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Virtual Design Challenge Finalists and Winners Announced


Grand Prize Winning Design by Michael Drolet, Watercolor rendering by Danae Hoppe of Danae Designs

July 13, 2020

Home manufacturers KingsHaven, Taylor King and Woodbridge Furniture have announced the semi-finalists, finalists and grand-prize winner of the partnered design brands’ summer 2020 Virtual Design Challenge. The co-creators conceived the competition to inspire and support the design community during social distancing and scaled-back business caused by the COVID-19 virus.

Participating designers were tasked with creating Paris-style spaces, using their choices of 13 different light fixtures from KingsHaven, upholstery from Taylor King and furniture from Woodbridge Furniture. There was no budget limit for creating the virtual rooms.

The interior designers were given until June 9, 2020, to submit their virtual layouts using Google Docs or PowerPoint presentations. Thirty-three interior designers submitted completed projects for the 2020 Virtual Design Challenge.

renderingMary E. Sica and Lea Taliercio, of Dwayne Bergmann Interiors – Watercolor rendering by Danae Hoppe of Danae Designs

Grand-Prize Winner

Interior design industry professionals and enthusiasts voted online to choose the grand-prize winner, Michael Drolet, of Los Angeles-based Drolet Designs. His design theme showcased a mix of pattern and texture and was inspired by a recent trip to Paris. The winning design featured KingsHaven’s Fleur chandelier and Montparnasse Hexagon pendant; Taylor King’s Abby swivel chair and Yates sofa; and Woodbridge Furniture’s Madeline cocktail table and Vashon cabinet.

Drolet, as the grand-prize winner, will be awarded $750 in cash, $750 in product credits from the sponsors and $750 for a donation to the charity of his choice.

renderingLindsay Wells Suntag, of Lindsay Wells Interiors – Watercolor rendering by Danae Hoppe of Danae Designs

Top Finalists

Ten semifinalists were also selected by the Virtual Design Challenge’s internal judging panel, which consisted of one representative from each of the contest’s three sponsor companies. Five finalists were then selected in a second round of judging by interior designers Great Falls, Va.-based Lauren Leiss and Little Rock, Ark.-based Tobi Fairley.

The finalists were Lindsay Wells Suntag of Lindsay Wells Interiors; Mary E. Sica and Lea Taliercio of Dwayne Bergmann Interiors; Angie Gardeck of New Perspective Design; and Erika Pereira of Ikigai Goa.

renderingAngie Gardeck, of New Perspective Design – Watercolor rendering by Danae Hoppe of Danae Designs

The finalists and the grand-prize winner had their conceptualized designs brought to life through creative watercolor renderings by Danae Designs. All winners – including the five finalists and grand-prize winner – were awarded with a private Zoom cocktail and networking party with Leiss and Fairley.

“The overwhelmingly positive response to the contest solidified our desire to foster creativity and develop relationships during this otherwise distanced time, and many contestants thanked us for providing an opportunity to focus on something fun and stimulating,” said Cass Key, creative director with Woodbridge Furniture.

renderingErika Pereira of Ikigai Goa, – Watercolor rendering by Danae Hoppe of Danae Designs