The finalists for the 2017 Dulux Colour Awards have been announced. This year, a record-breaking 286 entries have been reviewed for the awards, narrowing the field down to 89 finalists in nine categories across Australia and New Zealand.

Now in its 31st year, the program recognises Australian and New Zealand’s creative and outstanding use of colour across commercial and residential spaces.

Dulux colour planning and communication manager, Andrea Lucena-Orr, said, “This year, we witnessed a trend of darker tones in commercial spaces – with blacks, charcoals and purples prominent throughout exteriors and interiors. Cooler combinations of blues and greens were also popular, while architects and designers are continuing to explore geometric shapes and industrial aesthetics.”

“We were also greatly impressed with the calibre of this year’s student entries, with imaginative concepts and clever colour combinations displayed.”

The panel of judges includes Ryan Russell (director, Russell and George), Maurice Terzini (restaurateur and fashion designer), Fiona Lynch (director, Fiona Lynch Interior Design), Timothy Hill, (director at Partners Hill) and Shelley Ferguson (editor-in-chief of Your Home and Garden (NZ)).

The winners of the 2017 Dulux Colour Awards will be announced at a gala event in Melbourne on 10 May. 

New Zealand finalists below:

Commercial Exterior / International

Antarctic Heritage Trust - Hilary’s Hut – Antarctic Heritage Trust

The Old Vicarage – Element 17

Single Residential Interior / International

Avery Project – German Kitchens

Single Residential Exterior / International

City Villa – Goode Interiors Ltd

Multi Residential Exterior / International

Art Deco Alive! – Christchurch Apartments

The Pulse – Xsite Architects

International

Australis Nathan – Peddle Thorp

Student (years one to six)

Carrara Baths – Taylor Chan (University of Auckland)