The prestigious Dulux Colour Awards recognises outstanding and innovative use of colour in built environments by design studios from Australia and New Zealand, and as always – we are so inspired by the shortlist!

From 437 entries, the judges chose 105 finalists across six categories, spanning residential projects and hospitality to commercial spaces. Among them were several projects featured on TDF! You might recognise the retro-inspired Pony by WOWOWA, the calming tones of Rosanna Ceravolo’s South Yarra Apartment, the fun shades and shapes of Danielle Brustman’s innovative early learning centre interior, and the mood-enhancing Erskine House by Kennedy Nolan.

Dulux colour and communications manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr, highlighted the fortitude of these designs given the challenges of the past 18 months. ‘We can’t help but view this year’s project in a slightly different lens,’ she says.

She noted the trend towards pairing dark cocooning exteriors with warm, earthy colours within as an indication towards our need for extra stability in the wake of 2020.

‘The prevalence of concrete, stone and timber, as well as warm metals, paired with warm earthy hues and deep green and blues indicates the need for a return to nature and its grounding effects in chaotic times,’ she adds. As we know, colours completely affect our moods!

This year’s judges are Jefa Greenway, director of Greenaway Architects; Melissa Bright, director of Studio Bright; Patrick Loo, director of Common Space (New Zealand); Sarah-Jane Pyke, co-founding director of Arent & Pyke; and Suzannah Waldron, director of Searle x Waldron Architecture.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners on August 31st. It’ll be a hot competition!

To see the full list of finalists in the 35th Dulux Colour Awards, click here.