On September 24, ADAC virtually presented the 2020 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards to the region’s most innovative creators that exemplify the highest level of talent in the categories of residential design, contract design, and architecture. Entries were received from ADAC’s 10-state region and the 18 finalists were selected by a panel of three acclaimed judges. This year, the jury panel was made up of Editor in Chief of VERANDA Steele Marcoux, interior designer Alessandra Branca of Branca, and architect Andrew Oyen of Ferguson & Shamamian Architects, each of whom brought an invaluable perspective on each category to the judging process. Typically held in the spring but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the announcement of this year’s winners brought ADAC’s annual fall market, DISCOVER ADAC, to a celebratory close.

“While the Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards looked a little different this year and was postponed a bit from its regular time in the spring, it is indicative of one thing: design does not stop. These incredible winners are proof of that. This year, we welcomed a wonderful mix of returning talent and first-time finalists, showcasing the best that the design world has to offer,” says Katie Miner, General Manager of ADAC.

The 2020 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Winners include:

Architect: Summerour Architects (Atlanta, GA)

A team of experienced design professionals, Summerour Architects is an Atlanta based firm led by Principal Keith Summerour. Inspired by global trends and travel, this premiere team of architects work on projects from coast to coast, but their clients are primarily in the Southeast.

Contract Design: Blackberry Farm Design (Walland, TN)

Inspired by years of requests and inquiries regarding Blackberry Farm’s signature style, Blackberry Farm Design grew naturally as yet another way to exceed guests’ expectations. After beginning with on-property installations and occasional off-property design commissions, the firm has grown to include almost two dozen talented designers, project managers and experts. Although every interior project is different, all reflect the 'art of living' approach that makes Blackberry Farm Design so distinctive.

Residential Design: Melanie Turner Interiors (Atlanta, GA)

Inspired by fashion and borrowing a palette from nature, Melanie Turner’s gorgeous interiors are both timeless and classic. Being an advocate for not only surrounding yourself with beauty, but also living beautifully, art and collections are a Turner designs signature. Utilizing balance, scale, light and subtle color, or lack thereof, all factor into her residences, creating an effortlessly elegant effect. Turner homes have been featured in prestigious national magazines such as VERANDA, Traditional Home, and House Beautiful. Her firm has been awarded a Kitchen of the Year citation by Architectural Digest, and Turner has also twice been recognized as the Southeastern Designer of the Year honoree. Her book, “Inviting Interiors,” with Rizzoli, will be released Spring 2021.