TOP 50 ROOMS
Leaves are falling, winter is coming… and the year is moving into its second half as we enter June. If you’ve had a summer interior/design project and are looking to flaunt it, now is the perfect time to do so. House & Garden have been showcasing the best in architecture, design and lifestyle for 70 years and their annual ‘Top 50 Rooms’ issue is in the works with entries now open! If you are looking for a feature in one of Australia’s top magazines then read on…
Our design team has highlighted features from previous year’s entry winners and has broken down why they were selected. Central trends continue to follow on from the current ‘less is more’ approach people have been taking in the process of furnishing their homes. If you want to enter the ‘Top 50 Rooms’ competition, or simply want to know what makes a room/space successful, here are a few things to take into consideration:
Colour, Pattern & Texture
Most room interiors predominantly feature neutral paint colours, flooring and finishes as they provide long term sustainability as colour trends come and go. Colour, pattern and texture are introduced in the form of accessories like rugs, cushions and art – items that can readily be replaced when you feel like refreshing or updating a space.
Left Image – Designer: Alexandra Donohoe Church (Decus), Photographer: Anson Smart.
Right Image – Designer: Brett Mickan (Brett Mickan Interior Design), Photographer: Thomas Dalhoff.
Art
Large-scale artwork like paintings, tapestries and feature walls (wallpaper, exposed brick, decals etc.) can be perfect for filling space and decorating neutral walls to introduce colour and add aesthetic interest.
Image – Designer: Marylou Sobel (Marylou Sobel Interior Design), Photographer: Marian Riabic.
Architectural Features
Architectural features can create focal points within your home’s interior that offer both striking details and function to a space. These unique elements allow you to add your own creative flavour to an interior that is bespoke to its inhabitants. A few examples of these include in-built shelving, bookcases, recessed ceilings and exposed beams.
Left Image – Designer: Gillian Khaw & Tania Handelsmann (HANDLESMANN + KHAW), Photographer: Felix Forest.
Right Image – Designer: Stewart Horton (Horton & Co) , Photographer: Jason Busch.
Sheers
Sheers are an effective means of softening the angular architecture of a room. They are easily integrated into any space to coordinate effortlessly with existing features. Sheers with a continuous wide width are perfect for dramatic architectural windows and glass displays. Light control and privacy are important factors to take into consideration when designing a space, especially in the bedroom. Thankfully with low-crease and fade resistant capabilities, sheers of today bring a soft, organic aesthetic without compromising on durability to the natural conditions they are exposed to.
Image – Designer: Luigi Roselli & Romaine Alwill (Luigi Roselli Architects), Photographer: Justin Alexander & Jason Loucas.
Bedroom Textiles
Soft, tactile fabrics in the bedroom enhance the space we go to unwind and recharge. Snuggly throws, decorative cushions, soft drapery, upholstered ottomans and plush rugs/carpet are key elements to consider when designing your place of tranquillity. Fabric bedheads remain to be a popular choice in the bedroom. Colour, patterns and texture can be freely updated as new trends emerge. Like sheers, they soften a space making it feel more homely.
Image – Designer: Peter Schaad (Peter Schaad Interior Design), Photographer: Martina Gemmola.
Taking these points into consideration, do you think you’ve created a space that deserves to win? If you do, and want to get your space the recognition it deserves with national exposure, all the details are below:
Submissions are now open and close on the 18th of June. The competition is open to all and just has to abide by the following rules:
- Must have been completed within 12 months of the competition closing date June 18th
- Must not already be published anywhere. (If it is, alert Australian House & Garden as to where)
- Must remain unpublished until the ‘Top 50 Rooms H&G issue’ is off-sale
