The 2009 Best in American Living Awards, presented by Professional Builder, has bestowed their most prestigious honor - Home of the Year – to Carlton Architecture for the Nethermead Residence, as well as Best in Region, a Gold Award for Best Specialty Room, and two Platinum Awards for Best Kitchen and Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home.

ASHEVILLE, N.C.  - The 2009 Best in American Living Awards, presented by Professional Builder, has bestowed their most prestigious honor - Home of the Year – to Carlton Architecture for the Nethermead Residence, as well as Best in Region, a Gold Award for Best Specialty Room, and two Platinum Awards for Best Kitchen and Best One-of-a-Kind Custom Home.

“It’s not often that a single home wins five major Best in American Living Awards,” said Susan Bady, Senior Design Editor forProfessional Builder.

In citing the reasons that the design jurors selected this home, Bady writes, “…the Nethermead Residence exemplifies a number of design trends identified by the 2009 BALA jury:

It’s a modern design tempered by traditional materials. While appropriate for North Carolina, it wouldn’t be out of place elsewhere in the United States. It’s beautifully detailed, with a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

It’s a harmonious marriage of sustainability and high-quality architectural design.” Sponsored by bothProfessional Builder magazine and the National Association of Home Builders, BALA showcases homes that demonstrate design excellence, succeed in the marketplace and exemplify the “Best in American Living.” The competition is now in its 26th year. A total of 67 award winners in 37 categories were chosen. The 2009 BALA competition’s panel of 6 judges was composed of builders, architects, interior designers andProfessional Builder editors. Winners were featured in the February issue ofProfessional Builder magazine. For more information on the 2009 winners, visit www.probuilder.com/BALA.

The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members. NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home-builder associations around the country. For more information, visit www.carltonarchitecture.com.