Nationally recognized builder and developer earns one of the housing industry’s most prestigious honors for exceptional design, innovation and livability
Denise Lones has won a 2026 Gold Nugget Award for the Sussex floorplan at Muirfield in Semiahmoo, Washington — the second Denise Lones Gold Nugget Award of her career, and one of the clearest signals yet that smart, small-footprint design is resonating at the highest level of the industry. The Sussex took Gold in the Best Single-Family Detached Home Under 2,000 Square Feet category at the Gold Nugget Awards, one of residential design’s most competitive national honors.
The award celebrates a home that proves exceptional design isn’t determined by size. Through intelligent space planning, elevated finishes, strong architectural character and a thoughtful connection between beauty and function, the Sussex demonstrates how a home under 2,000 square feet can still deliver a sophisticated, luxurious and highly livable experience.
“Winning Gold is an extraordinary honor,” said Denise Lones. “This home was created to show that a more efficient footprint does not require a buyer to compromise on design, comfort, quality or lifestyle. Every detail was considered carefully, and I am incredibly proud that the judges recognized the vision and work behind it.”
The Sussex floorplan at Muirfield Semiahmoo
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUSSEX AT MUIRFIELD
The Denise Lones Gold Nugget Award: A New Standard for Small-Footprint Design
The Sussex was designed around the way people live today, with an emphasis on efficient use of space, architectural impact, comfort and long-term functionality. Rather than relying on unnecessary square footage, the home uses thoughtful design decisions to make every area feel intentional and valuable — the result is a residence that feels spacious, distinctive and refined while remaining efficient and manageable.
The design reflects several of the trends most influencing today’s housing market:
- Smarter and more efficient floor plans
- Strong indoor-outdoor connections
- High-quality finishes and materials
- Flexible spaces that adapt to changing lifestyles
- Comfortable, accessible and intuitive living
- Greater architectural character within a smaller footprint
- A focus on livability rather than square footage alone
The Sussex demonstrates that smaller homes can still deliver the drama, sophistication and emotional appeal traditionally associated with much larger residences.
Sussex – Living room with large windows, blurring the line between the indoors and out
The Sussex – inspirational kitchen design
The Sussex – large format tile brings wow factor to the bathroom
The Sussex – dining room with beautiful natural environment beyond.
The Sussex – primary bedroom with ample light and ensuite
Sussex – rear elevation complete with covered patio area
Recognition of Design Excellence
The Gold Award adds to Lones’ growing record of national recognition for excellence in homebuilding and design — she has now earned multiple major industry honors, including two national awards for her homes and two Gold Nugget Awards. News of the Denise Lones Gold Nugget Award has resonated across the Pacific Northwest building community, in part because it recognizes not only the visual appeal of her work but her ability to understand changing buyer expectations and translate them into homes that are relevant, functional and memorable.
Lones’ approach combines the perspective of a builder, developer, designer, real estate professional and consumer strategist — informed by a deep understanding of how people use their homes and how thoughtful design can improve everyday life.
“A truly successful home should feel beautiful, but it must also work beautifully,” Lones said. “The goal is to create spaces that make daily living easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable. This award reinforces the importance of thoughtful design at every price point and every home size.”
Denise Lones wins Gold Nugget Award 2026
Responding to a Changing Housing Market
The award is especially meaningful at a time when the housing industry is being challenged to create homes that are more efficient, attainable and responsive to changing demographics. Rising land, labor and construction costs are placing increased pressure on builders and developers to use space more effectively, while many buyers are seeking homes that require less maintenance without sacrificing style, quality or comfort.
“The industry cannot solve today’s housing challenges simply by building larger homes or repeating what has been done before,” Lones said. “We have to design smarter. We need homes that make better use of land, materials and square footage while still creating a sense of pride, comfort and emotional connection for the homeowner.”
The Sussex serves as an example of how builders and designers can respond to these challenges while continuing to deliver an exceptional residential experience.
