Awards at Home: How Recognition Looks in Real Life

Originally inspired by our 2021 catalog shoot, this post explores how award design and display come to life — not just in offices, but in real homes.

Or, When We Shot a Catalog at Home

Over the years, we’ve photographed our awards in some of Virginia’s most iconic spaces — from Shenandoah National Park to the Byrd Theatre and Assateague Island. But in 2020, things were different. With much of our team working remotely and safety still top of mind, we weren’t sure how to pull off a product shoot for our new catalog.

Then we realized: our customers weren’t in offices either. They were working from home — and receiving awards at home. So we decided to do the same. We brought the shoot home.

Our principal designer, Kristina Schultz, offered to host the shoot at her house. She sketched product placement, tracked the natural light throughout the day, and collaborated with our longtime photographer, Stacey Evans, to plan the timing and logistics. Over a few carefully coordinated sessions, the two captured images that felt natural, bright, and quietly beautiful.

The results surprised even us. Against a backdrop of bookshelves, windowsills, and painted walls, our awards looked less like trophies — and more like design objects. They felt personal, intentional, and truly at home.

Appreciation That Belongs in the Room

Whether it’s a retirement award, a years of service plaque, or a quiet moment of appreciation, the right award can have a lasting impact — not just in the moment, but in the spaces we live in. At some point, most awards go home. And when they do, they become part of the recipient’s everyday world.

That’s why design matters. If an award looks like a trophy, it can feel out of place — like something that belongs in a display case or office shelf. But when an award looks and feels like a piece of art, it becomes something more. It’s something the recipient can enjoy. Something others can admire. A quiet reminder of a job well done, without shouting for attention.

It’s one of the reasons we’ve always focused on clean lines, natural materials, and planet-friendly design. We want our awards to feel just as meaningful five years from now as they do the day they’re received.

Looking for recognition that feels at home — no matter where your team works or what the occasion? Let’s talk about custom awards that fit your space and your story →