Aristokraft Cabinetry Honors Top DesignersAristokraft's Inaugural "Living in Style" Design Contest Celebrates Best in Class Kitchen Projects

Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 7, 2007) -- Kitchens come in many shapes and sizes. From entry level to luxury kitchens, they each have their own appeal. To recognize great kitchens on all levels, Aristokraft Cabinetry has awarded four winning entrants for their new construction kitchen designs in its inaugural 'Living in Style" design contest and is featuring them at the 2007 International Builders' Show, Feb. 7-10.

The winning designers in the four categories, Entry Home, Move-Up Home, Luxury Home and Model Home, each were awarded a $5,000 prize and published in Aristokraft's 'Living in Style" newsletter and on www.aristokraft.com.

This design shows that an entry level kitchen can be sophisticated.

"Aristokraft is committed to offering cabinetry that is fashionable yet affordably priced so builders and designers can take pride in their designs and the products they offer their customers," says Cathy Hitz, senior brand manager for Aristokraft Cabinetry. "The 'Living in Style' design contest is an opportunity for our customers to showcase their best projects."

The Winners:

Model Home Kitchen
Lisa Stanowsky for Drexel Interiors
Oak Creek, Wis.
This design uses Aristokraft's Eastland Square door style with a Cocoa Glaze finish. It matched the builder's requirements, is very aesthetically pleasing and ideal for entertaining. It includes a curved island, which is an effective way to draw people to the kitchen by giving them a place to sit and socialize. In addition, the Aristokraft double stacked cabinets in the kitchen offer plenty of storage space.

Entry Level Home
Noelle Trotter for Trotter Design Group, Charlotte, N.C.
This D.R. Horton kitchen features Aristokraft's Manchester Cherry cabinetry in Cognac finish. This design shows that an entry level kitchen can be sophisticated. Although the kitchen is small, the design makes the best use of the space with organizational pieces such as the Aristokraft Base Roto Easy Reach, which is a base cabinet with two rotating shelves for easy reach. "It is a unique floor plan and an extremely unique kitchen space," states Demi Clark, marketing director for D.R. Horton Charlotte. "It was a pleasure to work with the Aristokraft group to troubleshoot design issues and to brainstorm the amazing possibilities that came through the space. We really feel it is a great example of 'less is more' and that everyone can have the kitchen of their dreams - no matter what the space may hold!"

Move-Up Home Kitchen
Kristina Peterson for Drexel Interiors, Oak Creek, Wis.
Aristokraft's Kincaid Square door style with Fawn finish is used in this kitchen. The cozy and functional space met the objectives specified by the builder. Hidden surprises such as the Aristokraft Base Wastebasket Cabinet and Cutlery Tray offered plenty of storage. The glass cabinetry and open shelving modernized the kitchen and gave it a touch of elegance.

Luxury Home Kitchen
Ruth Westra for Starlite Kitchens & Baths, Byron Center, Mich.
Aristokraft's Nantucket cabinetry with Antique finish is featured in this design. It inspires a combination of standard cabinetry with custom details. A high-end look was achieved without breaking the bank. The use of cabinetry is excellent and works with the overall layout of the design. In addition, the Aristokraft framing around the built-in pantry door offered a custom look. "I think the fact that I used Aristokraft Cabinetry, a non-custom cabinet line, and was able to accomplish the elegant custom look that the homeowner was after at a very affordable cost, made the design stand out," states Ruth Westra. "This polished and detailed kitchen meets the needs of the homeowner."

Aristokraft seeks "Living in Style" Kitchens
The "Living in Style" contest offered builders and designers of new construction homes the opportunity to submit their best in class kitchen designs featuring Aristokraft products. Participants were invited to submit entries showing photography of their project, a written description of why their designs stood out and the Aristokraft products used.
The entries had to feature a newly constructed kitchen that was built between Sept. 1, 2005, and Sept. 30, 2006. The kitchen also needed to utilize Aristokraft Cabinetry.
From these categories, a panel of judges chose the best design in each category. The panel included industry professionals and kitchen design experts: Barbara Capella Loehr, senior editor, Kitchen & Bath Design News and Web site editor, www.KitchenBathDesign.com; Kit Selzer, home editor, BH&G: Kitchen & Bath Ideas; Jennifer Sullivan, senior editor/building construction editor, Builder Magazine; and Deb Cleary, director of marketing, Creations Home Design Studio. Entries were judged on two major criteria: aesthetics and functionality of the overall room design, as well as the functional and aesthetic use of design in addressing challenges and capitalizing on assets.

About Aristokraft Cabinetry
Aristokraft Cabinetry is a division of MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., the second-largest cabinet manufacturer in North America. Other MasterBrand cabinet divisions include Diamond, Decora, Omega, Kitchen Craft, HomeCrest, Schrock, Kemper and Kitchen Classics. MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc., is an operating unit of the consumer product company Fortune Brands Inc. (NYSE: FO). For more information or to locate the Aristokraft showroom nearest you, visit www.aristokraft.com.

Contact:
Mark Norris
MasterBrand Cabinets Inc.
(812) 481-7643
mnorris@masterbrandcabinets.com

Kelly Huber
Carmichael Lynch Spong
(612) 375-8524
Kelly.huber@clynch.com