A Leader in the Building Industry
Beyond her building and design work, Denise Lones is deeply involved in advancing the building industry at the local, state and national levels. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County and chairs its Professional Women in Building Council, and is involved in statewide leadership for Professional Women in Building through the Building Industry Association of Washington.
Lones participates actively in BIAW Legislative Affairs and BIAWC Government Affairs, advocating for housing policy, responsible growth, workforce development and solutions to the challenges facing builders, developers and homebuyers. At the national level, she serves as a trustee for the NAHB 55+ Housing Industry Council, contributing her experience to discussions about the future of housing for older adults.
Championing Housing for Older Adults
Lones is particularly passionate about the need for better housing options for seniors and the rapidly growing 55+ population. Her work emphasizes accessible, adaptable and well-designed homes that support independence, comfort and long-term livability — housing that incorporates thoughtful features without feeling institutional or sacrificing beauty.
The Sussex reflects many of these principles, demonstrating how an efficient, carefully planned residence can serve buyers through multiple stages of life.
“Good design should support people as their lives change,” Lones said. “A home can be elegant and contemporary while also being comfortable, practical and easier to live in. Those goals should never be treated as mutually exclusive.”
Commitment to Homeless Seniors
Lones’ commitment to seniors extends beyond housing design and industry advocacy. She has established a foundation dedicated to helping homeless seniors move off the streets and into safe, stable housing — a reflection of her belief that every older adult deserves dignity, security and a place to call home.
“No senior should be living on the street,” she said. “We have an obligation to use our knowledge, relationships and resources to create real solutions. Recognition for beautiful homes is deeply meaningful, but our greatest responsibility is ensuring that people have access to safe and dignified housing.”
Supporting the Next Generation of Construction Professionals
Lones is also committed to workforce development and the future of the construction industry. She serves on the Renton Technical College advisory committee for the Carpentry and Construction Program, helping connect education with the evolving needs of builders and employers, and has served as a judge for remodeling awards through the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County — recognizing craftsmanship, innovation and professional excellence throughout the local building community.
More Than an Award
For Lones, the Gold Nugget Award represents more than recognition of one successful home — it reinforces a broader belief that thoughtful design can have a meaningful impact on the future of housing. The Sussex demonstrates that homes can be smaller without feeling compromised, efficient without feeling ordinary, accessible without appearing institutional, luxurious without unnecessary square footage, and practical while still creating a powerful emotional response.
“This award belongs to every person who contributed to bringing the home to life,” Lones said. “Exceptional homes are created through collaboration. I am grateful to the designers, tradespeople, suppliers, consultants and professionals whose talent and commitment made this achievement possible.”
Continuing a Record of Excellence
Winning Gold further establishes Denise Lones as a leader in residential design, development and housing innovation. Her combination of professional achievement, industry service, advocacy and community impact distinguishes her as a builder whose work extends far beyond the homes she creates.
“I am incredibly proud of this achievement, but I am even more excited about what it represents,” Lones said. “It shows that the industry values innovation, efficiency and thoughtful design. This Gold Award inspires me to continue pushing boundaries and creating homes that make a lasting difference in people’s lives.”
The Denise Lones Gold Nugget Award for the Sussex is more than a trophy — it’s a signal of where residential design is headed, and a preview of what’s next from New Home Strategists.
About Denise Lones
Denise Lones is an award-winning builder, developer, designer, real estate professional and housing industry advocate. Her work focuses on innovative residential design, community development, new-home strategy and housing solutions for the 55+ market. She serves in leadership positions within the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, the Building Industry Association of Washington and the National Association of Home Builders, and is actively involved in legislative and government affairs, Professional Women in Building, workforce development and advocacy for better housing options for older adults.
Lones has received multiple major industry honors, including two national awards for her homes and two Gold Nugget Awards. She is also the founder of a charitable foundation committed to helping homeless seniors move from the streets into safe and stable housing.
Learn more about the Sussex floorplan at Muirfield, or see other recent recognition on the New Home Strategists blog.
Media Contact
Shauna Naf
The Lones Group Inc
360-527-8904
shauna@thelonesgroup.com
www.NewHomeStrategists.com