HACKETTSTOWN, NJ and CHATSWORTH, CA (April 15, 2008) - The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and LAMPS PLUS Professionals, the online trade pricing program of lighting and home décor retailer LAMPS PLUS, have announced the winner of the LAMPS PLUS Lighting for Life Design Challenge. Sponsored by the NKBA, the Lighting for Life Design Challenge asks students to submit their best tip for solving design problems using LAMPS PLUS products in kitchens, baths, or ancillary areas.

The winner is Briana Bjerke from Alexandria Technical College in Minnesota. She received her award from LAMPS PLUS Professionals along with a $1,500 scholarship at the NKBA Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS^®) on April 10, 2008 in Chicago. In recognition of the educator's role in furthering their students, Betty Ravnik, the instructor who submitted the entry, also received a $1,000 travel stipend to attend K/BIS.

The winning entry presented an innovative way to light an outdoor kitchen using wall, post, and deck lighting. The judges were impressed that Ms. Bjerke's entry addressed such a recognizable, common problem with the recent outdoor kitchen trend. In particular, lighting the floor surrounding the kitchen work surfaces with a low-voltage deck light struck the judges as inventive and practical.

Angela Hsu, Vice President of Internet Marketing at LampsPlus.com, applauded the efforts made by all of the participants, adding "My congratulations to Ms. Bjerke and Ms. Ravnik; it was wonderful to see such an imaginative use of our products."

Sherylin Doyle, AKBD, Manager of Academic Relations for the NKBA, said, "The NKBA joins LAMPS PLUS in congratulating Briana Bjerke for her impressive entry in the 2008 Lighting for Life Design Challenge."

The winning entry, as well as those of the other finalists and honorable mentions, can be found at https://secure.lampsplus.com/pros/2008-Lighting-for-Life-Finalists/Default.aspx.

About LAMPS PLUS Professionals

LAMPS PLUS Professionals is the online trade pricing program of lighting and home décor retailer LAMPS PLUS. Established in 1976, LAMPS PLUS is the nation's leading specialty lighting company, serving millions of customers each year in stores and online at LampsPlus.com. Headquartered in Southern California, LAMPS PLUS Professionals offers trade discounts, superior customer service, and on-site delivery. https://secure.lampsplus.com/secure/Pros/index.aspx

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference (K/BIS®). With more than 41,000 members, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry for 45 years. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry. For more information, please visit the NKBA Press Room at www.nkba.org/press or call (800) THE-NKBA.