By Christine, Mission Group (Kelowna)
Only seven votes separated two teams of interior design students from the Centre for Arts and Technology Okanagan in Kelowna’s Next Top Designer team contest, which closed Sunday, May 27th, 2012.
After tallying up the large number of votes submitted team ‘Hooked It Up’ edged out team ‘Maled It’ for the bragging honours at the Dwell town home community on Ambrosi Road.
The winner was announced at the end of a month-long open house at the new, trendy town home community built by Mission Group. Eight students from CATO were separated in to two teams several months ago and asked to do the interior design planning for two display homes. Team Hooked It Up designed their unit for a young couple with no children, while team Maled It were charged with designing their assigned home for a single male. Both groups did a superb job, according to Mission Group president Randy Shier.
Visitors to the Dwell site toured the two homes and voted for their favourite design. Gisela Scholze, Department Head of CATO’s Interior Design Program said the students involved enjoyed their chance to work with professionals in the industry.
“Both teams did a tremendous job and learned a great deal. Class work is about learning and theory – but to actually work with the professionals at Mission Group and Shannon Nystrom of Moment Interiors was a tremendous opportunity,” Scholze said.
“Hooked It Up may have won the popular vote but both teams were winners. Actually – everyone involved in this unique triad collaboration won from this experience.”
Momentum Interiors supplied the furniture and accessories students used in designing and staging the two homes.
At the end of the event Christine Turner, Marketing Manager for Mission Group, and Markku Luopa of Momentum Interiors drew the name of the winner of $1,000 in furnishings from Momentum. Sheila Funk of Kelowna was the lucky winner.
Congratulations to everyone involved!