Presented by the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center in collaboration with Veranda, the 2025 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards ceremony took place on Thursday, April 24, during a celebratory gala at Flourish in Georgia’s capital city. Representing the pinnacle of excellence in the region, this annual event honors exemplary firms and creative individuals who are pushing the boundaries of design forward in fresh and exciting ways.
From more than 120 entries, 27 finalists were selected by a team of top industry professionals, including Veranda executive editor Ellen McGauley, designer Young Huh and architect Tim Barber. The distinguished panel of judges chose winners in architecture, contract design and residential design categories. Joel Kelly of Joel Kelly Design in Atlanta was recognized as Architect of the Year. Fellow Atlantans Jillian Rooker and Amanda Dashwood of Rook and Dash claimed Contract Designer of the Year accolades. And Matt Donahoe of Bureau Interior Architecture | Design in Nashville took home Residential Designer of the Year honors.
“The interior design is so perfectly in step with the architecture,” said McGauley of Donahoe’s winning renovation. “Each room is like a symphony, furnished with such reverence for the materials, the forms, the textures of the house itself.”
Huh described Rook and Dash’s restaurant and cocktail lounge as “warm and inviting, sexy yet restrained,” with Barber adding that “no detail has been neglected, with aged brass accents, pegged shelf supports, antique mirrors, walnut tabletops and molded plywood seat backs—even the bar ladder, a leather bar top and the considerate restrooms say: ‘Be our guest.’” Complimenting Joel Kelly’s innovative architecture in turn, the judge noted that “the modest, somber exterior of this lakeside home does not prepare a visitor for the sun-drenched grand interior. Counterpoint abounds, contrasting rigorous symmetry with weathered lap siding and vertical planks ... pairing rough stone and reclaimed beams with smooth plaster and tall steel windows and doors.”
“It’s truly inspiring to see the remarkable vision and craftsmanship of this year’s winners,” said Katie Miner, general manager for ADAC. “What’s especially exciting is that all three firms are first-time winners. Rook and Dash and Bureau made their debut appearances as finalists this year, and Joel Kelly Design, previously recognized in the residential category, received his inaugural win for architecture. Just like last year, we’re seeing an impressive body of work submitted from both new and seasoned design professionals in the Southeast—a reflection of the region’s abundance of talent and expanding reach. Because the awards are blind-coded, each year offers a new opportunity to spotlight fresh voices and perspectives. That’s what makes these honors so meaningful: They celebrate pure design excellence without bias, and that authenticity continues to elevate our industry.”
