Working from Home Project winner revealed

Every year, Grand Designs Live launches an interior design competition that challenges creatives to come up with innovative ways to transform a small space. This year, it was the Working from Home Project, sponsored by Crown Paints. The winner was revealed live on stage on Saturday 30 April 2022.

The brief was to transform a space around the size of a typical box room into a multi-functional working environment that is both stylish and practical. The five finalists were invited to turn their concepts into reality, each creating an installation that visitors can examine at the show.

The room sets were judged by an expert panel including Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs magazine editor Karen Stylianides, Kathryn Lloyd, colour specialist at Crown Paints, Helen Davies Property Editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, and Matthew Freeman, President Elect of the British Institute of Interior Design.

 

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Working from Home Project winner

The Working from Home Project winner was Hannah Challis of Playhaus Interiors, who integrated function and fun into her family-friendly home office design.

The space featured a calming colour palette of neutrals and nature-inspired tones and textures. She also worked a cat shelf into the design, and a play and snack station for kids, acknowledging that interruptions are part and parcel of working from home.

A design feature that particularly impressed the judges was the use of a whiteboard as a desk, offering enough space to work and a handy, wipe-clean scribble pad to note down ideas when they strike. It also doubles as a children’s play table.

‘We loved the paint colours and geometry – it is a very calm and serene space,’ said judge Kevin McCloud. ‘We love the storage for children’s books and pencils, and the ‘help yourself’ treat box on the wall which can be easily accessed by children – it is a great idea.’

‘I wanted to integrate not only function but inject fun and personality using colour, texture and pattern,’ said Hannah. ‘Plenty of us work from home with partners, kids, pets or friends, so I was keen to incorporate those elements of messy family life into the heart of my design.’

Hannah founded Playhaus Interiors in 2018 after coming to the industry later in life. As a mum of young children she appreciates how interior design can change how you make the most of the space. Her ultimate goal is to ensure clients are happy, calm and relaxed in their homes.