It’s the only awards program which celebrates the best in residential architecture and interior design, as well as innovative work from Australia’s top furniture designers.
The Design Files Design Awards program celebrates creativity, originality, sustainability, innovation and visionary thinking, across multiple disciplines.
The finalists for the Design File awards have been announced, and the entries for the interior design category will amaze you.
From established to emerging creatives, home studios to globally recognised design firms, the Interior Design category is open to any practising interior designer.
Each finalist produced unique and considered interiors that are transformative.
Check out some of our favourites:
Doherty Design Studio, Thornton Residence
“The approach for interiors is based on simplicity, balance and restraint. A soft natural colour palette, punctuated with a calming pale blue, is inspired by the landscape and colours used by artist Hans Heysen in his paintings of monumental Australian gum trees; pale blues, bone and pale terracotta. Materiality choices are pared back, but highly detailed, with textured materials, subtle plays on matt and gloss, graphic shape and unexpected colour – crazy paving, concrete, polished plaster, black steel, painted timber panelling, blackbutt flooring and handmade ceramic tiles. Exposed roof trusses and their junctions – embellished with large black fixing plates – create a dramatic statement and are a key part of the home’s aesthetic detailing. A striking feature is the soaring tiled fireplace, centrally positioned in front of expansive windows at end of the room. It’s elegant, tapered shape follows the pitch of the roof to create exquisitely framed views,” – Doherty Design Studio
Chelsea Hing, Yarra Valley House
“To lend a modern edge to a country house interior, graphic elements like the Patricia Urquiola tiles were used to wrap the kitchen walls and island bench, and the terracotta brick screen in the rumpus throws light into an otherwise land locked hall. Unexpectedly these elements are mixed with country classics; louvered robe doors, meat safe mesh kitchen cupboards, rope wrapped handles, sandblasted oak vanities and concrete baths and basins. Texture and layering were paramount in this interior. And the hand of the artisan is felt throughout every inch of this home,” – Chelsea Hing.
Matt Woods Design, Perfect Storm
“Dubbed ‘the concrete bunker’ for its deliberate use of rendered finishes, and rejection of ornamentation, this Camperdown apartment for two design professionals was conceived of as an intimate, yet utilitarian environment. Inspired by Brutalism and the local warehouse vernacular, extruded geometries and moody tones result in a minimalist and precise interior,” – Matt Woods Design
Simone Haag, House Poynton
“The curation of furniture… Having been sourced from far and wide, they collectively imbue individuality, warmth and personality to a family home,” – Simone Haag
Dylan Farrell, Sydney Contemporary Perch
“This project offers a fresh, shimmering look at a sophisticated interior inspired by both natural and metropolitan sensibilities. At every step, we returned to our aesthetic touchstones — a minimalist space inspired by nature that was to be rich in texture and with a balanced sense of opulence and practicality,” – Dylan Farell.
The winners will be announced here on the 20th of September.