Our judges have selected the finalists, now you choose the winners. Vote for the finalists in each of 17 Considered Design Awards categories, on both
In the Best Amateur Living/Dining Space category, our five finalists are Alison Laxdal & James Hopper, Heather Jorde, Camille Eddera, Edmund Lam, and Theresa di Scianni.
Project 1
Alison Laxdal & James Hopper | Saskatoon, Canada | Home to Rest
Design Statement: “As furniture designers, we spend our days helping clients improve their spaces. It’s vital that we come home to a space that is relaxing, uncluttered, and functional. It’s also a place for us to experiment with prototypes. Our rooms have changed many times over the years as designs improve. Our own furniture is mixed with my collection of vintage finds. When we travel, I love scouring shops for Scandinavian treasures. We both have Scandinavian heritage and it shows in our shared aesthetic. This room may not be original or edgy, but it feels great to be in it.”
Chosen by Remodelista editor in chief Julie Carlson, who commented: “Any interior featuring a Dala horse catches my attention–Scandinavian alert. I love the casual mix of midcentury pieces and the unfussiness of this space.”
Project 2
Heather Jorde | Indianapolis, IN | Breakfast Nook Gets a Makeover
Design Statement: “When we moved from New York to Indiana, I had high hopes of finding an older home with lots of character. While there were a lot of older options, none of them fit our requirements and price range, so we ended up with a newer home. I was ready for the challenge of making a cookie-cutter place unique. I found the chairs and hutch on Craigslist, bought a tulip table, and added a part-black accent wall. The matte black wall adds a lot of character to this corner of our house. In addition to being the family dining area, it’s become one of my favorite spots for reading and emailing.”
Chosen by: Guest judge and graphic designer Luke Hayman, who said: “The mix of simple shapes–the black-and-white wall painting, floor tile, and tulip table–and the organic color and forms of the chairs and chest offer the feeling of an organized and serene space. I could easily sit there with a glass of wine and a good book.”
Above: “The light is from Ikea spray-painted a mint green–I love that subtle hint of color.”
Above: “The hutch is one of my favorite Craigslist finds. My husband added some supports in the back and introduced a new, sturdier shelf, but we were able to match the stain of the other shelves.”
Above: “The chairs were another inexpensive Craigslist find.”
Project 3
Camille Eddera | Los Angeles, CA | Living Room
Design Statement: “The weather in California is so amazing all year long that I wanted a true indoor/outdoor living room. Bifold windows make this possible–the deck became a part of the living room.”
Chosen by: Julie Carlson, who said: “You can tell that an artist lives in this space; it’s eclectic, interesting, and full of character and personality. I love the palette: the green velvet couch, and the ochre chair and settee, all against a unified white-painted background. I especially like the pale floor.”
Above: “The green velvet couch is from Organic Modernism on La Brea and the little orange couch is a vintage midcentury piece. The white table on the left is a vintage Knoll design.”
Above: “I designed the walnut coffee table and had it built by local wood artist Neil Rasmussen.”
Above: “The little midcentury couch was given to me as a gift. The round table and the little lamp are both from West Elm. Most of the paintings and drawings are from my painter mother, Emmanuelle Toesca.”
Above: Bookshelves from Ikea.
Above: “The view from the yard. The deck has one large step that doubles as a sitting area.”
Project 4
Edmund Lam | Montreal-West, Canada | Colonial Modern in Montreal-West
Design Statement: “Our Montreal-West house was built in the colonial style in 1892 and updated by an Expo ’67 architect in the late sixties. The resulting mix of midcentury and colonial is surprising yet perfectly intuitive. What you see here is the unique double living room that begins with the original space from 1892 and transitions into the 1960s addition that looks out onto the back deck. We wanted to complement the house’s unique look by furnishing it with a mix of midcentury, industrial, antique, and homemade DIY and hacked Ikea pieces.”
Chosen by: Luke Hayman, who had this to say about the space: “A quirky mix of furniture and decorative styles creates an easy, casual space in which to relax and create.”
Above: “The original 1892 section of the house is decorated in an eclectic style that combines midcentury, industrial, colonial, and DIY.”
Above: “A DIY wood palette coffee table is set against a midcentury sectional couch.”
Above: “An old Ikea floor lamp was spray-painted to complement the color palette.”
Above: “A DIY Lindsey Adelman brass chandelier suspended from antique moulding sums up the theme nicely.”
Above: “The old section of the house connects with a modern extension. We want the two spaces to complement one another but be unique.”
Project 5
Theresa di Scianni | East Hampton, NY | Deep Six A-Frame
Design Statement: “I love an A-frame; as challenging as they may be, they lift your spirits high. Before moving to the Springs [a small artist hamlet in the Hamptons], we lived in an A-frame in the hills of Los Angeles. My vision was to create a casual living environment that embodies California ease by introducing a bit of nature, treasures from our travels, magical fragrances, colorful textiles, and whatever else opens my heart.”
Chosen by: Luke Hayman: “I like the way the legs of the Eames chairs and the shape of the spiral stairs and stove pipe complement the extreme angles and structure of the A-frame, while the vintage chandelier, old rugs, and quilt add texture and color in a comfortable, inviting way.”
Above: “Vintage Indian dowry blankets from Matta and a Jodhpur pouf.”
Above: “The art wall is filled to capacity–one of the trials of living in an A-frame house.”
Start voting, and vote daily, now through August 8, on both Remodelista and Gardenista. Winners will be announced on August 9.
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