ABLAZE Design Group Named NARI Regional Remodeler of the Year

Residential Kitchen Over $200,000

Highwood, Illinois  (February, 3rd 2026) ABLAZE Design Group has been named a 2026 Regional Remodeler of the Year (RotY®) Award Winner by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) in the category of Residential Kitchen Over $200,000.

The prestigious RotY® Awards recognize excellence in craftsmanship, design, innovation, and project execution across the remodeling industry. ABLAZE’s winning project was selected from hundreds of entries nationwide and represents the highest level of achievement among regional remodeling professionals.

“This award is a true reflection of our team’s dedication to thoughtful design, meticulous execution, and creating kitchens that elevate how our clients live every day,” said George Markoutsas, CEO and Creative Director of ABLAZE Design Group. “To be recognized by NARI at this level is incredibly meaningful, especially for a project that so fully embodies our belief in wellness-driven, highly functional, and beautifully crafted spaces.”

Each year, NARI’s RotY® Awards honor remodelers who demonstrate outstanding work through completed projects that are judged by industry experts on criteria including problem-solving, innovation, craftsmanship, and overall presentation. This year’s entries represented nearly $138 million in remodeling projects, with 159 regional winners recognized nationwide.

ABLAZE’s award-winning kitchen exemplifies the firm’s signature approach, balancing elevated aesthetics with performance, longevity, and everyday livability. The project reflects ABLAZE’s commitment to “quiet luxury,” purposeful material selection, and designs that seamlessly integrate form, function, and lifestyle.

Regional winners will be honored alongside national winners at NARI’s Evening of Excellence on April 23, 2026, held during the NARI Annual Conference in Tempe, Arizona.

About ABLAZE Design Group

Based in Highwood, Illinois, ABLAZE Design Group is an award-winning, full-service design-build firm specializing in luxury kitchens, baths, and whole-home renovations throughout Chicago’s North Shore and beyond. Known for its wellness-driven, biophilic, and highly customized design solutions, ABLAZE delivers thoughtful spaces rooted in craftsmanship, innovation, and enduring quality.