No Easy Picks

Janice Randall Rohlf
Editor

It’s that time of year again— time to share the winners of our Annual Design Awards. Now in its 13th year, the competition continues to grow more exciting with each passing season. This year, we received 100 submissions — a 20% increase from last year — and introduced a new category: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

One of my key responsibilities for the Design Awards is assembling a panel of out-of-state judges — a task I never take lightly. I’ve always been aware of the time and thoughtful consideration this role demands, but this year, I experienced it firsthand. I was invited to serve as a judge for a similar out-of-state competition. What I assumed would take a couple of hours turned into a far more involved process. Not only did it require more time than expected, but the decisions them-selves proved challenging. The level of talent was truly remarkable.

That experience deepened my appreciation for our own Design Awards judges and for New Hampshire’s community of architects, builders, interior designers and landscape designers. The more Granite Staters I meet in these fields, the more my respect grows for their work. Their clients — both full-time and seasonal residents — present a wide range of opportunities, from ski homes and lake houses to oceanfront properties, city residences and suburban family dwellings. The professionals behind these projects consistently demonstrate an impressive ability to adapt across styles, scales and settings — from traditional to contemporary, and everything in between. In my view, that versatility is an achievement worthy of recognition in its own right.

While it may be tempting to flip straight to the Design Awards section to see this year’s winners, I encourage you to take in the rest of this issue as well. Inside, you’ll find a feature on the Currier Museum of Art’s shop in Manchester, filled with distinctive items perfect for gifting — or keeping. We also highlight the striking work emerging from artist Alex Kanevsky’s studio in the White Mountains, and sit down with architect Katie Sutherland, who earned two Design Awards this year.

As we close the chapter on the 2026 Design Awards, I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took part — whether as a submitter, advertiser, attendee, organizer or guest. Your participation is what makes this program so special. We look forward to doing it all again next year!