Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2026 18 DPHA ANNOUNCES 2025 POT Y AWARD WINNERS INDUSTRY LEADERS RECOGNIZED ACROSS NINE KEY CATEGORIES IN DECORATIVE PLUMBING AND HARDWARE T he Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Product of the Year Awards, honoring innovation, design excellence, and engineering achievement in the kitchen and bath industry. The awards were presented during the DPHA Annual Conference and Product Showcase, held this October in Houston, a premier event that gathers top-tier manufacturers, showroom professionals, independent representatives, and design influencers from across North America. This year's judging panel featured leading interior designers, industry writers, and trend forecasters who evaluated entries across nine competitive categories. Products were judged based on innovation, functionality, aesthetic appeal, and their overall contribution to the industry. Here are some quotes from the esteemed panel of judges: Carol Kurth, founder and principal of Carol Kurth Architecture, said, "Great design is in the details, and where else is it more evident than in the world of decorative plumbing and hardware? As an architect and designer, I view hardware and fixtures as both functional and sculptural elements that shape a space and define a mood. Impactful design is more than what we see, it's what we experience. The finest hardware and fixtures invite interaction through thoughtful details and tactile beauty. It was inspiring to see how manufacturers are translating design aesthetics across the spectrum of projects. As a first-time DPHA Judge, I was excited and intrigued by the entries and enjoyed being part of the process – so many novel ideas and great products to source as these exciting concepts come to market." Eric Goranson, host of Around the House, a certified kitchen designer and educator, said, "Every year it's such a privilege to help judge the DPHA Product of the Year. I love hopping on the call with other industry leaders to dive into all the categories – it's always a blast. Over the past few years it's been exciting to see the incredible innovation that companies are bringing to their new products. It takes hours of digging into each product to figure out which one stands out as the best of the year. It seems that each year the scores get closer and closer." Molly Switzer, founder of Molly N. Switzer Designs LLC, said, "The DPHA POTY awards are always a highlight of my fall, and 2025 had a lot of great products. I felt like the underlying theme trends were wellness and customization – these are two aspects we are hearing our clients talk about in everyday application as well. They don't want what Jane next door has, they want something new and custom, and I think we can all agree that wellness is at the forefront of our minds, and how to

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