As.🏆 JWH Wins Best Modern Kitchen at the 2024 Westchester Home Design Awards
It’s that time of year again—and for the JWH Team, it’s one we always look forward to. We’re honored to announce that JWH Design & Cabinetry has been named the Best Modern Kitchen Award winner at the 14th Annual Westchester Home Design Awards 2024. Westchester Home magazine celebrates the region’s top interior designers, architects, and building professionals annually. For over a decade, JWH has proudly been a finalist in multiple categories, recognized for combining innovative function with exquisite form. On June 26, 2024, our design for a dramatic kitchen renovation in a Rye Colonial was officially selected as this year’s Best Modern Kitchen. This category celebrates refined, high-performance spaces with modern design impact.
đź› A Contemporary Transformation Rooted in Custom Craftsmanship
When the homeowners of a 1980s Colonial in Westchester approached JWH Design & Cabinetry, their goal was clear: create a modern kitchen design that embraced natural light without requiring major structural changes. Their initial plan involved removing the central dividing wall between the kitchen and dining room, which would have added significant cost and complexity.
Instead, JWH founder Jennifer Howard proposed a more innovative, efficient solution. She created a visual and physical connection between the two spaces by integrating multi-panel glass doors. This design preserved the home’s architectural integrity while allowing natural light to flow freely, enhancing the open-concept feel without sacrificing function or privacy. Using 3D renderings to demonstrate the transformation, Jennifer helped the homeowners and builder visualize the full impact before construction began.
🌿 Materials That Marry Form & Function
At the heart of the space is JWH Custom Cabinetry, crafted from rift-cut white oak paired with soft painted finishes that amplify the home’s natural light and enhance architectural flow. The oak’s clean grain and warm tone became a unifying element across the kitchen and adjoining family room, contributing to the serene, high-end aesthetic the homeowners envisioned.
To complement the cabinetry, we selected:
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Sleek quartz countertops
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A dramatic full-height slab backsplash
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Custom rift oak paneling around the window that continues seamlessly into the refrigerator surround
“I love coming up with new ideas to tie materials together to keep a space unique and interesting,” said Jennifer Howard. “There’s a first time for everything, and this detail worked beautifully.”
🔧 Functionality Meets Luxury: Appliances, Layout & Finishes
We chose top-tier Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Thermador appliances, all positioned for optimal workflow without disrupting the minimalist aesthetic. At the center of the space, we designed an extra-long island with an inlaid satin brass seam. The brass echoes on the custom JWH range hood. This touch elevates the design and brings cohesion to the entire room.
🎨 Design Collaboration & Styling
The JWH Team brought this award-winning project to life through close collaboration with Angela Kosinski of ACK Interiors. Angela curated the interior styling, furnishings, and soft finishes. From the brushed brass fixtures to the modern lighting, she chose every detail to harmonize with the cabinetry. Ultimately, the overall vision is one of quiet luxury and functional beauty.
✨ A Winning Example of Modern Kitchen Design in Westchester
This project represents what we strive for at JWH: a thoughtful blend of custom craftsmanship, refined materials, smart space planning, and collaborative design. Therefore, it’s a kitchen that feels as inviting as it is functional, a true centerpiece for contemporary family living.
In conclusion, we’re deeply proud of Westchester Home’s recognition and grateful to our clients and collaborators for trusting us with such a transformative project.