At best, every home renovation is a challenge. Even the process of selecting the right designer for the project can be daunting, especially when your wish list of must-haves is wholly ignored. Such was the scenario for this St. Louis couple when they wanted to upgrade their kitchen a few years ago. They had purchased a Garden Valley subdivision dwelling in 2011 and moved in with their three teen and pre-teen children. Like most homes in their neighborhood, it was a sprawling suburban two-story house with builder-grade finishes.

Meet our esteemed panel of Kitchens of the Year judges:

Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design

This stunning kitchen designed by Tegethoff Homes and Srote + Co Architects flows seamlessly into the rest of the home. The space is loaded with WOW features that stun guests every time they visit. The homeowners worked closely with the architect, designer and builder to bring the extraordinary vision to life. A custom scrubbable wallpaper mural from Italy was custom framed by the homebuilder’s exceptional in-house carpentry team. The cabinetry is all touch latch with soft close and minimal reveals.

This custom new-build kitchen was designed to be the heart of the home. Designer Stephanie Pohlman Designs blended old and new styles to create a cozy, welcoming feel. Arched openings flank the statement plaster range hood. The space behind each arched opening serves as an additional prep space. On the right is a walk-in pantry with white oak cabinetry, and on the left is a butler’s pantry. The plaster hood along with the white oak beams and custom aged-brass fixtures are just a few of the Old World touches the designer incorporated.

This home, designed by William Bernoudy and finished in 1971, has been remodeled several times, but new owners had plans for a full renovation working with Gegg Design & Cabinetry. The original design had an indoor pool along with some unique details and features, and the kitchen was buried in an interior space with just one small window. Renovations made by previous owners removed portions of walls, but the kitchen space was still odd and disconnected.

A young, hardworking couple requested that Chelsea Design Company transform their kitchen into a bright, classic space ideal for entertaining and cooking. The original kitchen had a U-shaped peninsula and tiny center island. The space wasn’t ideal for entertaining as it was secluded from the dining and living rooms. Chelsea Design Company removed existing soffits, widened the entry from the dining room and extended the wall separating the living room from the kitchen, which created a grand symmetrical moment at the stove wall.