Vote in Our #SketchChallenge to Win £500 to Spend on Homeware
We were flooded with amazing entries for our Decorex Sketch Challenge and we're excited to announce our final shortlist
We had a fantastic response to our #SketchChallenge design competition, where we teamed up with Decorex to invite design professionals and design students to solve a Houzzer’s (Frida von K) design dilemma. The level of entries was very high and our expert judging panel had a tough time selecting a shortlist.
After looking through every single entry, and after much debate, the judges whittled down the entries to a final shortlist of four designs. It’s now up to you to vote for your favourite. Cast your vote online here and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a £500 Houzz Shop voucher.
Here, in no particular order, are our four finalists to tell you a little more about their designs.
After looking through every single entry, and after much debate, the judges whittled down the entries to a final shortlist of four designs. It’s now up to you to vote for your favourite. Cast your vote online here and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a £500 Houzz Shop voucher.
Here, in no particular order, are our four finalists to tell you a little more about their designs.
“We hoped to create a design that could be easily implemented,” continues Tate. “All the pieces in our mood boards were sourced and carefully selected so that they could be purchased within her budget. Our main focus, however, was Frida’s growing baby girl. Having a safe space for her to play was essential, although, as parents, we also understand how important it is for mums and dads to have a space where they can switch off and recharge. Our solution was designed to provide just such a space.”
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
2. FLAIR design studio
“From the outset I wanted to understand how Frida and her family use their space.” says Kasia Galloway of FLAIR design studio. “Looking at the original pictures, my first impression was that the space was not inviting, and it didn’t excite me. I wanted to design a space that is not only functional for a young and growing family, but also gives them that amazing feeling of a cosy home.”
“From the outset I wanted to understand how Frida and her family use their space.” says Kasia Galloway of FLAIR design studio. “Looking at the original pictures, my first impression was that the space was not inviting, and it didn’t excite me. I wanted to design a space that is not only functional for a young and growing family, but also gives them that amazing feeling of a cosy home.”
“The biggest problem to solve was the lack of storage,” says Galloway, so my first steps were to redesign the kitchen and create bespoke furniture for the lounge. Introducing a play area into the space was another important part of the design process. Frida’s style is one of my favourites at the moment, so choosing the colour scheme and furniture was an absolute dream job!”
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
3. Paul Langston Interiors
“Space planning and storage solutions have featured at the top of my list of priorities for producing this design,” says Paul Langston of Paul Langston Interiors. “Currently, the kitchen features a stand-alone island. I’ve suggested moving this work surface closer to the main kitchen run to give more room for the dining and living areas. By pulling it back, it can also be made deeper, as shown, to accommodate a breakfast bar and stools. I’ve also connected it to the wall (no longer an island), resulting in a more substantial work surface with extra storage below. A bespoke wall unit has also been designed to include easy-access storage for Frida’s daughter’s toys, plus a dedicated desk area for Frida and her husband to spread out and work.”
“Space planning and storage solutions have featured at the top of my list of priorities for producing this design,” says Paul Langston of Paul Langston Interiors. “Currently, the kitchen features a stand-alone island. I’ve suggested moving this work surface closer to the main kitchen run to give more room for the dining and living areas. By pulling it back, it can also be made deeper, as shown, to accommodate a breakfast bar and stools. I’ve also connected it to the wall (no longer an island), resulting in a more substantial work surface with extra storage below. A bespoke wall unit has also been designed to include easy-access storage for Frida’s daughter’s toys, plus a dedicated desk area for Frida and her husband to spread out and work.”
“In keeping with the Scandinavian theme specified in the brief, I’ve included sympathetic key finishes such as oak (floor and furniture), marble (table top), concrete (planters), brass and natural rattan (pendant lighting),” says Langston. “Blues and yellows make regular appearances in Frida’s Houzz Ideabooks, so I settled on those as the main colour accents in the space, illustrated through the fabric used in soft furnishings such as cushions and throws.”
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
4. Archidesigner
“The priority was to maximise storage space without compromising on a very personal, uncluttered and flexible living environment,” says Rein Bauer of Archidesigner. “New slim, vertically mounted radiators allow a better furniture layout, and lots of seating furniture was factored in for family and friends. All the pieces of storage furniture are modular, so elements can be added or removed, depending on changing requirements. The entrance door is replaced with a wooden-framed glazed design, to allow daylight into the hall and it creates an inviting feeling when you arrive.”
“The priority was to maximise storage space without compromising on a very personal, uncluttered and flexible living environment,” says Rein Bauer of Archidesigner. “New slim, vertically mounted radiators allow a better furniture layout, and lots of seating furniture was factored in for family and friends. All the pieces of storage furniture are modular, so elements can be added or removed, depending on changing requirements. The entrance door is replaced with a wooden-framed glazed design, to allow daylight into the hall and it creates an inviting feeling when you arrive.”
“The large ‘Thames View’ balcony windows are decorated with light and airy textured curtains, with extra-wide roller blinds for bright sunny days, while large shutters on the kitchen and dining area window provide privacy from the housing opposite,” says Bauer. “The finished design concept is modern and contemporary, influenced by European and Scandinavian design.”
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
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Which of these four designs is your favourite? Click here to cast your vote to enter the draw to win a £500 Houzz Shop voucher. Or, if you’re planning to attend this year’s Decorex, drop by the Houzz stand where you can cast your vote in person! Find the full terms and conditions here.
Take a look at the full design on our shortlisting page
–
Which of these four designs is your favourite? Click here to cast your vote to enter the draw to win a £500 Houzz Shop voucher. Or, if you’re planning to attend this year’s Decorex, drop by the Houzz stand where you can cast your vote in person! Find the full terms and conditions here.
“A picture speaks a thousand words,” says Suzanne Tate of Studio TO, “and that’s why Frida’s Ideabooks on Houzz were extremely useful! Looking through the photographs she selected, we were able to understand much better what she may or may not like. We selected furniture pieces and accessories that would support her choice of style and opted for a colour scheme and materials inspired by a Scandinavian landscape.”