Photo by Mike Van Tassell
A lot of thought goes into selecting an interior designer to help with your home renovation project. But even after you do your homework and research, you may still be on the fence about who to hire—New Jersey has so many great design experts. So, who’s the best?
You can’t go wrong with any of the 18 pros who were recently honored with Design Excellence Awards from the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The organization presented a total of 41 prizes during the ceremony, held last month at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hills Golf Course in Kenilworth.
To be considered for awards, designers submitted projects in residential and commercial/non-residential sectors. A panel of judge was comprised of past award-winning ASID members from around the country, who followed strict criteria in their judging.
“Winning projects demonstrated purpose, integrity, creativity and how exceptional design affects the people that use these spaces,” says Nada F. Alzoubi, Allied ASID, president of the New Jersey Chapter. “The NJ Design Excellence awards reinforce the ASID commitment to demonstrating how design impacts lives.”
Below are the 2023 winners:
Residential Single Space
Gold: Jill Ryan, Allied ASID, Jill Ryan Interiors, Tinton Falls
Silver: Ivee Fromkin, Allied ASID, I. Fromkin Interiors, Monmouth Beach
Bronze: Jennifer Pacca, Allied ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Wyckoff
Residential Two or More Spaces, 2,500 Square Feet or Less
Gold: Elizabeth Ego, Allied ASID, Agape Design Group, Franklin Lakes
Silver: Sheila Rich, Allied ASID, CID, Sheila Rich Interiors, Monmouth Beach
Bronze: Linda Granert, ASID, CID, Granert Interior Planning & Design, Midland Park
Residential Two or More Spaces, 2,501–5,000 Square Feet
Gold (tie): Miriam Silver Verga, Associate Member ASID, Mimi & Hill, Westfield
Gold (tie): Zak Yossry, Allied ASID, and Sarah Fetouh, Allied ASID, Short Hills Design Studio, Millburn
Silver: Jennifer Pacca, Allied ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Hillsdale
Bronze: Cynthia Peralta-Brito, ASID, CPB Designs, Maywood
Residential Two or More Spaces, More Than 5,000 Square Feet
Gold: Jennifer Pacca, Allied ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Hillsdale
Silver (tie): Karla Trincanello, Allied ASID, CID, Interior Decisions, Florham Park
Silver (tie): Danielle Palmadessa, Allied ASID, DRP Interiors, Franklin Lakes
Bronze: Zak Yossry, Allied ASID, and Sarah Fetouh, Allied ASID, Short Hills Design Studio, Millburn
Residential Apartment, Condo, Townhouse or Loft
Gold: Anna Maria Mannarino, Allied ASID, Mannarino Designs, Holmdel
Silver: Diane Durocher, ASID, CID, Diane Durocher Interiors, Ramsey
Bronze: Blanche Garcia, ASID, B-Garcia Designs, Little Falls
Residential Large Bathroom, 51 Square Feet or More
Gold: Elizabeth Ego, Allied ASID, Agape Design Group, Franklin Lakes
Silver: Sheila Rich, Allied ASID, CID, Sheila Rich Interiors, Monmouth Beach
Bronze: Miriam Silver Verga, Associate Member ASID, Mimi & Hill, Westfield
Residential Large Kitchen, 151 Square Feet or More
Gold: Elizabeth Ego, Allied ASID, Agape Design Group, Franklin Lakes
Silver: Miriam Silver Verga, Associate Member ASID, Mimi & Hill, Westfield
Bronze: Tracey Stephens, Allied ASID, CID, Tracey Stephens Interior Design, Montclair
This bedroom by Diane Durocher won gold in the Residential Show House Space category.
Residential Show House Space
Gold: Diane Durocher, ASID, CID, Diane Durocher Interiors, Ramsey
Silver: Tammy Bolden, Allied ASID, Bold Interior Designs, Montclair
Bronze: Marina Umali, ASID, CID, Marina V. Design Studio, Ridgewood
Design for People with Special or Specific Needs
Gold: Tracey Stephens, Allied ASID, CID, Tracey Stephens Interior Design, Montclair
Specialty and Unique Interior Spaces
Gold: Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, CID, Thyme & Place Design, Wyckoff
Silver: Anna Maria Mannarino, Allied ASID, Mannarino Designs, Holmdel
Bronze: Jennifer Pacca, Allied ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Hillsdale
Outdoor Living Spaces
Gold: Jennifer Pacca, Allied ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Hillsdale
Silver: Anna Maria Mannarino, Allied ASID, Mannarino Designs, Holmdel
This design by Jennifer Pacca won gold in the Commercial Several Spaces category.
Commercial Several Spaces, 10,000 Square Feet or Less:
Gold: Jennifer Pacca, Allied ASID, Jennifer Pacca Interiors, Hillsdale
Commercial Several Spaces, 10,001 Square Feet or More:
Bronze: Jill Ryan, Allied ASID, Jill Ryan Interiors, Tinton Falls
Hospitality Space, Hotel, Restaurant, Club
Silver: Karla Trincanello, Allied ASID, CID, Interior Decisions, Florham Park
Industry Partner Category
Winner: Baki Ildiz, The Creative Touch, with Carpet Design by Anna Maria Mannarino, Allied ASID
To see more work from some of these winning designers, scroll through previous issues of NJ HOME!