Dulux Colour Awards 2025
Residential Interior Winner
Recognising the best interior paint finishes of any building used as a private residence, this highly competitive category sparked significant discussion among the judges. These projects demonstrated architectural skill and chromatic expertise.
Residential Interior Winner
Studio Doherty
Elonera House
What the judges said...
“There’s an ethereal quality to Elonera House by Studio Doherty, a weightlessness and translucency that perfectly captures the goal to create a welcoming sanctuary from heritage beginnings. It epitomises the architect’s understanding of colour psychology to specify a palette with such nuance as to create a calm, even mellow, yet uplifting spatial sensibility. The overall composition is delicately balanced but, when dissected, reveals some unlikely participants. Take the inspired casting of Dulux Calandre as the predominant hue, proving remarkably versatile in a range of lighting conditions and in combination with brushstrokes of other colours, such as duck-egg blue, dusky pink and pale yellow. Tonally they click neatly together but there remains just enough contrast to sustain the curiosity and excitement of these spaces. It is not only the combination of colours that delights; it is their precise placement, proportions and ratios that are so exquisitely handled. Elonera House has been exquisitely composed, with pitch-perfect tone, rhythm and dynamics."
Alex McLeod, at.space, judge
The winning palette
Commended
Pac Studio
Lava Flow
What the judges said...
“Uniquely sited within Auckland’s volcanic landscape, Lava Flow by Pac Studio is a home designed around the hues of its geographical context and boldly underpinning the entire scheme is Dulux Murray Red, a deep earthy crimson. It firmly reinforces the project’s connection to the site, playing a dominant role in the interior’s identity. Its liberal application defines the large geometric planes of a dramatic kitchen skylight and, in spite of its depth, this dense colour on the ceiling angles – the inverse of expectations – reflects light into the interior. Here the same hue is continued across walls and joinery elements and contrasted with a warm white for balance. Moving into the private zones reveals bedrooms of dark blue green and a bathroom of soft pink, united by exotically patterned wallpaper. As a whole, this home is a masterclass in colour use as an essential medium for mood, atmosphere and identity. The interplay of dark and light, dominant and recessive hues amplifies the architectural gestures and the sense of place."
Alex McLeod, at.space, judge
The Lava Flow palette
Commended
Kennedy Nolan
Rosherville House
What the judges said...
"Rosherville House by Kennedy Nolan, on Sydney's North Shore, has a beautiful cadence to it, its contemporary transformation honouring the 1980s original brick pavilion-style structure. Characterised by thoughtful and subtle interventions, the design resolution eschews grand gestures in favour of confident compositions. A tonal palette and layers of textured materials clad the architectural features of the living areas – a voluminous double-height ceiling above the kitchen, which opens to a planted courtyard – with details highlighted in bolder hues to sync with the retro furnishings. The sophisticated yet relaxed '80s lounge vibe gives way to bedrooms and bathrooms swathed in contemporary hues of muted blues, greens and tans. It amounts to a spatial and experimental exercise in nostalgia and the architects are commended for their intelligent, controlled execution."
Alex McLeod, at.space, judge
The Rosherville palette
Commended
Arent&Pyke
Wharf House
What the judges said...
“Contemporary renovations are at risk of overwhelming heritage integrity without a considered approach, and the role of colour in striking the balance is pivotal. Here, in an historic home overlooking Sydney Harbour, the architects have conceived of a palette to reinforce the dwelling’s original assets and, at the same time, pulled it firmly into the contemporary realm, while also embracing its context. Where the views are proximate, a deep marine has been used; where original leadlight windows are present, their jewel-like colours have been appropriated. Crisp whites delineate architectural elements, defining scale and highlighting the ornate ceilings. Butter yellow, clotted cream and whispering blue-grey adorn internal spaces and imbue them with a casual serenity. The distinct palette of each room is tonally cohesive and, consequently, this family home feels refreshed, grounded and timeless."
Alex McLeod, at.space, judge
The Wharf House palette
Dulux Colour Awards 2025 category winners
Explore how the winners brought to life the innovative use of colour in residential, commercial and public spaces.
Image credits
Sean Fennessy Elonera House | Samuel Hartnett Lava Flow | Anson Smart Rosherville House, Wharf House and Melbourne Place | Peter Bennetts Northern Memorial Park Depot | Lillie Thompson Sarah & Sebastian Armadale | Pier Carthew Dunstan | Hamish McIntosh Carol Jerrems : Portraits.