We didn't win... But we'd do it all again.

Last Thursday we packed our bags, jumped on a flight to Auckland and swapped site visits and samples for dresses and heels.

Why?

Because our project A Sculpted Gathering had been named one of just five finalists in the Colour Category at the HOME Interior of the Year Awards.

Considering there were more than 160 entries across 10 categories, simply being there felt pretty surreal.

The day itself was a bit of a whirlwind.

Naturally, our first stop wasn't the hotel... it was 159 Design. Because if you're in Auckland and there's beautiful furniture to look at, you go and look at the beautiful furniture.

Then it was off to Kate Solley for makeup, followed by Taska Hairdressing to sort the hair before the mad dash back to get dressed.

Emma wore a bespoke Reilly the Label dress (which she may now be looking for excuses to wear again), while Sarah went with Decjuba, proving you don't need couture to feel good.

Then came dinner...

Or, more accurately, the world's quickest Uber Eats order from White + Wong's, eaten before racing out the door. Not exactly the glamorous pre-awards dinner we'd imagined, but honestly... pretty on brand, and how can we complain when the takeaways were that good?

Then suddenly we were there.

Walking into a room full of New Zealand's best designers is both incredibly inspiring and just a little intimidating. You look around and realise you're standing alongside people whose work you've admired for years.

And somehow... you're part of that conversation.

Did we win?

Not this year.

The Supreme Award went to Material Creative for Sherwood Residence, and what a deserving project it was.

Of course we would've loved to hear our name called out. We'd be lying if we said otherwise.

But once the night was over, we realised that wasn't actually the biggest takeaway.

Being recognised as one of the country's top five projects for colour is something we're unbelievably proud of.

As a little design studio from Manawatū, having our work judged alongside some of the best in New Zealand is something we'll never take for granted.

Awards are lovely.

But what they really do is remind you to stop for a second and look back at what you've created.

A Sculpted Gathering challenged us creatively, pushed us outside our comfort zone and became one of those projects we'll always be proud of.

So while we didn't bring home the trophy, we came home feeling incredibly grateful.

Grateful for our amazing clients who trust us.

Grateful for the team behind every project.

Grateful to be part of an industry full of ridiculously talented people.

And mostly... grateful that we get to do this for a living.

Now, it's back to the studio.

Because the next project isn't going to design itself.