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Decorating & Design Competition

This annual competition recognizes decorating and design excellence in Canada in a variety of different categories and is open to all accredited members and students enrolled in recognized decorating programs in Canada.

Past winners of the competition increased their credibility with potential clients and were covered in local and industry media, and on social media.

Competition Overview

The competition is open to Accredited DDA Members. Each category has unique eligibility criteria and entry requirements.

For each project, entrants are required to submit photos, drawings and a design statement for the judges to review. Basic project and entrant information is also required, including the project’s overall budget, a headshot and bio, and a project brief.

Entries must be the principal work of the entrant submitting the entry. Entrants who worked collaboratively on a project may submit the project as a team as long as all entrants meet the eligibility criteria.

Gold, silver and bronze winners may be chosen in each category. Choice award finalists are selected from among the winners of various categories. People’s Choice Award – selected by the general public from among the gold winners of each category. Influencer’s Choice Award – selected by a Canadian design influencer from among the winners of the Whole Home categories.

Entry Details

  • Entrants may enter up to 5 projects total. Each project may only be entered into a single award category.
  • Entrants may enter up to two projects per awards category.
  • There is no specific project completion timeline requirement; projects completed in any year may be entered.
  • A project previously entered into the competition but has not won can be submitted again.

Entry Fee

Fee for entry is $125.00 +tax.

Watch the recording for the Winners’ Circle Ask Me Anything Webinar!

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Accredited Award Categories

  • Whole Home Design

    The Whole Home Design categories include all residential whole home decorating and design projects that involve the member’s original design concept. To qualify for this category, the project must include (at minimum): a kitchen space, a full bath, an eating space, a living space, and a sleeping space. If the project does not include each of these, its components can be entered separately into other categories. Entrants are welcome to include any other spaces in addition to the minimum spaces listed above. Spec and model homes are welcome. The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings.

    Projects entered in a Whole Home category this year cannot be entered into any other category in the same year. (E.g. when entering a whole house, the house’s kitchen cannot also be entered into a kitchen design category this year).

    • Whole Home – Condo Apartment

      The Whole Home – Condo Apartment category includes a single apartment-style condo. Studio-style apartment projects are welcome as long as they meet the minimum definition of a whole home (including a kitchen and full bath, as well as a space that allows eating, living, and sleeping). Other types of condos (including townhouse & row house condos) should not be entered into this category.

    • Whole Home – House

      The Whole Home – House category includes a single freehold or condominium house, and can include detached, semi-detached, row, and townhouses. Tiny homes are welcome in this category as long as the project meets the minimum definition of a whole home (including a kitchen and full bath, as well as space that allows eating, living, and sleeping). Apartment-style condos should not be entered into this category.

  • Interior Decoration

    The Interior Decoration categories includes all residential non-kitchen, non-bath spaces that involve the member’s original design concept. The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings.

    • Interior Decoration – Open Concept Space

      The Interior Decoration – Open Concept Space category includes one open concept space, with no budget restrictions. To qualify for this category, the space must either contain multiple functions within a single open space (e.g., an open concept basement, an open concept family & dining room) or the multiple functions must be directly adjacent to each other and flow together (e.g., a living room and front hall, a bedroom with a dressing room). Single function rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms should not be entered in this category.

    • Interior Decoration – Single Room Over $35K

      The Interior Decoration – Single Room Over $35K category includes one single room with an overall project budget of approximately $35K or more (excluding design fees, taxes, and any appliances). E.g., a family room, a sun room, a bedroom. Open concept rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms should not be entered in this category.

    • Interior Decoration – Single Room Under $35K

      The Interior Decoration – Single Room Under $35K category includes one single room with an overall project budget of approximately $35K or less (excluding design fees, taxes, and any appliances). E.g., a family room, a sun room, a bedroom. Open concept rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms should not be entered in this category.

  • Kitchen & Bath Design

    The Kitchen & Bathroom Design categories includes all residential kitchen and bath spaces that involve the member’s original design concept.

    • Kitchen Under $65K

      The Kitchen Under $65K category includes one residential kitchen with an overall project budget of approximately $65K or less (excluding design fees, taxes, and any appliances). The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings.

    • Kitchen Over $65K

      The Kitchen Over $65K category includes one residential kitchen with an overall project budget of approximately $65K or more (excluding design fees, taxes, and any appliances). The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings.

    • Bathroom Under $30K

      The Bathroom Under $30K category includes one residential full bathroom with an overall project budget of approximately $30K or less (excluding design fees, taxes, and any appliances). The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings. Powder rooms should not be entered in this category.

    • Bathroom Over $30K

      The Bathroom Over $30K category includes one residential full bathroom with an overall project budget of approximately $30K or more (excluding design fees, taxes, and any appliances). The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings. Powder rooms should not be entered in this category.

    • Powder Room

      The Powder Room category includes one residential powder room with no budget restrictions. The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings. Full baths should not be entered in this category.

    • Universal Kitchen or Bathroom Design

      The Universal Kitchen or Bathroom Design category includes one residential bathroom or kitchen that incorporates the use of the 7 principles of universal design, with no budget restrictions. The project must include new construction or renovation, as well as finishes and furnishings.

  • Commercial Design

    This category includes any commercial design that involves the member’s original design concept.

    • Commercial Space

      The Commercial Space category includes offices, studios, restaurants, spas, salons, retail, common areas, hospitality, etc. The project may include new construction and renovation, or consist only of finishes and furnishings.

  • People’s Choice Award

    The top Accredited Interior Decoration entries in each category are to compete head-to-head to garner the most votes from DDA members and the general public alike.

  • Influencer’s Choice Award

    The Influencer’s Choice Award is selected by a Canadian design influencer from among the winners of the Whole Home categories.

Got questions? Ask us by emailing awards@ddacanada.com.