For designer Domenic Marcolonga, the recent accolades for his "Traditional Glamour" project were more than just an industry honor; they were validation of a new business venture. The project, which won the Best of Show award in the 2025 Top Shelf Design Awards, was the very first installation to come out of his own newly opened wood shop.

"Winning Best of Show was even more special to me because of the project itself being one of the most rewarding installations of my career," Marcolonga said. "It was actually my first project built in my own wood shop, rather than in the hands of a third-party fabricator. So I’m incredibly proud that the hard work of my very own team was recognized at such an honorable level."

The award-winning project, which took top honors in the "Wood Closet: Over 18 Linear Feet" category, was designed to create a space that was beautiful, warm, and free of clutter. The result is a fully enclosed wardrobe that spotlights exceptional craftsmanship. Its handmade doors, adorned with unlacquered brass inlays and linen-textured wallpaper fronts, showcase the team’s meticulous attention to detail.

Central to the design is a striking marble island featuring a custom-made watch winder drawer, all situated beneath a made-to-order chandelier. But the project’s true success lies in its deep personalization. Every detail was planned around the client’s existing wardrobe.

"No additional adjustable holes were a top priority of the client, so getting the details tailored to their exact liking was crucial to nailing this," Marcolonga noted, referencing everything from shoe height spacing to a complete inventory of hanging clothing.

Process and materials

Bringing this vision to life required a commitment to traditional technique. Marcolonga and his team sculpted the space entirely by hand, using zero CNC machining. After conceptualizing the design in SketchUp, a cutlist was prepared manually. The complex metal inlay doors were routed by hand, a labor of love that Marcolonga credited as a demonstration of his team’s skill.

Primary Material: The closet is framed in MDF painted with Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White in the Modern Eggshell finish.

Hardware and power: The metal inlay was sourced from Designs of Distinction. The watch winder drawer is powered by Blade Duo Docking Drawers.

Marcolongo not only won Best of Show; he walked away with six additional awards, making for a total of seven trophies. The industry recognition was an important moment for Marcolonga and his team.

"I’m very grateful to be welcomed into a community of so many designers I’ve looked up to throughout my career," he said. "Walking away with seven trophies felt like my own Adele Grammy moment for our industry."

RESOURCES

Watch Winder Drawer | Dukwin | dukwin.com

Blade Duo Docking Drawers | Docking Drawer | dockingdrawer.com

MDF panels | Plum Creek MDF from Peterman Lumber | petermanlumber.com

Haniburton cabinet pulls & knobs | Schaub | schaubandcompany.com

Metal inlays | Designs of Distinction by Brown Wood | brownwoodinc.com/dod

Handmade doors | LV Closet Design | lvclosetdesign.com

Modern Eggshell/Wimborne finish | Farrow & Ball | farrow-ball.com

For more information, visit lvclosetdesign.com.