(Chicago, November 1, 2005) – Rebecca Otto, of Plainfield, and R.J. Reynertson of Chicago, seniors at the Harrington College of Design, were first-runners up in a "Last Designer Standing" rendering competition, jointly sponsored by Southern Accents magazine, ASID (American Society of Interior Design) and KitchenAid.

The design competition called for junior or senior level ASID student members to design a kitchen using a 15’x 20’ rectangular floor plan. The design had to include at least three KitchenAid appliances and incorporate a living and/or dining area. Door and window placements were left up to the designers.

Otto and Reynertson’s design included detailed moldings and trim on the cabinetry, windows and doors. All pieces serve multiple purposes for a busy family with children.

The design also incorporates plenty of storage, a "drop zone" for kid’s coats, shoes and backpacks, and a separate microwave and refrigerator for after-school snacks.

The entries were evaluated by a representative from each of the three sponsoring organizations who judged on functionality, utility, originality, skillful execution and comfort. The top designs will be featured in the November/December 2005 issue of Southern Accents, as well as the Winter 2006 issue of ASID ICON.

"We’re very proud of our students for placing so high in such an ambitious competition," says Constantine Vasilios, an instructor at Harrington.

Founded in Chicago in 1931, Harrington College of Design is a four-year college that offers flexible scheduling for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design, an Associate of Applied Science degree in interior design or digital photography, a professional interior design diploma and a kitchen and bath certificate program.

Harrington seeks to foster an environment that maximizes students’ intellectual and artistic potential. The majority of its faculty are practicing interior designers, architects, photographers and fine art professionals. Harrington College of Design is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). The Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design program is accredited by the Foundation for Interior Designer Education Research (FIDER). Harrington College of Design is an independent institution of higher learning serving the profession of interior design and digital photography and is recognized as a private college by the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Harrington College of Design is an accredited institutional member of NASAD.

Harrington College of Design is located at 200 W. Madison St. in Chicago. For more information, call 312.939.4975 or visit www.interiordesign.edu