Update: Poll closed. Congratulations to Michael Drolet of Drolet Designs, winner of The Taylor King, Woodbridge, KingsHaven Virtual Design Challenge! Stay tuned for more on Michael’s Dream Parisian living room design in FLOWER’s September/October issue and coming soon on flowermag.com.
In May, we invited interior designers to a Virtual Design Challenge that asked them to create a “dream scheme” for a luxurious Parisian living room using upholstery from Taylor King; case goods, dining, and occasional furniture from Woodbridge Furniture; and lighting from KingsHaven.
Now that the judges—renowned interior designers Tobi Fairley and Lauren Liess—have narrowed down the Top 5 Semifinalists, it’s up to you to decide the Grand Prize Winner whose design will be celebrated in Flower‘s September/October 2020 issue. After reviewing each entry, you’ll find the official poll at the bottom of this post. Be sure to weigh in by 11:59pm ET, Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
Step 1 | Review the Top 5 Designs
TIP: As you scroll through the entries, click the buttons below each watercolor rendering to see the designers’ original contest submissions and details on finishes, fixtures, and furnishings.
All contestants were given the freedom of an unlimited budget and the same virtual floor plan and architecture. Artist Danae Hoppe of Danae Designs rendered the top 5 designs in watercolor. The order of the semifinalists presented is random.
Semifinalist: Lindsay Wells Suntag
Lindsay Wells Interiors | Washington, D.C.
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Lindsay Wells Suntag curated an eclectic look that honors the apartment’s architectural beauty. Warm white walls let the millwork speak for itself, while a blue-grey lacquered ceiling evokes a soft Parisian day. Modern elements such as abstract art and a hand-blown glass bubble floor lamp mix with more traditional ones like an oversized antique 19th-century mirror above the mantel. The sophisticated space features a reproduction rug by the iconic late Parisian interior designer Madeleine Castaing. In the late afternoon, the sun’s rays on the oak herringbone floors and gold velvet sofas cast a warm glow on the walls, which is complemented by the cool ceilings and pops of magenta.
Follow this designer at lindsaywellsinteriors.com; Instagram: @lindsaywellsinteriors
Semifinalist: Mary E. Sica & Lea Taliercio
Dwayne Bergmann Interiors | Fort Myers and Naples, Florida
Mary E. Sica and Lea Taliercio imagined a client: a globe-trotting American avant-garde jewelry designer who has made Paris her home and who loves juxtaposing traditional lines with contemporary design. This chic and inviting Mid-Century–inspired apartment is a reflection of her personality and travels. A pair of rich green sofas with clean lines served as the starting point for the design, while a palette drawn from nature—cool greens, fresh petal pink, and warm amber—is set off by a backdrop of white walls and floors. Here, the client can feel comfortable designing her jewelry line while sprawled on her shag rug or hosting a stylish cocktail party.
Follow this design firm at dwaynebergmann.com; Instagram: @dwayne_bergmann_interiors; Facebook: @DwayneBergmannHomes
Semifinalist: Angie Gardeck
New Perspective Design | Cary, Illinois
Angie Gardeck has always been partial to historical design references that are updated for today. Recently, she came across a wallpaper that felt like an updated Rococo-style toile in a fun color palette on a dramatic black background. Once she saw the molding detail in the room and the description of a Parisian feel, she knew the wallpaper was the place to start. In her designs, she favors pops of color and larger scale pieces and light fixtures. Her inspiration here was a traditional Parisian parlor with an updated color palette, high contrast, and a bit of formal feel.
Follow this designer at newperspectivedesign.com; Instagram: @newperspectiveinteriordesign; Facebook: @NPDesignIL; Pinterest: @newperspectiveinteriordesign
Semifinalist: Michael Drolet
Drolet Designs | Greensboro, North Carolina
Inspired by a recent trip to Paris when the romantic city was in peak bloom, Michael Drolet began with the floral textile Secret Garden Passion by Taylor King, which he used as a wall covering. Next, he designed a setting around a musical vision: the legendary jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald standing by a boldly patterned piano singing “I Love Paris” while accompanied by composer/songwriter Cole Porter. Filling the space with a vibrant, creative energy reflective of the performance, Drolet unapologetically combined texture and pattern in the style of maximalism and grounded the design with saturated connecting colors, clear focal points, and tailored and timeless furniture pieces.
Follow this designer at droletdesigns.com; Instagram: @droletdesigns
Semifinalist: Erika Pereira
Ikigai Goa | Goa, India
What comes to Erika Pereira’s mind when anyone mentions a Parisian apartment are the parquet floors. In keeping with that, her concept follows a minimalistic design approach with maximum impact. She kept the walls white to contrast with the wooden flooring and geometric black and white tiles in the adjoining room. Beautifully blending traditional with a twist, she chose sleek furniture pieces while experimenting with color and texture in the upholstery and cushions. Wood and brass elements blend effortlessly throughout, while the addition of bold abstract artwork and the occasional greens and antiques further unifies the aesthetic.
Follow this designer on Instagram: @ikigaigoa, @erikapereira67; Facebook: @ikigaigoa, @erikapereira67
Step 2 | Vote for Your Favorite
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Step 3 | Stay tuned!
The winner will be announced July 2 via social media. Sign up if you would like to receive updates on The Taylor King, Woodbridge, KingsHaven Virtual Design Challenge, including a feature story on the winner and details about the furnishings, textiles, and fixtures used in the semifinalists’ designs.
