Contest Judges

Julia Noran has been active in many aspects of the interior design and publishing industry for more than a decade. She lives in New York and worked for the Hearst Corporation for six years as the Promotion Director at Veranda magazine, where she was responsible for major marketing programs. In addition, she worked for Condé Nast Publications on the editorial staff of Architectural Digest magazine.

Sophie Donelson served as the Editor in Chief of Hamptons Cottages & Gardens for its 2009 publication season. She has also held positions at Elle Decor, Martha Stewart's Blueprint and CITY magazines. An editor and writer, her stories have appeared in Interior Design, Elle, Departures, Manhattan, Martha Stewart Living, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, InStyle, I.D., Time Out New York and Daily Candy.

Alison Hall is Style Editor for the online retailer One Kings Lane, which specializes in high-end home decor sales. Her previous experience includes serving as Market Editor for Domino magazine and Associate Style Editor for ELLE Decor. She has spent the last six years producing and styling product stories and scouring the shelter market for the new and noteworthy. In early 2009, Alison started a lifestyle blog called AliMode. She holds a BA in English and Art from UC Berkeley.

Vanessa Kogevinas’s career in publishing and management has spanned over fifteen years, including positions at Architectural Digest and as a founding editor of Western Interiors and Design magazine. She has also held positions as Project Manager of Veranda's showhouse at Greystone and as a Project Manager at Kathryn M. Ireland design. In addition to working with The Editor at Large, Vanessa is currently serving as a Contributing Editor for California Homes magazine, as well as launching her consulting firm, Get It Consulting.


Marisa Marcantonio started her career at Scalamandre before becoming an editor. She worked in the style department at House and Garden, as the Style Editor at House Beautiful, and as the Senior Style Editor at O at Home, where she created, produced and styled stories, covered the home furnishings, accessories, and tabletop markets. She has also worked for interior designers David Easton and David Kleinberg. In June 2007, Marcantonio launched her popular blog, Stylebeat, which provides an insider's look at decorating, designers, books, design-related events, and chic new products. She also runs Marisa Marcantonio Consulting, working with interior designers on growing their brands through product development, strategic alliances, and book project management. She lives in New York City.


Eugenia Santiesteban brings ten years of experience in design publishing and the decorative arts, most recently as the senior market editor for Domino magazine where she covered the home and lifestyle markets and produced the magazine’s “Scouting” trend pages. Santiesteban is interested in seeking out the new and unexpected in the world of design. She is currently freelancing for several publications and is a regular contributor to AOL’s Shelterpop.com. Santiesteban was previously an editor at Elle Decor and also wrote and produced the design book, Living with Kids. She holds a BA from Williams College.

Carolyn Sollis, former Style Director of House & Garden as well as Executive Editor of House Beautiful, has worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years. She has produced, styled, and edited features on all aspects of design. Carolyn has covered the home furnishings marketplace and tracked new trends in design both in the US and abroad. Carolyn’s expertise in the field and passion for design and the decorative arts has made her a frequent lecturer, panelist, and judge at industry events. Currently, Carolyn is working on several design, marketing, and public relations projects.