After a week of posting the first ever Apartment Therapy and The Kitchn Photo Contest, readers have chosen a winner. Bethany Nauert, a photographer extraordinaire based in Los Angeles, has garnered the most votes with the above image. This photo is a knock out, and when you think about it, the scene represents the ethos of our sites — It celebrates design, good living and gathering for a meal. It's beautiful.

Congratulations Bethany and cheers to many more great images from all of our team in 2012!

(Image: Bethany Nauert for Apartment Therapy)