Highwood, IL — ABLAZE Design Group is proud to announce that its Lake Forest Showhouse Kitchen has been longlisted for the 2026 Créateurs Design Awards (CDA), an international design competition recognizing excellence, innovation, and cultural impact across architecture and interior design.
Selected from an exceptional global pool of submissions, the Lake Forest Showhouse Kitchen stood out for its thoughtful space planning, refined materiality, and lifestyle-driven approach to modern living. The project reflects ABLAZE Design Group’s continued commitment to creating spaces that balance beauty, performance, and wellness — while honoring the architectural integrity of historic homes.
Designed by George Markoutsas, CEO and Creative Director of ABLAZE Design Group, the kitchen was featured as part of the prestigious Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. The space reimagines the kitchen as the heart of the home, blending elevated craftsmanship, natural textures, and intuitive functionality to support both everyday living and gracious entertaining.
“Being recognized by an international design community like Créateurs is incredibly meaningful,” said Markoutsas. “This project represents what we believe design should do today; enhance how people live, connect, and feel in their homes.”
The Créateurs Design Awards celebrate creative leaders whose work resonates globally and pushes the industry forward. Projects selected for the longlist now advance to the final round of voting, with official nominees to be announced on January 5, 2026.
ABLAZE Design Group has a long-standing presence at the Lake Forest Showhouse and continues to be recognized for its award-winning, wellness-driven design-build work throughout Chicago’s North Shore and beyond.
As a real estate professional, I’ve witnessed countless renovations, and when it came time for our own remodel, I knew I wanted to work with a design-to-build firm. While the main focus was a kitchen renovation, it was important to us that someone look at our entire first floor and how we wanted to live in the redesigned space. For efficiency, ease, and accountability, we also wanted one company to oversee the entire project.
The Ablaze Design Group revamped our kitchen and did an amazing job. It is now, finally, our dream kitchen. They took time and care with every step of the process. There were no gaps in days – they came everyday until the job was done. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome or the people who work at ABL!
I love working with Ablaze Design Group! They are very responsive and they are very friendly. I have worked with contractor that was very arrogant, but ABL was very down to earth and was eager to help me get my work done. And I worked with Dina, she very helpful. I am very happy working with ABL.
As a design professional, I know that I can always count on The Ablaze Design Group to provide exceptional customer service, and the highest level quality of work. I give them my highest professional recommendation.
Outstanding work once again. We are in the process of a lot of painting and ABL could not be more helpful and very competitive with their prices. The workers are great, talented and friendly. We have used ABL for 10+ years and no complaints.
Looking for a professional painter look no further. Howard and his team of Jose, Juan and David repainted our kitchen to perfection. From start to finish no issues. Set up – painting and clean up was perfect. Have future projects that we will reach out to ABL for assistance.
The Ablaze Design Group fixed the walls and ceiling in my bedroom, put on new baseboard, painted everything, installed a ceiling fan, fixed the walls in the stairwell and painted it and the hall ceiling. The work was great, the price was fair, they were courteous, accommodating, and they didn’t leave a mess. We are very pleased.
Howard and his team are the best! We needed to update our entry area and dining room, and convert an old iron staircase railing into a modern wooden one. The whole team was easy to work with, started and finished exactly when they said they would, and the result is just beautiful. We are completely satisfied and will hire them again. Many thanks!
From the first visit by the owner through insurance quotes and design iterations to the many phases of our fully gutted kitchen rehab, the experience could not have been better. We love LOVE our new kitchen. The memory of the experience with ABL is a very good one. WOW
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259 Waukegan Ave
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info@ablazedesigngroup.com
(847) 579-1600