By Thomas Smith
At any given time, ACM Designs has around 25 projects going on. These projects range from residential homes, to cottages, and to commercial spaces. From consultation, to full designs, and execution, ACM always has something going on.
“Primarily, our clients are not residents,” said Andria Cowan Molyneaux. “With many of our clients, this is their second property. We depend very heavily on the lake associations to get in front of property owners to promote ourselves.”
At this year’s Peterborough and The Kawartha’s Home Builders’ Association, ACM Designs took home 11 awards, including the coveted Renovator of the Year. Some of the other awards they took home included the Any Room category, Renovations under $200,000, and Bathroom $30,000 and under.
“PKHBA was thrilled to celebrate our members at the 22nd Annual Housing Design Awards
Gala on April 24th. The annual event showcases the best in design, innovation, and building for
residential construction in the Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, and Northumberland
Areas,” said Rob Hatfield, PKHBA Board Chair. “The 2025 event had a record number of submissions for categories ranging from best design, custom-built home, kitchen, renovation, marketing, and more. PKHBA looks forward to this event each year as a way to honour the hard work of our members and to recognize how quality housing supports the overall well-being of our communities.”
“We are leaders in interior design for renovation and our specific focus on aging in place design,” said Cowan Molyneaux.
With aging in place design, spaces are developed to accommodate all bodies, regardless of their level of ability. Residential designs are flexible and adaptable in use. Aging in place design may include blocking for future grab bars and lighting to aid with circadian rhythm treatment for those with dementia.
For many secondary properties like cottages, the space can be designed with intergenerational use in mind. Anyone from toddlers to grandparents are able to access the space, says Cowan Molyneaux. Unlike a dinner party, guests may stay at a cottage for a week at a time, increasing the need to make all spaces accessible.
ACM Designs is entirely female owned and is an advocate for women in the trades.
“There’s a stigma attached to the trades,” said Cowan Molyneaux. “Then when you add the element of young women coming into a predominately male-dominated sector, where they don’t see women represented in those positions, it can deter them from moving forward into that sector.”
Through association with the Women in Trades Committees and Women in Residential Construction with the Canadian Homebuilders’ Association, Cowan Molyneaux hopes to attract more women into the trades.
“We want to put a special emphasis on recruiting female-identifying candidates and saying that this is an open and diverse workplace. It can be very rewarding and it can be financially rewarding.”
The Renovator of the Year Award means everything to Cowan Molyneaux.
“To even be qualified for this award, you need to be a RenoMark renovator with the Canadian Homebuilders’ Association,” said Cowan Molyneaux. “They have committed to an experience and a quality of product that is above basic expectations. To be in the program is extraordinary. To be a woman-owned business in that space is unique and I’m very proud of that, as well as the end product.”
Cowan Molyneaux says peer-reviewed competition is highly validating. Judges consider the entire design process, from preliminary design to completed product. Winning is an assurance that they are doing the process right and are doing it well.
From plaid wallpaper to rough hewn beams, Cowan Molyneaux says that their product and services set them apart from other firms.
The best part of the project is when the client opens their eyes and sees the project for the first time, says Cowan Molyneaux.
“It is extraordinary,” said Cowan Molyneaux. “We are taking care of all the pieces and you are on that journey with them.”
Businesses associated with the Homebuilders’ Association are committed to giving the best final product to their clients. Projects from ACM Designs also include a contract and warranty.
“It is important for residents and home owners to know that when you are working with somebody associated with the Homebuilder’s Association, you are working with a professional,” said Cowan Molyneaux. “I’m very proud to be a member of the homebuilders’ association.”
Until May 19, ACM Designs will be running a Bad Bunkie Makeover Contest. To enter, please send pictures, videos, or an explanation as to why your bunkie is deserving of a makeover valued up to $40,000. Submissions can be sent to the Bad Bunkie Makeover Facebook page or by emailing them to nicole@acm-designs.com.
