The winners of the inaugural HOME Interior Design Excellence Awards were celebrated on the 17th February at an exclusive event at the Park Hyatt, Auckland. Here is what the judges — Stewart Harris of Macintosh Harris and Federico Monsalve — had to say about the entries.
Kitchen
Winner
Greenhithe
RAREBIRDS INTERIORS
Urban sophistication and rusticity are accomplished here via material palette and a deft balance between the two polarities. Industrial elements are paired with organic materials. Smooth, rectilinear concrete forms are juxtaposed with knotty and expressive timbers and the almost artisanal nature of woven fibres — on a handmade light pendant and glass mesh detailing. Everything — from dark brass strips, handles, taps, and even visible stitching on seats — works together and in sync towards a single idea: urban edge with a country undertone. Great attention to detail, timeless colour palette, and a stylish collection of finishes.
Finalists
To the Top
STICKS+STONES DESIGN
Dramatic without being overpowering. There is an inherent simplicity here, combined with excellent planning. Fresh, yet moody and engaging.
Curved Copper
STICKS+STONES DESIGN
Playful and inviting, with a delightful contrast of curvature and straight lines. Excellent use of differing textures and finishes.
The View House
MJWarchitecture
Sculptural moves that complement the architecture perfectly.
Bathroom
Winner
Devonport Villa — En Suite
REBECCA BAILEY DESIGN
Sexy, inviting, timeless, and rich, a villa en suite unlike any other: full of material richness and dramatic flair; sophistication with an inherent masculinity and a serious ability to wow. The judges commented on the choice of dark wall tiles, which — combined with brass tapware, industrial textured vanity, and pendant lighting — accomplishes an ultra-glam bathroom with an international quality.
Finalists
Sussex Street
RAREBIRDS INTERIORS
A delightfully planned bathroom with clever colour zoning, an inherent sense of playfulness, freshness, biophilia, and joy. Beautiful use of colour and vitality.
Hide and Seek
DU BOIS DESIGN
Compact but mighty. An intelligent layout has been devised for an otherwise complex space. Great lighting and textures ensure the space is not just practical but also beautiful.
Living
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Winner
Herne Bay Apartment
KKID
Luxury city hotel mood with added personality and sophistication. Furniture, art, and lighting have been meticulously curated to counterbalance low ceiling heights and floor size restrictions. Restrained but bold use of colour ensures the ‘hotel’ vibe tips in favour of personality rather than homogeneity, while exceptional furniture selection and zoning offer variety within a restricted floor-plate. Mature, minimalist, yet totally urbane and enticing.
Finalists
Cameron
RAREBRIDS INTERIORS
Proof that texture and variety in finishes, as well as eclecticism and boldness, can intimate warmth and reflect personality. A family-friendly and well-balanced result.
Nook Bay
THE CONCEPT GUY
Dramatic and captivating, great proportions mixed with rich and colourful elements. A delightful marriage of styles and finishes
Emerging Designer
Winner
The View House
MJWarchitecture
This designer’s first major commission and completed project as a solo operator is testament to a nascent talent that we will be keeping firmly in our radar. A great merging of interiors with architecture is combined with a colour palette that subtly reflects its context. The fact that the designer undertook all elements of the design, from joinery through to kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures, and fittings, speaks of a passion for and understanding of detail craftsmanship in the production of a holistic design. Considered selection of materials towards a distinctly Scandinavian feel, and an impressive debut.
Finalists
For Michelle
ALISON CHISMAN OF STEADFAST JOINERY
A pleasant marriage of old and new with undeniable originality and environmentally friendly intent. The attention to detail and bespoke solutions show a designer who is customer focused and resourceful.
Grey Lynn Residence
CLAIRE HAMMOND OF RITUAL INTERIORS
The clarity and consistency of this design reveal the maturity and nous of its designer. Shapes and forms, colour, and material all work together in a nearly symphonic way to deliver a Nordic-influenced but entirely contextual result.
Colour
Winner
Kimiora Apartment
KANAT STUDIO
Proof that apartment living does not have to equate with sterile or white interiors. This space has been reimagined with warmth and hospitality in mind, creating an inviting atmosphere of relaxation and calm. Personality and intrigue are carefully balanced and, although colour is generously used throughout all spaces, it remains cohesive and relevant to its furniture, materials, light — both natural and otherwise — photography, and other interior choices. The project’s boldness and joie de vivre are highly commendable.
Finalists
Scotland oasis
NOIR INTERIOR DESIGN
Lively, fun, playful mixture of colours that reflect and frame the owners’ personalities as expressed through their choice of antiques and toys. A home filled with joy and vivaciousness.
Airbnb
PIRFCT INTERIOR DESIGN
“I always believed that living in a colourful space will cheer up any dull soul,” says its designer, and the judges couldn’t agree more: this is a cheeky, individualistic space full of memorable moments and a colour scheme that radiates happiness.
