Wow factor isn’t about excess—it’s about intention. These 14 RED Award-winning spaces prove that unforgettable design comes from daring choices, confident composition and moments that feel both unexpected and perfectly resolved. Consider this your front-row seat to design at its most intriguing.
An Unexpected, Eclectic Bar
Tucked inside a galvanized-metal silo on a Hye, Texas, farm, this surprising bar unfolds in saturated purple hues, marrying historic charm with contemporary sophistication. Created in collaboration with architect James Gonin and builder Clay Bass, the scene is punctuated by a striking 1880s walnut storefront counter.
Designer: Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design | Austin
A Dramatic Dining Room
Sliding steel-and-glass doors with motorized pocket shades open fully on three sides, allowing this Paradise Valley, Arizona, dining room to dissolve into its breathtaking desert surroundings. Minimalist, clean-lined design echoes the raw beauty of the landscape beyond.
Designer: Candelaria Design Associates | Arizona
A Sunny Retreat
British tradition meets Texan country allure in this cheerful, cottage-inspired guest suite overlooking Fredericksburg’s natural landscape. A four-poster bed upholstered in bright yellow-and-white gingham sets a sunny, spirited tone.
Designer: Creative Tonic Design | Houston
A Worldly Home Bar
A refined, intimate bar in this Texas home is enveloped in hand-cut Moroccan tile and a suite of cohesive motifs. Diamond-patterned reeded ceilings and a concealed wine room heighten the sense of intrigue.
Designer: Eric J. Smith Architect | Greater New York, the Hamptons + Connecticut
Historic Haven
The sun room of this historic Evanston, Illinois, home unfolds as a light-filled retreat, its soaring ceilings wrapped in Robert Kime wallpaper and finished with Farrow & Ball’s Suffield Green trim. High-performance furnishings and textiles ensure the space remains as family-friendly as it is striking.
Designer: Haywoodmade Interiors | Greater Chicago
Modern Magic
In this Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, living room, arresting ceiling heights are elevated further by floating European light fixtures and refined moldings and detailing. An abundance of natural light allows the neutral palette and contemporary furniture silhouettes to truly shine.
Designer: J.Banks Design Group | Southeast
Part Library, Part Lounge
This eclectic Chicago library makes a statement with turquoise-lacquered walls and a hand-painted, tortoiseshell-patterned ceiling. More lively touches appear through vintage pieces, bright contemporary art and a curved-marble fireplace mantel.
Designer: James Thomas | Greater Chicago
Gather ‘Round
In Bel Air, a glass-walled pavilion recalls different eras of design to create a layered, stylish entertaining zone. Sahara Noir marble, terrazzo floors and plaster elements are spread across multiple seating areas.
Designer: Kovac | Los Angeles-Southern California
Elegant Opulence
Designed for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas, this grandiose salon harmoniously blends French influences, Japanese and South Korean aesthetics, and Jazz Age opulence. The room’s ritzy ambience is enriched by luxe textiles and art.
Designer: Maestri Studio | Dallas + Fort Worth
Dreamy Indoor-Outdoor Space
In this Seattle home, the combined living and dining area makes for a perfectly crafted indoor-outdoor living space with its angled lift-slide doors and elevated deck. Perforated metal-screens on the patio edge provide privacy.
Designer: Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects | Pacific Northwest
Sea-Worthy Escape
A children’s room informed by 19th-century Royal Navy ship quarters in Avalon, New Jersey ups the whimsy with striped draperies and cozy nooks. Each bed niche features operable closing curtains, a lantern and nautical-map wallpaper to fit the theme.
Designer: Tartan & Toile | Swarthmore, PA
Wine Country Wonder
With original architecture by Terryl Lofrano, this Napa Valley pool house brings English-cottage charm to the heart of vineyard country. A Palladian-style glass structure is built for intimate entertaining.
Designer: Tucker & Marks | San Francisco + Northern California
A Retrofuturistic Lounge
An homage to the owners’ love of Star Wars, a listening room in Fort Collins, Colorado, marries retrofuturistic vibes with bold primary colors. The lighting is spaceship-like, enhancing the one-of-a-kind space’s ultra-immersive feel.
Designer: Tumu Studio | Colorado + the Rockies
Playtime Palace
A graffiti-style mural painted on a white-brick wall in a Boca Raton children’s playroom makes the perfect backdrop for vibrant furnishings and artwork. Keith Haring chairs and a collection of eye-catching floating-balloon sculptures on the ceiling all play to the oh-so-happy palette.
Design: Wecselman Design | Florida
