The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived: It’s time to announce the results of the 2026 Detroit Design Awards! What an honor it has been to see all the astonishing entries this season. Congratulations not just to the winners, but to all those who entered the competition. Your work inspires the Detroit Design team each and every issue.
This awards season, we’re particularly excited to launch our inaugural Design Icon award — a new annual celebration of a visionary whose influence has left a lasting mark on the design world. This year we’re delighted to honor Lucy Earl, of Jones-Keena & Co., as our first recipient (page 118). Earl’s influence is, quite simply, extraordinary. Detroit Design couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this self-taught designer with an eye for style that transcends trends and time, and to recognize her astonishing career.
Before we launch into the awards, you’ll also find exciting news from around the community. The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit is celebrating its 20th anniversary with some exciting exhibitions and facade upgrades. You’ll want to check out the sunny interiors at Medusa Cucinia Siciliana, the latest restaurant from local chef Anthony Lombardo. I suggest ordering the Panelle to start! We’re also checking out the awe-inspiring interiors Pophouse designed in Bedrock’s new Hudson’s building (page 36) — and you’ll want to take note of the details that pay homage to the site’s original structure.
For many people, myself included, Hudson’s holds a special meaning. When I was young, my mother worked in the children’s department of a local Hudson’s. I loved when my father or grandmother would take me to visit. I’d stop by the glistening fragrance counters and tiptoe through the fine China and glassware department, and I was always mesmerized by the precision of the gift-wrapping department. Come the holidays, I was excited for the release of the annual, and now-classic, Santa Bear.
While I was never able to visit the original store on Woodward, there was something about Hudson’s that left a lasting impression. It was glamorous, chic, and timeless, and made retail a destination through all its signature, beloved details.
Through the use of intentional details, a space can be transformed into something more, a place you want to spend time in, a place you want to visit — even if its merely a room in your home. In fact, details are what stood out among the winners of the 2026 Detroit Design Awards, as each winner prioritized designing spaces that went beyond the norm and were simply unforgettable.
Congratulations again to all! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
|
|
|
