The 2023 Dulux Colour Awards Finalists Are Here – And They’re Full Of Inspiration

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Rosso Verde by Carter Williamson Architects. Photo – Pablo Viega.

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Garden Tower House by Studio Bright. Photo – Rory Gardiner.

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Hermon by WOWOWA. Photo – Martina Gemmola.

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Brunswick Studio by Fieldwork. Photo – Jack Lovel.

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: AB House Office MI—JI. Photo – Benjamin Hosking.

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Nightingale Leftfield by Kennedy Nolan. Photo – Tom Ross.

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Parkville House by Placement. Photo – Tom Ross

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Studio Elroy by Lintel Studio. Photo – Luc Rémond

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Playa House by Hugh-Jones Mackintosh. Photo – Prue Ruscoe

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: House Bean by Lintel Studio. Photo – Luc Rémond

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Hawthorn Cottage by Rosana Ceravolo. Photo – Sean Fennessy

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Cobden Terrace by Matt Gibson Architecture. Photo – Shannon McGrath

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Hellenic Homecoming by Maria Danos Architecture. Photo – Sharyn Cairns

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: Gloss House by Enth Degree Architecture. Photo – Anson Smart

Dulux Colour Awards 2023 – Residential Interior & Exterior finalist: The Whiskey Room by Simone Haag. Photo – Timothy Kaye

Balancing colour in architecture and interior design is no easy feat, but we can always count on the projects from the annual Dulux Colour Awards to show us how it’s done. And the finalists for 2023 have just been announced!

Each year, some of Australia and New Zealand’s best interior designers, architects and students submit their work to a panel of industry experts, who select the projects that reflect the most innovative use of colour in the built environment.

The 37th awards received a record-breaking of 477 entries, which have been narrowed down to 113 finalists across seven categories, ranging from residential to commercial designs.

‘This year’s finalists demonstrate the capacity for colour to be a fundamental and versatile design tool,’ Dulux colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr says.

The chosen projects also give us some insight into the season’s emerging trends – revealing colour-blocking playful features over neutral backdrops and a continued appreciation for earthy tones.

‘Contrastingly, deep, colour-saturated interiors are coming through, especially in moody blues, environmental greens, burnt reds and dusky pinks,’ Andrea adds.

‘We have also noticed a shift toward the consideration of painted architectural details, such as skirtings, window frames and doors, which inevitably adds a level of refinement to any project.’

A Sydney warehouse conversion by Carter Williamson showcasing Dulux Painted Bark, and a sophisticated yet serene green kitchen painted with Porters Paint Oakmoss by Placement are among some of our stand-out favourites from the shortlist. Meanwhile Simone Haag‘s The Whiskey Room project sports the moody mustard tones of Dulux Shank 15.

Alongside Andrea herself, the judging panel is made up of director of B.E Architecture director Andrew Piva; interdisciplinary designer Brahman Perera; Snøhetta senior interior designer Lisa Lee; CTRL Space project director Sarah Carney; and Russell & George director Byron George.

The winners of the Dulux Colour Awards 2023 will be announced on May 11th at special event in Melbourne, so stay tuned!

Learn more about the 2022 Dulux Colour Awards here