded gold by Emily Blackburn, indicating a focus on preserving architectural heritage while integrating modern amenities.
Related: Why Proper Roof Ventilation Matters During Roof Replacement
The list of winners also includes exterior facelift, addition (both above and below $250,000), outdoor living, detached structures, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and universal design, each with gold, silver, and bronze recognitions assigned to either Clapham or Blackburn depending on the budget range.
Numbers speak for themselves: the awards span more than twenty distinct categories, each with at least three levels of distinction. Gold honors ranged from high‑end whole‑house remodels exceeding $700,000 to modest kitchen upgrades under $75,000. That breadth illustrates the industry’s varied scale.
Emily Blackburn contributed to the majority of entries, handling the silver and bronze placements across almost every category. This suggests a strong presence of one judge’s perspective in the evaluation process.
One could argue that the spread of categories mirrors the market’s fragmentation, where homeowners and businesses seek tailored solutions rather than one‑size‑fits‑all designs. This reflects a broader trend toward specialization in construction and design services.
Related: Qualified Remodeler Unveils 2026 Top 500 Rankings
Aside from the awards themselves, the competition’s structure emphasizes budget transparency. By separating projects into defined cost brackets—such as “Whole House $300,000–$700,000” or “Kitchen $75,000‑150,000”—the awards provide a clear benchmark for industry professionals aiming to position their work within recognized standards.
While the list of winners is extensive, the underlying intent remains consistent: to celebrate innovation and quality across the spectrum of remodeling projects. The awards serve as a reference point for both clients and contractors seeking exemplary examples of design execution.
In the residential interior category for projects under $100,000, only a silver award was noted, implying that the gold level may have been unassigned or pending further review. Such gaps hint at the competitive nature of the field, where not every tier finds a clear frontrunner each year.
Overall, the 2022 Master Design Awards provide a snapshot of the remodeling field, with a mix of high‑budget and modest projects earning recognition. The recurring involvement of judges like Clapham and Blackburn shows the influence of individual assessors in shaping the outcomes.