2026 Grace Awards Winners Celebrated at Ceremony in Raleigh
- Window Fashion VISION Writer
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
Updated: May 4
The Grace Awards winners were announced last night during the International Window Coverings Expo 2026 in Raleigh, North Carolina, marking one of the most competitive and dynamic years in the awards’ history. Now in its 35th year, the program, formerly known as the VISION Design & Workroom Competition, continues to recognize exceptional talent from across the window fashion industry, with this year’s submissions reflecting elevated standards in design innovation, craftsmanship, fabrication and installation excellence.
Winners were revealed live during the April 22 ceremony, co-hosted by Cam Tims of Triangle Soft Goods and Cheryl Luckett of Dwell by Cheryl, bringing together industry leaders, designers, fabricators and professionals to celebrate peer-recognized achievement and honor the projects and people setting new benchmarks for excellence. The evening was proudly sponsored by Helser Brothers.
“The Grace Awards are about more than recognition. They are about raising the standard for what’s possible,” said Tracy Herold, Project Coordinator “Seeing this level of creativity and craftsmanship come together is incredibly powerful. It speaks to the momentum of the industry and the talent driving it forward.”
Top honors of the evening recognized standout achievement across the industry. Amy Hunley of The Drapery Room was named Designer of the Year, while Irina Otto of IRICHKA earned Artisan of the Year. Both honors reflect excellence at the highest level of design and craftsmanship.
The Window Fashion VISION Pick of the Year was awarded to Lindsay Putzier of Lindsey Putzier Design Studio, recognizing her project as the most outstanding submission of the competition, demonstrating a strong balance of creativity and technical execution.
The work of these top awardees, along with the category winners, will be featured in upcoming issues of Window Fashion VISION magazine.
Complete List of 2026 Grace Awards Winners
DESIGN CATEGORY
Designer of the Year
Winner: Amy Hunley, The Drapery Room
Curtains and Draperies
Winner: Amy Hunley, The Drapery Room
Second Place: Laurie Coffey, Laurie Coffey Custom Interior Design
Top Treatments
Winner: Alicia Osenenko, Rose Quartz Interiors
Second Place: Lindsey Putzier, Lindsey Putzier Design Studio
Combination
Winner: Beverly Baribault, Beverly Baribault Design Group
Second Place: Maria Bortugno, B Designs Interiors
Decorative Hardware and Trim
Winner: Susan Kostelecky, SK Designs
Second Place: Leigh Skinner Anderson, Willow Drapery & Upholstery
Soft Shades
Winner: Marcia Boatwright, Blinds, Drapery, and Design
Second Place: Stacey Pelfrey, Beverly Baribault Design Group
Specialty
Winner: Adam MacKenzie and Ben MacKenzie, National Commercial Shading Solutions (NCSS)
Second Place: Leigh Skinner Anderson, Willow Drapery & Upholstery
Whole Room Integration
Winner: Amy Hunley, The Drapery Room
Second Place: Mary McCormick, Flourishing Design Window Treatments
Motorization
Winner: Rachel Leuck, Gotcha Covered of Sugar Land
Second Place: Irina Otto, IRICHKA
Outdoor Living
Winner: Michael DeGraff, DE-EL Enterprises
Second Place: Caryn O’Sullivan, Drapery Street
Commercial
Winner: Michael DeGraff, DE-EL Enterprises
Second Place: Arthur Melkumov and Dzhuna Meskhi, Walls Studio
Luxury
Winner: Audrey Kennedy, AGK Design Studio
Second Place: Alicia Osenenko, Rose Quartz Interiors
Designer Award of Rising Excellence
Winner: Sandy Beach-Kester, The Twisted Dogwood
ARTISAN CATEGORY
Artisan of the Year
Winner: Irina Otto, IRICHKA
Curtains and Draperies
Winner: Rachael Harvey, Refurnish
Second Place: Julia Hash, JSH Designs, LLC
Top Treatments
Winner: Sigita Nusbaum, Delaney Window Fashions LLC
Second Place: Sharon Gizzi, Styles by Sharon
Combination
Winner: Dao Zhou, Drapery Designs
Second Place: Amy Hunley, The Drapery Room
Ingenious Installation
Winner: Oksana Ambroz-Trychta, “It’s Oksana” Design Studio and Drapery Workroom
Second Place: Beata Dubowska, Vitalia Inc. Custom Luxury Window Treatments
Bedding and Pillows
Winner: Christina Price, Main Line Window Decor
Second Place: Irina Otto, IRICHKA
Specialty
Winner: Arthur Melkumov and Dzhuna Meskhi, Walls Studio
Second Place: Julia Hash, JSH Designs, LLC
Upholstery
Winner: Arthur Melkumov and Dzhuna Meskhi, Walls Studio
Second Place: Tracie Bresnahan, Custom Creations
Most Intricate Handwork
Winner: Olga Kott, Kott Soft Furnishings
Second Place: Jordan Sceski, Vitalia Inc. Custom Luxury Window Treatments
Outdoor Living
Winner: Irina Otto, IRICHKA
Second Place: Susan Kostelecky, Welcome Home Designs
Soft Shades
Winner: Irina Otto, IRICHKA
Second Place: Sigita Nusbaum, Delaney Window Fashions, LLC
Finishing Touches – Hardware and Trim
Winner: Gillian Wendel and Dorsey Shedd, The Wendel Works and DLS Interiors
Second Place: Tracie Bresnahan, Custom Creations
Artisan Award of Rising Excellence
Winner: Christopher Glassmer, Miami’s Best Blinds
