After scooping five honours at the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada (DDA) awards in Toronto this month, County-based ACM Designs is providing the blueprint for how a small rural firm can turn heads on the big stage.
The company took home two second place and three third place awards after recently being recognized for work in commercial space design, interior decoration, and kitchen configuration. The event was held Oct. 10 at The Sutton Place Hotel in Toronto.
Nicole Marshall, ACM Designs spokesperson, said the DDA awards are one of the most prestigious events in Canada, celebrating the best interior decorators and designers in the country.
“There are a couple thousand places that compete for these awards. You get people from all over Canada – individual design firms, massive large-scale design firms. It’s a pretty big deal,” Marshall said.
Different from other celebrations, the DDAs look beyond the finished product to consider all aspects of a project, including blueprints, design sketches, and other prep work. All submissions are peer-reviewed by people who work in the industry, Marshall said.
ACM took home silver in commercial space for its Mill Pond Restaurant makeover, completed in fall 2023. Designer Saqib Abdullah was recognized for his work. Company founder Andria Cowan Molyneaux also scooped second in the kitchen under $65,000 category for a home project on Kennisis Lake.
Bronze medals were issued in commercial space for the remodeling of the Baumgartner Realty office on Highland Street – designed by Katie Woodward; interior decoration single room over $35,000 for a Redstone Lake cottage project; and interior decoration single room under $35,000 at a Kennisis Lake property – both designed by Cowan Molyneaux.
“We are truly honoured to be recognized by our peers in such an incredible way. It’s a testament to my team, and I couldn’t be more proud,” the owner said.
Marshall felt the awards for work completed in the commercial sector are significant given the level of competition from big city firms.
“There’s not a huge amount of opportunity for that kind of work, where companies want to do a complete overhaul, in Haliburton. So, it’s incredible to be recognized for something that isn’t necessarily our specialty,” Marshall said.
By competing with some of the biggest and best firms in the country, she feels ACM Designs is putting Haliburton County on the map as an interior design and decoration destination. The firm, launched in 2012, has grown in recent years, now boasting more than a dozen employees – including six dedicated designers.
With opportunities to expand their portfolios in Haliburton County, Marshall said ACM is offering people an opportunity to further their career without needing to relocate to a large urban hub.
This is the second consecutive year the County firm has scooped multiple DDA awards after winning three in 2023. They also garnered three prizes at the Peterborough and Kawartha Home Builders’ Association awards in February.
“The trophy shelf is very full at this point,” Marshall said.
